Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (NFBK)
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=1493225. Latest filing source: 0001493225-26-000037.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read NFBK's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read NFBK's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 249,096,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Net income | 796,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Assets | 5,754,010,000 | 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/CIK0001493225.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 124,972,000 | 132,869,000 | 147,292,000 | 165,143,000 | 168,145,000 | 172,298,000 | 179,688,000 | 208,795,000 | 237,908,000 | 249,096,000 |
| Net income | 26,130,000 | 24,768,000 | 40,079,000 | 40,235,000 | 36,988,000 | 70,654,000 | 61,119,000 | 37,669,000 | 29,945,000 | 796,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 0.57 | 0.53 | 0.85 | 0.85 | 0.76 | 1.45 | 1.32 | 0.86 | 0.72 | 0.02 |
| Operating cash flow | 37,701,000 | 43,624,000 | 52,789,000 | 51,152,000 | 55,214,000 | 64,759,000 | 83,331,000 | 46,970,000 | 31,105,000 | 53,698,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 1,638,000 | 2,552,000 | 3,605,000 | 1,154,000 | 1,150,000 | |||||
| Dividends paid | 14,074,000 | 15,646,000 | 18,673,000 | 20,198,000 | 21,476,000 | 24,299,000 | 24,127,000 | 22,795,000 | 21,826,000 | 21,152,000 |
| Share buybacks | 2,201,000 | 0.00 | 5,000 | 15,815,000 | 10,405,000 | 53,321,000 | 30,881,000 | 37,173,000 | 18,677,000 | 15,351,000 |
| Assets | 3,850,094,000 | 3,991,417,000 | 4,408,432,000 | 5,055,302,000 | 5,514,544,000 | 5,430,542,000 | 5,601,293,000 | 5,598,396,000 | 5,666,378,000 | 5,754,010,000 |
| Liabilities | 3,228,898,000 | 3,352,540,000 | 3,741,993,000 | 4,359,449,000 | 4,760,563,000 | 4,690,659,000 | 4,899,903,000 | 4,898,951,000 | 4,961,682,000 | 5,063,951,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 621,196,000 | 638,877,000 | 666,439,000 | 695,853,000 | 753,981,000 | 739,883,000 | 701,390,000 | 699,445,000 | 704,696,000 | 690,059,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 96,085,000 | 57,839,000 | 77,762,000 | 147,818,000 | 87,544,000 | 91,068,000 | 45,799,000 | 229,506,000 | 167,744,000 | 163,951,000 |
| Free cash flow | 63,121,000 | 80,779,000 | 43,365,000 | 29,951,000 | 52,548,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 20.91% | 18.64% | 27.21% | 24.36% | 22.00% | 41.01% | 34.01% | 18.04% | 12.59% | 0.32% |
| Return on equity | 4.21% | 3.88% | 6.01% | 5.78% | 4.91% | 9.55% | 8.71% | 5.39% | 4.25% | 0.12% |
| Return on assets | 0.68% | 0.62% | 0.91% | 0.80% | 0.67% | 1.30% | 1.09% | 0.67% | 0.53% | 0.01% |
| Liabilities / equity | 5.20 | 5.25 | 5.61 | 6.26 | 6.31 | 6.34 | 6.99 | 7.00 | 7.04 | 7.34 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001493225-26-000037; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001493225-26-000037; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0001493225-26-000037; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001493225-26-000037; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-11. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001493225.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.34 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.37 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.26 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 51,670,000 | 9,559,000 | 0.22 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 52,736,000 | 8,181,000 | 0.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 54,462,000 | 8,222,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 58,648,000 | 6,214,000 | 0.15 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 60,220,000 | 5,957,000 | 0.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 59,318,000 | 6,523,000 | 0.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 59,722,000 | 11,251,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 60,092,000 | 7,876,000 | 0.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 62,425,000 | 9,571,000 | 0.24 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 62,946,000 | 10,751,000 | 0.27 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 63,633,000 | -27,402,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 62,908,000 | 11,843,000 | 0.30 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001493225-26-000054; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001493225-26-000054; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001493225-26-000054; filed 2026-05-11. 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: 0001493225-26-000054.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Merger
On January 31, 2026, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Columbia Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Columbia Financial”), Columbia Financial, Inc., a newly-formed Maryland corporation (the “Holding Company”), and Columbia Bank MHC, the parent mutual holding company of Columbia Financial (the “MHC”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to the conditions set forth therein, immediately following the completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of the MHC (the “Conversion”), Bancorp will merge with and into the Holding Company (the “Merger”), with the Holding Company continuing as the surviving corporation. Immediately following the completion of the Merger, the Holding Company will cause Northfield Bank to merge with and into Columbia Bank, the subsidiary of the Holding Company, with Columbia Bank continuing as the surviving institution.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of Bancorp's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Northfield Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately before the Effective Time, other than certain shares held by Columbia Financial, the Holding Company, the MHC or the Company, will be converted, at the election of the holder, into the right to receive either shares of Holding Company Common Stock or cash (the “Cash Consideration”), as follows: (i) if the final appraised pro forma market value of the Holding Company, as determined by an independent appraiser (such appraisal, the “Independent Valuation”), immediately prior to the completion of the Conversion (the “Final Independent Appraisal”) is less than $2.3 billion, 1.425 shares of Holding Company Common Stock (the “Merger Exchange Ratio”) or $14.25 in cash (the “Per Share Cash Consideration”); (ii) if the Final Independent Valuation is equal to or greater than $2.3 billion and less than $2.6 billion, the Merger Exchange Ratio will be increased to 1.450 shares of Holding Company Common Stock and the Per Share Cash Consideration will be increased to $14.50; or (iii) if the Final Independent Valuation is greater than $2.6 billion, the Merger Exchange Ratio will be increased to 1.465 shares of Holding Company Common Stock and the Per Share Cash Consideration will be increased to $14.65. No more than 30% of the shares of Northfield Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time (excluding shares of Northfield Common Stock to be canceled as provided the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the aggregate Cash Consideration.
The Merger remains subject to the receipt of certain depositor, stockholder and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Merger is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2026.
The foregoing description of the proposed Merger and the Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 31, 2026, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2026.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report may contain certain “forward-looking statements,” which can be identified by the use of such words as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “annualized,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
•statements of our goals, intentions, and expectations;
•statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
•statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios
•statements about our performance, financial condition and liquidity;
•statements regarding the merger; and
•estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.
These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:
•general economic conditions, internationally, nationally, or in our market areas, including inflationary pressures and/or recessionary conditions, employment prospects, supply chain issues, fluctuations in residential and
40
Table of Contents
commercial real estate values and market conditions, military conflict, geopolitical risks, and downgrades of the U.S. credit rating;
•competition among depository and other financial institutions, including with respect to fees and interest rates;
•changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, or reduce the market value of our assets, including the fair value of financial instruments, or reduce our ability to originate loans;
•adverse changes in the securities or credit markets, and changes in investor sentiment;
•changes in laws, tax policies, government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions;
•changes in regulatory fees, assessments, and capital requirements;
•the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies and retaliatory responses;
•changes in the quality and/or composition of our loan and securities portfolios, changes in prepayment speeds, charge-offs, and in the estimates or methodology used to determine our allowance for credit losses;
•changes in the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio;
•our ability to manage our liquidity, including unanticipated changes in our liquidity position, changes in our access to or the cost of funding, and our ability to secure alternate funding sources;
•our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
•changes in consumer demand, spending, borrowing and savings habits;
•changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
•cyber-attacks and fraud risks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our website or other systems (including critical third-parties) to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information and destroy data or disable our systems;
•the failure to maintain current technologies and to successfully implement future technological enhancements;
•changes in investor sentiment with respect to financial institutions and their holding companies;
•changes in our organization, compensation structure, and benefit plans;
•our ability to attract and/or retain key employees;
•changes in the level of government support for housing finance;
•changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board;
•a possible federal government shutdown;
•the ability of third-party providers to perform their obligations to us;
•the effects of natural or man-made disasters, climate change, severe weather conditions, or other extraordinary events beyond our control, and our ability to effectively respond to and manage these disruptions;
•changes in our ability to continue to pay dividends, either at current rates or at all;
•operational or risk management failures by us or critical third parties;
•increased operational risks resulting from remote work;
•negative outcomes from claims or litigation;
•our ability to manage our reputation risks;
•our ability to timely and effectively implement our strategic initiatives;
•the disruption to local, regional, national and global economic activity caused by the spread of infectious disease, epidemics, pandemics, or other extraordinary events that are beyond our control and could impact our growth, operations, earnings and asset quality;
•changes in the financial condition, results of operations, or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own;
•any unexpected delay in closing the Merger;
•the possibility that the Merger does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, stockholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (including the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed Merger);
•the risk that the benefits from the Merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected;
•disruption to our business as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Merger;
•the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Merger, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on our ability to operate its business outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Merger;
•reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of the Merger by our customers, employees, vendors, contractors or other business partners; and
•the other factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in our subsequent filings with the SEC.
41
Table of Contents
Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Critical Accounting Policies
Note 1 to the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by this report, contains a summary of our significant accounting policies. Various elements of these accounting policies are subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions, and other subjective assessments. Certain assets are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value or the lower of cost or estimated fair value. Policies with respect to the methodologies used to determine the allowance for credit losses on loans are the most critical accounting policies because they are important to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, involve a higher degree of complexity, and require management to make subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. The use of different judgments, assumptions, and estimates could result in material differences in the results of operations or financial condition. These critical accounting policies and their application are reviewed periodically and, at least annually, with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
The accounting estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses remain "critical accounting estimates" for the following reasons:
•Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
•Estimates relating to the allowanc
[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 of Northfield Bancorp and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report (collectively, the “financial statements”).
Overview
Net income was $796,000, or $0.02 per diluted common share, and $29.9 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $22.9 million increase in net interest income, a $3.1 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $43.3 million increase in non-interest expense, which includes a $41.0 million, or $1.03 per share, non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge, and a $5.7 million increase in income tax expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 included additional tax expense of $580,000, or $0.01 per share, related to options that expired in May 2025. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included a $3.4 million, or $0.06 per share, gain on the sale of property, additional tax expense of $795,000, or $0.02 per share, related to options that expired in June 2024, and severance expense of $683,000, or $0.01 per share, related to employee severance.
Assets increased by $87.6 million, or 1.5%, to $5.75 billion at December 31, 2025 compared to $5.67 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in available-for-sale debt securities of $311.6 million, or 28.3%, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $170.3 million, or 4.2%, goodwill of $41.0 million, or 100%, and other assets of $13.8 million, or 29.4%.
Liabilities increased by $102.3 million, or 2.1%, to $5.06 billion at December 31, 2025, from $4.96 billion at December 31, 2024, as the decrease in total deposits of $122.7 million (primarily due to a decrease in brokered deposits, which decreased by $222.9 million, or 84.6%, to $40.5 million at December 31, 2025, from $263.4 million at December 31, 2024) was more than offset by an increase in borrowings of $234.0 million.
Stockholders’ equity decreased by $14.6 million to $690.1 million at December 31, 2025, from $704.7 at December 31, 2024. The decrease was attributable to $15.0 million in stock repurchases and $21.2 million in dividend payments, partially offset by a $16.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with an increase in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, a $4.7 million increase in equity award activity, and net income of $796,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025.
50
Selected Financial Data
The summary information presented below at the dates or for each of the years presented is derived in part from our consolidated financial statements. The following information is only a summary, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Selected Financial Condition Data: | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,754,010 | $ | 5,666,378 | $ | 5,598,396 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 163,951 | 167,744 | 229,506 | |||||||
| Trading securities | 15,215 | 13,884 | 12,549 | |||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value | 1,412,419 | 1,100,817 | 795,464 | |||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 8,339 | 9,303 | 9,866 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 5,000 | 14,261 | 10,629 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-sale | — | 4,897 | — | |||||||
| Loans held-for-investment, net | 3,856,773 | 4,022,224 | 4,203,654 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (38,144) | (35,183) | (37,535) | |||||||
| Net loans held-for-investment | 3,818,629 | 3,987,041 | 4,166,119 | |||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 182,828 | 175,759 | 171,543 | |||||||
| FHLBNY stock, at cost | 46,568 | 35,894 | 39,667 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 25,789 | 27,771 | 30,202 | |||||||
| Goodwill | — | 41,012 | 41,012 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 5,063,951 | 4,961,682 | 4,898,951 | |||||||
| Deposits | 4,015,809 | 4,138,477 | 3,878,435 | |||||||
| Borrowed funds | 900,216 | 666,402 | 859,272 | |||||||
| Subordinated debentures, net of issuance costs | 61,665 | 61,442 | 61,219 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 29,643 | 32,209 | 35,205 | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 690,059 | $ | 704,696 | $ | 699,445 |
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
| Selected Operating Data: | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 249,096 | $ | 237,908 | $ | 208,795 | ||||
| Interest expense | 111,730 | 123,423 | 84,128 | |||||||
| Net interest income before provision for credit losses | 137,366 | 114,485 | 124,667 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 7,402 | 4,281 | 1,353 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 129,964 | 110,204 | 123,314 | |||||||
| Non-interest income | 16,950 | 16,822 | 11,896 | |||||||
| Non-interest expense | 129,863 | 86,525 | 83,450 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 17,051 | 40,501 | 51,760 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 16,255 | 10,556 | 14,091 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 796 | $ | 29,945 | $ | 37,669 | ||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.86 | ||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.86 | ||||
| Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 40,116,839 | 41,567,370 | 43,560,844 | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 40,173,403 | 41,628,660 | 43,638,616 |
51
| At or For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: | ||||||||
| Performance Ratios: | ||||||||
| Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)(1) (2) (3) | 0.01 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.68 | % | ||
| Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)(1) (2) (3) | 0.11 | 4.30 | 5.45 | |||||
| Interest rate spread(4) | 1.92 | 1.45 | 1.82 | |||||
| Net interest margin(5) | 2.55 | 2.10 | 2.35 | |||||
| Dividend payout ratio(6) | NM | 72.89 | 60.51 | |||||
| Efficiency ratio(7) (8) | 84.15 | 65.90 | 61.11 | |||||
| Non-interest expense to average total assets | 2.29 | 1.51 | 1.50 | |||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 130.14 | 128.77 | 133.01 | |||||
| Average equity to average total assets | 12.57 | 12.14 | 12.44 | |||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.28 | 0.36 | 0.20 | |||||
| Non-performing loans to total loans(9) (10) | 0.42 | 0.51 | 0.27 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans(11) | 236.42 | 227.72 | 328.30 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net(12) | 0.99 | 0.87 | 0.89 | |||||
| Capital Ratio: | ||||||||
| Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets) | 12.24 | 12.11 | 12.58 | |||||
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Number of full service offices | 37 | 37 | 39 | |||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 372 | 359 | 401 |
| (1) | The year ended December 31, 2025, included a $41.0 million non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge and $580,000 additional tax expense related to options that expired in May 2025. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The year ended December 31, 2024, included a $2.4 million, after tax, gain on the sale of property, $795,000 additional tax expense related to options that expired in June 2024, and $492,000, after tax, of severance costs. |
| (3) | The year ended December 31, 2023, included $317,000, after tax, of severance costs and $96,000, after tax, of gains on loans sold. |
| (4) | The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted-average costs of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. |
| (6) | Dividend payout ratio is calculated as total dividends declared for the year divided by net income for the year. |
| (7) | The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. |
| (8) | The year ended December 31, 2025, included a $41.0 million non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge. The year ended December 31, 2024, included a $3.4 million, pre-tax, gain on the sale of property, and $683,000, pre-tax, of severance expense. The year ended December 31, 2023, includes $440,000, pre-tax, of severance expense. |
| (9) | Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD loans), included in total loans held-for-investment, net, and non-performing loans held-for-sale, included in loans held-for-sale. |
| (10) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans, acquired loans, and loans held-for-sale. |
| (11) | Excludes non-performing loans held-for-sale. |
| (12) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans and acquired loans (and related allowance for credit losses). |
52
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policy upon which our financial condition and results of operation depend, and which involves the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, is the following:
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The Company estimates and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. See Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance for credit losses. We identified our policy on the allowance for credit losses on loans to be a critical accounting policy because management makes subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
The allowance for credit losses on loans is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons:
• Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
• Estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require us to utilize a reasonable and supportable forecast period based upon forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate probability of default and loss given default rates which our CECL methodology encompasses;
• The allowance for credit losses on loans is influenced by factors outside of our control such as industry and business trends, as well as economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment; and
• Judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses on loans produce an estimate that is sufficient to encompass the current view of lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses on loans has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover losses.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans. This quarterly process is performed by the accounting department, in conjunction with the credit administration department, and approved by the Allowance Committee, which consists of the Chief Executive Officer/President, Executive Vice President (“EVP”) & Chief Risk Officer, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, EVP & Chief Lending Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Senior Vice President (“SVP”) Collections and Asset Recovery, SVP & Director of Financial Reporting and the Assistant Vice President Financial Reporting. The Chief Financial Officer performs a final review of the calculation. All supporting documentation with regard to the evaluation process is maintained by the accounting department. Each quarter a summary of the allowance for credit losses is presented by the Chief Financial Officer to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Under the CECL methodology, the allowance for credit losses on loans has two components. (1) a collective reserve for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share common risk characteristics and (2) an individual reserve for loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all loans designated as TDRs prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater.
53
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company estimates the collective reserve using a risk rating migration model which calculates the expected life of loan loss percentage for each loan by generating probability of default and loss given default metrics. These metrics are multiplied by the exposure at default, taking into consideration prepayments, to calculate the quantitative component of the collective reserve. The metrics are based on the migration of loans from performing to loss by credit risk rating or delinquency categories using historical life-of-loan analysis periods for each loan portfolio pool, and the severity of loss, based on the aggregate net lifetime losses incurred using the Company's historical loss experience and comparable peer data loss history. The model's expected losses based on loss history are adjusted for qualitative adjustments. Among other things, these adjustments include and account for differences in: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures; (ii) changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of our portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; (iii) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the quality of our loan review system; (v) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (vi) the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.
The Company utilizes a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period after which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience immediately for the remaining life of the loan. In establishing its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company utilizes five externally-sourced forward-looking economic scenarios developed by Moody's Analytics (“Moody's”) so as to incorporate uncertainties related to the economic environment. These scenarios, which range from more benign to more severe economic outlooks, include a “most likely outcome” (the “Baseline” scenario) and four less likely scenarios referred to as the “Upside” and “Downside” scenarios. Each scenario is weighted with a majority of the weighting placed on the Baseline scenario and lower weights placed on both the Upside and Downside scenarios. The weighting assigned by management is based on the economic outlook and available information at the reporting date. The model projects economic variables under each scenario based on detailed statistical analyses. The Company has identified and selected key variables that most closely correlated to its historical credit performance, which include: gross domestic product, unemployment, and three collateral indices: the Commercial Property Price Index, the Commercial Property Price Apartment Index and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Our allowance for credit losses is sensitive to a number of inputs, most notably the macroeconomic forecast assumptions as well as the reasonable and supportable forecasting periods that are incorporated in our estimate of credit losses on loans. Therefore, as the macroeconomic environment and related forecasts change or decisions are made to shorten or lengthen the forecasting period, the allowance for credit losses may change materially. The following sensitivity analyses do not represent management’s expectations of the deterioration of our portfolios or the economic environment, but are provided as hypothetical scenarios to assess the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses to changes in key inputs.
The following table details the five Moody's scenarios utilized in determining the allowance for credit losses on loans at December 31, 2025, and weightings of each scenario:
| Model Scenario | Moody's Scenario Description | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S0 | Upside - 4th Percentile | 4% | ||
| S1 | Upside - 10th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S3 | Downside - 90th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S4 | Downside - 96th Percentile | 4% | ||
| Baseline | Baseline Scenario | 72% |
If we placed 100% weighting on the baseline scenario, the quantitative allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2025 would have been approximately $1.8 million lower. Conversely, if we removed the upside scenarios and reallocated the weights from S0 to S4 and S1 to S3, the allowance for credit losses would have increased approximately $1.9 million. These forecasts revert to our long-term historical average loss rate after a 24-month forecasting period.
Because of the of the high degree of judgment involved in management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses, the subjectivity of assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment, there is uncertainty in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance for credit losses on loans.
54
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
The Company measures specific reserves for individual loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all loans designated as TDRs prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater. Loans individually evaluated for impairment are assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent, or the present value of the expected future cash flows, if the loan is not collateral-dependent. Management performs an evaluation of each impaired loan and generally obtains updated appraisals as part of the evaluation. In addition, management adjusts estimated fair values down to appropriately consider recent market conditions, our willingness to accept a lower sales price to effect a quick sale, and costs to dispose of any supporting collateral. Determining the estimated fair value of underlying collateral (and related costs to sell) can be difficult in illiquid real estate markets and is subject to significant assumptions and estimates. Management employs an independent third-party management firm that specializes in appraisal preparation and review to ascertain the reasonableness of updated appraisals. Projecting the expected cash flows under troubled debt restructurings which are not collateral-dependent is inherently subjective and requires, among other things, an evaluation of the borrower’s current and projected financial condition. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections and our established allowance for credit losses on these loans, which could have a material effect on our financial results. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described earlier.
We have a concentration of loans secured by real property located in New York, New Jersey, and, to a lesser extent, eastern Pennsylvania. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are reviewed by management and an independent third-party appraiser to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the collateral. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are changes in interest rates, inflation, a decline in the economy generally, or a decline in real estate market values in New York, New Jersey, or eastern Pennsylvania. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in delinquencies, increased credit losses, and increased credit loss provisions.
Although we believe we have established and maintain the allowance for credit losses at adequate levels, changes may be necessary if future economic or other conditions differ substantially from our estimation of the current operating environment. Although management uses the information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of its examination process, will review our allowance for credit losses on loans and may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
We also maintain an allowance for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and standby letters of credit. The reserve for off-balance sheet exposures is determined using the CECL reserve factor in the related funded loan segment, adjusted for an average historical funding rate. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in other non-interest expense.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2025 and 2024
Total assets increased by $87.6 million, or 1.5%, to $5.75 billion at December 31, 2025, from $5.67 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in available-for-sale debt securities of $311.6 million, or 28.3%, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $170.3 million, or 4.2%, goodwill of $41.0 million, or 100%, and other assets of $13.8 million, or 29.4%.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3.8 million, or 2.3%, to $164.0 million at December 31, 2025, from $167.7 million at December 31, 2024. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, deposit inflows and the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities.
55
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio increased by $311.6 million, or 28.3%, to $1.41 billion at December 31, 2025, from $1.10 billion at December 31, 2024. The changes reflect the purchase of higher-yielding mortgage-related securities with excess cash and proceeds from the maturities of other securities and paydown of lower-yielding multifamily loans. At December 31, 2025, $1.38 billion of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $32.2 million in corporate bonds, substantially all of which were considered investment grade, $614,000 in municipal bonds, and $558,000 in U.S. Government agency securities at December 31, 2025. Gross unrealized losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale debt securities and held-to-maturity securities approximated $10.5 million and $206,000, respectively, at December 31, 2025, and $21.8 million and $400,000, respectively, at December 31, 2024.
Equity securities were $5.0 million at December 31, 2025 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2024. Equity securities are primarily comprised of an investment in a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Loan Fund. This investment is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program. The decrease in equity securities was primarily due to a redemption, at par, of $5.0 million of our investment in the SBA Loan Fund in the second quarter of 2025 and a $4.3 million decrease in money market mutual funds, which were liquidated in the third quarter of 2025.
Loans held for investment, net, decreased by $165.5 million to $3.86 billion at December 31, 2025, from $4.02 billion at December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in multifamily real estate loans, partially offset by increases in all other loan categories. The decrease in multifamily loan balances reflects the Company's continued strategic focus on managing concentration risk within its multifamily real estate loan portfolio, while maintaining disciplined loan pricing. Multifamily loans decreased $236.1 million, or 9.1%, to $2.36 billion at December 31, 2025 from $2.60 billion at December 31, 2024. Home equity loans and lines of credit increased $24.5 million, or 14.1%, to $198.6 million at December 31, 2025 from $174.1 million at December 31, 2024, attributable to new originations, existing customers drawing down on their lines of credit, and decreases in paydowns. Commercial real estate loans increased $21.6 million, or 2.4%, to $911.4 million at December 31, 2025 from $889.8 million at December 31, 2024, attributable to new originations. One-to-four family residential loans increased $14.9 million, or 9.9%, to $165.1 million at December 31, 2025 from $150.2 million at December 31, 2024, attributable to retail originations of $12.3 million through our recently established mortgage department and the purchase of $25.8 million of residential mortgage pools from other banks, partially offset by paydowns. Construction and land loans increased $8.6 million, or 24.0%, to $44.5 million at December 31, 2025 from $35.9 million at December 31, 2024, as we entered into a $10.9 million loan participation with another bank related to a multifamily development in New Jersey of which we had advanced $9.5 million through December 31, 2025. Commercial and industrial loans increased $2.7 million, or 1.7%, to $166.2 million at December 31, 2025 from $163.4 million at December 31, 2024, as the result of continued expansion of our lending team.
As of December 31, 2025, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was estimated at approximately 380%. Management believes that Northfield Bank (the “Bank”) maintains appropriate risk management practices including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which includes monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing of the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, the Company's ability to pay dividends, and overall profitability.
Our real estate portfolio includes credit risk exposure to loans collateralized by office buildings and multifamily properties in New York State subject to some form of rent regulation limiting increases for rent stabilized multifamily properties. At December 31, 2025, office-related loans represented $174.7 million, or 4.5% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.8 million (although we have originated these types of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 58%. Approximately 39% were owner-occupied. The geographic locations of the properties collateralizing our office-related loans are: 49.9% in New York, 48.6% in New Jersey and 1.5% in Pennsylvania. At December 31, 2025, our largest office-related loan had a principal balance of $86.4 million (with a net active principal balance for the Bank of $28.8 million as we have a 33.3% participation interest), was secured by an office facility located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. At December 31, 2025, multifamily loans that have some form of rent stabilization or rent control totaled approximately $418.8 million, or 10.9% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.7 million (although we have originated these type of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 50%. At December 31, 2025, our largest rent-regulated loan had a principal balance of $16.4 million, was secured by an apartment building located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. Management continues to closely monitor its office and rent-regulated portfolios. For further details on our rent-regulated multifamily portfolio see “Asset Quality”.
56
PCD loans totaled $8.3 million and $9.2 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income of $945,000 and $1.3 million attributable to PCD loans for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $2.6 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Bank-owned life insurance increased $7.1 million, or 4.0%, to $182.8 million at December 31, 2025, as compared to $175.8 million at December 31, 2024. The increase resulted from income earned on bank-owned life insurance for the year ended December 31, 2025, which was primarily due to the restructuring and enhancements in our bank-owned life insurance policies into higher-yielding policies in the fourth quarter of 2024.
FHLBNY stock increased by $10.7 million, or 29.7%, to $46.6 million at December 31, 2025, from $35.9 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in FHLBNY stock directly correlates with higher short-term borrowing balances at December 31, 2025, as compared to December 31, 2024.
Goodwill decreased by $41.0 million, or 100%, to $0 at December 31, 2025, as the Company recorded a non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2025, based on our annual goodwill impairment test which included market related considerations.
Other assets decreased by $11.7 million, or 25.0%, to $35.2 million at December 31, 2025, from $46.9 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in deferred tax assets due to a decrease in unrealized losses on the securities available-for-sale portfolio.
Total liabilities increased $102.3 million, or 2.1%, to $5.06 billion at December 31, 2025 as compared to $4.96 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in borrowings of $234.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in deposits of $122.7 million. Brokered deposits decreased by $222.9 million, or 84.6%, to $40.5 million at December 31, 2025, from $263.4 million at December 31, 2024, as the Company placed less reliance on brokered deposits, which had been used as a lower-cost alternative to borrowings. The Company routinely utilizes brokered deposits and borrowed funds to manage interest rate risk, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and funding needs related to loan originations and deposit activity.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $100.2 million, or 2.6%, to $3.98 billion at December 31, 2025, as compared to $3.88 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase in deposits, excluding brokered deposits, was primarily attributable to increases of $164.4 million in transaction accounts, and $3.3 million in money market accounts, partially offset by decreases of $21.9 million in time deposits, and $45.6 million in savings accounts. Growth in transaction accounts was primarily due to new municipal relationships and new commercial relationships. The decrease in time deposits and savings accounts was attributable to the Company's focus on growing low/no cost checking deposits and choosing not to compete with competitors offering higher rate time deposits and savings accounts.
Estimated gross uninsured deposits at December 31, 2025 were $1.99 billion. This total includes fully collateralized uninsured government deposits and intercompany deposits of $1.03 billion, leaving estimated uninsured deposits of approximately $952.9 million, or 23.7%, of total deposits. At December 31, 2024, estimated uninsured deposits, excluding fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $923.8 million, totaled $896.5 million, or 21.7% of total deposits.
Borrowed funds increased to $961.9 million at December 31, 2025, from $727.8 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in borrowings was primarily due to a $130.0 million increase in borrowings under an overnight line of credit, and a $103.8 million increase in other borrowings, which were used in lieu of higher-costing brokered deposits. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent from time to time, as part of leverage strategies.
Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $14.6 million to $690.1 million at December 31, 2025, from $704.7 at December 31, 2024. The decrease was attributable to $15.0 million in stock repurchases and $21.2 million in dividend payments, partially offset by a $16.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with an increase in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, a $4.7 million increase in equity award activity, and net income of $796,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025. During the year December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock outstanding at an average price of $11.52 for a total of $15.0 million pursuant to the approved stock repurchase plans. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no outstanding repurchase program.
57
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
Net Income. Net income was $796,000 and $29.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $22.9 million increase in net interest income, a $3.1 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $43.3 million increase in non-interest expense, which includes a $41.0 million non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge, and a $5.7 million increase in income tax expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $11.2 million, or 4.7%, to $249.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $237.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 26 basis point increase in yields on interest-earning assets, which increased to 4.62% for the year ended December 31, 2025, from 4.36% for the year ended December 31, 2024, due to higher yields on mortgage-backed securities and loans, partially offset by a $71.0 million, or 1.3%, decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in the average balance of loans of $175.3 million, the average balance of other securities of $224.3 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $88.6 million, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $415.9 million. The changes reflect the purchase of higher-yielding mortgage-related securities with excess cash and proceeds from the maturities of other securities and paydown of lower-yielding multifamily loans. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, included $609,000 of interest income related to the settlement of a non-accrual loan in May 2025. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $945,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, included loan prepayment income of $1.4 million as compared to $863,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $11.7 million, or 9.5%, to $111.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to $123.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $99.1 million, or 2.3%, as well as a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased by 21 basis points to 2.70% for the year ended December 31, 2025, from 2.91% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased primarily due to a $229.9 million, or 23.4%, decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds, partially offset by a $130.6 million, or 4.1%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was driven by a 20 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.37% from 2.57% due to the lower interest rate environment, partially offset by a seven basis point increase in the cost of borrowed funds to 3.92% from 3.85%, resulting primarily from increased utilization of short-term FHLB advances.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased $22.9 million, or 20.0%, to $137.4 million, from $114.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to a 45 basis point increase in net interest margin to 2.55% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 2.10% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to higher yields on loans and mortgage backed securities, coupled with a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest margin was negatively affected by approximately 10 basis points due to a leverage strategy implemented in the first quarter of 2024. In January 2024, the Company borrowed $300 million from the Federal Reserve Bank through the Bank Term Funding Program at favorable terms and conditions and invested the proceeds at higher rates. These borrowings were repaid in full as of December 31, 2024.
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans increased by $3.1 million to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to an increase in general reserves related to a worsening macroeconomic forecast in the current year within our CECL model, higher reserves associated with certain loans which were downgraded, and higher qualitative reserves in the multifamily portfolio. The increase in reserves was partially offset by a decline in loan balances and lower net-charge-offs. Net charge-offs were $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to net charge-offs of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, which included charge-offs of $4.2 million and $5.5 million on small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Management continues to monitor the small business unsecured commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which totaled $20.6 million at December 31, 2025.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased by $128,000, or 0.8%, to $17.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance of $2.9 million, primarily related to the exchange of certain policies in the fourth quarter of 2024, which have higher yields, a $440,000 increase in fees and service charges for customer services, attributable to higher overdraft fees, and a $253,000 increase in other non-interest income, primarily due to higher loan swap fee income. The increases were partially offset by a $3.4 million gain on the sale of property in the fourth quarter of 2024.
58
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $43.3 million, or 50.1%, to $129.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $86.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by a non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge of $41.0 million in the current quarter. The remaining increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to a $2.0 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, primarily attributable to higher salary expense related to annual merit increases, an increase in headcount, and higher stock compensation expense as the prior year included a credit of $461,000 related to performance stock awards not expected to vest. Partially offsetting the increase was a decrease of $683,000 related to severance expense recorded in the year ended December 31, 2024. Additionally, there was an $1.2 million increase in data processing costs attributable to an increase in core system expenses commensurate with deposit account growth and digital banking system conversion expenses, and a $380,000 increase in professional fees primarily due to outsourced consulting services and recruitment fees. Partially offsetting the increases was a $510,000 decrease in credit loss expense/(benefit) for off-balance sheet exposure. The decrease in credit loss expense/(benefit) for off-balance sheet exposure was due to a benefit of $228,000 recorded during the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to a provision of $282,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, due to a decrease in the pipeline of loans committed and awaiting closing. Additionally, there was a $222,000 decrease in furniture and equipment expense due to lower depreciation charges and a $360,000 decrease in other non-interest expense, primarily due to decreases in loan and collection costs and other general operating expenses.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the increase due to higher taxable income. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2025, was 95.3%, compared to 26.1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, the current year rate being impacted by a $41.0 million non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, see “Part II, Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Comparison of Operating Results, included in our 2024 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025.
59
Average Balances and Yields
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the years indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as we had no tax-free interest-earning assets during the years. All average balances are daily average balances based upon amortized costs. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) | $ | 3,931,319 | $ | 184,832 | 4.70 | % | $ | 4,106,641 | $ | 183,932 | 4.48 | % | $ | 4,248,355 | $ | 181,638 | 4.28 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities (2) | 1,247,621 | 55,608 | 4.46 | 831,681 | 29,406 | 3.54 | 682,416 | 14,708 | 2.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (2) | 69,474 | 2,000 | 2.88 | 293,776 | 11,459 | 3.90 | 238,722 | 5,087 | 2.13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 39,691 | 3,128 | 7.88 | 38,350 | 3,704 | 9.66 | 40,684 | 3,113 | 7.65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 100,738 | 3,528 | 3.50 | 189,379 | 9,407 | 4.97 | 97,975 | 4,249 | 4.34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,388,843 | 249,096 | 4.62 | 5,459,827 | 237,908 | 4.36 | 5,308,152 | 208,795 | 3.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 280,950 | 271,162 | 247,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,669,793 | $ | 5,730,989 | $ | 5,555,202 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW, and money market accounts | $ | 2,516,697 | $ | 48,970 | 1.95 | % | $ | 2,449,037 | $ | 50,228 | 2.05 | % | $ | 2,463,455 | $ | 30,408 | 1.23 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 809,542 | 29,915 | 3.70 | 746,629 | 32,044 | 4.29 | 571,041 | 18,345 | 3.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,326,239 | 78,885 | 2.37 | 3,195,666 | 82,272 | 2.57 | 3,034,496 | 48,753 | 1.61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 753,134 | 29,525 | 3.92 | 982,994 | 37,822 | 3.85 | 895,229 | 32,055 | 3.58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 61,546 | 3,320 | 5.39 | 61,322 | 3,329 | 5.43 | 61,169 | 3,320 | 5.43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 4,140,919 | 111,730 | 2.70 | 4,239,982 | 123,423 | 2.91 | 3,990,894 | 84,128 | 2.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing deposits | 722,711 | 694,543 | 770,939 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 93,373 | 100,704 | 102,563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,957,003 | 5,035,229 | 4,864,396 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 712,790 | 695,760 | 690,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,669,793 | $ | 5,730,989 | $ | 5,555,202 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 137,366 | $ | 114,485 | $ | 124,667 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (3) | 1.92 | % | 1.45 | % | 1.82 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (4) | $ | 1,247,924 | $ | 1,219,845 | $ | 1,317,258 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (5) | 2.55 | % | 2.10 | % | 2.35 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 130.14 | % | 128.77 | % | 133.01 | % |
| (1) | Includes non-accruing loans. Interest income on loans includes amortization of deferred loan fees, net of deferred loan costs, which was not material. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Securities available-for-sale are reported at amortized cost. |
| (3) | Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (4) | Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. |
60
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the years 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.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | (6,189) | $ | 7,089 | $ | 900 | $ | (5,383) | $ | 7,677 | $ | 2,294 | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 14,986 | 11,216 | 26,202 | 3,742 | 10,956 | 14,698 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | (7,958) | (1,501) | (9,459) | 1,385 | 4,987 | 6,372 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 118 | (694) | (576) | (166) | 757 | 591 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | (4,075) | (1,804) | (5,879) | 4,463 | 695 | 5,158 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | (3,118) | 14,306 | 11,188 | 4,041 | 25,072 | 29,113 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW and money market accounts | 1,471 | (2,729) | (1,258) | (177) | 19,997 | 19,820 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 3,278 | (5,407) | (2,129) | 6,546 | 7,153 | 13,699 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 4,749 | (8,136) | (3,387) | 6,369 | 27,150 | 33,519 | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (9,283) | 977 | (8,306) | 3,376 | 2,400 | 5,776 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (4,534) | (7,159) | (11,693) | 9,745 | 29,550 | 39,295 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 1,416 | $ | 21,465 | $ | 22,881 | $ | (5,704) | $ | (4,478) | $ | (10,182) |
Asset Quality
PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)
Based on a detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans of $8.3 million at December 31, 2025 and $9.2 million at December 31, 2024 as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. 4.0% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 23.2% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 2.1% and 24.9%, respectively, at December 31, 2024.
Loans
General. Maintaining loan quality historically has been, and will continue to be, a key element of our business strategy. We employ conservative underwriting standards for new loan originations and maintain sound credit administration practices while the loans are outstanding. In addition, substantially all of our loans are secured, predominantly by real estate. At December 31, 2025, our non-performing loans totaled $16.1 million, or 0.42% of total loans. At the same time, net charge-offs have remained low at 0.11% of average loans outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to 0.16% for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 0.15% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
61
Non-performing Assets and Delinquent Loans. The following table details non-performing assets consisting of non-performing loans held-for-investment and non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Non-accrual loans: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | $ | 15,210 | $ | 14,264 | ||
| Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 925 | 1,186 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-investment | 16,135 | 15,450 | ||||
| Other non-performing loans held-for-sale | — | 4,897 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | 16,135 | 20,347 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 16,135 | $ | 20,347 | ||
| Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent | $ | 11,424 | $ | 9,336 |
The following table details non-performing loans by loan type at December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Held-for-investment | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 3,688 | $ | 2,609 | ||
| Commercial mortgage | 5,012 | 4,578 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 1,778 | 1,270 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 4,732 | 5,807 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans held-for-investment | 15,210 | 14,264 | ||||
| Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing: | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | — | $ | 164 | ||
| Commercial mortgage | 51 | — | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 863 | 882 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 7 | 140 | ||||
| Other | 4 | — | ||||
| Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing held-for-investment | 925 | 1,186 | ||||
| Non-performing loans held-for-sale | ||||||
| Commercial mortgage | — | 4,397 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | — | 500 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-sale | — | 4,897 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | $ | 16,135 | $ | 20,347 | ||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 16,135 | $ | 20,347 |
The Company's non-performing loans at December 31, 2025, totaled $16.1 million, or 0.42% of total loans, as compared to $20.3 million, or 0.51% of total loans at December 31, 2024. The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily due to the decrease in non-performing loans held-for-sale due to repayment of the loans in full from a settlement agreement in bankruptcy. The increase in non-accrual multifamily loans at December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024, was primarily due to one loan with an outstanding balance of $1.1 million that was placed on non-accrual as it was 92 days past due at December 31, 2025. The loan is considered well secured by collateral property in New Jersey with an appraised value of $1.9 million and is in the process of collection.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no assets acquired through foreclosure.
62
Generally, loans, excluding PCD loans, are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days or more delinquent, and remain on non-accrual status until they are brought current, have six consecutive months of performance under the loan terms, and factors indicating reasonable doubt about the timely collection of payments no longer exist. Therefore, loans may be current in accordance with their loan terms, or may be less than 90 days delinquent and still be on a non-accrual status.
At December 31, 2025, total non-performing loans included $175,000 of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and $2.8 million of TDR loans that existed prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02. At December 31, 2024, total non-performing loans included $2.7 million of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and $2.9 million of TDR loans that existed prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02.
The following table sets forth the total amounts of delinquencies for accruing loans that were 30 to 89 days past due by type and by amount at the dates indicated (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 471 | $ | 2,831 | ||
| Commercial mortgage | 6,984 | 78 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 1,124 | 2,407 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 1,110 | 1,472 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 1,735 | 2,545 | ||||
| Other loans | — | 3 | ||||
| $ | 11,424 | $ | 9,336 |
The increase in delinquent commercial mortgage loans was primarily due to one loan which had an outstanding balance of $6.5 million and was 61 days past due at December 31, 2025. The loan is secured by collateral property with an appraised value of $13.1 million. The decrease in delinquent multifamily loans was primarily due to one loan which had an outstanding balance of $2.1 million at December 31, 2024 and was 31 days past due at that date, becoming current as of December 31, 2025.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans held-for-investment increased from 227.72% at December 31, 2024 to 236.42% at December 31, 2025. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $3.0 million, or 8.4%, in the allowance for credit losses, partially offset by an increase in non-performing loans held-for-investment of $685,000 to $16.1 million at December 31, 2025, from $15.5 million at December 31, 2024.
The Company utilizes external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as an impaired loan and updated annually, or more frequently if required. Generally, non-performing loans are charged down to the appraised value of collateral less costs to sell for collateral-dependent loans and to the present value of the expected future cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans, which reduces allowance for credit losses and consequently the ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans. Downward adjustments to appraisal values, primarily to reflect “quick sale” discounts, are generally recorded as specific reserves within the allowance for credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net, was 0.99% at December 31, 2025, as compared to 0.87% at December 31, 2024. The increase in the coverage ratio from December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to an increase of $3.0 million, or 8.4%, in the allowance for credit losses from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, as well as a decrease in the loan portfolio of $165.5 million, or 4.1%. The increase in the allowance for credit losses during the year was primarily attributable to an increase in general reserves related to a worsening macroeconomic forecast in the current year within our CECL model, higher reserves associated with certain loans which were downgraded during the year, and higher qualitative reserves in the multifamily portfolio, partially offset by a decline in loan balances and lower net-charge-offs.
Specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment remained stable at $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. At December 31, 2025, the Company had 18 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $1.2 million of specific reserves on two of the 18 impaired loans. At December 31, 2024, the Company had 20 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $1.3 million of specific reserves on three of the 20 impaired loans.
63
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for credit losses, by loan type, at December 31, for the years indicated (in thousands):
| Real estate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (1) | One-to-four Family Residential | Construction and Land | Home Equity and Lines of Credit | Commercial and Industrial | Other | PCD | Total Allowance for Credit Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 29,485 | $ | 3,936 | $ | 324 | $ | 866 | $ | 4,114 | $ | 9 | $ | 3,883 | $ | 42,617 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | (6,301) | (651) | (175) | 838 | 8,445 | (3) | (800) | 1,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 71 | — | — | 1 | 63 | — | 10 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | — | — | — | (6,572) | — | (8) | (6,580) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 23,255 | 3,285 | 149 | 1,705 | 6,050 | 6 | 3,085 | 37,535 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | (2,227) | (1,049) | (46) | 457 | 7,329 | (2) | (181) | 4,281 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 57 | 9 | — | 92 | 218 | — | — | 376 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (136) | — | — | — | (6,873) | — | — | (7,009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 20,949 | 2,245 | 103 | 2,254 | 6,724 | 4 | 2,904 | 35,183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 3,471 | (32) | (1) | 626 | 3,315 | — | 23 | 7,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 62 | — | — | — | 1,143 | — | 37 | 1,242 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | — | — | — | (5,340) | — | (343) | (5,683) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | $ | 24,482 | $ | 2,213 | $ | 102 | $ | 2,880 | $ | 5,842 | $ | 4 | $ | 2,621 | $ | 38,144 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Commercial includes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and multifamily properties. |
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $4.4 million, as compared to net charge-offs of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and net charge-offs of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Charge-offs in 2025, 2024 and 2023 were primarily related to small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans. The increase in the allowance for credit losses from 2024 to 2025 in the commercial portfolio was primarily attributable to a worsening economic forecast within our CECL model, an increase in loan balances in our commercial real estate portfolio, and risk-rating downgrades of certain loans within our multifamily portfolio. The increase in the allowance for credit losses in the home equity and lines of credit portfolio from 2024 to 2025 was primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing loans in the portfolio. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses in the commercial and industrial portfolio was primarily due to higher charge-offs.
64
Management of Market Risk
General. A majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage-related securities, other securities and bonds and loans, generally have longer maturities than our liabilities, which consist primarily of deposits and wholesale borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy involves managing interest rate risk and limiting the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Management Asset-Liability Committee (“MALCO”), comprised of our SVP & Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, who chairs this Committee, our President & Chief Executive Officer, our EVP & Chief Risk Officer, our EVP & Chief Financial Officer, our EVP & Chief Lending Officer, and our EVP & Chief Branch Administration, Deposit Operations & Business Development Officer, and other officers and staff as necessary or appropriate. This committee is responsible for, among other things, evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for recommending to the Risk Committee the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
We seek to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. As part of our ongoing asset-liability management, we currently use the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk:
•originating multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans that generally have shorter maturities than one-to-four family residential real estate loans and have higher interest rates that generally reset from five to ten years;
•investing in investment grade corporate securities and REMICs; and
•obtaining general financing through lower-cost core deposits, brokered deposits, shorter and longer-term FHLB advances, and repurchase agreements.
Shortening the average term of our interest-earning assets by increasing our investments in shorter-term assets, as well as originating loans with variable interest rates, helps to match the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities better, thereby reducing the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.
Net Portfolio Value Analysis. We compute amounts by which the net present value of our assets and liabilities (net portfolio value or NPV) would change in the event market interest rates changed over an assumed range of rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of our NPV. Depending on current market interest rates, we estimate the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment. 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 “Change in Interest Rates” column below.
Net Interest Income Analysis. In addition to NPV calculations, we analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through our net interest income model. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. In our model, we estimate what our net interest income would be for a twelve-month period. Depending on current market interest rates we then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100, 200, 300 or 400 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment.
The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, our calculation of the estimated changes in our NPV, NPV ratio, and percent change in net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous and sustained changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands). Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing characteristics, including decay rates, and correlations to movements in interest rates, and should not be relied on as indicative of actual results.
65
| NPV at December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,194,812 | $ | 4,475,588 | $ | 719,224 | $ | (179,786) | (20.00) | % | 13.85 | % | (13.79) | % | 0.80 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,312,975 | 4,542,244 | 770,731 | (128,279) | (14.27) | % | 14.51 | % | (8.63) | % | 2.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,445,185 | 4,612,008 | 833,177 | (65,833) | (7.32) | % | 15.30 | % | (3.91) | % | 3.65 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,560,823 | 4,685,217 | 875,606 | (23,404) | (2.60) | % | 15.75 | % | (1.18) | % | 2.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,661,264 | 4,762,254 | 899,010 | — | — | % | 15.88 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,749,823 | 4,840,638 | 909,185 | 10,175 | 1.13 | % | 15.81 | % | (0.95) | % | (5.80) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,831,247 | 4,923,454 | 907,793 | 8,783 | 0.98 | % | 15.57 | % | (2.40) | % | (12.48) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,928,588 | 5,025,916 | 902,672 | 3,662 | 0.41 | % | 15.23 | % | (4.78) | % | (16.83) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 6,104,291 | 5,121,781 | 982,510 | 83,500 | 9.29 | % | 16.10 | % | (5.32) | % | (18.86) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2025, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 9.29% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 5.32% decrease in net interest income in year one, and an 18.86% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 20.00% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 13.79% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 0.80% increase in net interest income in year two.
| NPV at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,039,741 | $ | 4,296,533 | $ | 743,208 | $ | (93,542) | (11.18) | % | 14.75 | % | (15.51) | % | 1.73 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,132,034 | 4,368,409 | 763,625 | (73,125) | (8.74) | % | 14.88 | % | (10.48) | % | 2.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,235,010 | 4,443,676 | 791,334 | (45,416) | (5.43) | % | 15.12 | % | (5.12) | % | 3.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,338,932 | 4,522,702 | 816,230 | (20,520) | (2.45) | % | 15.29 | % | (1.68) | % | 2.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,442,680 | 4,605,930 | 836,750 | — | — | % | 15.37 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,556,611 | 4,683,811 | 872,800 | 36,050 | 4.31 | % | 15.71 | % | 2.78 | % | (1.12) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,660,193 | 4,765,981 | 894,212 | 57,462 | 6.87 | % | 15.80 | % | 4.94 | % | (3.34) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,762,691 | 4,859,674 | 903,017 | 66,267 | 7.92 | % | 15.67 | % | 5.45 | % | (6.84) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 5,901,487 | 4,969,923 | 931,564 | 94,814 | 11.33 | % | 15.79 | % | 4.82 | % | (10.25) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2024, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience an 11.33% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 4.82% increase in net interest income in year one and a 10.25% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience an 11.18% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 15.51% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 1.73% increase in net interest income in year two.
Our policies provide that, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less in interest rates, our net present value ratio should decrease by no more than 300 basis points and 10%, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our net present value should decrease by no more than 475 basis points and 35%. In the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 10% in year one and 20% in year two, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 39% in year one and 24% in year two. At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all Board-approved policies with respect to interest rate risk management.
66
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in net portfolio value and net interest income. Our model requires us to make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. We also apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. In addition, the net portfolio value and net interest income information presented 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 interest rate risk calculations 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 on our net portfolio value or net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The MALCO is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by MALCO. Senior management receives, at least daily, cash position reports and monthly cash forecasts to ensure that all short-term obligations are timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund activities. Reports detailing the Bank's liquidity reserves are presented to appropriate senior management on at least a quarterly basis, and the Risk Committee at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to MALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity scenarios. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming twelve months is presented to the Risk Committee on a quarterly basis.
Liquidity is the ability to fund assets and meet obligations as they come due. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowings through repurchase agreements, advances from money center banks, the FHLBNY, the Federal Reserve Bank, and repayments, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are reasonably predictable sources of funds, deposit flows, mortgage prepayments and security sales are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Risk Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and withdrawals of deposits by our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We seek to maintain a ratio of liquid assets (not subject to pledge or encumbered) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings of 35% or greater. At December 31, 2025, this ratio was 56.29%.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based on our assessment of:
•expected loan demand;
•expected deposit flows;
•yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities; and
•the objectives of our asset/liability management program.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank, utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and loans if a need for additional funds arises. Any amount pledged for such deposits under the line of credit reduces the Company's available borrowing amount under the FHLB advance agreement. The Company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position and expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
The Company has a diversified deposit base, with long-standing client relationships across multiple customer segments providing stable funding. Government deposits are collateralized by assets or letters of credit issued by the FHLBNY. Uninsured deposits (excluding fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $1.03 billion) were estimated at approximately $952.9 million, or 23.7%, of total deposits as of December 31, 2025.
67
The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ | 151,900 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds(2) | $ | 17,779 | ||
| Loans(2) | $ | 1,100,520 | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2) | $ | 709,326 |
(1) Excludes $12.1 million of cash at Northfield Bank branches.
(2) Represents remaining borrowing potential.
At December 31, 2025, we had $21.7 million in outstanding loan commitments. In addition, we had $316.3 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2025 totaled $665.9 million, or 16.6% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan sales, securities sales, other deposit products, including replacement or brokered certificates of deposit, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), and advances from the FHLBNY and other borrowing sources. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit. Based on experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, and we have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
We have a detailed contingency funding plan that is reviewed and reported to the Risk Committee at least quarterly. This plan includes monitoring cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of Northfield Bank. Additionally, management performs a stress test on Northfield Bank’s retail deposits and wholesale funding sources in several scenarios on a quarterly basis. The stress scenarios include $952.9 million of uninsured deposit outflow. Northfield Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity and capital levels under all stress scenarios.
Northfield Bancorp is a separate legal entity from Northfield Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to fund dividend payments, stock repurchases, and other corporate items. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the receipt of dividend payments from the Bank in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2025, Northfield Bancorp (unconsolidated) had liquid assets of $11.9 million.
Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp are both subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2025, both Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation” and Note 15 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our potential future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process applicable to loans we originate. In addition, we routinely enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans. Such amounts are not significant to our operations. For additional information, see Note 14 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU No. 2024-03. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)”, which improves financial reporting by requiring public entities to provide disaggregated disclosures, in the notes to the financial statements, of certain categories of expenses that are included in expense line items on the face of the income statement. ASU 2024-03 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted.
68
ASU No. 2025-01. In January 2025, the FASB issued No ASU 2025-01, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date”. This ASU amends the effective date of ASU 2024-03 to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2024-03 and ASU 2025-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The effect of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater effect on our performance than inflation.
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: 0001493225-25-000047.
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 of Northfield Bancorp and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report (collectively, the “financial statements”).
Overview
Net income was $29.9 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, and $37.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $10.2 million decrease in net interest income, a $2.9 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $4.9 million increase in non-interest income, a $3.1 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $3.5 million decrease in income tax expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included a $3.4 million, or $0.06 per share, gain on sale of property, additional tax expense of $795,000, or $0.02 per share, related to options that expired in June 2024, and severance expense of $683,000, or $0.01 per share, related to severance expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $440,000, or $0.01 per share, in severance expense.
Assets increased by $68.0 million, or 1.2%, to $5.67 billion at December 31, 2024 compared to $5.60 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in available-for-sale debt securities of $305.4 million, or 38.4%, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $181.4 million, or 4.3%, and cash and cash equivalents of $61.8 million, or 26.9%.
Liabilities increased by $62.7 million, or 1.3%, to $4.96 billion at December 31, 2024, from $4.90 billion at December 31, 2023, as the increase in total deposits of $260.0 million was largely offset by a decrease in FHLB advances, other borrowings and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $192.6 million.
Stockholders’ equity increased by $5.3 million to $704.7 million at December 31, 2024, from $699.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was attributable to net income of $29.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a $12.1 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, associated with an increase in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio due to the increase in market interest rates, and a $3.6 million increase in equity award activity, partially offset by $18.1 million in stock repurchases and $21.8 million in dividend payments.
48
Selected Financial Data
The summary information presented below at the dates or for each of the years presented is derived in part from our consolidated financial statements. The following information is only a summary, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Selected Financial Condition Data: | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,666,378 | $ | 5,598,396 | $ | 5,601,293 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 167,744 | 229,506 | 45,799 | |||||||
| Trading securities | 13,884 | 12,549 | 10,751 | |||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value | 1,100,817 | 795,464 | 952,173 | |||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 9,303 | 9,866 | 10,760 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 14,261 | 10,629 | 10,443 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-sale | 4,897 | — | — | |||||||
| Loans held-for-investment, net | 4,022,224 | 4,203,654 | 4,243,693 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (35,183) | (37,535) | (42,617) | |||||||
| Net loans held-for-investment | 3,987,041 | 4,166,119 | 4,201,076 | |||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 175,759 | 171,543 | 167,912 | |||||||
| FHLBNY stock, at cost | 35,894 | 39,667 | 30,382 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 27,771 | 30,202 | 34,288 | |||||||
| Deposits | 4,138,477 | 3,878,435 | 4,150,219 | |||||||
| Borrowed funds | 666,402 | 859,272 | 583,859 | |||||||
| Subordinated debentures, net of issuance costs | 61,442 | 61,219 | 60,996 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 32,209 | 35,205 | 39,790 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,961,682 | 4,898,951 | 4,899,903 | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 704,696 | $ | 699,445 | $ | 701,390 |
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
| Selected Operating Data: | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 237,908 | $ | 208,795 | $ | 179,688 | ||||
| Interest expense | 123,423 | 84,128 | 21,382 | |||||||
| Net interest income before provision for credit losses | 114,485 | 124,667 | 158,306 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 4,281 | 1,353 | 4,482 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 110,204 | 123,314 | 153,824 | |||||||
| Non-interest income | 16,822 | 11,896 | 7,983 | |||||||
| Non-interest expense | 86,525 | 83,450 | 76,948 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 40,501 | 51,760 | 84,859 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 10,556 | 14,091 | 23,740 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 29,945 | $ | 37,669 | $ | 61,119 | ||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 1.32 | ||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 1.32 | ||||
| Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 41,567,370 | 43,560,844 | 46,234,122 | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 41,628,660 | 43,638,616 | 46,438,119 |
49
| At or For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: | ||||||||
| Performance Ratios: | ||||||||
| Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)(1) (2) (3) | 0.52 | % | 0.68 | % | 1.09 | % | ||
| Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)(1) (2) (3) | 4.30 | 5.45 | 8.57 | |||||
| Interest rate spread(4) | 1.45 | 1.82 | 2.82 | |||||
| Net interest margin(5) | 2.10 | 2.35 | 2.97 | |||||
| Dividend payout ratio(6) | 72.89 | 60.51 | 39.48 | |||||
| Efficiency ratio(7) (8) | 65.90 | 61.11 | 46.27 | |||||
| Non-interest expense to average total assets | 1.51 | 1.50 | 1.38 | |||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 128.77 | 133.01 | 137.82 | |||||
| Average equity to average total assets | 12.14 | 12.44 | 12.75 | |||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.36 | 0.20 | 0.18 | |||||
| Non-performing loans to total loans(9) (10) | 0.51 | 0.27 | 0.24 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans(11) | 227.72 | 328.30 | 416.26 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net(12) (13) | 0.87 | 0.89 | 1.00 | |||||
| Capital Ratio: | ||||||||
| Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets) | 12.11 | 12.58 | 12.64 | |||||
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Number of full service offices | 37 | 39 | 38 | |||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 359 | 401 | 400 |
| (1) | The year ended December 31, 2024, includes a $2.4 million, after tax, gain on sale of property, $795,000 additional tax expense related to options that expired in June 2024, and $492,000, after tax, of severance costs. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The year ended December 31, 2023, includes $317,000, after tax, of severance costs and $96,000, after tax, of gains on loans sold. |
| (3) | The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $925,000, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans and $326,000, after-tax, in gains on loans sold. |
| (4) | The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted-average costs of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. |
| (6) | Dividend payout ratio is calculated as total dividends declared for the year divided by net income for the year. |
| (7) | The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. |
| (8) | The year ended December 31, 2024, includes $3.4 million, pre-tax, of gain on sale of property, and $683,000, pre-tax, of severance costs. The year ended December 31, 2023, includes $440,000, pre-tax, of severance costs. The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $1.3 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans. |
| (9) | Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD loans), included in total loans held-for-investment, net, and non-performing loans held-for-sale, included in loans held-for-sale. |
| (10) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans, acquired loans, and loans held-for-sale. |
| (11) | Excludes non-performing loans held-for-sale. |
| (12) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans and acquired loans (and related allowance for credit losses). |
| (13) | Excluding PPP loans of $5.1 million, which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any provision for losses, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.01% at December 31, 2022. PPP loans were of insignificant value at December 31, 2023 and 2024. |
50
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policies upon which our financial condition and results of operation depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are the following:
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The Company estimates and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. See Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance for credit losses. We identified our policy on the allowance for credit losses on loans to be a critical accounting policy because management makes subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
The allowance for credit losses on loans is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons:
• Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
• Estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require us to utilize a reasonable and supportable forecast period based upon forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate probability of default and loss given default rates which our CECL methodology encompasses;
• The allowance for credit losses on loans is influenced by factors outside of our control such as industry and business trends, as well as economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment; and
• Judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses on loans produce an estimate that is sufficient to encompass the current view of lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses on loans has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover losses.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans. This quarterly process is performed by the accounting department, in conjunction with the credit administration department, and approved by the Allowance Committee, which consists of the Chief Executive Officer/President, Executive Vice President (“EVP”) & Chief Risk Officer, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, EVP & Chief Lending Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Senior Vice President (“SVP”) Collections and Asset Recovery, SVP & Director of Financial Reporting and the Assistant Vice President Financial Reporting. The Chief Financial Officer performs a final review of the calculation. All supporting documentation with regard to the evaluation process is maintained by the accounting department. Each quarter a summary of the allowance for credit losses is presented by the Chief Financial Officer to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Under the CECL methodology, the allowance for credit losses on loans has two components. (1) a collective reserve for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share common risk characteristics and (2) an individual reserve for loans that do not share risk characteristics, consisting of collateral-dependent and, prior to January 1, 2023, TDR loans.
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company estimates the collective reserve using a risk rating migration model which calculates an expected life of loan loss percentage for each loan by generating probability of default and loss given default metrics. These metrics are multiplied by the exposure at default, taking into consideration prepayments, to calculate the quantitative component of the collective reserve. The metrics are based on the migration of loans from performing to loss by credit risk rating or delinquency categories using historical life-of-loan analysis periods for each loan portfolio pool, and the severity of loss, based on the aggregate net lifetime losses incurred using the Company's historical loss experience and comparable peer data loss history. The model's expected losses based on loss history are adjusted for qualitative adjustments. Among other things, these adjustments include and account for differences in: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures; (ii) changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of our portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; (iii) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the quality of our loan review system; (v) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (vi) the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.
51
The Company utilizes a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period after which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience immediately for the remaining life of the loan. In establishing its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company utilizes five externally-sourced forward-looking economic scenarios developed by Moody's Analytics (“Moody's”) so as to incorporate uncertainties related to the economic environment. These scenarios, which range from more benign to more severe economic outlooks, include a ‘most likely outcome’ (the “Baseline” scenario) and four less likely scenarios referred to as the “Upside” and “Downside” scenarios. Each scenario is weighted with a majority of the weighting placed on the Baseline scenario and lower weights placed on both the Upside and Downside scenarios. The weighting assigned by management is based on the economic outlook and available information at the reporting date. The model projects economic variables under each scenario based on detailed statistical analyses. The Company has identified and selected key variables that most closely correlated to its historical credit performance, which include: gross domestic product, unemployment, and three collateral indices: the Commercial Property Price Index, the Commercial Property Price Apartment Index and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Our allowance for credit losses is sensitive to a number of inputs, most notably the macroeconomic forecast assumptions as well as the reasonable and supportable forecasting periods that are incorporated in our estimate of credit losses on loans. Therefore, as the macroeconomic environment and related forecasts change or decisions are made to shorten or lengthen the forecasting period, the allowance for credit losses may change materially. The following sensitivity analyses do not represent management’s expectations of the deterioration of our portfolios or the economic environment, but are provided as hypothetical scenarios to assess the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses to changes in key inputs.
The following table details the five Moody's scenarios utilized in determining the allowance for credit losses on loans at December 31, 2024, and weightings of each scenario:
| Model Scenario | Moody's Scenario Description | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S0 | Upside - 4th Percentile | 4% | ||
| S1 | Upside - 10th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S3 | Downside - 90th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S4 | Downside - 96th Percentile | 4% | ||
| Baseline | Baseline Scenario | 72% |
If we placed 100% weighting on the baseline scenario, the quantitative allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2024 would have been approximately $2.8 million lower. Conversely, if we removed the upside scenarios and reallocated the weights from S0 to S4 and S1 to S3, the allowance for credit losses would have increased approximately $2.8 million. These forecasts revert to our long-term historical average loss rate after a 24-month forecasting period.
Because of the of the high degree of judgment involved in management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses, the subjectivity of assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment, there is inherent uncertainty in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance for credit losses on loans.
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
The Company measures specific reserves for individual loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all loans designated as TDRs prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater. Loans individually evaluated for impairment are assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent, or the present value of the expected future cash flows, if the loan is not collateral-dependent. Management performs an evaluation of each impaired loan and generally obtains updated appraisals as part of the evaluation. In addition, management adjusts estimated fair values down to appropriately consider recent market conditions, our willingness to accept a lower sales price to effect a quick sale, and costs to dispose of any supporting collateral. Determining the estimated fair value of underlying collateral (and related costs to sell) can be difficult in illiquid real estate markets and is subject to significant assumptions and estimates. Management employs an independent third-party management firm that specializes in appraisal preparation and review to ascertain the reasonableness of updated appraisals. Projecting the expected cash flows under troubled debt restructurings which are not collateral-dependent is inherently subjective and requires, among other things, an evaluation of the borrower’s current and projected financial condition. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections and our established allowance for credit losses on these loans, which could have a material effect on our financial results. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described earlier.
52
We have a concentration of loans secured by real property located in New York, New Jersey, and, to a lesser extent, eastern Pennsylvania. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are reviewed by management and an independent third-party appraiser to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the collateral. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are changes in interest rates, inflation, a decline in the economy generally, or a decline in real estate market values in New York, New Jersey, or eastern Pennsylvania. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in delinquencies, increased credit losses, and increased credit loss provisions.
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for credit losses at adequate levels, changes may be necessary if future economic or other conditions differ substantially from our estimation of the current operating environment. Although management uses the information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of their examination process, will review our allowance for credit losses on loans and may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
We also maintain an allowance for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and standby letters of credit. The reserve for off-balance sheet exposures is determined using the CECL reserve factor in the related funded loan segment, adjusted for an average historical funding rate. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in other non-interest expense.
53
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2024 and 2023
Total assets increased by $68.0 million, or 1.2%, to $5.67 billion at December 31, 2024, from $5.60 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in available-for-sale debt securities of $305.4 million, or 38.4%, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $181.4 million, or 4.3%, and cash and cash equivalents of $61.8 million, or 26.9%.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $61.8 million, or 26.9%, to $167.7 million at December 31, 2024, from $229.5 million at December 31, 2023. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, or the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities. During the fourth quarter the Company paid off its borrowings under the BTFP, which were $94.5 million at December 31, 2023.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio increased by $305.4 million, or 38.4%, to $1.10 billion at December 31, 2024, from $795.5 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to purchases of securities, partially offset by paydowns, maturities, and calls. At December 31, 2024, $989.0 million of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $75.3 million in U.S. Government agency securities, $35.8 million in corporate bonds, substantially all of which were considered investment grade, and $685,000 in municipal bonds at December 31, 2024. Gross unrealized losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale debt securities and held-to-maturity securities approximated $21.8 million and $400,000, respectively, at December 31, 2024, and $32.5 million and $279,000, respectively, at December 31, 2023.
Equity securities were $14.3 million at December 31, 2024 and $10.6 million at December 31, 2023. Equity securities are primarily comprised of an investment in a Small Business Administration Loan Fund, and, to a lesser extent, investments in money market mutual funds. The investment in the Small Business Administration Loan Fund is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program. The increase in equity securities was primarily due to the purchase of money market mutual funds.
Loans held for investment, net, decreased by $181.4 million to $4.02 billion at December 31, 2024, from $4.20 billion at December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans, partially offset by an increase in home equity and lines of credit, commercial and industrial, and construction and land loans. The Company continues to focus on the credit needs of its customers, and to a lesser extent, the development of new business. Multifamily loans decreased $153.5 million, or 5.6%, to $2.60 billion at December 31, 2024 from $2.75 billion at December 31, 2023, commercial real estate loans decreased $39.8 million, or 4.3%, to $889.8 million at December 31, 2024 from $929.6 million at December 31, 2023, and one-to-four family residential loans decreased $10.6 million, or 6.6%, to $150.2 million at December 31, 2024 from $160.8 million at December 31, 2023. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in home equity and lines of credit loans of $10.5 million, or 6.4%, to $174.1 million at December 31, 2024 from $163.5 million at December 31, 2023, commercial and industrial loans of $8.2 million, or 5.3%, to $163.4 million at December 31, 2024 from $155.3 million at December 31, 2023, and construction and land loans of $4.9 million, or 15.9%, to $35.9 million at December 31, 2024 from $31.0 million at December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2024, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was estimated at approximately 434%. Management believes that Northfield Bank (the “Bank”) has implemented appropriate risk management practices, including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which include monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, the Company's ability to pay dividends, and overall profitability.
54
Our real estate portfolio includes credit risk exposure to loans collateralized by office buildings and multifamily properties in New York State subject to some form of rent regulation limiting increases for rent stabilized multifamily properties. At December 31, 2024, office-related loans represented $184.0 million, or approximately 5% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.8 million (although we have originated these types of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 59%. Approximately 42% were owner-occupied. The geographic locations of the properties collateralizing our office-related loans are as follows: 49.9% in New York, 48.6% in New Jersey and 1.5% in Pennsylvania. At December 31, 2024, our largest office-related loan had a principal balance of $89.1 million (with a net active principal balance for the Bank of $29.7 million as we have a 33.3% participation interest), was secured by an office facility located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. At December 31, 2024, multifamily loans that have some form of rent stabilization or rent control totaled approximately $437.7 million, or approximately 11% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.7 million (although we have originated these type of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 51%. At December 31, 2024, our largest rent-regulated loan had a principal balance of $16.8 million, was secured by an apartment building located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. Management continues to closely monitor its office and rent-regulated portfolios. For further details on our rent-regulated multifamily portfolio see “Asset Quality”.
PCD loans totaled $9.2 million and $9.9 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income of $568,000 and $1.3 million attributable to PCD loans for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, as compared to $330,000 and $1.3 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $2.9 million and $3.1 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Bank-owned life insurance increased $4.2 million, or 2.5%, to $175.8 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $171.5 million at December 31, 2023. The increase resulted from income earned on bank-owned life insurance for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily due to the restructuring and enhancements in our bank-owned life insurance policies in the fourth quarter of 2024.
FHLBNY stock decreased by $3.8 million, or 9.5%, to $35.9 million at December 31, 2024, from $39.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in FHLBNY stock directly correlates with lower short-term borrowing balances at December 31, 2024, as compared to December 31, 2023.
Other assets decreased $1.6 million, or 3.4%, to $46.9 million at December 31, 2024, from $48.6 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in deferred tax assets primarily due to a decrease in unrealized losses on the securities available-for-sale portfolio.
Total liabilities increased $62.7 million, or 1.3%, to $4.96 billion at December 31, 2024 as compared to $4.90 billion at December 31, 2023, as the increase in total deposits of $260.0 million was largely offset by a decrease in FHLB advances, other borrowings and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $192.6 million. The Company routinely utilizes brokered deposits and borrowed funds to manage interest rate risk, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and funding needs related to loan originations and deposit activity.
Deposits increased $260.0 million, or 6.70%, to $4.14 billion at December 31, 2024, as compared to $3.88 billion at December 31, 2023. Brokered deposits increased by $163.4 million, or 163.4%, which were used as a lower-cost alternative to borrowings. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $96.6 million, or 2.6%. The increase in deposits, excluding brokered deposits, was attributable to increases of $81.9 million in time deposits and $66.3 million in transaction accounts, partially offset by decreases of $30.0 million in money market accounts and $21.6 million in savings accounts. Growth in time deposits was attributable to the higher interest rate environment during 2024 and offering competitive interest rates to attract deposits. Transaction growth was attributable to dedicated business development efforts, including targeted marketing mailings. Estimated gross uninsured deposits at December 31, 2024 were $1.82 billion. This total includes fully collateralized uninsured government deposits and intercompany deposits of $923.8 million, leaving estimated uninsured deposits of approximately $896.5 million, or 21.7%, of total deposits as of December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2023, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $869.9 million, or 22.4% of total deposits.
Borrowed funds decreased to $727.8 million at December 31, 2024, from $920.5 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to a decrease of $167.9 million in other borrowings resulting from the maturity and replacement of FRB and FHLB borrowings with lower-cost brokered deposits, and a decrease of $25.0 million in securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent from time to time, as part of leverage strategies.
55
Total stockholders’ equity increased by $5.3 million to $704.7 million at December 31, 2024, from $699.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was attributable to net income of $29.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a $12.1 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, associated with an increase in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio due to the increase in market interest rates, and a $3.6 million increase in equity award activity, partially offset by $18.1 million in stock repurchases and $21.8 million in dividend payments. On April 24, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a $5.0 million stock repurchase program, which was completed in May 2024, and on June 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a $10.0 million stock repurchase program which was completed in August 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased 1.8 million of its common stock at an average price of $10.03 for a total of $18.1 million pursuant to the approved stock repurchase programs. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had no outstanding repurchase program. On February 26, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new $5.0 million stock repurchase program and anticipates conducting such repurchases beginning on March 3, 2025. The repurchase program has no expiration date.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Net Income. Net income was $29.9 million and $37.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $10.2 million decrease in net interest income, a $2.9 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $4.9 million increase in non-interest income, a $3.1 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $3.5 million decrease in income tax expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $29.1 million, or 13.9%, to $237.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $208.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, The increase in interest income was primarily due to a $151.7 million, or 2.9%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets coupled with a 43 basis point increase in yields on interest-earning assets, which increased to 4.36% for the year ended December 31, 2024, from 3.93% for the year ended December 31, 2023, due to the rising rate environment. The increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets was primarily due to increases in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $149.3 million, the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $91.4 million, and the average balance of other securities of $55.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of loans of $141.7 million. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $1.3 million for both years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024, included loan prepayment income of $863,000 as compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $39.3 million, or 46.7%, to $123.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $84.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in interest expense was largely driven by the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which increased by 80 basis points to 2.91% for the year ended December 31, 2024, from 2.11% for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven primarily by a 96 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits from 1.61% to 2.57% for the year ended December 31, 2024, and, to a lesser extent, a 27 basis point increase in the cost of borrowings from 3.58% to 3.85% due to rising market interest rates, a shift in the composition of the deposit portfolio towards higher-costing certificates of deposit and a continuing reliance on borrowings. The increase in interest expense was also due to a $249.1 million, or 6.2%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, which consisted of an increase of $161.2 million in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits and an $87.8 million in the average balance of borrowed funds.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $10.2 million, or 8.2%, to $114.5 million, from $124.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a 25 basis point decrease in net interest margin to 2.10% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 2.35% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to interest-bearing liabilities repricing faster than interest-earning assets. The net interest margin was negatively affected by approximately 10 basis points due to a leverage strategy implemented in the first quarter of 2024. In January 2024, the Company borrowed $300 million from the Federal Reserve Bank through the BTFP at favorable terms and conditions and invested the proceeds at higher rates. These borrowings were repaid in full as of December 31, 2024.
56
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans increased by $2.9 million to $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in the specific reserve component of the allowance for credit losses, which was partially offset by a decrease in the general reserve component of the allowance for credit losses. The increase in the specific reserve was primarily related to a $1.2 million increase in reserves related to commercial and industrial loans. The decline in the general reserve component of the allowance for credit losses resulted from a decline in loan balances and an improvement in the macroeconomic forecast for the current period within our CECL model, partially offset by an increase in reserves related to changes in model assumptions, including the slowing of prepayment speeds, and an increase in reserves in the commercial and industrial portfolio related to an increase in non-performing loans and higher loan balances in that portfolio. Net charge-offs were $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to net charge-offs of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and included charge-offs of $5.5 million and $6.2 million on small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management continues to monitor the small business unsecured commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which totaled $28.9 million at December 31, 2024.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $4.9 million, or 41.4%, to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $3.4 million gain on sale of property, a $951,000 increase in fees and service charges for customer services, related to an increase in analysis fees and service charges on deposit accounts, and a $585,000 increase in income on bank owned life insurance, due to the restructuring and enhancements in our bank-owned life insurance policies in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $3.1 million, or 3.7%, to $86.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $83.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $2.8 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, primarily attributable to higher salary expense related to annual merit increases and higher medical expense. Partially offsetting the increase was a $461,000 decrease in stock compensation expense related to performance stock awards not expected to vest. Employee compensation and benefits expense also included severance expense of $683,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $440,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, due to current economic conditions, the Company implemented a workforce reduction plan which included modest layoffs and staffing realignments. Additionally, non-interest expense included an $837,000 increase in credit loss expense/(benefit) for off-balance sheet exposure due to a provision of $282,000 recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to a benefit of $555,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The benefit in the prior year period was attributable to a decrease in the pipeline of loans committed and awaiting closing. Partially offsetting the increases was a $602,000 decrease in advertising expense due to a change in marketing strategy and the timing of specific deposit and lending campaigns.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, with the decrease due to lower taxable income. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024, was 26.1%, compared to 27.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, see “Part II, Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Comparison of Operating Results, included in our 2023 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
57
Average Balances and Yields
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the years indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as we had no tax-free interest-earning assets during the years. All average balances are daily average balances based upon amortized costs. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) | $ | 4,106,641 | $ | 183,932 | 4.48 | % | $ | 4,248,355 | $ | 181,638 | 4.28 | % | $ | 4,077,175 | $ | 160,911 | 3.95 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities (2) | 831,681 | 29,406 | 3.54 | 682,416 | 14,708 | 2.16 | 863,897 | 12,461 | 1.44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (2) | 293,776 | 11,459 | 3.90 | 238,722 | 5,087 | 2.13 | 285,385 | 4,325 | 1.52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 38,350 | 3,704 | 9.66 | 40,684 | 3,113 | 7.65 | 22,541 | 1,174 | 5.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 189,379 | 9,407 | 4.97 | 97,975 | 4,249 | 4.34 | 85,485 | 817 | 0.96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,459,827 | 237,908 | 4.36 | 5,308,152 | 208,795 | 3.93 | 5,334,483 | 179,688 | 3.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 271,162 | 247,050 | 259,891 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,730,989 | $ | 5,555,202 | $ | 5,594,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW, and money market accounts | $ | 2,449,037 | $ | 50,228 | 2.05 | % | $ | 2,463,455 | $ | 30,408 | 1.23 | % | $ | 2,898,048 | $ | 3,610 | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 746,629 | 32,044 | 4.29 | 571,041 | 18,345 | 3.21 | 525,557 | 6,679 | 1.27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,195,666 | 82,272 | 2.57 | 3,034,496 | 48,753 | 1.61 | 3,423,605 | 10,289 | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 982,994 | 37,822 | 3.85 | 895,229 | 32,055 | 3.58 | 413,697 | 9,296 | 2.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 61,322 | 3,329 | 5.43 | 61,169 | 3,320 | 5.43 | 33,436 | 1,797 | 5.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 4,239,982 | 123,423 | 2.91 | 3,990,894 | 84,128 | 2.11 | 3,870,738 | 21,382 | 0.55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing deposits | 694,543 | 770,939 | 907,603 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 100,704 | 102,563 | 102,807 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 5,035,229 | 4,864,396 | 4,881,148 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 695,760 | 690,806 | 713,226 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,730,989 | $ | 5,555,202 | $ | 5,594,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 114,485 | $ | 124,667 | $ | 158,306 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (3) | 1.45 | % | 1.82 | % | 2.82 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (4) | $ | 1,219,845 | $ | 1,317,258 | $ | 1,463,745 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (5) | 2.10 | % | 2.35 | % | 2.97 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 128.77 | % | 133.01 | % | 137.82 | % |
| (1) | Includes non-accruing loans. Interest income on loans includes amortization of deferred loan fees, net of deferred loan costs, which was not material. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Securities available-for-sale are reported at amortized cost. |
| (3) | Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (4) | Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. |
58
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the years 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.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | (5,383) | $ | 7,677 | $ | 2,294 | $ | 6,944 | $ | 13,783 | $ | 20,727 | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 3,742 | 10,956 | 14,698 | (1,661) | 3,908 | 2,247 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | 1,385 | 4,987 | 6,372 | (514) | 1,276 | 762 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | (166) | 757 | 591 | 1,225 | 714 | 1,939 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 4,463 | 695 | 5,158 | 136 | 3,296 | 3,432 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 4,041 | 25,072 | 29,113 | 6,130 | 22,977 | 29,107 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW and money market accounts | (177) | 19,997 | 19,820 | (459) | 27,257 | 26,798 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 6,546 | 7,153 | 13,699 | 625 | 11,041 | 11,666 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 6,369 | 27,150 | 33,519 | 166 | 38,298 | 38,464 | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 3,376 | 2,400 | 5,776 | 16,963 | 7,319 | 24,282 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 9,745 | 29,550 | 39,295 | 17,129 | 45,617 | 62,746 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | (5,704) | $ | (4,478) | $ | (10,182) | $ | (10,999) | $ | (22,640) | $ | (33,639) |
Asset Quality
PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)
Based on a detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans of $9.2 million at December 31, 2024 and $9.9 million at December 31, 2023 as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. At December 31, 2024, 2.1% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 24.9% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 2.9% and 27.1%, respectively, at December 31, 2023.
Loans
General. Maintaining loan quality historically has been, and will continue to be, a key element of our business strategy. We employ conservative underwriting standards for new loan originations and maintain sound credit administration practices while the loans are outstanding. In addition, substantially all of our loans are secured, predominantly by real estate. At December 31, 2024, our non-performing loans totaled $20.3 million, or 0.51%, of total loans. At the same time, net charge-offs have remained low at 0.16% of average loans outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 0.15% for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 0.02% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
59
Non-performing Assets and Delinquent Loans. The following table details non-performing assets consisting of non-performing loans held-for-investment and non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Non-accrual loans: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | $ | 14,264 | $ | 10,115 | ||
| Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 1,186 | 1,318 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-investment | 15,450 | 11,433 | ||||
| Other non-performing loans held-for-sale | 4,897 | — | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | 20,347 | 11,433 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 20,347 | $ | 11,433 | ||
| Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent | $ | 9,336 | $ | 8,683 |
The following table details non-performing loans by loan type at December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Held-for-investment | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 2,609 | $ | 2,709 | ||
| Commercial | 4,578 | 6,491 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | — | 104 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 1,270 | 499 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 5,807 | 305 | ||||
| Other | — | 7 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans held-for-investment | 14,264 | 10,115 | ||||
| Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing: | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 164 | $ | 201 | ||
| One-to-four family residential | 882 | 406 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 140 | 711 | ||||
| Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing held-for-investment | 1,186 | 1,318 | ||||
| Non-performing loans held-for-sale | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,397 | — | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 500 | — | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-sale | 4,897 | — | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | $ | 20,347 | $ | 11,433 | ||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 20,347 | $ | 11,433 |
The Company's non-performing loans at December 31, 2024, totaled $20.3 million, or 0.51%, of total loans, and include $4.9 million of loans held-for-sale, as compared to $11.4 million, or 0.27%, at December 31, 2023. The $8.9 million increase in non-performing loans at December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in non-performing commercial and industrial loans and an increase in non-performing commercial real estate loans. The increase in non-performing commercial and industrial loans was primarily due to two loans to one borrower totaling $1.5 million which were put on non-accrual status during the fourth quarter of 2024, a $2.5 million loan which has received multiple modifications and was put on non-accrual status during the third quarter of 2024, although current as of December 31, 2024, and performing in accordance with its modified agreement, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in non-performing unsecured small business commercial and industrial loans.
60
The increase in non-performing commercial real estate loans was primarily attributable to one loan with a balance of $4.4 million which was put on non-accrual status during the first quarter of 2024. Based on the results of the impairment analysis for this loan, no impairment reserve was necessary as the loan is adequately covered by collateral (a private residence and retail property, both located in New Jersey), with aggregate appraised values totaling $8.7 million.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no assets acquired through foreclosure.
Generally, loans, excluding PCD loans, are placed on non-accruing status when they become 90 days or more delinquent, and remain on non-accrual status until they are brought current, have six consecutive months of performance under the loan terms, and factors indicating reasonable doubt about the timely collection of payments no longer exist. Therefore, loans may be current in accordance with their loan terms, or may be less than 90 days delinquent and still be on a non-accruing status.
At December 31, 2024, total non-performing loans included $2.7 million of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and $2.9 million of TDR loans that existed prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023. At December 31, 2023, total non-performing loans included $236,000 of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and $3.3 million of TDR loans that existed prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02.
The following table sets forth the total amounts of delinquencies for accruing loans that were 30 to 89 days past due by type and by amount at the dates indicated (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 2,831 | $ | 740 | ||
| Commercial | 78 | 1,010 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 2,407 | 3,339 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 1,472 | 817 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 2,545 | 2,767 | ||||
| Other loans | 3 | 10 | ||||
| $ | 9,336 | $ | 8,683 |
The increase in multifamily delinquent loans at December 31, 2024, as compared to December 31, 2023, was primarily due to two relationships totaling $2.4 million that became current subsequent to December 31, 2024.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans decreased from 328.30% at December 31, 2023 to 227.72% at December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $2.4 million, or 6.3%, in the allowance for credit losses as well as an increase in non-performing loans of $8.9 million, from $11.4 million at December 31, 2023 to $20.3 million at December 31, 2024.
The Company utilizes external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as an impaired loan and updated annually, or more frequently if required. Generally, non-performing loans are charged down to the appraised value of collateral less costs to sell for collateral-dependent loans and to the present value of the expected future cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans, which reduces allowance for credit losses and consequently the ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans. Downward adjustments to appraisal values, primarily to reflect “quick sale” discounts, are generally recorded as specific reserves within the allowance for credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net, was 0.87% at December 31, 2024, as compared to 0.89% at December 31, 2023. The decrease in the coverage ratio from December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $2.4 million, or 6.3%, in the allowance for credit losses from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio of $176.5 million, or 4.2%. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses during the year was primarily attributable to slower loan growth and an improvement in the economic forecast within our CECL model, partially offset by an increase in reserves related to changes in model assumptions, including the slowing of prepayment speeds, and an increase in reserves in the commercial and industrial portfolio related to an increase in non-performing loans and higher loan balances in that portfolio.
61
Specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment increased by $1.2 million to $1.3 million at December 31, 2024 from $45,200 at December 31, 2023, primarily related to an increase in reserves related to commercial and industrial loans. At December 31, 2024, the Company had 20 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $1.3 million of specific reserves on three of the 20 impaired loans. At December 31, 2023, the Company had 19 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $45,200 of specific reserves on four of the 19 impaired loans.
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for credit losses, by loan type, at December 31, for the years indicated (in thousands):
| Real estate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (1) | One-to-four Family Residential | Construction and Land | Home Equity and Lines of Credit | Commercial and Industrial | Other | PCD | Total Allowance for Credit Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 26,785 | $ | 3,545 | $ | 169 | $ | 560 | $ | 3,173 | $ | 9 | $ | 4,732 | $ | 38,973 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 2,876 | 359 | 155 | 287 | 1,243 | (12) | (426) | 4,482 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 102 | 32 | — | 19 | 144 | 12 | 178 | 487 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (278) | — | — | — | (446) | — | (601) | (1,325) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 29,485 | 3,936 | 324 | 866 | 4,114 | 9 | 3,883 | 42,617 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | (6,301) | (651) | (175) | 838 | 8,445 | (3) | (800) | 1,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 71 | — | — | 1 | 63 | — | 10 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | — | — | — | (6,572) | — | (8) | (6,580) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 23,255 | 3,285 | 149 | 1,705 | 6,050 | 6 | 3,085 | 37,535 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | (2,227) | (1,049) | (46) | 457 | 7,329 | (2) | (181) | 4,281 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 57 | 9 | — | 92 | 218 | — | — | 376 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (136) | — | — | — | (6,873) | — | — | (7,009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | 20,949 | $ | 2,245 | $ | 103 | $ | 2,254 | $ | 6,724 | $ | 4 | $ | 2,904 | $ | 35,183 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Commercial includes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and multifamily properties. |
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $6.6 million, as compared to net charge-offs of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and net charge-offs of $838,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Charge-offs in 2024 and 2023 were primarily related to small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans. Charge-offs in 2022 were primarily related to PCD loans and unsecured commercial and industrial loans. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses from 2023 to 2024 for commercial real estate and one-to-four family residential loan portfolios was primarily attributable to a decrease in loan balances and an improvement in the economic forecast within our CECL model. Allowance for credit losses allocated to the home equity and lines of credit and commercial and industrial loan portfolios increased from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 primarily due to risk rating downgrades in those portfolios and higher loan balances.
62
Management of Market Risk
General. A majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage-related securities, other securities and bonds and loans, generally have longer maturities than our liabilities, which consist primarily of deposits and wholesale borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy involves managing interest rate risk and limiting the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Management Asset-Liability Committee (“MALCO”), comprised of our SVP & Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, who chairs this Committee, our President & Chief Executive Officer, our EVP & Chief Risk Officer, our EVP & Chief Financial Officer, our EVP & Chief Lending Officer, and our EVP & Chief Branch Administration, Deposit Operations & Business Development Officer, and other officers and staff as necessary or appropriate. This committee is responsible for, among other things, evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for recommending to the Risk Committee the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
We seek to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. As part of our ongoing asset-liability management, we currently use the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk:
•originating multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans that generally have shorter maturities than one-to-four family residential real estate loans and have higher interest rates that generally reset from five to ten years;
•investing in investment grade corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities; and
•obtaining general financing through lower-cost core deposits, brokered deposits, longer-term FHLB advances, and repurchase agreements.
Shortening the average term of our interest-earning assets by increasing our investments in shorter-term assets, as well as originating loans with variable interest rates, helps to match the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities better, thereby reducing the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.
Net Portfolio Value Analysis. We compute amounts by which the net present value of our assets and liabilities (net portfolio value or NPV) would change in the event market interest rates changed over an assumed range of rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of our NPV. Depending on current market interest rates, we estimate the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment. 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 “Change in Interest Rates” column below.
Net Interest Income Analysis. In addition to NPV calculations, we analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through our net interest income model. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. In our model, we estimate what our net interest income would be for a twelve-month period. Depending on current market interest rates we then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100, 200, 300 or 400 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment.
63
The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our calculation of the estimated changes in our NPV, NPV ratio, and percent change in net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous and sustained changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands). Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing characteristics, including decay rates, and correlations to movements in interest rates, and should not be relied on as indicative of actual results.
| NPV at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,039,741 | $ | 4,296,533 | $ | 743,208 | $ | (93,542) | (11.18) | % | 14.75 | % | (15.51) | % | 1.73 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,132,034 | 4,368,409 | 763,625 | (73,125) | (8.74) | % | 14.88 | % | (10.48) | % | 2.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,235,010 | 4,443,676 | 791,334 | (45,416) | (5.43) | % | 15.12 | % | (5.12) | % | 3.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,338,932 | 4,522,702 | 816,230 | (20,520) | (2.45) | % | 15.29 | % | (1.68) | % | 2.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,442,680 | 4,605,930 | 836,750 | — | — | % | 15.37 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,556,611 | 4,683,811 | 872,800 | 36,050 | 4.31 | % | 15.71 | % | 2.78 | % | (1.12) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,660,193 | 4,765,981 | 894,212 | 57,462 | 6.87 | % | 15.80 | % | 4.94 | % | (3.34) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,762,691 | 4,859,674 | 903,017 | 66,267 | 7.92 | % | 15.67 | % | 5.45 | % | (6.84) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 5,901,487 | 4,969,923 | 931,564 | 94,814 | 11.33 | % | 15.79 | % | 4.82 | % | (10.25) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2024, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience an 11.33% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 4.82% increase in net interest income in year one, and a 10.25% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience an 11.18% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 15.51% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 1.73% increase in net interest income in year two.
| NPV at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 4,845,088 | $ | 4,222,267 | $ | 622,821 | $ | (139,446) | (18.29) | % | 12.85 | % | (20.93) | % | (5.16) | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 4,945,428 | 4,292,831 | 652,597 | (109,670) | (14.39) | % | 13.20 | % | (15.79) | % | (4.31) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,060,164 | 4,366,834 | 693,330 | (68,937) | (9.04) | % | 13.70 | % | (9.91) | % | (1.91) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,174,386 | 4,444,681 | 729,705 | (32,562) | (4.27) | % | 14.10 | % | (4.52) | % | (0.49) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,289,153 | 4,526,886 | 762,267 | — | — | % | 14.41 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,410,037 | 4,618,015 | 792,022 | 29,755 | 3.90 | % | 14.64 | % | 2.73 | % | (1.32) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,531,944 | 4,714,497 | 817,447 | 55,180 | 7.24 | % | 14.78 | % | 4.51 | % | (4.34) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,653,051 | 4,818,672 | 834,379 | 72,112 | 9.46 | % | 14.76 | % | 4.39 | % | (9.12) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 5,815,435 | 4,954,580 | 860,855 | 98,588 | 12.93 | % | 14.80 | % | 4.19 | % | (9.12) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2023, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 12.93% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 4.19% increase in net interest income in year one and a 9.12% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience an 18.29% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 20.93% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 5.16% decrease in net interest income in year two.
Our policies provide that, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less in interest rates, our net present value ratio should decrease by no more than 300 basis points and 10%, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our net present value should decrease by no more than 475 basis points and 35%. In the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 10% in year one and 20% in year two, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 39% in year one and 26% in year two. At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all Board-approved policies with respect to interest rate risk management.
64
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in net portfolio value and net interest income. Our model requires us to make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. We also apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. In addition, the net portfolio value and net interest income information presented 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 interest rate risk calculations 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 on our net portfolio value or net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The MALCO is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by MALCO. Senior management receives, at least daily, cash position reports and monthly cash forecasts to ensure that all short-term obligations are timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund activities. Reports detailing the Bank's liquidity reserves are presented to appropriate senior management on at least a quarterly basis, and the Risk Committee at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to MALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity scenarios. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming twelve months is presented to the Risk Committee on a quarterly basis.
Liquidity is the ability to fund assets and meet obligations as they come due. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowings through repurchase agreements, advances from money center banks, the FHLBNY, the Federal Reserve Bank, and repayments, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are reasonably predictable sources of funds, deposit flows, mortgage prepayments and security sales are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Risk Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and withdrawals of deposits by our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We seek to maintain a ratio of liquid assets (not subject to pledge or encumbered) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings of 35% or greater. At December 31, 2024, this ratio was 49.39%.
On March 12, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System created the BTFP, which aims to enhance liquidity by allowing institutions to pledge certain securities at par value, and at pay a borrowing rate of ten basis points over the one-year overnight index swap rate. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed $94.5 million under the BTFP. In January 2024, the Company borrowed an additional $300.0 million through the BTFP at favorable terms and conditions and invested the proceeds at higher rates. These borrowings were repaid in full as of December 31, 2024. The BTFP stopped providing borrowings on March 11, 2024. We believe that we had sufficient sources of liquidity to satisfy our short- and long-term liquidity needs at December 31, 2024.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based on our assessment of:
•expected loan demand;
•expected deposit flows;
•yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities; and
•the objectives of our asset/liability management program.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank, utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and loans if a need for additional funds arises. Any amount pledged for such deposits under the line of credit reduces the Company's available borrowing amount under the FHLB advance agreement. The Company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position and expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
65
The Company has a diversified deposit base, with long-standing client relationships across multiple customer segments providing stable funding. Government deposits are collateralized by assets or letters of credit issued by the FHLBNY. Uninsured deposits (excluding fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $923.8 million) were estimated at approximately $896.5 million, or 21.7%, of total deposits as of December 31, 2024.
The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ | 154,701 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds(2) | $ | 21,843 | ||
| Loans(2) | $ | 934,784 | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2) | $ | 661,518 |
(1) Excludes $13.0 million of cash at Northfield Bank.
(2) Represents remaining borrowing potential.
At December 31, 2024, we had $51.3 million in outstanding loan commitments. In addition, we had $261.8 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2024 totaled $940.2 million, or 22.7% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan sales, securities sales, other deposit products, including replacement or brokered certificates of deposit, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), and advances from the FHLBNY and other borrowing sources. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit. Based on experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, and we have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
We have a detailed contingency funding plan that is reviewed and reported to the Risk Committee at least quarterly. This plan includes monitoring cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of Northfield Bank. Additionally, management performs a stress test on Northfield Bank’s retail deposits and wholesale funding sources in several scenarios on a quarterly basis. The stress scenarios include $896.5 million of uninsured deposit outflow. Northfield Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity and capital levels under all stress scenarios.
Northfield Bancorp is a separate legal entity from Northfield Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to fund dividend payments, stock repurchases, and other corporate items. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the receipt of dividend payments from the Bank in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2024, Northfield Bancorp (unconsolidated) had liquid assets of $21.5 million.
Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp are both subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2024, both Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation” and Note 15 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our potential future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process applicable to loans we originate. In addition, we routinely enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans. Such amounts are not significant to our operations. For additional information, see Note 14 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU No. 2023-09. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. The amendments in this ASU require improved annual income tax disclosures surrounding rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and other disclosures. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
66
ASU No. 2024-03. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)”, which improves financial reporting by requiring public entities to provide disaggregated disclosures, in the notes to the financial statements, of certain categories of expenses that are included in expense line items on the face of the income statement. ASU 2024-03 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company will update its expense disclosures upon adoption.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The effect of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater effect on our performance than inflation.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001493225-24-000059.
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 of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report (collectively, the “financial statements”).
Overview
Net income was $37.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, and $61.1 million, or $1.32 per diluted common share, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $33.6 million decrease in net interest income, a $3.1 million decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $3.9 million increase in non-interest income, a $6.5 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $9.6 million decrease in income tax expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $317,000, after tax ($0.01 per share), in severance costs. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $925,000, after tax ($0.02 per share) of income generated from the accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans and $326,000, after tax ($0.01 per share) in gains on loans sold.
Assets decreased by $2.9 million, or 0.1%, to $5.60 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in available-for-sale debt securities of $156.7 million, or 16.5%, and a decrease in loans receivable of $40.0 million, or 0.9%, partially offset by increases in cash and cash equivalents of $183.7 million, or 401.1%, and FHLBNY stock of $9.3 million, or 30.6%.
Liabilities remained at $4.90 billion at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, as a decrease in total deposits of $271.8 million was largely offset by an increase in FHLB advances and other borrowings of $275.6 million.
Stockholders’ equity decreased by $1.9 million to $699.4 million at December 31, 2023, from $701.4 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was attributable to $36.9 million in stock repurchases and $22.8 million in dividend payments, partially offset by net income of $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a $15.9 million reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to an increase in the fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, and a $4.2 million increase in equity award activity.
48
Selected Financial Data
The summary information presented below at the dates or for each of the years presented is derived in part from our consolidated financial statements. The following information is only a summary, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Selected Financial Condition Data: | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,598,396 | $ | 5,601,293 | $ | 5,430,542 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 229,506 | 45,799 | 91,068 | |||||||
| Trading securities | 12,549 | 10,751 | 13,461 | |||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value | 795,464 | 952,173 | 1,208,237 | |||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 9,866 | 10,760 | 5,283 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 10,629 | 10,443 | 5,342 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-investment, net | 4,203,654 | 4,243,693 | 3,806,617 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (37,535) | (42,617) | (38,973) | |||||||
| Net loans held-for-investment | 4,166,119 | 4,201,076 | 3,767,644 | |||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 171,543 | 167,912 | 164,500 | |||||||
| FHLBNY stock, at cost | 39,667 | 30,382 | 22,336 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 30,202 | 34,288 | 33,943 | |||||||
| Other real estate owned | — | — | 100 | |||||||
| Deposits | 3,878,435 | 4,150,219 | 4,169,334 | |||||||
| Borrowed funds | 859,272 | 583,859 | 421,755 | |||||||
| Subordinated debentures, net of issuance costs | 61,219 | 60,996 | — | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 35,205 | 39,790 | 39,851 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,898,951 | 4,899,903 | 4,690,659 | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 699,445 | $ | 701,390 | $ | 739,883 |
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
| Selected Operating Data: | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 208,795 | $ | 179,688 | $ | 172,298 | ||||
| Interest expense | 84,128 | 21,382 | 16,649 | |||||||
| Net interest income before provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 124,667 | 158,306 | 155,649 | |||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 1,353 | 4,482 | (6,184) | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 123,314 | 153,824 | 161,833 | |||||||
| Non-interest income | 11,896 | 7,983 | 14,453 | |||||||
| Non-interest expense | 83,450 | 76,948 | 79,159 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 51,760 | 84,859 | 97,127 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 14,091 | 23,740 | 26,473 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 37,669 | $ | 61,119 | $ | 70,654 | ||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | 0.86 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.46 | ||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | 0.86 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.45 | ||||
| Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 43,560,844 | 46,234,122 | 48,416,495 | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 43,638,616 | 46,438,119 | 48,754,263 |
49
| At or For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: | ||||||||
| Performance Ratios: | ||||||||
| Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)(1) (2) (3) | 0.68 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.29 | % | ||
| Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)(1) (2) (3) | 5.45 | 8.57 | 9.42 | |||||
| Interest rate spread(4) | 1.82 | 2.82 | 2.89 | |||||
| Net interest margin(5) | 2.35 | 2.97 | 3.01 | |||||
| Dividend payout ratio(6) | 60.51 | 39.48 | 34.39 | |||||
| Efficiency ratio(7) (8) | 61.11 | 46.27 | 46.54 | |||||
| Non-interest expense to average total assets | 1.50 | 1.38 | 1.44 | |||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 133.01 | 137.82 | 135.63 | |||||
| Average equity to average total assets | 12.44 | 12.75 | 13.69 | |||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.15 | |||||
| Non-performing loans to total loans (9) (10) | 0.27 | 0.24 | 0.21 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans | 328.30 | 416.26 | 486.80 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net(11) (12) | 0.89 | 1.00 | 1.02 | |||||
| Capital Ratio: | ||||||||
| Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets) | 12.58 | 12.64 | 12.93 | |||||
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Number of full service offices | 39 | 38 | 38 | |||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 401 | 400 | 385 |
| (1) | The year ended December 31, 2023, includes $317,000, after tax, of severance costs and $96,000, after tax, of gains on loans sold. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $925,000, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans and $326,000, after-tax, in gains on loans sold. |
| (3) | The year ended December 31, 2021, includes: (i) $4.0 million, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans; (ii) $1.4 million, after tax, of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans; (iii) $1.0 million, after tax, in gains on loans sold; and (iv) $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank-owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. |
| (4) | The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted-average costs of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. |
| (6) | Dividend payout ratio is calculated as total dividends declared for the year divided by net income for the year. |
| (7) | The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. |
| (8) | The year ended December 31, 2023, includes $440,000 pre-tax, of severance costs. The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $1.3 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans. The year ended December 31, 2021, includes $5.6 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, $1.9 million of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans, and $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. |
| (9) | Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD loans), included in total loans held-for-investment, net, and non-performing loans held-for-sale, included in loans held-for-sale. |
| (10) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans, acquired loans, and loans held-for-sale. |
| (11) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans and acquired loans (and related allowance for credit losses). |
| (12) | Excluding PPP loans of $5.1 million, which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any provision for losses, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.01% at December 31, 2022. Excluding PPP loans of $40.5 million, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.03% at December 31, 2021. PPP loans were of insignificant value at December 31, 2023. |
50
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policies upon which our financial condition and results of operation depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are the following:
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted new accounting guidance, which requires entities to estimate and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. Previously, an allowance for loan losses was recognized based on probable and reasonably estimable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. See Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance for credit losses. We identified our policy on the allowance for credit losses on loans to be a critical accounting policy because management makes subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
The allowance for credit losses on loans is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons:
• Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
• Estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require us to utilize a reasonable and supportable forecast period based upon forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate probability of default and loss given default rates which our CECL methodology encompasses;
• The allowance for credit losses on loans is influenced by factors outside of our control such as industry and business trends, as well as economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment; and
• Judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses on loans produce an estimate that is sufficient to encompass the current view of lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses on loans has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover losses.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans. This quarterly process is performed by the accounting department, in conjunction with the credit administration department, and approved by the Allowance Committee, which consists of the Chief Executive Officer/President, Executive Vice President (“EVP”) & Chief Risk Officer, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, EVP & Chief Lending Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Senior Vice President (“SVP”) Collections and Asset Recovery, SVP & Director of Financial Reporting and the Assistant Vice President Financial Reporting. The Chief Financial Officer performs a final review of the calculation. All supporting documentation with regard to the evaluation process is maintained by the accounting department. Each quarter a summary of the allowance for credit losses is presented by the Chief Financial Officer to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Under the CECL methodology, the allowance for credit losses on loans has two components. (1) a collective reserve for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share common risk characteristics and (2) an individual reserve for loans that do not share risk characteristics, consisting of collateral-dependent and, prior to January 1, 2023, TDR loans.
51
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company estimates the collective reserve using a risk rating migration model which calculates an expected life of loan loss percentage for each loan by generating probability of default and loss given default metrics. These metrics are multiplied by the exposure at default, taking into consideration prepayments, to calculate the quantitative component of the collective reserve. The metrics are based on the migration of loans from performing to loss by credit risk rating or delinquency categories using historical life-of-loan analysis periods for each loan portfolio pool, and the severity of loss, based on the aggregate net lifetime losses incurred using the Company's historical loss experience and comparable peer data loss history. The model's expected losses based on loss history are adjusted for qualitative adjustments. Among other things, these adjustments include and account for differences in: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures; (ii) changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of our portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; (iii) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the quality of our loan review system; (v) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (vi) the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.
The Company utilizes a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period after which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience immediately for the remaining life of the loan. In establishing its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company utilizes five externally-sourced forward-looking economic scenarios developed by Moody's Analytics (“Moody's”).
Management utilizes five different Moody's scenarios so as to incorporate uncertainties related to the economic environment. These scenarios, which range from more benign to more severe economic outlooks, include a ‘most likely outcome’ (the “Baseline” scenario) and four less likely scenarios referred to as the “Upside” and “Downside” scenarios. Each scenario is weighted with a majority of the weighting placed on the Baseline scenario and lower weights placed on both the Upside and Downside scenarios. The weighting assigned by management is based on the economic outlook and available information at the reporting date. The model projects economic variables under each scenario based on detailed statistical analyses. The Company has identified and selected key variables that most closely correlated to its historical credit performance, which include: gross domestic product, unemployment, and three collateral indices: the Commercial Property Price Index, the Commercial Property Price Apartment Index and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Our allowance for credit losses is sensitive to a number of inputs, most notably the macroeconomic forecast assumptions as well as the reasonable and supportable forecasting periods that are incorporated in our estimate of credit losses on loans. Therefore, as the macroeconomic environment and related forecasts change or decisions are made to shorten or lengthen the forecasting period, the allowance for credit losses may change materially. The following sensitivity analyses do not represent management’s expectations of the deterioration of our portfolios or the economic environment, but are provided as hypothetical scenarios to assess the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses to changes in key inputs.
The following table details the five Moody's scenarios utilized in determining the allowance for credit losses on loans at December 31, 2023, and weightings of each scenario:
| Model Scenario | Moody's Scenario Description | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S0 | Upside - 4th Percentile | 4% | ||
| S1 | Upside - 10th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S3 | Downside - 90th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S4 | Downside - 96th Percentile | 4% | ||
| Baseline | Baseline Scenario | 72% |
If we placed 100% weighting on the baseline scenario, the quantitative allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2023 would have been approximately $1.4 million lower. Conversely, if we removed the upside scenarios and reallocated the weights from S0 to S4 and S1 to S3, the allowance for credit losses would have increased approximately $2.7 million. These forecasts revert to our long-term historical average loss rate after a 24 month forecasting period.
Because of the of the high degree of judgment involved in management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses, the subjectivity of assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment, there is inherent uncertainty in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance for credit losses on loans.
52
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
The Company measures specific reserves for individual loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all loans designated as TDRs prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater. Loans individually evaluated for impairment are assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent, or the present value of the expected future cash flows, if the loan is not collateral-dependent. Management performs an evaluation of each impaired loan and generally obtains updated appraisals as part of the evaluation. In addition, management adjusts estimated fair values down to appropriately consider recent market conditions, our willingness to accept a lower sales price to effect a quick sale, and costs to dispose of any supporting collateral. Determining the estimated fair value of underlying collateral (and related costs to sell) can be difficult in illiquid real estate markets and is subject to significant assumptions and estimates. Management employs an independent third-party management firm that specializes in appraisal preparation and review to ascertain the reasonableness of updated appraisals. Projecting the expected cash flows under troubled debt restructurings which are not collateral-dependent is inherently subjective and requires, among other things, an evaluation of the borrower’s current and projected financial condition. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections and our established allowance for credit losses on these loans, which could have a material effect on our financial results. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described earlier.
We have a concentration of loans secured by real property located in New York, New Jersey, and, to a lesser extent, eastern Pennsylvania. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are reviewed by management and an independent third-party appraiser to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the collateral. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the economy generally, or a decline in real estate market values in New York, New Jersey, or eastern Pennsylvania. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in delinquencies, increased credit losses, and increased credit loss provisions.
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for credit losses at adequate levels, changes may be necessary if future economic or other conditions differ substantially from our estimation of the current operating environment. Although management uses the information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of their examination process, will review our allowance for credit losses on loans and may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
We also maintain an allowance for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and standby letters of credit. The reserve for off-balance sheet exposures is determined using the CECL reserve factor in the related funded loan segment, adjusted for an average historical funding rate. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in other non-interest expense.
53
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2023 and 2022
Total assets decreased by $2.9 million, or 0.1%, to $5.60 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in available-for-sale debt securities of $156.7 million, or 16.5%, and a decrease in loans receivable of $40.0 million, or 0.9%, partially offset by increases in cash and cash equivalents of $183.7 million, or 401.1%, and FHLBNY stock of $9.3 million, or 30.6%.
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $183.7 million, or 401.1%, to $229.5 million at December 31, 2023, from $45.8 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in Federal Reserve Bank of New York balances driven by excess cash from borrowings and proceeds from the maturity and calls of available-for-sale securities. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, or the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities. During 2023, management believed it was prudent to increase balance sheet liquidity given general market volatility and uncertainty.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio decreased by $156.7 million, or 16.5%, to $795.5 million at December 31, 2023, from $952.2 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to paydowns, maturities, and calls. At December 31, 2023, $550.6 million of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $73.9 million in U.S. Government agency securities, $44.4 million in U.S. Treasuries, $125.8 million in corporate bonds, substantially all of which were considered investment grade, and $763,000 in municipal bonds at December 31, 2023. Gross unrealized losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale debt securities and held-to-maturity securities approximated $32.5 million and $279,000, respectively, at December 31, 2023, and $48.6 million and $332,000, respectively, at December 31, 2022.
Equity securities were $10.6 million at December 31, 2023 and $10.4 million at December 31, 2022. Equity securities are primarily comprised of an investment in a Small Business Administration Loan Fund. This investment is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program.
Loans held for investment, net, decreased by $40.0 million to $4.20 billion at December 31, 2023, from $4.24 billion at December 31, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in multifamily loans, partially offset by an increase in commercial real estate loans. The Company continues to focus on the credit needs of its customers, and to a lesser extent, the development of new business notwithstanding the current uncertain economic environment. Multifamily loans decreased $73.6 million, or 2.6%, to $2.75 billion at December 31, 2023 from $2.82 billion at December 31, 2022, one-to-four family residential loans decreased $13.1 million, or 7.5%, to $160.8 million at December 31, 2023 from $173.9 million at December 31, 2022, and commercial and industrial loans decreased $568,000, or 0.4%, to $155.3 million at December 31, 2023 from $154.7 million at December 31, 2022. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in commercial real estate loans of $30.3 million, or 3.4%, to $929.6 million at December 31, 2023 from $899.2 million at December 31, 2022, home equity loans of $11.0 million, or 7.2%, to $163.5 million at December 31, 2023 from $152.6 million at December 31, 2022, and construction and land loans of $6.0 million, or 24.2%, to $31.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $24.9 million at December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was estimated at approximately 456%. Management believes that Northfield Bank (the “Bank”) has implemented appropriate risk management practices, including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which include monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing of the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, the Company's ability to pay dividends, and overall profitability.
At December 31, 2023, office-related loans represented $208.6 million, or approximately 5% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.8 million (although we have originated these type of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 58%. Approximately 46% were owner-occupied. The geographic locations of the properties collateralizing our office-related loans are as follows: 54.2% in New York and 45.8% in New Jersey. At December 31, 2023, our largest office-related loan had a principal balance of $90.0 million (with a net active principal balance for the Bank of $30.0 million as we have a 33.3% participation interest), was secured by an office facility located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms.
54
PCD loans totaled $9.9 million and $11.5 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with the decrease being primarily due to one loan with a balance of approximately $950,000 which was sold during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income of $1.3 million attributable to PCD loans for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $3.1 million and $3.9 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Bank-owned life insurance increased $3.6 million, or 2.2%, to $171.5 million at December 31, 2023, as compared to $167.9 million at December 31, 2022. The increase resulted from income earned on bank-owned life insurance for the year ended December 31, 2023.
FHLBNY stock increased by $9.3 million, or 30.6%, to $39.7 million at December 31, 2023, from $30.4 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in FHLBNY stock directly correlates with higher short-term borrowing balances at December 31, 2023, as compared to December 31, 2022.
Other assets decreased $5.9 million, or 10.7%, to $48.6 million at December 31, 2023, from $54.4 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in deferred tax assets primarily due to a decrease in unrealized losses on the securities available-for-sale portfolio.
Total liabilities remained at $4.90 billion at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, as a decrease in total deposits of $271.8 million was largely offset by an increase in FHLB advances and other borrowings of $275.6 million. The Company routinely utilizes brokered deposits and borrowed funds to manage interest rate risk, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and funding needs related to loan originations and deposit activity.
Deposits decreased $271.8 million, or 6.5%, to $3.88 billion at December 31, 2023, as compared to $4.15 billion at December 31, 2022. Brokered deposits decreased by $290.0 million, or 74.4%. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $18.3 million, or 0.5%. The increase in non-brokered deposits was attributable to increases of $223.7 million in time deposits and $8.6 million in savings accounts, partially offset by decreases of $58.1 million in transaction accounts and $155.9 million in money market accounts. Estimated gross uninsured deposits at December 31, 2023 were $1.73 billion. This total excludes fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $856.5 million, leaving estimated uninsured deposits of approximately $869.9 million, or 22.4%, of total deposits.
Borrowed funds increased to $920.5 million at December 31, 2023, from $644.9 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in borrowings for the period was primarily due to an increase in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings of $275.4 million, including $94.5 million of borrowings under the Federal Reserve Bank's Term Funding Program, which included favorable terms and conditions as compared to FHLB advances. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent from time to time, as part of leverage strategies. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company increased borrowings to pay off higher-rate brokered certificates of deposit.
Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $1.9 million to $699.4 million at December 31, 2023, from $701.4 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was attributable to $36.9 million in stock repurchases and $22.8 million in dividend payments, partially offset by net income of $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a $15.9 million reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to an increase in the fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, and a $4.2 million increase in equity award activity. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 3.1 million of its common stock outstanding at an average price of $11.99 for a total of $36.9 million pursuant to the approved stock repurchase plans. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $3.1 million in remaining capacity under its current repurchase program.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
Net Income. Net income was $37.7 million and $61.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $33.6 million decrease in net interest income, a $3.1 million decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $3.9 million increase in non-interest income, a $6.5 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $9.6 million decrease in income tax expense.
55
Interest Income. Interest income increased $29.1 million, or 16.2%, to $208.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $179.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a 56 basis point increase in yields on interest-earning assets due to the rising rate environment and a greater percentage of assets consisting of higher-yielding loans, partially offset by a $26.3 million, or 0.5%, decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets was due to decreases in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $181.5 million and the average balance of other securities of $46.7 million, partially offset by increases in the average balance of loans outstanding of $171.2 million, the average balance of FHLBNY stock of $18.1 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $12.5 million. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Fees recognized from PPP loans totaled $31,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023, included loan prepayment income of $1.6 million as compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $62.7 million, or 293.5%, to $84.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $21.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to an increase in interest expense on deposits of $38.5 million, or 373.8%, an increase in interest expense on borrowings of $22.8 million, or 244.8%, and an increase in interest expense on subordinated debt of $1.5 million. The increase in interest expense on deposits was attributable to a 131 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits from 0.30% for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 1.61% for the year ended December 31, 2023, due to rising market interest rates and a shift in the composition of the deposit portfolio towards higher-costing certificates of deposit. The increase in interest expense on deposits was partially offset by a $389.1 million, or 11.4%, decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was attributable to a 133 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, and a $481.5 million, or 116.4%, increase in the average balance of borrowings. The increase in interest expense on subordinated debt was due to the issuance of $62.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed to floating subordinated notes in June 2022.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023, decreased $33.6 million, or 21.2%, to $124.7 million, from $158.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a 62 basis point decrease in net interest margin to 2.35% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 2.97% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increasing faster than the repricing of interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased by 156 basis points to 2.11% for the year ended December 31, 2023, from 0.55% for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven primarily by both higher costs of deposits (and a greater percentage of deposits consisting of higher-costing certificates of deposit) and borrowed funds. The increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was partially offset by an increase in the yield on interest-earning assets which increased 56 basis points to 3.93% for the year ended December 31, 2023, from 3.37% for the year ended December 31, 2022, due to the rising rate environment and a greater percentage of assets consisting of higher-yielding loans.
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans decreased by $3.1 million to a provision of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to slower loan growth, a decrease in reserves related to non-economic qualitative loss factors in the multifamily and commercial real estate portfolios, and a decrease in reserves related to the PCD portfolio, attributable to improved cash flows and a decrease in PCD loan balances. In addition, there was an improvement in the macroeconomic outlook. The decreases were partially offset by higher net charge-offs and higher reserves for downgraded commercial and industrial loans. Net charge-offs were $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to net charge-offs of $838,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022, due to $6.2 million in charge-offs on small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans. Management continues to monitor the small business unsecured commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which totaled $37.4 million at December 31, 2023.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $3.9 million, or 49.0%, to $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, due primarily to a $3.9 million increase in mark to market gains on trading securities, net. For the year ended December 31, 2023, gains on trading securities were $1.7 million, as compared to losses of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The trading portfolio is utilized to fund the Company’s deferred compensation obligation to certain employees and directors of the Company's deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”). The participants of this Plan, at their election, defer a portion of their compensation. Gains and losses on trading securities have no effect on net income since participants benefit from, and bear the full risk of, changes in the trading securities market values. Therefore, the Company records an equal and offsetting amount in compensation expense, reflecting the change in the Company’s obligations under the Plan.
56
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $6.5 million, or 8.4%, to $83.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $76.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to a $4.5 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, primarily attributable to a $3.9 million increase in the mark to market of the Company's deferred compensation plan expense, which as discussed above has no effect on net income, coupled with an increase in equity award expense related to awards issued in the first quarter of 2023, annual merit increases, and severance expense of $440,000, partially offset by a decrease in the accrual for incentive compensation. During the second quarter of 2023, due to economic conditions, the Company implemented a workforce reduction plan, which included modest layoffs and the elimination of, and/or not filling, certain open positions. The annual estimated cost savings of this plan is $1.4 million, pre-tax. Data processing expense increased by $723,000, due to continued investments in technology, increased transaction costs related to an increase in the number of customer accounts and related volume of transactions, and higher pricing effective January 2023. FDIC insurance expense increased by $924,000 due to higher assessment rates. There was a $506,000 decrease in the credit loss benefit for off-balance sheet credit exposures due to a benefit of $555,000 recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a benefit of $1.1 million for the prior year, attributed to a larger decrease in the pipeline of loans committed and awaiting closing in the prior year as compared to the current year. Partially offsetting the increases was a $440,000 decrease in professional fees attributable to higher recruitment, consulting, and outsourcing fees in the prior year.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the decrease due to lower taxable income. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023, was 27.2%, compared to 28.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, see “Part II, Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Comparison of Operating Results, included in our 2022 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023.
57
Average Balances and Yields
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the years indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as we had no tax-free interest-earning assets during the years. All average balances are daily average balances based upon amortized costs. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) | $ | 4,248,355 | $ | 181,638 | 4.28 | % | $ | 4,077,175 | $ | 160,911 | 3.95 | % | $ | 3,862,243 | $ | 158,217 | 4.10 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities (2) | 682,416 | 14,708 | 2.16 | 863,897 | 12,461 | 1.44 | 975,518 | 10,640 | 1.09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (2) | 238,722 | 5,087 | 2.13 | 285,385 | 4,325 | 1.52 | 151,495 | 1,965 | 1.30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 40,684 | 3,113 | 7.65 | 22,541 | 1,174 | 5.21 | 25,420 | 1,279 | 5.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 97,975 | 4,249 | 4.34 | 85,485 | 817 | 0.96 | 164,553 | 197 | 0.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,308,152 | 208,795 | 3.93 | 5,334,483 | 179,688 | 3.37 | 5,179,229 | 172,298 | 3.33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 247,050 | 259,891 | 299,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,555,202 | $ | 5,594,374 | $ | 5,478,893 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW, and money market accounts | $ | 2,463,455 | $ | 30,408 | 1.23 | % | $ | 2,898,048 | $ | 3,610 | 0.12 | % | $ | 2,811,552 | $ | 3,031 | 0.11 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 571,041 | 18,345 | 3.21 | 525,557 | 6,679 | 1.27 | 505,472 | 3,176 | 0.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,034,496 | 48,753 | 1.61 | 3,423,605 | 10,289 | 0.30 | 3,317,024 | 6,207 | 0.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 895,229 | 32,055 | 3.58 | 413,697 | 9,296 | 2.25 | 501,523 | 10,442 | 2.08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 61,169 | 3,320 | 5.43 | 33,436 | 1,797 | 5.37 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 3,990,894 | 84,128 | 2.11 | 3,870,738 | 21,382 | 0.55 | 3,818,547 | 16,649 | 0.44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing deposits | 770,939 | 907,603 | 812,805 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 102,563 | 102,807 | 97,385 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,864,396 | 4,881,148 | 4,728,737 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 690,806 | 713,226 | 750,156 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,555,202 | $ | 5,594,374 | $ | 5,478,893 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 124,667 | $ | 158,306 | $ | 155,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (3) | 1.82 | % | 2.82 | % | 2.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (4) | $ | 1,317,258 | $ | 1,463,745 | $ | 1,360,682 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (5) | 2.35 | % | 2.97 | % | 3.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 133.01 | % | 137.82 | % | 135.63 | % |
| (1) | Includes non-accruing loans. Interest income on loans includes amortization of deferred loan fees, net of deferred loan costs, which was not material. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Securities available-for-sale are reported at amortized cost. |
| (3) | Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (4) | Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. |
58
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the years 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.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 6,944 | $ | 13,783 | $ | 20,727 | $ | 4,493 | $ | (1,799) | $ | 2,694 | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | (1,661) | 3,908 | 2,247 | (1,001) | 2,822 | 1,821 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | (514) | 1,276 | 762 | 1,982 | 378 | 2,360 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 1,225 | 714 | 1,939 | (152) | 47 | (105) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 136 | 3,296 | 3,432 | (46) | 666 | 620 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 6,130 | 22,977 | 29,107 | 5,276 | 2,114 | 7,390 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW and money market accounts | (459) | 27,257 | 26,798 | 96 | 483 | 579 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 625 | 11,041 | 11,666 | 110 | 3,393 | 3,503 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 166 | 38,298 | 38,464 | 206 | 3,876 | 4,082 | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 16,963 | 7,319 | 24,282 | (854) | 1,505 | 651 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 17,129 | 45,617 | 62,746 | (648) | 5,381 | 4,733 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | (10,999) | $ | (22,640) | $ | (33,639) | $ | 5,924 | $ | (3,267) | $ | 2,657 |
Asset Quality
PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)
Based on a detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans of $9.9 million at December 31, 2023 and $11.5 million at December 31, 2022 as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. At December 31, 2023, 2.9% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 27.1% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 6.8% and 23.0%, respectively, at December 31, 2022.
Loans
General. Maintaining loan quality historically has been, and will continue to be, a key element of our business strategy. We employ conservative underwriting standards for new loan originations and maintain sound credit administration practices while the loans are outstanding. In addition, substantially all of our loans are secured, predominantly by real estate. At December 31, 2023, our non-performing loans totaled $11.4 million, or 0.27%, of total loans. At the same time, net charge-offs have remained low at 0.15% of average loans outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 0.02% for the year ended December 31, 2022, and 0.07% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
59
Non-performing Assets and Delinquent Loans. The following table details non-performing assets consisting of non-performing loans held-for-investment and non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Non-accrual loans: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | $ | 10,115 | $ | 6,548 | ||
| Non-accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements (1) : | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | — | 3,265 | ||||
| Total non-accruing loans held-for-investment | 10,115 | 9,813 | ||||
| Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 1,318 | 425 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 11,433 | $ | 10,238 | ||
| Loans subject to restructuring agreements and still accruing (1) | $ | — | $ | 3,751 | ||
| Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent | $ | 8,683 | $ | 3,644 |
(1) With the adoption of ASU 2022-02, effective January 1, 2023, TDR accounting has been eliminated.
The following table details non-performing loans by loan type at December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Held-for-investment | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 2,709 | $ | 3,285 | ||
| Commercial | 6,491 | 5,184 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 104 | 118 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 499 | 262 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 305 | 964 | ||||
| Other | 7 | — | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans held-for-investment | 10,115 | 9,813 | ||||
| Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing: | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 201 | $ | 233 | ||
| Commercial | — | 8 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 406 | 155 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 711 | — | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | — | 24 | ||||
| Other | — | 5 | ||||
| Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing held-for-investment | 1,318 | 425 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 11,433 | $ | 10,238 |
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no assets acquired through foreclosure.
Generally, loans, excluding PCD loans, are placed on non-accruing status when they become 90 days or more delinquent, and remain on non-accrual status until they are brought current, have six consecutive months of performance under the loan terms, and factors indicating reasonable doubt about the timely collection of payments no longer exist. Therefore, loans may be current in accordance with their loan terms, or may be less than 90 days delinquent and still be on a non-accruing status.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, which eliminated the recognition and measure of troubled debt restructurings and enhanced disclosures for loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Information on loan modifications prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023 is presented in accordance with the applicable accounting standards in effect at that time. At December 31, 2023, total non-performing loans included $236,000 of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and $3.3 million of TDR loans that existed prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023.
60
The following table sets forth the total amounts of delinquencies for accruing loans that were 30 to 89 days past due by type and by amount at the dates indicated (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 740 | $ | 189 | ||
| Commercial | 1,010 | 900 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 3,339 | 672 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 817 | 830 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 2,767 | 1,048 | ||||
| Other loans | 10 | 5 | ||||
| $ | 8,683 | $ | 3,644 |
The majority of the loans past due in the one-to-four family residential and home equity and lines of credit portfolios were due to loans past due 30 days at December 31, 2023, which then became current subsequent to the quarter end, therefore management does not believe the increase in delinquencies in these portfolios is an indicator of credit deterioration. The increase in the commercial and industrial loan delinquencies was primarily due to an increase in delinquencies in unsecured small business loans, attributable to a combination of rising interest rates and a slowdown in business. Unsecured small business loans totaled $37.4 million and $43.3 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Management continues to monitor the small business unsecured commercial and industrial loan portfolio.
Loans Subject to TDR Agreements prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02
Included in non-accruing loans were loans subject to TDR agreements totaling $3.3 million at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, three of the non-accruing TDRs totaling $547,000 were not performing in accordance with their restructured terms. Two of the loans totaling $477,000 were collateralized by real estate with an appraised value of $2.4 million. A third loan in the amount of $70,000 was an unsecured commercial and industrial loan, which had a specific reserve against it.
The Company also held loans subject to TDR agreements that were on accrual status totaling $3.8 million at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, $3.6 million, or 94.8%, of the $3.8 million of accruing loans subject to TDR agreements were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. Generally, the types of concessions that we make to troubled borrowers include both temporary and permanent reductions to interest rates, extensions of payment terms, and, to a lesser extent, forgiveness of principal and interest.
The following table details the amounts and categories of the loans subject to restructuring agreements by loan type as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||||||||||
| Non-Accruing | Accruing | |||||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 3,069 | $ | 3,034 | ||||||
| One-to-four family residential | — | 666 | ||||||||
| Multifamily | 126 | — | ||||||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | — | 27 | ||||||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 70 | 24 | ||||||||
| $ | 3,265 | $ | 3,751 | |||||||
| Performing in accordance with restructured terms | 83.2 | % | 94.8 | % |
61
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the CECL standard and as a result of the adoption recorded a $10.4 million increase to its allowance for credit losses on loans, including $6.8 million related to PCD loans. For further discussion of the calculation of the allowance for credit losses, see “—Critical Accounting Policies—Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.”
The allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans decreased from 416.26% at December 31, 2022 to 328.30% at December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $5.1 million, or 11.9%, in the allowance for credit losses as well as an increase in non-performing loans of $1.2 million, from $10.2 million at December 31, 2022 to $11.4 million at December 31, 2023.
The Company utilizes external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as an impaired loan and updated annually, or more frequently if required. Generally, non-performing loans are charged down to the appraised value of collateral less costs to sell for collateral-dependent loans and to the present value of the expected future cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans, which reduces the ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans. Downward adjustments to appraisal values, primarily to reflect “quick sale” discounts, are generally recorded as specific reserves within the allowance for credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net, was 0.89% at December 31, 2023, as compared to 1.00% at December 31, 2022. The decrease in the coverage ratio from December 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $5.1 million, or 11.9%, in the allowance for credit losses from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio of $40.0 million, or 0.9%. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses during the year was primarily attributable to slower loan growth, a decrease in reserves related to non-economic qualitative loss factors in the multifamily and commercial real estate portfolios, and a decrease in reserves related to the PCD portfolio, attributable to improved cash flows and a decrease in PCD loan balances.
Specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment increased by $7,000 to $45,200 at December 31, 2023 from $38,200 at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2023, the Company had 19 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $45,200 of specific reserves on four of the 19 impaired loans. At December 31, 2022, the Company had 20 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $38,200 of specific reserves on four of the 20 impaired loans.
62
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for credit losses, by loan type, at December 31, for the years indicated (in thousands):
| Real estate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (1) | One-to-four Family Residential | Construction and Land | Home Equity and Lines of Credit | Commercial and Industrial | Other | PCD | Total Allowance for Credit Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 33,005 | $ | 207 | $ | 1,214 | $ | 260 | $ | 1,842 | $ | 198 | $ | 881 | $ | 37,607 | ||||||||||||||||
| Impact of CECL Adjustment | (1,949) | 5,233 | (921) | 419 | 947 | (188) | 6,812 | 10,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2021 | 31,056 | 5,440 | 293 | 679 | 2,789 | 10 | 7,693 | 47,960 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Benefit)/provision for credit losses | (4,331) | (1,903) | (124) | (145) | 991 | (3) | (669) | (6,184) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 60 | 29 | — | 26 | 39 | 5 | 119 | 278 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | (21) | — | — | (646) | (3) | (2,411) | (3,081) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 26,785 | 3,545 | 169 | 560 | 3,173 | 9 | 4,732 | 38,973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 2,876 | 359 | 155 | 287 | 1,243 | (12) | (426) | 4,482 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 102 | 32 | — | 19 | 144 | 12 | 178 | 487 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (278) | — | — | — | (446) | — | (601) | (1,325) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 29,485 | 3,936 | 324 | 866 | 4,114 | 9 | 3,883 | 42,617 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Benefit)/provision for credit losses | (6,301) | (651) | (175) | 838 | 8,445 | (3) | (800) | 1,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 71 | — | — | 1 | 63 | — | 10 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | — | — | — | (6,572) | — | (8) | (6,580) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 23,255 | $ | 3,285 | $ | 149 | $ | 1,705 | $ | 6,050 | $ | 6 | $ | 3,085 | $ | 37,535 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Commercial includes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and multifamily properties. |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $6.4 million, as compared to net charge-offs of $838,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and net charge-offs of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Charge-offs in 2023 were primarily related to small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans. Charge-offs in 2022 and 2021 were primarily related to PCD loans and small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses from 2022 to 2023 for commercial real estate loans was primarily attributable to a decrease in loan balances and a decrease in reserves related to non-economic qualitative loss factors in the multifamily and commercial real estate portfolios. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses in the one-to-four family residential and construction and land loan portfolios was primarily related to a decrease in loan balances. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses for PCD loans was primarily attributable to a decrease in the PCD loan balances and an improvement in cash flows. Allowance for credit losses allocated to the home equity and lines of credit and commercial and industrial loan portfolios increased from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to risk rating downgrades in those portfolios.
63
Management of Market Risk
General. A majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage-related securities, other securities and bonds and loans, generally have longer maturities than our liabilities, which consist primarily of deposits and wholesale borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy involves managing interest rate risk and limiting the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Management Asset-Liability Committee (“MALCO”), comprised of our SVP & Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, who chairs this Committee, our President & Chief Executive Officer, our EVP & Chief Risk Officer, our EVP & Chief Financial Officer, our EVP & Chief Lending Officer, our EVP & Chief Branch Administration, Deposit Operations & Business Development Officer, and our SVP & Director of Marketing, and other officers and staff as necessary or appropriate. This committee is responsible for, among other things, evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for recommending to the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors (“Risk Committee”) the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
We seek to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. As part of our ongoing asset-liability management, we currently use the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk:
•originating multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans that generally have shorter maturities than one-to-four family residential real estate loans and have higher interest rates that generally reset from five to ten years;
•investing in investment grade corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities; and
•obtaining general financing through lower-cost core deposits, brokered deposits, and longer-term FHLB advances, borrowings under the BTFP, and repurchase agreements.
Shortening the average term of our interest-earning assets by increasing our investments in shorter-term assets, as well as originating loans with variable interest rates, helps to match the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities better, thereby reducing the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.
Net Portfolio Value Analysis. We compute amounts by which the net present value of our assets and liabilities (net portfolio value or NPV) would change in the event market interest rates changed over an assumed range of rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of our NPV. Depending on current market interest rates, we estimate the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment. 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 “Change in Interest Rates” column below.
Net Interest Income Analysis. In addition to NPV calculations, we analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through our net interest income model. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. In our model, we estimate what our net interest income would be for a twelve-month period. Depending on current market interest rates we then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment.
64
The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our calculation of the estimated changes in our NPV, NPV ratio, and percent change in net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous and sustained changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands). Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing characteristics including decay rates, and correlations to movements in interest rates, and should not be relied on as indicative of actual results.
| NPV at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 4,845,088 | $ | 4,222,267 | $ | 622,821 | $ | (139,446) | (18.29) | % | 12.85 | % | (20.93) | % | (5.16) | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 4,945,428 | 4,292,831 | 652,597 | (109,670) | (14.39) | % | 13.20 | % | (15.79) | % | (4.31) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,060,164 | 4,366,834 | 693,330 | (68,937) | (9.04) | % | 13.70 | % | (9.91) | % | (1.91) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,174,386 | 4,444,681 | 729,705 | (32,562) | (4.27) | % | 14.10 | % | (4.52) | % | (0.49) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,289,153 | 4,526,886 | 762,267 | — | — | % | 14.41 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,410,037 | 4,618,015 | 792,022 | 29,755 | 3.90 | % | 14.64 | % | 2.73 | % | (1.32) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,531,944 | 4,714,497 | 817,447 | 55,180 | 7.24 | % | 14.78 | % | 4.51 | % | (4.34) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,653,051 | 4,818,672 | 834,379 | 72,112 | 9.46 | % | 14.76 | % | 4.39 | % | (9.12) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 5,815,435 | 4,954,580 | 860,855 | 98,588 | 12.93 | % | 14.80 | % | 4.19 | % | (9.12) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2023, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 12.93% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 4.19% increase in net interest income in year one, and a 9.12% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience an 18.29% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 20.93% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 5.16% decrease in net interest income in year two.
| NPV at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 4,850,423 | $ | 4,057,885 | $ | 792,538 | $ | (227,578) | (22.31) | % | 16.34 | % | (25.83) | % | (11.03) | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 4,967,247 | 4,126,616 | 840,631 | (179,485) | (17.59) | % | 16.92 | % | (19.51) | % | (8.90) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,106,889 | 4,198,831 | 908,058 | (112,058) | (10.98) | % | 17.78 | % | (12.01) | % | (4.41) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,244,669 | 4,274,947 | 969,722 | (50,394) | (4.94) | % | 18.49 | % | (5.33) | % | (1.19) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,375,689 | 4,355,573 | 1,020,116 | — | — | % | 18.98 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,503,211 | 4,464,131 | 1,039,080 | 18,964 | 1.86 | % | 18.88 | % | 0.76 | % | (3.80) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,626,336 | 4,586,245 | 1,040,091 | 19,975 | 1.96 | % | 18.49 | % | 0.00 | % | (8.91) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (300) | 5,749,256 | 4,717,723 | 1,031,533 | 11,417 | 1.12 | % | 17.94 | % | (0.29) | % | (11.15) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (400) | 5,912,105 | 4,859,064 | 1,053,041 | 32,925 | 3.23 | % | 17.81 | % | (0.63) | % | (13.15) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2022, in the event of a 400 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 3.23% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 0.63% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 13.15% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 22.31% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 25.83% decrease in net interest income in year one and an 11.03% decrease in net interest income in year two.
Our policies provide that, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less in interest rates, our net present value ratio should decrease by no more than 300 basis points and 10%, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our net present value should decrease by no more than 475 basis points and 35%. In the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 10% in year one and 20% in year two, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 39% in year one and 26% in year two. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all Board-approved policies with respect to interest rate risk management.
65
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in net portfolio value and net interest income. Our model requires us to make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. However, we also apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. In addition, the net portfolio value and net interest income information presented 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 interest rate risk calculations 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 on our net portfolio value or net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The MALCO is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and management of the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by MALCO. Senior management receives, at least daily, cash position reports and monthly cash forecasts to ensure that all short-term obligations are timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund activities. Reports detailing the Bank's liquidity reserves are presented to appropriate senior management on at least a quarterly basis, and the Risk Committee at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to MALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity scenarios. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming twelve months is presented to the Risk Committee on a quarterly basis.
Liquidity is the ability to fund assets and meet obligations as they come due. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowings through repurchase agreements, advances from money center banks, the FHLBNY, the Federal Reserve Bank, and repayments, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are reasonably predictable sources of funds, deposit flows, mortgage prepayments and security sales are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our Risk Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and withdrawals of deposits by our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We seek to maintain a ratio of liquid assets (not subject to pledge or encumbered) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings of 35% or greater. At December 31, 2023, this ratio was 39.23%.
Systemic events of March 2023 impacted liquidity in the overall banking system, particularly for mid-size and regional banks. Management took a number of actions to enhance Northfield’s liquidity management, including monitoring daily deposit inflows and outflows, temporarily increasing the amount of cash held on the balance sheet, maximizing investment securities available for pledge for borrowers, and executing strategies to grow our retail time deposit portfolio. Additionally, on March 12, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System created the BTFP, which aims to enhance liquidity by allowing institutions to pledge certain securities at par value, and at pay a borrowing rate of ten basis points over the one-year overnight index swap rate. The BTFP is available to eligible U.S. federally insured depository institutions, with advances having a term of up to one year and no prepayment penalties. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed $94.5 million under the BTFP. We believe that we had sufficient sources of liquidity to satisfy our short- and long-term liquidity needs at December 31, 2023.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based on our assessment of:
•expected loan demand;
•expected deposit flows;
•yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities; and
•the objectives of our asset/liability management program.
66
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank, utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and multifamily loans if a need for additional funds arises. Any amount pledged for such deposits under the line of credit reduces the Company's available borrowing amount under the FHLB advance agreement. The Company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position and expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
The Company has a diversified deposit base, with long-standing client relationships across multiple customer segments providing stable funding. Government deposits are collateralized by assets or letters of credit issued by the FHLBNY. Uninsured deposits (excluding fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $856.5 million) are estimated at approximately $869.9 million, or 22.4%, of total deposits as of December 31, 2023.
The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ | 215,617 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds(2) | $ | 110,914 | ||
| Multifamily loans(2) | $ | 930,990 | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2) | $ | 382,787 |
(1) Excludes $13.9 million of cash at Northfield Bank.
(2) Represents remaining borrowing potential.
At December 31, 2023, we had $7.0 million in outstanding loan commitments. In addition, we had $292.7 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2023 totaled $635.8 million, or 16.4% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan sales, securities sales, other deposit products, including replacement or brokered certificates of deposit, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), and advances from the FHLBNY and other borrowing sources. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit. Based on experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, and we have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
We have a detailed contingency funding plan that is reviewed and reported to the Risk Committee at least quarterly. This plan includes monitoring cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of Northfield Bank. Additionally, management performs a stress test on Northfield Bank’s retail deposits and wholesale funding sources in several scenarios on a quarterly basis. The stress scenarios include deposit attrition of up to 50%, and selling our securities available-for-sale portfolio at a discount of 20% to its current estimated fair value and its impact on capital levels. Northfield Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity under all stress scenarios.
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. is a separate legal entity from Northfield Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to fund dividend payments, stock repurchases, and other corporate items. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the receipt of dividend payments from the Bank in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2023, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (unconsolidated) had liquid assets of $29.2 million.
Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. are both subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2023, both Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation” and Note 15 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
67
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our potential future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process applicable to loans we originate. In addition, we routinely enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans. Such amounts are not significant to our operations. For additional information, see Note 14 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU No. 2023-07. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. The amendments in this ASU require improved reportable segment information on an annual and interim basis, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2023-09. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. The amendments in the this ASU require improved annual income tax disclosures surrounding rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and other disclosures. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The effect of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater effect on our performance than inflation.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001493225-23-000055.
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 of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report (collectively, the “Financial Statements”).
Overview
Net income was $61.1 million, or $1.32 per diluted common share, and $70.7 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $2.7 million increase in net interest income, a $10.7 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $6.5 million decrease in non-interest income, a $2.2 million decrease in non-interest expense, and a $2.7 million decrease in income tax expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $925,000, after tax ($0.02 per share) of income generated from the accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans and $326,000, after tax ($0.01 per share) in gains on loans sold. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $4.0 million, after tax ($0.08 per share) of income generated from the accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, $1.4 million, after tax ($0.03 per share) of accretable income related to the payoffs of PCD loans, $1.0 million, after tax ($0.02 per share) in gains on loans sold, and $677,000 ($0.01 per share) of tax-exempt income from bank-owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies.
Assets increased by $170.8 million, or 3.1%, to $5.60 billion at December 31, 2022, from $5.43 billion at December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of increases in total loans of $437.1 million, or 11.5%, other assets of $17.2 million, or 46.3%, and FHLBNY stock of $8.0 million, or 36.0%. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in available-for sale debt securities of $256.1 million, or 21.2%, and cash and cash equivalents of $45.3 million, or 49.7%.
Liabilities increased $209.2 million, or 4.5%, to $4.90 billion at December 31, 2022, from $4.69 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in FHLB advances and other borrowings of $187.1 million, the issuance of subordinated debt, net of issuance costs, of $60.9 million, an increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance of $1.1 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $4.2 million. The increases were partially offset by decreases in deposits of $19.1 million and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $25.0 million.
Stockholders’ equity decreased by $38.5 million to $701.4 million at December 31, 2022, from $739.9 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease was attributable to a $50.4 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a decline in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, due to the higher interest rate environment, $24.1 million in dividend payments, and $30.8 million in stock repurchases, partially offset by net income of $61.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and a $5.7 million increase in equity award activity.
49
Selected Financial Data
The summary information presented below at the dates or for each of the years presented is derived in part from our consolidated financial statements. The following information is only a summary, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Selected Financial Condition Data: | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,601,293 | $ | 5,430,542 | $ | 5,514,544 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 45,799 | 91,068 | 87,544 | |||||||
| Trading securities | 10,751 | 13,461 | 12,291 | |||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value | 952,173 | 1,208,237 | 1,264,805 | |||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 10,760 | 5,283 | 7,234 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 10,443 | 5,342 | 253 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-sale | — | — | 19,895 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-investment, net | 4,243,693 | 3,806,617 | 3,823,238 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (42,617) | (38,973) | (37,607) | |||||||
| Net loans held-for-investment | 4,201,076 | 3,767,644 | 3,785,631 | |||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 167,912 | 164,500 | 161,924 | |||||||
| FHLBNY stock, at cost | 30,382 | 22,336 | 28,641 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 34,288 | 33,943 | 36,741 | |||||||
| Other real estate owned | — | 100 | — | |||||||
| Deposits | 4,150,219 | 4,169,334 | 4,076,551 | |||||||
| Borrowed funds | 583,859 | 421,755 | 591,789 | |||||||
| Subordinated debentures, net of issuance costs | 60,996 | — | — | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 39,790 | 39,851 | 42,734 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,899,903 | 4,690,659 | 4,760,563 | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 701,390 | $ | 739,883 | $ | 753,981 |
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
| Selected Operating Data: | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 179,688 | $ | 172,298 | $ | 168,145 | ||||
| Interest expense | 21,382 | 16,649 | 38,337 | |||||||
| Net interest income before provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 158,306 | 155,649 | 129,808 | |||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 4,482 | (6,184) | 12,742 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 153,824 | 161,833 | 117,066 | |||||||
| Non-interest income | 7,983 | 14,453 | 11,472 | |||||||
| Non-interest expense | 76,948 | 79,159 | 78,513 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 84,859 | 97,127 | 50,025 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 23,740 | 26,473 | 13,037 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 61,119 | $ | 70,654 | $ | 36,988 | ||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.46 | $ | 0.76 | ||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 0.76 | ||||
| Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 46,234,122 | 48,416,495 | 48,721,504 | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 46,438,119 | 48,754,263 | 48,785,963 |
50
| At or For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: | ||||||||
| Performance Ratios: | ||||||||
| Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)(1) (2) (3) | 1.09 | % | 1.29 | % | 0.70 | % | ||
| Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)(1) (2) (3) | 8.57 | 9.42 | 5.07 | |||||
| Interest rate spread(4) | 2.82 | 2.89 | 2.40 | |||||
| Net interest margin(5) | 2.97 | 3.01 | 2.61 | |||||
| Dividend payout ratio(6) | 39.48 | 34.39 | 58.06 | |||||
| Efficiency ratio(7) (8) | 46.27 | 46.54 | 55.57 | |||||
| Non-interest expense to average total assets | 1.38 | 1.44 | 1.49 | |||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 137.82 | 135.63 | 126.98 | |||||
| Average equity to average total assets | 12.75 | 13.69 | 13.86 | |||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.18 | 0.15 | 0.54 | |||||
| Non-performing loans to total loans (9) (10) | 0.24 | 0.21 | 0.77 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans held-for-investment | 416.26 | 486.80 | 390.56 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans | 416.26 | 486.80 | 127.38 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net(11) (12) | 1.00 | 1.02 | 0.98 | |||||
| Capital Ratio: | ||||||||
| Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets)(13) | 12.64 | 12.93 | 12.73 | |||||
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Number of full service offices | 38 | 38 | 38 | |||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 400 | 385 | 378 |
| (1) | The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $925,000, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans and $326,000, after-tax, in gains on loans sold. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The year ended December 31, 2021, includes: (i) $4.0 million, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans; (ii) $1.4 million, after tax, of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans; (iii) $1.0 million, after tax, in gains on loans sold; and (iv) $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank-owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. |
| (3) | The year ended December 31, 2020, includes: (i) $5.8 million, after tax, in incremental loan loss provisions related to an increase in estimated loss factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) $3.3 million, after tax, in merger-related expenses associated with the Victory acquisition; (iii) $1.6 million, after tax, in occupancy costs related to branch consolidations; and (iv) $479,000, after tax, in gains on loans sold. |
| (4) | The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted-average costs of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. |
| (6) | Dividend payout ratio is calculated as total dividends declared for the year divided by net income for the year. |
| (7) | The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. |
| (8) | The year ended December 31, 2022, includes $1.3 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans. The year ended December 31, 2021, includes $5.6 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, $1.9 million of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans, and $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. The year ended December 31, 2020 includes merger-related pre-tax charges of $4.3 million associated with the Victory acquisition, and $2.2 million in pre-tax occupancy costs related to branch consolidations. |
| (9) | Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD/PCI loans), included in total loans held-for-investment, net, and non-performing loans held-for-sale, included in loans held-for-sale. |
| (10) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD/PCI loans, acquired loans, and loans held-for-sale. |
| (11) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD/PCI loans and acquired loans (and related allowance for credit losses). |
| (12) | Excluding PPP loans of $5.1 million, which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any provision for losses, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.01% at December 31, 2022. Excluding PPP loans of $40.5 million, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.03% at December 31, 2021. Excluding originated PPP loans of $100.0 million, the allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.00% at December 31, 2020. |
| (13) | Effective March 31, 2020, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. elected to be subject to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio. |
51
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policies upon which our financial condition and results of operation depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are the following:
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted new accounting guidance, which requires entities to estimate and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. Previously, an allowance for loan losses was recognized based on probable and reasonably estimable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. See Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance for credit losses. We identified our policy on the allowance for credit losses on loans to be a critical accounting policy because management makes subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
The allowance for credit losses on loans is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons:
• Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
• Estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require us to utilize a reasonable and supportable forecast period based upon forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate probability of default and loss given default rates which our CECL methodology encompasses;
• The allowance for credit losses on loans is influenced by factors outside of our control such as industry and business trends, as well as economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment; and
• Judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses on loans produce an estimate that is sufficient to encompass the current view of lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses on loans has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans. This quarterly process is performed by the accounting department, in conjunction with the credit administration department, and approved by the Allowance Committee. The Chief Financial Officer performs a final review of the calculation. All supporting documentation with regard to the evaluation process is maintained by the accounting department. Each quarter a summary of the allowance for credit losses is presented by the Chief Financial Officer to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Under the CECL methodology, the allowance for credit losses on loans has two components. (1) a collective reserve component for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share common risk characteristics and (2) an individual reserve component for loans that do not share risk characteristics, consisting of collateral-dependent and TDR loans.
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company estimates the collective reserve using a risk rating migration model which calculates an expected life of loan loss percentage for each loan by generating probability of default and loss given default metrics. These metrics are multiplied by the exposure at default, taking into consideration prepayments, to calculate the quantitative component of the collective reserve. The metrics are based on the migration of loans from performing to loss by credit risk rating or delinquency categories using historical life-of-loan analysis periods for each loan portfolio pool, and the severity of loss, based on the aggregate net lifetime losses incurred using the Company's own historical loss experience and comparable peer data loss history. The model's expected losses based on loss history are adjusted for qualitative adjustments. Among other things, these adjustments include and account for differences in: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures; (ii) changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of our portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; (iii) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the quality of our loan review system; (v) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (vi) the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.
52
The Company utilizes a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period after which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience immediately for the remaining life of the loan. In establishing its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company utilizes five externally-sourced forward-looking economic scenarios developed by Moody's Analytics (“Moody's”).
Management utilizes five different Moody's scenarios so as to incorporate uncertainties related to the economic environment. These scenarios, which range from more benign to more severe economic outlooks, include a ‘most likely outcome’ (the “Baseline” scenario) and four less likely scenarios referred to as the “Upside” and “Downside” scenarios. Each scenario is assigned a weighting with a majority of the weighting placed on the Baseline scenario and lower weights placed on both the Upside and Downside scenarios. The weighting assigned by management is based on the economic outlook and available information at the reporting date. The model projects economic variables under each scenario based on detailed statistical analyses. The Company has identified and selected key variables that most closely correlated to its historical credit performance, which include: gross domestic product, unemployment, and three collateral indices: the Commercial Property Price Index, the Commercial Property Price Apartment Index and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Our allowance for credit losses is sensitive to a number of inputs, most notably the macroeconomic forecast assumptions as well as the reasonable and supportable forecasting periods that are incorporated in our estimate of credit losses on loans. Therefore, as the macroeconomic environment and related forecasts change or decisions are made to shorten or lengthen the forecasting period, the allowance for credit losses may change materially. The following sensitivity analyses do not represent management’s expectations of the deterioration of our portfolios or the economic environment, but are provided as hypothetical scenarios to assess the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses to changes in key inputs.
The following table details the five Moody's scenarios utilized in determining the allowance for credit losses on loans at December 31, 2022, and weightings of each scenario:
| Model Scenario | Moody's Scenario Description | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S0 | Upside - 4th Percentile | 4% | ||
| S1 | Upside - 10th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S3 | Downside - 90th Percentile | 10% | ||
| S4 | Downside - 96th Percentile | 4% | ||
| Baseline | Baseline Scenario | 72% |
If we placed 100% weighting on the baseline scenario, the quantitative allowance for credit losses would have been approximately $1.5 million lower. Conversely, if we removed the upside scenarios and reallocated the weights from S0 to S4 and S1 to S3, the allowance for credit losses would increase approximately $3.6 million. These forecasts revert to our long-term historical average loss rate after a 24 month forecasting period.
Because management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses on loans involve a high degree of judgement, the subjectivity of the assumptions used and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the allowance recorded, there is uncertainty inherent in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance for credit losses on loans.
53
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
The Company measures specific reserves for individual loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all TDRs and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater. Loans individually evaluated for impairment are assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent, or the present value of the expected future cash flows, if the loan is not collateral-dependent. Management performs an evaluation of each impaired loan and generally obtains updated appraisals as part of the evaluation. In addition, management adjusts estimated fair values down to appropriately consider recent market conditions, our willingness to accept a lower sales price to effect a quick sale, and costs to dispose of any supporting collateral. Determining the estimated fair value of underlying collateral (and related costs to sell) can be difficult in illiquid real estate markets and is subject to significant assumptions and estimates. Management employs an independent third-party management firm that specializes in appraisal preparation and review to ascertain the reasonableness of updated appraisals. Projecting the expected cash flows under troubled debt restructurings which are not collateral-dependent is inherently subjective and requires, among other things, an evaluation of the borrower’s current and projected financial condition. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections and our established allowance for credit losses on these loans, which could have a material effect on our financial results. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described earlier.
We have a concentration of loans secured by real property located in New York City, New Jersey, and, to a lesser extent, eastern Pennsylvania. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are reviewed by management and an independent third-party appraiser to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the collateral. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the economy generally, or a decline in real estate market values in New York, New Jersey, or eastern Pennsylvania. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in delinquencies, increased loan losses, and increased loan loss provisions.
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for credit losses at adequate levels, changes may be necessary if future economic or other conditions differ substantially from our estimation of the current operating environment. Although management uses the information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of their examination process, will review our allowance for credit losses on loans and may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
We also maintain an allowance for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and standby letters of credit. The reserve for off-balance sheet exposures is determined using the CECL reserve factor in the related funded loan segment, adjusted for an average historical funding rate. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in other non-interest expense.
Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed quarterly as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established and any subsequent changes to such allowance would require an adjustment to income tax expense that could adversely affect our operating results.
54
Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Effective
ASU No. 2022-02. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures”. The amendments in this ASU were issued to (1) eliminate accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors, while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty; (2) require disclosures of current period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. For entities that have adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, this update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU No. 2020-04. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform ("ASC 848"): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”, which provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. However, in December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, deferring the sunset date to December 31, 2024. The Company has evaluated the regulatory requirements to cease the use of LIBOR and has put in place systems and capabilities for this purpose. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
55
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and 2021
Total assets increased $170.8 million, or 3.1%, to $5.60 billion at December 31, 2022, from $5.43 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to increases in total loans of $437.1 million, or 11.5%, other assets of $17.2 million, or 46.3%, and FHLBNY stock of $8.0 million, or 36.0%, partially offset by decreases in available-for sale debt securities of $256.1 million, or 21.2%, and cash and cash equivalents of $45.3 million, or 49.7%.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $45.3 million, or 49.7%, to $45.8 million at December 31, 2022, from $91.1 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease was due to a decrease in deposits, combined with an increase in net loans held-for-investment, offset by an increase in FHLB advances and proceeds from the issuance of subordinated debentures. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, or the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio decreased by $256.1 million, or 21.2%, to $952.2 million at December 31, 2022, from $1.21 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to paydowns, maturities, calls, and sales, as well as a $70.2 million increase in net unrealized losses due to an increase in market interest rates. At December 31, 2022, $697.3 million of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $182.7 million in corporate bonds, all of which were considered investment grade at December 31, 2022, $72.1 million in U.S. Government agency securities, and $21,000 in municipal bonds.
Equity securities increased by $5.1 million to $10.4 million at December 31, 2022, from $5.3 million at December 31, 2021, due to an increase in the market value of our investment in a Small Business Administration Loan Fund. This investment is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program.
As of December 31, 2022, our non-owner occupied commercial real estate concentration (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was approximately 455.8%. Management believes that the Bank has implemented appropriate risk management practices including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which include monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, ability to pay dividends, and profitability.
Loans held-for-investment, net, increased by $437.1 million to $4.24 billion at December 31, 2022, from $3.81 billion at December 31, 2021. The overall increase was due to strong loan originations. Multifamily loans increased $306.5 million, or 12.2%, to $2.82 billion at December 31, 2022 from $2.52 billion at December 31, 2021, commercial real estate loans increased $90.7 million, or 11.2%, to $899.2 million at December 31, 2022 from $808.6 million at December 31, 2021, home equity loans increased $42.6 million, or 38.7%, to $152.6 million at December 31, 2022 from $110.0 million at December 31, 2021, and commercial and industrial loans (excluding PPP loans) increased $49.1 million, or 48.8%, to $149.6 million at December 31, 2022 from $100.5 million at December 31, 2021. The increases were partially offset by decreases in one-to-four family residential loans of $9.7 million, or 5.3%, to $173.9 million at December 31, 2022 from $183.7 million at December 31, 2021, construction and land loans of $2.6 million, or 9.3%, to $24.9 million at December 31, 2022 from $27.5 million at December 31, 2021, and PPP loans of $35.4 million, or 87.3%, to $5.1 million at December 31, 2022 from $40.5 million at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2022, the Company had eight PPP loans outstanding totaling $5.1 million compared to 377 loans outstanding totaling $40.5 million at December 31, 2021.
The Company participated in the PPP, established as part of the CARES Act, and administered by the SBA. The PPP provided 100% federally guaranteed loans for small businesses to cover payroll, utilities, rent and interest. These small business loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintained their payrolls and satisfied certain other conditions for a period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company began accepting and funding loans under this program in April 2020 and the program has been largely completed with substantially all of the borrowers receiving forgiveness payments. The Company originated 2,343 PPP loans totaling approximately $232.2 million and through December 31, 2022, 2,322 borrowers have received forgiveness payments totaling approximately $225.4 million.
56
The following tables detail our multifamily real estate originations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifamily Originations | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio | Weighted Average Months to Next Rate Change or Maturity for Fixed Rate Loans | (F)ixed or (V)ariable | Amortization Term | |||||||
| $ | 645,827 | 3.67% | 57% | 75 | V | 25 to 30 Years | ||||||
| 1,200 | 3.75% | 18% | 181 | F | 15 Years | |||||||
| $ | 647,027 | 3.67% | 57% |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifamily Originations | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio | Weighted Average Months to Next Rate Change or Maturity for Fixed Rate Loans | (F)ixed or (V)ariable | Amortization Term | |||||||
| $ | 744,565 | 3.14% | 62% | 76 | V | 10 to 30 Years |
The following table details loan pools purchased during the year ended December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Amount | Loan Type | Weighted Average Interest Rate(1) | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio | Weighted Average Months to Next Rate Change or Maturity for Fixed Rate Loans | (F)ixed or (V)ariable | Amortization Term | ||||||||
| $ | 2,482 | Residential | 2.80% | 54% | 278 | F | 15 to 30 Years | |||||||
| 5,214 | Residential | 3.05% | 59% | 303 | F | 15 to 30 Years | ||||||||
| 2,487 | Residential | 5.68% | 79% | 358 | F | 30 Years | ||||||||
| $ | 10,183 | 3.63% | 63% |
(1) Net of servicing fee retained by the originating bank
The geographic locations of the properties collateralizing the loans purchased in the table above are as follows: 76.1% in New York and 23.9% in New Jersey.
PCD loans totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2022, and $15.8 million at December 31, 2021. Upon adoption of the CECL accounting standard on January 1, 2021, the allowance for credit losses related to PCD loans was recorded through a gross-up that increased the amortized cost-basis of PCD loans by $6.8 million with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses. The decrease in the PCD loan balance at December 31, 2022 was due to PCD loans being paid off during the period. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income attributable to PCD loans of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $3.9 million and $4.7 million, at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Bank-owned life insurance increased $3.4 million, or 2.1%, to $167.9 million at December 31, 2022, as compared to $164.5 million at December 31, 2021. The increase resulted from income earned on bank-owned life insurance for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Other assets increased $17.2 million, or 46.3%, to $54.4 million at December 31, 2022, from $37.2 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in deferred tax assets primarily due to an increase in unrealized losses on the securities available-for-sale portfolio as well as an increase in interest rate swap assets.
FHLBNY stock increased by $8.0 million, or 36.0%, to $30.4 million at December 31, 2022, from $22.3 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in FHLBNY stock directly correlates with higher short-term borrowing balances at December 31, 2022, as compared to December 31, 2021.
Total liabilities increased $209.2 million, or 4.5%, to $4.90 billion at December 31, 2022, from $4.69 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in FHLB advances and other borrowings of $187.1 million, the issuance of subordinated debt, net of issuance costs, of $60.9 million, an increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance of $1.1 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $4.2 million. The increases were partially offset by decreases in deposits of $19.1 million and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $25.0 million.
57
Deposits decreased $19.1 million, or 0.46%, to $4.15 billion at December 31, 2022, as compared to $4.17 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease was attributable to decreases of $25.8 million in transaction accounts, $249.6 million in savings accounts, and $101.4 million in money market accounts, partially offset by an increase of $357.7 million in certificates of deposit, primarily brokered deposits. The decrease in deposits was the result of competitive pricing pressures as market rates continue to increase.
Borrowed funds increased to $644.9 million at December 31, 2022, from $421.8 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in borrowings was due to an increase in FHLB and other borrowings of $187.1 million and the issuance of $62.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed to floating subordinated notes (the “Notes”). The Notes are non-callable for five years, have a stated maturity of June 30, 2032, and bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.00% until June 30, 2027. From July 2027 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to a level equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 200 basis points. Debt issuance costs totaled $1.1 million. Partially offsetting the increases was a decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $25.0 million. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent from time to time, as part of leverage strategies.
Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $38.5 million to $701.4 million at December 31, 2022, from $739.9 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease was attributable to a $50.4 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a decline in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, $24.1 million in dividend payments, and $30.8 million in stock repurchases, partially offset by net income of $61.1 million for year ended December 31, 2022, and a $5.7 million increase in equity award activity. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 2.1 million of its common stock outstanding at an average price of $14.72 for a total of $30.8 million pursuant to approved stock repurchase plans. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $22.4 million in remaining capacity under its current stock repurchase program.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Net Income. Net income was $61.1 million and $70.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $2.7 million increase in net interest income, a $10.7 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $6.5 million decrease in non-interest income, and a $2.2 million decrease in non-interest expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $7.4 million, or 4.3%, to $179.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $172.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $155.3 million, or 3.0% and a four basis point increase in the yields earned on interest-earning assets to 3.37% for the year ended December 31, 2022, from 3.33% for the comparative prior year due to a rise in interest rates. The increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets was due primarily to increases in the average balance of loans outstanding of $214.9 million and the average balance of other securities of $133.9 million, partially offset by decreases in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $111.6 million, the average balance of FHLBNY stock of $2.9 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $79.1 million. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The higher accretable PCD interest income in the prior year was primarily related to payoffs of PCD loans. Fees recognized from PPP loans totaled $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Loan prepayment income included in interest income was $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $4.7 million, or 28.4%, to $21.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due to an increase in interest expense on deposits of $4.1 million, or 65.8%, and an increase in interest expense on borrowings of $651,000, or 6.2%. The increase in interest expense on deposits was attributable to an 11 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.30% for the year ended December 31, 2022, and a $106.6 million, or 3.2% increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposit accounts. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was attributable to a 40 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, partially offset by a $54.4 million, or 10.9%, decrease in average borrowings outstanding.
58
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2022, increased $2.7 million, or 1.7%, to $158.3 million, from $155.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to a $155.3 million, or 3.0%, increase in average interest-earning assets partially offset by a four basis point decrease in net interest margin to 2.97% from 3.01%. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increasing faster than the repricing of interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased by 11 basis points to 0.55% for the year ended December 31, 2022, from 0.44% for the year ended December 31, 2021, driven by both higher cost of deposits and borrowed funds, reflective of the rising rate environment. The increase in the cost of borrowings was also due in part to the issuance of $60.9 million of subordinated notes (net of issuance costs) in June 2022. The increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was partially offset by an increase in yields on interest-earning assets, which increased four basis points to 3.37% for the year ended December 31, 2022, from 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans increased by $10.7 million to a provision of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a benefit of $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The prior year benefit for credit losses was primarily due to the improvement in the economic forecast as a result of the post-pandemic recovery and an improvement in asset quality. The current year provision for credit losses was primarily due to loan growth and a declining macroeconomic forecast, partially offset by an improvement in asset quality and lower net charge-offs. At December 31, 2022, management qualitatively adjusted the economic forecast to account for uncertainty inherent in the third-party economic forecast scenarios utilized. Net charge-offs were $838,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to net charge-offs of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Partially offsetting the increase in the provision for credit losses on loans was a decrease in the provision for unfunded commitments of $1.4 million attributable to a decrease in the pipeline of loans approved and awaiting closing, which is a component of other non-interest expense.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $6.5 million, or 44.8%, to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, due primarily to a decrease of $3.9 million in gains on trading securities, net, a $948,000 decrease in gains on sales of loans, a $689,000 decrease in income on bank-owned life insurance attributable to fewer policies in 2022, and a $1.2 million decrease in net realized gains on available-for-sale debt securities. For the year ended December 31, 2022, losses on trading securities were $2.2 million, as compared to gains of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The trading portfolio is utilized to fund the Company’s deferred compensation obligation to certain employees and directors of the Company's deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”). The participants of this Plan, at their election, defer a portion of their compensation. Gains and losses on trading securities have no effect on net income since participants benefit from, and bear the full risk of, changes in the trading securities market values. Therefore, the Company records an equal and offsetting amount in compensation expense, reflecting the change in the Company’s obligations under the Plan. The decrease in gains on sales of loans was due to a $1.4 million gain realized on the sale of approximately $126.3 million of multifamily loans in the second quarter of 2021, as compared to a $453,000 gain realized on the sale of five SBA loans totaling approximately $5.8 million in 2022. Partially offsetting the decreases was an increase of $311,000 in fees and service charges for customer services.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense decreased $2.2 million, or 2.8%, to $76.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.7 million decrease in employee compensation and benefits, a $1.4 million decrease in credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures, and a $715,000 decrease in occupancy expense. The decrease in employee compensation and benefits was due to a $3.9 million decrease in the mark to market of the Company's deferred compensation plan expense, which as discussed above has no effect on net income, as well as a decrease in medical benefit costs, partially offset by an increase in salary expense related to annual merit increases, and an increase in equity award expense related to new awards issued in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due to a benefit of $1.1 million recorded in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a provision of $307,000 for the prior year, attributed to a decrease in the pipeline of loans approved and awaiting closing. The decrease in occupancy expense was primarily related to lower property maintenance costs and depreciation expense. Partially offsetting the decreases were increases in data processing costs of $631,000, attributable to increased customer accounts and a higher number of transactions, professional fees of $250,000, related to higher recruitment, consulting and outsourcing fees, and other expense of $871,000, primarily related to higher charitable contributions and other operating expenses.
59
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, with the decrease due to lower taxable income. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 28.0%, compared to 27.3% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Net Income. Net income was $70.7 million and $37.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $25.8 million increase in net interest income, an $18.9 million decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $3.0 million increase in non-interest income, and a $646,000 increase in non-interest expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $4.2 million, or 2.5%, to $172.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $168.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $211.3 million, or 4.3%, largely attributable to assets acquired in the Victory acquisition on July 1, 2020. The increase was due primarily to increases in the average balance of loans outstanding of $239.5 million and the average balance of other securities of $19.7 million, partially offset by decreases in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $39.8 million, the average balance of FHLBNY stock of $4.6 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $3.5 million. Partially offsetting the increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets was a five basis point decrease in the yields earned on interest-earning assets to 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 3.38% for the comparative prior year. The decrease in earning asset yields was due to decreases in market interest rates coupled with PPP loan originations, which have lower yields than other loans. The Company accreted interest income related to its PCD/PCI loans of $3.7 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in accretable interest income was primarily related to payoffs of PCD loans in the first quarter of 2021. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021, included loan prepayment income of $5.1 million as compared to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Also contributing to the increase in net interest income was the recognition of fees related to PPP loans paid-off. Fees recognized from PPP loans totaled $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $21.7 million, or 56.6%, to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $38.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $19.0 million, or 75.4%, as well as a decrease in interest expense on borrowings of $2.7 million, or 20.3%. The decrease in interest expense on deposits was attributable to a 58 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.19% for the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a $49.9 million, or 1.5% increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposit accounts. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to the lower interest rate environment and a change in the composition of the deposit portfolio as the average balance of transaction accounts increased and the average balance of certificates of deposit decreased. The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was primarily attributable to a $143.8 million, or 22.3%, decrease in average borrowings outstanding, which was partially offset by a five basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased $25.8 million, or 19.9%, to $155.6 million, from $129.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a $211.3 million, or 4.3%, increase in average interest-earning assets as well as a 40 basis point increase in net interest margin to 3.01% from 2.61%. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities outpacing the decrease in yields on interest-earning assets. Yields on interest-earning assets decreased five basis points to 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 3.38% for the comparative prior year. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 54 basis points to 0.44% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2020, driven by a lower cost of deposits.
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans decreased by $18.9 million to a benefit of $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a provision of $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was primarily the result of improvements in the economic forecast and asset quality. The improvement in asset quality was primarily attributable to an improvement in risk ratings as loans previously modified for COVID-19 relief returned to consistent payment status. The higher provision for loan losses in 2020 was primarily due to increases in qualitative adjustments used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses related to unemployment, loan risk rating changes and increased risks related to loans on forbearance, resulting from economic uncertainty attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic under the incurred loss methodology. Net charge-offs were $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily related to PCD loans, as compared to net charge-offs of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
60
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. CECL requires the measurement of all expected credit losses over the life of financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In connection with the adoption of CECL, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced stockholders’ equity by $3.1 million, net of tax. At adoption, the Company increased its allowance for credit losses by $11.1 million, comprised of $10.4 million and $737,000, respectively, for loans and unfunded commitments, including $6.8 million related to PCD loans. For PCD loans, the allowance for credit losses recorded is recognized through a gross-up that increases the amortized cost basis of loans with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses, and therefore results in no impact to shareholders' equity.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $3.0 million to $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, due primarily to: an increase of $1.4 million in fees and service charges for customer services, as the prior year reflected fees waived and fewer transactions related to lower consumer spending in the early part of the pandemic; an increase of $1.2 million in gains on sales of available-for-sale debt securities, net; a $736,000 increase in gains on sales of loans; and a $329,000 increase in income on bank-owned life insurance income related to an increase in benefit claims. The increase in gains on sales of loans resulted from the sales of approximately $126.3 million of multifamily loans for gains of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to sales of $47.5 million of multifamily loans for gains of $665,000 in the second quarter of 2020. The Company periodically considers the sale of loans to manage its overall risk profile, including consideration of interest rate risk, concentration risk and capital deployment opportunities. Partially offsetting the increases was a $781,000 decrease in other income primarily due to a decrease in fees on loan swap transactions for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due to a lower volume of such transactions in 2021.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $646,000, or 0.8%, to $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $78.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Employee compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.2 million, primarily due to increases in salary and medical benefit expenses associated with the addition of former Victory employees, combined with annual merit increases and an increase in the employee stock option plan expense, partially offset by a decrease in change-in-control and severance compensation paid to former Victory employees in the prior year. FDIC insurance premiums increased by $480,000 due to an increase in the insurance assessment rate and the receipt of a small bank assessment credit in the prior year that was not available in 2021. Other expense increased by $518,000, primarily due to an increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments as well as an increase in other operating expenses. Partially offsetting the increases was a $1.2 million decrease in occupancy expense, primarily due to a $2.2 million charge in the prior year associated with branch consolidations, which was partially offset by higher maintenance costs related to additional branches from the Victory acquisition, renovation of existing branches, and higher snow removal costs in the current year. Additionally, there was a $1.3 million decrease in data processing costs as the prior year included a contract termination penalty of $1.3 million on the completion of Victory's core system conversion, and a $545,000 decrease in professional fees due to a reduction in merger-related costs.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, was 27.3% compared to 26.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The higher effective tax rate was primarily due to higher taxable income. Additionally, on April 19, 2021, the Governor of New York signed into law an increase in the tax rate from 6.5% to 7.25%.
61
Average Balances and Yields
The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the years indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as we had no tax-free interest-earning assets during the years. All average balances are daily average balances based upon amortized costs. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) | $ | 4,077,175 | $ | 160,911 | 3.95 | % | $ | 3,862,243 | $ | 158,217 | 4.10 | % | $ | 3,622,777 | $ | 146,570 | 4.05 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities (2) | 863,897 | 12,461 | 1.44 | 975,518 | 10,640 | 1.09 | 1,015,338 | 16,572 | 1.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (2) | 285,385 | 4,325 | 1.52 | 151,495 | 1,965 | 1.30 | 131,832 | 2,871 | 2.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 22,541 | 1,174 | 5.21 | 25,420 | 1,279 | 5.03 | 29,992 | 1,825 | 6.08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 85,485 | 817 | 0.96 | 164,553 | 197 | 0.12 | 168,011 | 307 | 0.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,334,483 | 179,688 | 3.37 | 5,179,229 | 172,298 | 3.33 | 4,967,950 | 168,145 | 3.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 259,891 | 299,664 | 296,128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,594,374 | $ | 5,478,893 | $ | 5,264,078 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW, and money market accounts | $ | 2,898,048 | $ | 3,610 | 0.12 | % | $ | 2,811,552 | $ | 3,031 | 0.11 | % | $ | 2,356,634 | $ | 10,241 | 0.43 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 525,557 | 6,679 | 1.27 | 505,472 | 3,176 | 0.63 | 910,444 | 14,989 | 1.65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,423,605 | 10,289 | 0.30 | 3,317,024 | 6,207 | 0.19 | 3,267,078 | 25,230 | 0.77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 413,697 | 9,296 | 2.25 | 501,523 | 10,442 | 2.08 | 645,305 | 13,107 | 2.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 33,436 | 1,797 | 5.37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 3,870,738 | 21,382 | 0.55 | 3,818,547 | 16,649 | 0.44 | 3,912,383 | 38,337 | 0.98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing deposits | 907,603 | 812,805 | 529,138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 102,807 | 97,385 | 93,210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,881,148 | 4,728,737 | 4,534,731 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 713,226 | 750,156 | 729,347 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,594,374 | $ | 5,478,893 | $ | 5,264,078 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 158,306 | $ | 155,649 | $ | 129,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (3) | 2.82 | % | 2.89 | % | 2.40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (4) | $ | 1,463,745 | $ | 1,360,682 | $ | 1,055,567 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (5) | 2.97 | % | 3.01 | % | 2.61 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 137.82 | % | 135.63 | % | 126.98 | % |
| (1) | Includes non-accruing loans. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Securities available-for-sale are reported at amortized cost. |
| (3) | Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (4) | Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. |
62
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the years 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.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 4,493 | $ | (1,799) | $ | 2,694 | $ | 9,790 | $ | 1,857 | $ | 11,647 | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | (1,001) | 2,822 | 1,821 | (627) | (5,305) | (5,932) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | 1,982 | 378 | 2,360 | 529 | (1,435) | (906) | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | (152) | 47 | (105) | (256) | (290) | (546) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | (46) | 666 | 620 | (6) | (104) | (110) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,276 | 2,114 | 7,390 | 9,430 | (5,277) | 4,153 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW and money market accounts | 96 | 483 | 579 | 2,490 | (9,700) | (7,210) | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 110 | 3,393 | 3,503 | (2,099) | (9,714) | (11,813) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 206 | 3,876 | 4,082 | 391 | (19,414) | (19,023) | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (854) | 1,505 | 651 | (3,003) | 338 | (2,665) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (648) | 5,381 | 4,733 | (2,612) | (19,076) | (21,688) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 5,924 | $ | (3,267) | $ | 2,657 | $ | 12,042 | $ | 13,799 | $ | 25,841 |
Asset Quality
PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)
Based on a detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans of $11.5 million at December 31, 2022 and $15.8 million at December 31, 2021 as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. At December 31, 2022, 6.8% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 23.0% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 10.5% and 19.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2021.
Loans
General. Maintaining loan quality historically has been, and will continue to be, a key element of our business strategy. We employ conservative underwriting standards for new loan originations and maintain sound credit administration practices while the loans are outstanding. In addition, substantially all of our loans are secured, predominantly by real estate. At December 31, 2022, our non-performing loans totaled $10.2 million, or 0.24%, of total loans. At the same time, net charge-offs have remained low at 0.02% of average loans outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 0.07% for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 0.11% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
63
Non-performing Assets and Delinquent Loans. The following table details non-performing assets consisting of non-performing loans held-for-investment and non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Non-accrual loans: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | $ | 6,548 | $ | 4,403 | ||
| Non-accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 3,265 | 3,219 | ||||
| Total non-accruing loans held-for-investment | 9,813 | 7,622 | ||||
| Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 425 | 384 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | 10,238 | 8,006 | ||||
| Other real estate owned | — | 100 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 10,238 | $ | 8,106 | ||
| Loans subject to restructuring agreements and still accruing | $ | 3,751 | $ | 5,820 | ||
| Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent | $ | 3,644 | $ | 1,166 |
The following table details non-performing loans by loan type at December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Held-for-investment | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 3,285 | $ | 1,882 | ||
| Commercial | 5,184 | 5,117 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 118 | 314 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 262 | 281 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 964 | 28 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans held-for-investment | 9,813 | 7,622 | ||||
| Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing: | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 233 | $ | — | ||
| Commercial | 8 | 147 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 155 | 165 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 24 | 72 | ||||
| Other | 5 | — | ||||
| Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing held-for-investment | 425 | 384 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | $ | 10,238 | $ | 8,006 | ||
| Other real estate owned | — | 100 | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 10,238 | $ | 8,106 |
64
At December 31, 2022, the Company had no assets acquired through foreclosure. As of December 31, 2021, other real estate owned was comprised of one property located in New Jersey, which had a carrying value of approximately $100,000, and which was sold during the second quarter of 2022 for an immaterial gain.
Generally, loans, excluding PCD loans, are placed on non-accruing status when they become 90 days or more delinquent, and remain on non-accrual status until they are brought current, have six consecutive months of performance under the loan terms, and factors indicating reasonable doubt about the timely collection of payments no longer exist. Therefore, loans may be current in accordance with their loan terms, or may be less than 90 days delinquent and still be on a non-accruing status.
The following table sets forth the total amounts of delinquencies for accruing loans that were 30 to 89 days past due by type and by amount at the dates indicated (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 189 | $ | — | ||
| Commercial | 900 | 144 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 672 | 593 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 830 | 412 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 1,048 | 2 | ||||
| Other loans | 5 | 15 | ||||
| $ | 3,644 | $ | 1,166 |
Included in non-accruing loans held-for-investment are TDR loans totaling $3.3 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022, three of the non-accruing TDRs totaling $547,000 were not performing in accordance with their restructured terms. Two of the loans totaling $477,000 are collateralized by real estate with an appraised value of $2.4 million. A third loan in the amount of $70,000 is an unsecured commercial and industrial loan which has a provision against it. At December 31, 2021, one of the non-accruing TDRs totaling $368,000 was not performing in accordance with its restructured terms, and is collateralized by real estate with an appraised value of $620,000.
The Company also holds loans held-for-investment subject to restructuring agreements that are on accrual status, which totaled $3.8 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022, $3.6 million, or 98.4% of the $3.8 million of accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements, were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. At December 31, 2021, $5.7 million, or 97.5% of the $5.8 million of accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements, were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. Generally, the types of concessions that we make to troubled borrowers include both temporary and permanent reductions to interest rates, extensions of payment terms, and, to a lesser extent, forgiveness of principal and interest.
The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of TDRs as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| At December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Non-Accruing | Accruing | Non-Accruing | Accruing | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 3,069 | $ | 3,034 | $ | 3,219 | $ | 3,508 | ||||||
| One-to-four family residential | — | 666 | — | 1,562 | ||||||||||
| Multifamily | 126 | — | — | 603 | ||||||||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | — | 27 | — | 38 | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 70 | 24 | — | 109 | ||||||||||
| $ | 3,265 | $ | 3,751 | $ | 3,219 | $ | 5,820 | |||||||
| Performing in accordance with restructured terms | 83.2 | % | 94.8 | % | 88.6 | % | 97.5 | % |
65
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the CECL standard and as a result of the adoption recorded a $10.4 million increase to its allowance for credit losses on loans, including $6.8 million related to PCD loans.
The allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans decreased from 486.60% at December 31, 2021 to 416.26% at December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing loans of $2.2 million, from $8.1 million at December 31, 2021 to $10.2 million at December 31, 2022.
The Company utilizes external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as an impaired loan and updated annually, or more frequently if required. Generally, non-performing loans are charged down to the appraised value of collateral less costs to sell for collateral-dependent loans and to the present value of the expected future cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans, which reduces the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans. Downward adjustments to appraisal values, primarily to reflect “quick sale” discounts, are generally recorded as specific reserves within the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net, was 1.00% (1.01% excluding PPP loans which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any allowance for credit losses) at December 31, 2022, as compared to 1.02% and 1.03%, respectively, at December 31, 2021. The slight decrease in the coverage ratio from December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable growth in the portfolio from $3.81 billion at December 31, 2021, to $4.24 billion at December 31, 2022. Net charge-offs were $838,000, $2.8 million, and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment increased by $8,000, or 26.5%, from $30,200 at December 31, 2021, to $38,200 at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, the Company had 20 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $38,200 of specific reserves on four of the 20 impaired loans. At December 31, 2021, the Company had 25 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $30,200 of specific reserves on four of the 25 impaired loans.
66
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for credit losses, by loan type, at December 31, for the years indicated (in thousands):
| Real estate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (1) | One-to-four Family Residential | Construction and Land | Home Equity and Lines of Credit | Commercial and Industrial | Other | PCI/ PCD | Total Allowance for Credit Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | 25,094 | $ | 180 | $ | 536 | $ | 317 | $ | 1,640 | $ | 151 | $ | 789 | $ | 28,707 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for loan losses | 11,710 | 22 | 678 | (84) | 283 | 41 | 92 | 12,742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 414 | 5 | — | 27 | 13 | 6 | — | 465 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (4,213) | — | — | — | (94) | — | — | (4,307) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 33,005 | 207 | 1,214 | 260 | 1,842 | 198 | 881 | 37,607 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of CECL Adjustment | (1,949) | 5,233 | (921) | 419 | 947 | (188) | 6,812 | 10,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2021 | 31,056 | 5,440 | 293 | 679 | 2,789 | 10 | 7,693 | 47,960 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Benefit)/provision for credit losses | (4,331) | (1,903) | (124) | (145) | 991 | (3) | (669) | (6,184) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 60 | 29 | — | 26 | 39 | 5 | 119 | 278 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | (21) | — | — | (646) | (3) | (2,411) | (3,081) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 26,785 | 3,545 | 169 | 560 | 3,173 | 9 | 4,732 | 38,973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for credit losses | 2,876 | 359 | 155 | 287 | 1,243 | (12) | (426) | 4,482 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 102 | 32 | — | 19 | 144 | 12 | 178 | 487 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (278) | — | — | — | (446) | — | (601) | (1,325) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 29,485 | $ | 3,936 | $ | 324 | $ | 866 | $ | 4,114 | $ | 9 | $ | 3,883 | $ | 42,617 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Commercial includes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and multifamily properties. |
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $838,000, as compared to net charge-offs of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and net charge-offs of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Charge-offs in 2022 and 2021 were primarily related to PCD loans and unsecured commercial and industrial loans. Charge-offs in 2020 were primarily related to high risk, commercial real estate accommodation (hotel/motel) loans on COVID-19 forbearance that were transferred to held-for-sale. The increase in the allowance for credit losses from 2021 to 2022 for commercial, one-to-four family residential loans, construction and land loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and commercial and industrial loans was primarily attributable to growth in the portfolios and a worsening macroeconomic outlook. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses for PCD loans was primarily attributable to a decrease in the PCD portfolio in 2022 due to payoffs of loans.
67
Management of Market Risk
General. A majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage-related securities and loans, generally have longer maturities than our liabilities, which consist primarily of deposits and wholesale borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy involves managing interest rate risk and limiting the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Management Asset-Liability Committee, comprised of our Senior Vice President ("SVP") & Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, who chairs this Committee, our President & Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Vice President ("EVP") & Chief Risk Officer, our EVP & Chief Financial Officer, our SVP & Chief Credit Officer and our SVP & Director of Marketing, and other officers and staff as necessary or appropriate. This Committee is responsible for, among other things, evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for recommending to the risk management committee of our Board of Directors the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
We seek to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. As part of our ongoing asset-liability management, we currently use the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk:
•originating multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans that generally have shorter maturities than one-to-four family residential real estate loans and have higher interest rates that generally reset from five to ten years;
•investing in investment grade corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities; and
•obtaining general financing through lower-cost core deposits, brokered deposits, and longer-term FHLB advances and repurchase agreements.
Shortening the average term of our interest-earning assets by increasing our investments in shorter-term assets, as well as originating loans with variable interest rates, helps to match the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities better, thereby reducing the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.
Net Portfolio Value Analysis. We compute amounts by which the net present value of our assets and liabilities (net portfolio value or NPV) would change in the event market interest rates changed over an assumed range of rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of our NPV. Depending on current market interest rates, we estimate the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment. 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 “Change in Interest Rates” column below.
Net Interest Income Analysis. In addition to NPV calculations, we analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through our net interest income model. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. In our model, we estimate what our net interest income would be for a twelve-month period. Depending on current market interest rates we then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment.
68
The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our calculation of the estimated changes in our NPV, NPV ratio, and percent change in net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous and sustained changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands). Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing characteristics including decay rates, and correlations to movements in interest rates, and should not be relied on as indicative of actual results.
| NPV at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 4,850,423 | $ | 4,057,885 | $ | 792,538 | $ | (227,578) | (22.31) | % | 16.34 | % | (25.83) | % | (11.03) | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 4,967,247 | 4,126,616 | 840,631 | (179,485) | (17.59) | % | 16.92 | % | (19.51) | % | (8.90) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,106,889 | 4,198,831 | 908,058 | (112,058) | (10.98) | % | 17.78 | % | (12.01) | % | (4.41) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,244,669 | 4,274,947 | 969,722 | (50,394) | (4.94) | % | 18.49 | % | (5.33) | % | (1.19) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,375,689 | 4,355,573 | 1,020,116 | — | — | % | 18.98 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,503,211 | 4,464,131 | 1,039,080 | 18,964 | 1.86 | % | 18.88 | % | 0.76 | % | (3.80) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,626,336 | 4,586,245 | 1,040,091 | 19,975 | 1.96 | % | 18.49 | % | 0.00 | % | (8.91) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2022, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 1.96% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 0% change in net interest income in year one, and an 8.91% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 22.31% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 25.83% decrease in net interest income in year one and an 11.03% decrease in net interest income in year two.
| NPV at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,036,366 | $ | 4,101,782 | $ | 934,584 | $ | (145,605) | (13.48) | % | 18.56 | % | (14.49) | % | 4.48 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,155,293 | 4,180,838 | 974,455 | (105,734) | (9.79) | % | 18.90 | % | (10.51) | % | 3.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,279,904 | 4,264,283 | 1,015,621 | (64,568) | (5.98) | % | 19.24 | % | (6.51) | % | 3.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,405,275 | 4,352,712 | 1,052,563 | (27,626) | (2.56) | % | 19.47 | % | (2.79) | % | 2.20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,526,916 | 4,446,727 | 1,080,189 | — | — | % | 19.54 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,650,190 | 4,594,219 | 1,055,971 | (24,218) | (2.24) | % | 18.69 | % | (3.83) | % | (7.93) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,765,436 | 4,715,356 | 1,050,080 | (30,109) | (2.79) | % | 18.21 | % | (6.02) | % | (11.42) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2021, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 2.79% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 6.02% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 11.42% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 13.48% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 14.49% increase in net interest income in year one and a 4.48% increase in net interest income in year two.
Our policies provide that, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less in interest rates, our net present value ratio should decrease by no more than 300 basis points and 10%, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our net present value should decrease by no more than 475 basis points and 35%. In the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 10% in year one and 16% in year two, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 38% in year one and 26% in year two. At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all Board-approved policies with respect to interest rate risk management.
69
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in net portfolio value and net interest income. Our model requires us to make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. However, we also apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. In addition, the net portfolio value and net interest income information presented 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 interest rate risk calculations 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 on our net portfolio value or net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to fund assets and meet obligations as they come due. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowings through repurchase agreements, advances from money center banks and the FHLBNY, and repayments, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are reasonably predictable sources of funds, deposit flows, mortgage prepayments and security sales are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our Board Risk Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and withdrawals of deposits by our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We seek to maintain a ratio of liquid assets (not subject to pledge or encumbered) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings of 35% or greater. At December 31, 2022, this ratio was 49.60%. We believe that we had sufficient sources of liquidity to satisfy our short- and long-term liquidity needs at December 31, 2022.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based on our assessment of:
•expected loan demand;
•expected deposit flows;
•yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities; and
•the objectives of our asset/liability management program.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and multifamily loans. Any amount pledged for such deposits under the line of credit reduces the Company's available borrowing amount under the FHLB advance agreement. The Company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position and expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ | 31,269 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds(2) | $ | 168,032 | ||
| Multifamily loans(2) | $ | 1,573,615 | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2) | $ | 191,821 |
(1) Excludes $14.5 million of cash at Northfield Bank.
(2) Represents remaining borrowing potential.
70
At December 31, 2022, we had $37.5 million in outstanding loan commitments. In addition, we had $288.4 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2022 totaled $685.3 million, or 16.5% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan sales, securities sales, other deposit products, including replacement certificates of deposit, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), and advances from the FHLBNY and other borrowing sources. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit. Based on experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, and we have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
We have a detailed contingency funding plan that is reviewed and reported to the Board Risk Committee at least quarterly. This plan includes monitoring cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of Northfield Bank. Additionally, management performs a stress test on Northfield Bank’s retail deposits and wholesale funding sources in several scenarios on a quarterly basis. The stress scenarios include deposit attrition of up to 50%, and selling our securities available-for-sale portfolio at a discount of 20% to its current estimated fair value. Northfield Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity under all stress scenarios.
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. is a separate legal entity from Northfield Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to fund dividend payments, stock repurchases, and other corporate items. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the receipt of dividend payments from the Bank in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2022, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (unconsolidated) had liquid assets of $40.0 million.
Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. are both subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2022, both Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation” and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our potential future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process applicable to loans we originate. In addition, we routinely enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans; such amounts are not significant to our operations. For additional information, see Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The effect of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater effect on our performance than inflation.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001493225-22-000045.
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 of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report (collectively, the “Financial Statements”).
Overview
Net income was $70.7 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share, and $37.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted common share, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $4.0 million, after tax, ($0.08 per share) of income generated from the accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, $1.4 million, after tax, ($0.03 per share) of accretable income related to the payoffs of PCD loans, $1.0 million, after tax, ($0.02 per share) in gains on loans sold, and $677,000 ($0.01 per share) of tax-exempt income from bank-owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflected $5.8 million after tax ($0.12 per share) in incremental loan loss provisions related to an increase in estimated loss factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, $3.3 million after tax ($0.07) in merger-related expenses associated with the acquisition of Victory, and $1.6 million after-tax ($0.03 per share) in occupancy costs related to branch consolidations; partially offset by $479,000 after tax ($0.01 per share) in gains on loans sold, and a $445,000 after-tax reduction ($0.01 per share) in the allowance for loan losses related to the sale of loans.
Assets decreased by $84.0 million, or 1.5%, to $5.43 billion at December 31, 2021, from $5.51 billion at December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of decreases in available-for sale debt securities of $56.6 million, or 4.5%, total loans of $36.5 million, or 1.0%, and FHLBNY stock of $6.3 million, or 22.0%. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in other assets of $11.8 million, or 46.6%, and cash and cash equivalents of $3.5 million, or 4.0%. Liabilities decreased by $69.9 million, or 1.5%, primarily as a result of a decrease in borrowings of $170.0 million, or 28.7%, to $421.8 million at December 31, 2021, from $591.8 million, partially offset by a $92.8 million, or 2.3%, increase in deposits to $4.17 billion at December 31, 2021, from $4.08 billion at December 31, 2020.
Stockholders’ equity decreased by $14.1 million to $739.9 million at December 31, 2021, from $754.0 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease was attributable to $53.2 million in stock repurchases, $24.3 million in dividend payments, and an $11.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a reduction in unrealized gains on our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, partially offset by net income of $70.7 million for year ended December 31, 2021, and a $6.9 million increase in equity award activity. In connection with the adoption of the CECL methodology, effective January 1, 2021, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced stockholders’ equity by $3.1 million, net of tax, to adjust opening allowances against credit losses on loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures.
49
Selected Financial Data
The summary information presented below at the dates or for each of the years presented is derived in part from our consolidated financial statements. The following information is only a summary, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Selected Financial Condition Data: | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,430,542 | $ | 5,514,544 | $ | 5,055,302 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 91,068 | 87,544 | 147,818 | |||||||
| Trading securities | 13,461 | 12,291 | 11,222 | |||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value | 1,208,237 | 1,264,805 | 1,138,352 | |||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 5,283 | 7,234 | 8,762 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 5,342 | 253 | 3,341 | |||||||
| Loans held-for-sale | — | 19,895 | — | |||||||
| Loans held-for-investment, net | 3,806,617 | 3,823,238 | 3,437,085 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (38,973) | (37,607) | (28,707) | |||||||
| Net loans held-for-investment | 3,767,644 | 3,785,631 | 3,408,378 | |||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 164,500 | 161,924 | 153,459 | |||||||
| FHLBNY stock, at cost | 22,336 | 28,641 | 39,575 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 33,943 | 36,741 | 39,504 | |||||||
| Other real estate owned | 100 | — | — | |||||||
| Deposits | 4,169,334 | 4,076,551 | 3,408,233 | |||||||
| Borrowed funds | 421,755 | 591,789 | 857,004 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 39,851 | 42,734 | 44,069 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,690,659 | 4,760,563 | 4,359,449 | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 739,883 | $ | 753,981 | $ | 695,853 |
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||
| Selected Operating Data: | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 172,298 | $ | 168,145 | $ | 165,143 | ||||
| Interest expense | 16,649 | 38,337 | 53,358 | |||||||
| Net interest income before (benefit)/provision for credit losses | 155,649 | 129,808 | 111,785 | |||||||
| (Benefit)/provision for credit losses | (6,184) | 12,742 | 22 | |||||||
| Net interest income after (benefit)/provision for credit losses | 161,833 | 117,066 | 111,763 | |||||||
| Non-interest income | 14,453 | 11,472 | 14,808 | |||||||
| Non-interest expense | 79,159 | 78,513 | 73,549 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 97,127 | 50,025 | 53,022 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 26,473 | 13,037 | 12,787 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 70,654 | $ | 36,988 | $ | 40,235 | ||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | 1.46 | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.86 | ||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | 1.45 | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.85 | ||||
| Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 48,416,495 | 48,721,504 | 46,783,442 | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 48,754,263 | 48,785,963 | 47,163,804 |
50
| At or For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: | ||||||||
| Performance Ratios: | ||||||||
| Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)(1) (2) (3) | 1.29 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.86 | % | ||
| Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)(1) (2) (3) | 9.42 | 5.07 | 5.89 | |||||
| Interest rate spread(4) | 2.89 | 2.40 | 2.25 | |||||
| Net interest margin(5) | 3.01 | 2.61 | 2.55 | |||||
| Dividend payout ratio(6) | 34.39 | 58.06 | 50.20 | |||||
| Efficiency ratio(7) (8) | 46.54 | 55.57 | 58.10 | |||||
| Non-interest expense to average total assets | 1.44 | 1.49 | 1.57 | |||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 135.63 | 126.98 | 124.47 | |||||
| Average equity to average total assets | 13.69 | 13.86 | 14.58 | |||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.15 | 0.54 | 0.20 | |||||
| Non-performing loans(9) to total loans(10) | 0.21 | 0.77 | 0.29 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans held-for-investment | 486.80 | 390.56 | 288.48 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans | 486.80 | 127.38 | 288.48 | |||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net(11) (12) | 1.02 | 0.98 | 0.84 | |||||
| Capital Ratio: | ||||||||
| Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets)(13) | 12.93 | 12.73 | 13.37 | |||||
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Number of full service offices | 38 | 38 | 37 | |||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 385 | 378 | 369 |
| (1) | The year ended December 31, 2021, includes: (i) $4.0 million, after tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans; (ii) $1.4 million, after tax, of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans; (iii) $1.0 million, after tax, in gains on loans sold; and (iv) $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank-owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The year ended December 31, 2020, includes: (i) $5.8 million, after tax, in incremental loan loss provisions related to an increase in estimated loss factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) $3.3 million, after tax, in merger-related expenses associated with the Victory acquisition; (iii) $1.6 million, after tax, in occupancy costs related to branch consolidations; and (iv) $479,000, after tax, in gains on loans sold. |
| (3) | The year ended December 31, 2019, includes: (i) $3.4 million of tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies; (ii) $1.6 million after-tax income related to recoveries on loans previously charged-off; and (iii) $755,000, after-tax, in occupancy expense related to branch consolidations, and $125,000 of merger-related expenses. |
| (4) | The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest earning assets and the weighted-average costs of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. |
| (6) | Dividend payout ratio is calculated as total dividends declared for the year divided by net income for the year. |
| (7) | The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. |
| (8) | The year ended December 31, 2021, includes $5.6 million, pre-tax, of net interest income generated from accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, $1.9 million of accretable income related to the payoff of PCD loans, and $677,000 of tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies. The year ended December 31, 2020 includes merger-related pre-tax charges of $4.3 million associated with the Victory acquisition, and $2.2 million in pre-tax occupancy costs related to branch consolidations. The year ended December 31, 2019, includes tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies of $3.4 million and pre-tax charges of $1.0 million in occupancy expense related to branch consolidations. |
| (9) | Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD/PCI loans), included in total loans held-for-investment, net, and non-performing loans held-for-sale, included in loans held-for-sale. |
| (10) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD/PCI loans, acquired loans, and loans held-for-sale. |
| (11) | Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD/PCI loans and acquired loans (and related allowance for credit losses). |
| (12) | Excluding PPP loans of $40.5 million, which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any provision for losses, the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.03% at December 31, 2021. Excluding originated PPP loans of $100.0 million, which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any provision for losses, the allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment, net, totaled 1.00% at December 31, 2020. There were no PPP loans prior to 2020. |
| (13) | Effective March 31, 2020, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. elected to be subject to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio. |
51
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policies upon which our financial condition and results of operation depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are the following:
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted new accounting guidance, which requires entities to estimate and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. Previously, an allowance for credit losses on loans was recognized based on probable and reasonably estimable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. See Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance for credit losses. We identified our policy on the allowance for credit losses on loans to be a critical accounting policy because management makes subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
The allowance for credit losses on loans is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons:
• Changes in the provision for credit losses can materially affect our financial results;
• Estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require us to utilize a reasonable and supportable forecast period based upon forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate probability of default and loss given default rates which our CECL methodology encompasses;
• The allowance for credit losses on loans is influenced by factors outside of our control such as industry and business trends, as well as economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment; and
• Judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses on loans produce an estimate that is sufficient to encompass the current view of lifetime expected credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses on loans has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans. This quarterly process is performed by the accounting department, in conjunction with the credit administration department, and approved by the Allowance Committee. The Chief Financial Officer performs a final review of the calculation. All supporting documentation with regard to the evaluation process is maintained by the accounting department. Each quarter a summary of the allowance for credit losses is presented by the Chief Financial Officer to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Under the CECL methodology, the allowance for credit losses on loans has two components. (1) a collective reserve component for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share common risk characteristics and (2) an individual reserve component for loans that do not share risk characteristics, consisting of collateral-dependent and TDR loans.
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company estimates the collective reserve using a risk rating migration model which calculates an expected life of loan loss percentage for each loan by generating probability of default and loss given default metrics. These metrics are multiplied by the exposure at default, taking into consideration prepayments, to calculate the quantitative component of the collective reserve. The metrics are based on the migration of loans from performing to loss by credit risk rating or delinquency categories using historical life-of-loan analysis periods for each loan portfolio pool, and the severity of loss, based on the aggregate net lifetime losses incurred using the Company's own historical loss experience and comparable peer data loss history. The model's expected losses based on loss history are adjusted for qualitative adjustments. Among other things, these adjustments include and account for differences in: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures; (ii) changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of our portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; (iii) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the quality of our loan review system; (v) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (vi) the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.
52
The Company utilizes a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period after which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience immediately for the remaining life of the loan. In establishing its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company utilizes five externally-sourced forward-looking economic scenarios developed by Moody's Analytics (“Moody's”).
Management utilizes five different Moody's scenarios so as to incorporate uncertainties related to the economic environment arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. These scenarios, which range from more benign to more severe economic outlooks, include a ‘most likely outcome’ (the “Baseline” scenario) and four less likely scenarios referred to as the “Upside” and “Downside” scenarios. Each scenario is assigned a weighting with a majority of the weighting placed on the Baseline scenario and lower weights placed on both the Upside and Downside scenarios. The weighting assigned by management is based on the economic outlook and available information at the reporting date. The model projects economic variables under each scenario based on detailed statistical analyses. The Company has identified and selected key variables that most closely correlated to its historical credit performance, which include: gross domestic product, unemployment, and three collateral indices: the Commercial Property Price Index, the Commercial Property Price Apartment Index and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
Because management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses on loans involves a high degree of judgement, the subjectivity of the assumptions used and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the allowance recorded, there is uncertainty inherent in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance for credit losses on loans.
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
The Company measures specific reserves for individual loans that do not share common risk characteristics with other loans, consisting of all TDRs and non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater. Loans individually evaluated for impairment are assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent, or the present value of the expected future cash flows, if the loan is not collateral-dependent. Management performs an evaluation of each impaired loan and generally obtains updated appraisals as part of the evaluation. In addition, management adjusts estimated fair values down to appropriately consider recent market conditions, our willingness to accept a lower sales price to effect a quick sale, and costs to dispose of any supporting collateral. Determining the estimated fair value of underlying collateral (and related costs to sell) can be difficult in illiquid real estate markets and is subject to significant assumptions and estimates. Management employs an independent third-party management firm that specializes in appraisal preparation and review to ascertain the reasonableness of updated appraisals. Projecting the expected cash flows under troubled debt restructurings which are not collateral-dependent is inherently subjective and requires, among other things, an evaluation of the borrower’s current and projected financial condition. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections and our established allowance for credit losses on these loans, which could have a material effect on our financial results. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described earlier.
We have a concentration of loans secured by real property located in New York City, New Jersey, and, to a lesser extent, eastern Pennsylvania. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are reviewed by management and an independent third-party appraiser to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the collateral. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the economy generally, or a decline in real estate market values in New York, New Jersey, or eastern Pennsylvania. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in delinquencies, increased loan losses, and increased loan loss provisions.
53
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for credit losses at adequate levels, changes may be necessary if future economic or other conditions differ substantially from our estimation of the current operating environment. Although management uses the information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of their examination process, will review our allowance for credit losses on loans and may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
We also maintain an allowance for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and standby letters of credit. The reserve for off-balance sheet exposures is determined using the CECL reserve factor in the related funded loan segment, adjusted for an average historical funding rate. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in other non-interest expense.
Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed quarterly as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established and any subsequent changes to such allowance would require an adjustment to income tax expense that could adversely affect our operating results.
Other New Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Effective
ASU No. 2020-04. On March 12, 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform ("ASC 848"): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”, which provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is implementing a transition plan to identify and modify its loans and other financial instruments that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. The Company is in the process of evaluating ASU No. 2020-04 and its impact on the Company’s transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments, with no material expected impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
54
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2021 and 2020
Total assets decreased $84.0 million, or 1.5%, to $5.43 billion at December 31, 2021, from $5.51 billion at December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in available-for sale debt securities of $56.6 million, or 4.5%, total loans of $36.5 million, or 1.0%, and FHLBNY stock of $6.3 million, or 22.0%, partially offset by an increase in other assets of $11.8 million, or 46.6%, and an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $3.5 million, or 4.0%.
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $3.5 million, or 4.0%, to $91.1 million at December 31, 2021, from $87.5 million at December 31, 2020. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, or the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities or repayments.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio decreased by $56.6 million, or 4.5%, to $1.21 billion at December 31, 2021, from $1.26 billion at December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to paydowns, maturities, calls, and sales. At December 31, 2021, $973.1 million of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $232.8 million in corporate bonds, all of which were considered investment grade at December 31, 2021, $2.3 million in U.S. Government agency securities, and $72,000 in municipal bonds. The effective duration of the securities portfolio at December 31, 2021 was 1.19 years.
Equity securities increased by $5.1 million to $5.3 million at December 31, 2021, from $253,000 at December 31, 2020, due to the purchase of an investment in an SBA Loan Fund. This investment is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program.
As of December 31, 2021, our non-owner occupied commercial real estate concentration (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was approximately 443.5%. Management believes that the Bank has implemented appropriate risk management practices including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which include monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing of the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, ability to pay dividends, and profitability.
Loans held-for-investment, net, decreased by $16.6 million to $3.81 billion at December 31, 2021, from $3.82 billion at December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the $126.3 million sale of a portfolio of multifamily loans, loan prepayments, and PPP loan forgiveness, partially offset by loan growth. Construction and land loans decreased by $46.8 million, or 63.0%, to $27.5 million at December 31, 2021 from $74.3 million at December 31, 2020, one-to-four family residential loans decreased by $27.2 million, or 12.9%, to $183.7 million at December 31, 2021, from $210.8 million at December 31, 2020, and PPP loans decreased by $86.0 million, or 68.0%, to $40.5 million at December 31, 2021, from $126.5 million at December 31, 2020. Through December 31, 2021, 1,964 borrowers have received forgiveness payments totaling approximately $187.2 million. The decreases were primarily offset by increases in commercial real estate loans of $91.6 million, or 12.8%, to $808.6 million at December 31, 2021 from $717.0 million at December 31, 2020, and commercial and industrial loans (excluding PPP loans) of $32.7 million, or 48.2%, to $100.5 million at December 31, 2021 from $67.8 million at December 31, 2020, and, to a lesser extent, increases in home equity loans of $18.8 million and multifamily real estate loans of $8.8 million.
Loans originated under the PPP are authorized by the CARES Act. The PPP loans are administered by the SBA which provides 100% federally guaranteed loans for small businesses to cover payroll, utilities, rent and interest. These small business loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls and satisfy certain other conditions for a period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company began accepting and funding loans under this program in April 2020. There were 377 PPP loans outstanding totaling $40.5 million at December 31, 2021, compared to 1,275 loans outstanding totaling $126.5 million at December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company originated and the SBA approved funding for $81.4 million of PPP loans. The PPP provides for lender processing fees that range from 1% to 5% of the final disbursement made to individual borrowers. As of December 31, 2021, we have received loan processing fees of $9.5 million, of which $7.4 million has been recognized in earnings, including $5.6 million recognized in the year ended December 31, 2021. The remaining unearned fees will be recognized in income over the remaining term of the loans.
55
The following tables detail our multifamily real estate originations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifamily Originations | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio | Weighted Average Months to Next Rate Change or Maturity for Fixed Rate Loans | (F)ixed or (V)ariable | Amortization Term | |||||||
| $ | 744,565 | 3.14% | 62% | 76 | V | 10 to 30 Years |
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifamily Originations | Weighted Average Interest Rate | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio | Weighted Average Months to Next Rate Change or Maturity for Fixed Rate Loans | (F)ixed or (V)ariable | Amortization Term | |||||||
| $ | 572,399 | 3.39% | 59% | 82 | V | 20 to 30 Years | ||||||
| 1,500 | 4.40% | 47% | 180 | F | 15 Years | |||||||
| $ | 573,899 | 3.39% | 59% |
There were no loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2021 compared to $19.9 million at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2020, loans held-for-sale were comprised of commercial real estate and multifamily loans, primarily accommodation loans that were modified in the form of interest and/or principal payment deferrals due to COVID-19 related hardships, and had not returned to contractual payments after 180 days of relief. The sale of these loans was completed in March 2021.
PCD loans totaled $15.8 million at December 31, 2021, and $18.5 million at December 31, 2020. Upon adoption of the CECL accounting standard on January 1, 2021, the allowance for credit losses related to PCD loans was recorded through a gross-up that increased the amortized cost-basis of PCD loans by $6.8 million with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses. The decrease in the PCD loan balance at December 31, 2021 was due to PCD loans being sold and paid off during the period. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income of $324,000 and $3.7 million attributable to PCD loans for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to $689,000 and $2.9 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in income accreted for the year ended December 31, 2021, was related to the payoff of PCD loans. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $4.7 million at December 31, 2021.
Bank-owned life insurance increased $2.6 million, or 1.6%, to $164.5 million at December 31, 2021, as compared to $161.9 million at December 31, 2020. The increase resulted from income earned on bank-owned life insurance for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Other assets increased $11.8 million, or 46.6%, to $37.2 million at December 31, 2021, from $25.4 million at December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in net deferred tax assets.
FHLBNY stock decreased by $6.3 million, or 22.0%, to $22.3 million at December 31, 2021, from $28.6 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease in FHLBNY stock directly correlates with lower short-term borrowing balances at December 31, 2021, as compared to December 31, 2020.
Total liabilities decreased $69.9 million, or 1.5%, to $4.69 billion at December 31, 2021, from $4.76 billion at December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowings of $145.0 million and a decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $25.0 million, partially offset by an increase in deposits of $92.8 million, an increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance of $5.2 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $5.0 million.
Deposits increased $92.8 million, or 2.28%, to $4.17 billion at December 31, 2021, as compared to $4.08 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase was attributable to increases of $409.7 million in transaction accounts and $26.0 million in savings accounts, partially offset by decreases of $203.7 million in money market accounts and $139.3 million in certificates of deposit. We continue to see balance runoff from high-cost money market and certificates of deposit categories as we strategically chose not to compete on rate at this time during the year.
56
Borrowings and securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased to $421.8 million at December 31, 2021, from $591.8 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease in borrowings for the period was largely due to the maturity and replacement of FHLB borrowings with lower cost deposits. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent as part of leverage strategies.
Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $14.1 million to $739.9 million at December 31, 2021, from $754.0 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease was attributable to $53.2 million in stock repurchases, $24.3 million in dividend payments, and an $11.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a reduction in unrealized gains on our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, partially offset by net income of $70.7 million for year ended December 31, 2021, and a $6.9 million increase in equity award activity. The Company repurchased 3,342,700 shares of its common stock outstanding at an average price of $15.91 for a total of $53.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to approved stock repurchase plans. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $8.3 million in remaining capacity under its current repurchase program. In connection with the adoption of CECL, effective January 1, 2021, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced stockholders’ equity by $3.1 million, net of tax, to adjust opening allowances against credit losses on loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Net Income. Net income was $70.7 million and $37.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: a $25.8 million increase in net interest income, an $18.9 million decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $3.0 million increase in non-interest income, and a $646,000 increase in non-interest expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $4.2 million, or 2.5%, to $172.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $168.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $211.3 million, or 4.3%, largely attributable to assets acquired in the Victory acquisition on July 1, 2020. The increase was due primarily to increases in the average balance of loans outstanding of $239.5 million and the average balance of other securities of $19.7 million, partially offset by decreases in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $39.8 million, the average balance of FHLBNY stock of $4.6 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $3.5 million. Partially offsetting the increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets was a five basis point decrease in the yields earned on interest-earning assets to 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 3.38% for the comparative prior year. The decrease in earning asset yields was due to decreases in market interest rates coupled with PPP loan originations, which have lower yields than other loans. The Company accreted interest income related to its PCD/PCI loans of $3.7 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in accretable interest income was primarily related to payoffs of PCD loans in the first quarter of 2021. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021, included loan prepayment income of $5.1 million as compared to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Also contributing to the increase in net interest income was the recognition of fees related to PPP loans paid-off. Fees recognized from PPP loans totaled $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $21.7 million, or 56.6%, to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $38.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $19.0 million, or 75.4%, as well as a decrease in interest expense on borrowings of $2.7 million, or 20.3%. The decrease in interest expense on deposits was attributable to a 58 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.19% for the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a $49.9 million, or 1.5% increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposit accounts. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to the lower interest rate environment and a change in the composition of the deposit portfolio as the average balance of transaction accounts increased and the average balance of certificates of deposit decreased. The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was primarily attributable to a $143.8 million, or 22.3%, decrease in average borrowings outstanding, which was partially offset by a five basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased $25.8 million, or 19.9%, to $155.6 million, from $129.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a $211.3 million, or 4.3%, increase in average interest-earning assets as well as a 40 basis point increase in net interest margin to 3.01% from 2.61%. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities outpacing the decrease in yields on interest-earning assets. Yields on interest-earning assets decreased five basis points to 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 3.38% for the comparative prior year. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 54 basis points to 0.44% for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2020, driven by a lower cost of deposits.
57
Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses on loans decreased by $18.9 million to a benefit of $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a provision of $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was primarily the result of improvements in the economic forecast and asset quality. The improvement in asset quality was primarily attributable to an improvement in risk ratings as loans previously modified for COVID-19 relief returned to consistent payment status. The higher provision for loan losses in 2020 was primarily due to increases in qualitative adjustments used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses related to unemployment, loan risk rating changes and increased risks related to loans on forbearance, resulting from economic uncertainty attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic under the incurred loss methodology. Net charge-offs were $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily related to PCD loans, as compared to net charge-offs of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. CECL requires the measurement of all expected credit losses over the life of financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In connection with the adoption of CECL, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced stockholders’ equity by $3.1 million, net of tax. At adoption, the Company increased its allowance for credit losses by $11.1 million, comprised of $10.4 million and $737,000, respectively, for loans and unfunded commitments, including $6.8 million related to PCD loans. For PCD loans, the allowance for credit losses recorded is recognized through a gross-up that increases the amortized cost basis of loans with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses, and therefore results in no impact to shareholders' equity.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $3.0 million to $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, due primarily to: an increase of $1.4 million in fees and service charges for customer services, as the prior year reflected fees waived and fewer transactions related to lower consumer spending in the early part of the pandemic; an increase of $1.2 million in gains on sales of available-for-sale debt securities, net; a $736,000 increase in gains on sales of loans; and a $329,000 increase in income on bank-owned life insurance income related to an increase in benefit claims. The increase in gains on sales of loans resulted from the sales of approximately $126.3 million of multifamily loans for gains of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to sales of $47.5 million of multifamily loans for gains of $665,000 in the second quarter of 2020. The Company periodically considers the sale of loans to manage its overall risk profile, including consideration of interest rate risk, concentration risk and capital deployment opportunities. Partially offsetting the increases was a $781,000 decrease in other income primarily due to a decrease in fees on loan swap transactions for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due to a lower volume of such transactions in 2021.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $646,000, or 0.8%, to $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $78.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Employee compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.2 million, primarily due to increases in salary and medical benefit expenses associated with the addition of former Victory employees, combined with annual merit increases and an increase in the employee stock option plan expense, partially offset by a decrease in change-in-control and severance compensation paid to former Victory employees in the prior year. FDIC insurance premiums increased by $480,000 due to an increase in the insurance assessment rate and the receipt of a small bank assessment credit in the prior year that was not available in 2021. Other expense increased by $518,000, primarily due to an increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments as well as an increase in other operating expenses. Partially offsetting the increases was a $1.2 million decrease in occupancy expense, primarily due to a $2.2 million charge in the prior year associated with branch consolidations, which was partially offset by higher maintenance costs related to additional branches from the Victory acquisition, renovation of existing branches, and higher snow removal costs in the current year. Additionally, there was a $1.3 million decrease in data processing costs as the prior year included a contract termination penalty of $1.3 million on the completion of Victory's core system conversion, and a $545,000 decrease in professional fees due to a reduction in merger-related costs.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, was 27.3% compared to 26.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The higher effective tax rate was primarily due to higher taxable income. Additionally, on April 19, 2021, the Governor of New York signed into law an increase in the tax rate from 6.5% to 7.25%.
58
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Net Income. Net income was $37.0 million and $40.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Significant variances from the prior year are as follows: an $18.0 million increase in net interest income, a $12.7 million increase in the provision for loan losses, a $3.3 million decrease in non-interest income, and a $5.0 million increase in non-interest expense.
Interest Income. Interest income increased by $3.0 million, or 1.8%, to $168.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $165.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $580.5 million, or 13.2%.The increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets was primarily attributable to increases in average loans of $324.9 million, average mortgage-backed securities of $237.3 million, and average interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $100.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in average other securities of $84.3 million. This was partially offset by a 38 basis point increase in the yields earned on interest-earning assets to 3.38% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 3.76% for the prior year. The decrease in interest-earning asset yields was due to decreases in market interest rates coupled with PPP loan originations, which have lower yields than other loans. The Company accreted interest income related to its PCI loans of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020, included loan prepayment income of $2.2 million as compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Also included in net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020, were PPP fees of approximately $1.9 million. Included in net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $314,000 of interest income recorded on the pay-off of a non-accrual loan.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $15.0 million, or 28.2%, to $38.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $53.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $16.1 million, or 39.0%, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on borrowings of $1.1 million, or 9.0%. The decrease in interest expense on deposits was primarily attributable to a 63 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.77% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 1.40% for the prior year, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $318.4 million, or 10.8%, due to the Victory acquisition as well as organic deposit growth. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to the Federal Reserve's reductions in the targeted federal funds rate and a shift in the composition of the deposit portfolio towards more core deposits. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was attributable to a $69.0 million, or 12.0%, increase in average borrowings outstanding, partially offset by a six basis point decrease in the cost of borrowings to 2.03% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020, increased $18.0 million, or 16.1%, to $129.8 million, from $111.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to a $580.5 million, or 13.2%, increase in average interest-earning assets as well as a six basis point increase in net interest margin to 2.61% from 2.55%. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities outpacing the decrease in yields on interest earning assets. Yields earned on interest-earning assets decreased 38 basis points to 3.38% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 3.76% for the prior year. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 53 basis points to 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 1.51% for the prior year, driven by lower cost of deposits and borrowed funds.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased by $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a provision of $22,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily due to increases in the qualitative adjustments used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses related to unemployment, loan risk rating changes and increased risks related to loans on forbearance, resulting from economic uncertainty attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and higher charge-offs. Year-over-year loan growth also contributed to the increase in the provision. Net charge-offs were $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to net recoveries of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
59
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $3.3 million, or 22.5%, to $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to decreases of: (i) $914,000 in fees and service charges for customer services, related to fees waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a decline in overdrafts due to lower consumer spending; (ii) $3.2 million in income on bank owned life insurance, attributable to lower insurance proceeds received in excess of the related cash surrender value of the policies; and (iii) $387,000 in gains on trading securities, net. For the year ended December 31, 2020, gains on trading securities were $1.6 million as compared to gains of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The trading portfolio is utilized to fund the Company’s deferred compensation obligation to certain employees and directors of the Company's deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”). The participants of this Plan, at their election, defer a portion of their compensation. Gains and losses on trading securities have no effect on net income since participants benefit from, and bear the full risk of, changes in the trading securities market values. Therefore, the Company records an equal and offsetting amount in compensation expense, reflecting the change in the Company’s obligations under the Plan. Partially offsetting the decreases was a $665,000 gain on the sale of a portfolio of $47.5 million in multifamily loans in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and an increase in other income of $1.4 million, primarily attributable to an increase in swap fee income.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $5.0 million, or 6.7%, to $78.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $73.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This was due primarily to a $1.9 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, related to change-in-control and severance compensation associated with the Victory acquisition, increased salary and benefit expenses due to the addition of Victory personnel, and increased medical benefit costs. Partially offsetting the increase was a decrease in expense related to the Company's deferred compensation plan, which is described above and has no effect on net income, and a decrease in equity award expense related to equity awards that fully vested in June 2019. Additionally, there was a $1.5 million increase in occupancy costs primarily attributable to costs associated with the branch consolidations, and to a lesser extent, higher rent expense associated with additional branches from the Victory acquisition, and a $2.4 million increase in data processing costs, $1.3 million of which relates to a contract termination penalty associated with the completion of Victory's core systems conversion. Partially offsetting the increases was a $1.4 million decrease in advertising expense, due to fewer marketing campaigns in 2020, and an $820,000 decrease in other non-interest expense, primarily related to a decrease in directors' equity award expense associated with awards that fully vested in June 2019.
Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded income tax expense of $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020, was 26.1% compared to 24.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The higher effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily attributable to lower tax exempt income of $2.4 million from bank owned life insurance proceeds in excess of the cash surrender value of the policies received, compared to the prior year, and non-deductible merger-related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020.
60
Average Balances and Yields
The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the years indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as we had no tax-free interest-earning assets during the years. All average balances are daily average balances based upon amortized costs. Non-accrual loans are included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) | $ | 3,862,243 | $ | 158,217 | 4.10 | % | $ | 3,622,777 | $ | 146,570 | 4.05 | % | $ | 3,297,859 | $ | 136,133 | 4.13 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities (2) | 975,518 | 10,640 | 1.09 | % | 1,015,338 | 16,572 | 1.63 | % | 777,997 | 19,710 | 2.53 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities (2) | 151,495 | 1,965 | 1.30 | % | 131,832 | 2,871 | 2.18 | % | 216,125 | 6,331 | 2.93 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | 25,420 | 1,279 | 5.03 | % | 29,992 | 1,825 | 6.08 | % | 28,223 | 1,618 | 5.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 164,553 | 197 | 0.12 | % | 168,011 | 307 | 0.18 | % | 67,289 | 1,351 | 2.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 5,179,229 | 172,298 | 3.33 | % | 4,967,950 | 168,145 | 3.38 | % | 4,387,493 | 165,143 | 3.76 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 299,664 | 296,128 | 297,872 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,478,893 | $ | 5,264,078 | $ | 4,685,365 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW, and money market accounts | $ | 2,811,552 | $ | 3,031 | 0.11 | % | $ | 2,356,634 | $ | 10,241 | 0.43 | % | $ | 1,921,564 | $ | 20,473 | 1.07 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 505,472 | 3,176 | 0.63 | % | 910,444 | 14,989 | 1.65 | % | 1,027,122 | 20,855 | 2.03 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,317,024 | 6,207 | 0.19 | % | 3,267,078 | 25,230 | 0.77 | % | 2,948,686 | 41,328 | 1.40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 501,523 | 10,442 | 2.08 | % | 645,305 | 13,107 | 2.03 | % | 576,284 | 12,030 | 2.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 3,818,547 | 16,649 | 0.44 | % | 3,912,383 | 38,337 | 0.98 | % | $ | 3,524,970 | 53,358 | 1.51 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing deposits | 812,805 | 529,138 | 384,740 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 97,385 | 93,210 | 92,469 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,728,737 | 4,534,731 | 4,002,179 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 750,156 | 729,347 | 683,186 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,478,893 | $ | 5,264,078 | $ | 4,685,365 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 155,649 | $ | 129,808 | $ | 111,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (3) | 2.89 | % | 2.40 | % | 2.25 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (4) | $ | 1,360,682 | $ | 1,055,567 | $ | 862,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (5) | 3.01 | % | 2.61 | % | 2.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 135.63 | % | 126.98 | % | 124.47 | % |
| (1) | Includes non-accruing loans. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Securities available-for-sale are reported at amortized cost. |
| (3) | Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (4) | Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. |
| (5) | Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. |
61
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the years 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.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | Volume | Rate | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 9,790 | $ | 1,857 | $ | 11,647 | $ | 13,078 | $ | (2,641) | $ | 10,437 | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | (627) | (5,305) | (5,932) | 18,889 | (22,027) | (3,138) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | 529 | (1,435) | (906) | (2,087) | (1,373) | (3,460) | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLBNY stock | (256) | (290) | (546) | 105 | 102 | 207 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | (6) | (104) | (110) | 1,614 | (2,658) | (1,044) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 9,430 | (5,277) | 4,153 | 31,599 | (28,597) | 3,002 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings, NOW and money market accounts | 2,490 | (9,700) | (7,210) | 6,335 | (16,567) | (10,232) | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | (2,099) | (9,714) | (11,813) | (2,201) | (3,665) | (5,866) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | 391 | (19,414) | (19,023) | 4,134 | (20,232) | (16,098) | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (3,003) | 338 | (2,665) | 1,391 | (314) | 1,077 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (2,612) | (19,076) | (21,688) | 5,525 | (20,546) | (15,021) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 12,042 | $ | 13,799 | $ | 25,841 | $ | 26,074 | $ | (8,051) | $ | 18,023 |
Asset Quality
PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)
Based on its detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans of $15.8 million at December 31, 2021 and $18.5 million at December 31, 2020 as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. At December 31, 2021, 10.5% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 19.2% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 9.6% and 35.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Loans
General. Maintaining loan quality historically has been, and will continue to be, a key element of our business strategy. We employ conservative underwriting standards for new loan originations and maintain sound credit administration practices while the loans are outstanding. In addition, substantially all of our loans are secured, predominantly by real estate. At December 31, 2021, our non-performing loans totaled $8.0 million, or 0.21%, of total loans. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021, were $2.8 million, or 0.07%, of average loans outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had net charge-offs of $3.8 million, or 0.11%, of average loans outstanding, and for the year ended December 31, 2019, net recoveries were $1.2 million.
62
Non-performing Assets and Delinquent Loans. The following table details non-performing assets consisting of non-performing loans held-for-investment and non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Non-accrual loans: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | $ | 4,403 | $ | 4,811 | ||
| Non-accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 3,219 | 3,705 | ||||
| Total non-accruing loans held-for-investment | 7,622 | 8,516 | ||||
| Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing: | ||||||
| Held-for-investment | 384 | 1,113 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-investment | 8,006 | 9,629 | ||||
| Other non-performing loans held-for-sale | — | 19,895 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | 8,006 | 29,524 | ||||
| Other real estate owned | 100 | — | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 8,106 | $ | 29,524 | ||
| Loans subject to restructuring agreements and still accruing | $ | 5,820 | $ | 7,697 | ||
| Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent | $ | 1,166 | $ | 13,982 |
The following table details non-performing loans by loan type at December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Held-for-investment | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Commercial | $ | 5,117 | $ | 6,229 | ||
| One-to-four family residential | 314 | 906 | ||||
| Multifamily | 1,882 | 1,153 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 281 | 191 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 28 | 37 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans held-for-investment | 7,622 | 8,516 | ||||
| Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing: | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Commercial | 147 | 500 | ||||
| One-to-four family residential | 165 | 174 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 72 | 436 | ||||
| Other | — | 3 | ||||
| Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing held-for-investment | 384 | 1,113 | ||||
| Non-performing loans held-for-sale | ||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Commercial | — | 18,250 | ||||
| Multifamily | — | 1,612 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | — | 33 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans held-for-sale | — | 19,895 | ||||
| Total non-performing loans | $ | 8,006 | $ | 29,524 | ||
| Other real estate owned | 100 | — | ||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 8,106 | $ | 29,524 |
Other real estate owned is comprised of one property acquired during the year ended December 31, 2021, as a result of foreclosure. The property is located in New Jersey and had a carrying value of approximately $100,000. It is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021.
63
Non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2020 totaled $19.9 million and were comprised of high risk commercial real estate and multifamily loans, primarily accommodation loans that were modified in the form of interest and/or principal payment deferrals due to COVID-19 related hardships, and had not returned to contractual payments after 180 days of relief. The sale of these loans was completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Generally, loans, excluding PCD loans, are placed on non-accruing status when they become 90 days or more delinquent, and remain on non-accrual status until they are brought current, have six consecutive months of performance under the loan terms, and factors indicating reasonable doubt about the timely collection of payments no longer exist. Therefore, loans may be current in accordance with their loan terms, or may be less than 90 days delinquent and still be on a non-accruing status.
The following table sets forth the total amounts of delinquencies for accruing loans that were 30 to 89 days past due by type and by amount at the dates indicated (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||
| Commercial | $ | 144 | $ | 8,792 | ||
| One-to-four family residential | 593 | 1,152 | ||||
| Construction and land | — | 994 | ||||
| Multifamily | — | 1,893 | ||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | 412 | 380 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | 2 | 760 | ||||
| Other loans | 15 | 11 | ||||
| $ | 1,166 | $ | 13,982 |
The decrease in accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent from December 31, 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in delinquencies associated with the improvement of economic conditions in 2021.
Included in non-accruing loans held-for-investment are TDR loans totaling $3.2 million and $3.7 million at December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021, one of the non-accruing TDRs totaling $368,000 was not performing in accordance with its restructured terms, and is collateralized by real estate with an appraised value of $620,000. At December 31, 2020, two of the non-accruing TDRs totaling $462,500 were not performing in accordance with their restructured terms, and are collateralized by real estate with an appraised value of $620,000.
The Company also holds loans held-for-investment subject to restructuring agreements that are on accrual status, which totaled $5.8 million and $7.7 million at December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021, $5.7 million, or 97.5%, of the $5.8 million of accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. At December 31, 2020, $6.5 million, or 84.1%, of the $7.7 million of accruing loans subject to restructuring agreements were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. Generally, the types of concessions that we make to troubled borrowers include both temporary and permanent reductions to interest rates, extensions of payment terms, and, to a lesser extent, forgiveness of principal and interest.
The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of TDRs as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
| At December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Non-Accruing | Accruing | Non-Accruing | Accruing | |||||||||||
| Real estate loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 3,219 | $ | 3,508 | $ | 3,292 | $ | 5,518 | ||||||
| One-to-four family residential | — | 1,562 | 413 | 1,490 | ||||||||||
| Multifamily | — | 603 | — | 626 | ||||||||||
| Home equity and lines of credit | — | 38 | — | 47 | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial loans | — | 109 | — | 16 | ||||||||||
| $ | 3,219 | $ | 5,820 | $ | 3,705 | $ | 7,697 | |||||||
| Performing in accordance with restructured terms | 88.6 | % | 97.5 | % | 87.5 | % | 84.1 | % |
64
COVID-19 Exposure
Management continues to evaluate the Company's exposure to increased loan losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the commercial real estate and multifamily loan portfolios. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company implemented a customer relief program to assist borrowers that were experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 related challenges. The relief program grants principal and/or interest payment deferrals typically for a period of 90 days, which management may choose to extend for additional 90 day periods. At the peak of forbearance in June 2020, the Company had 286 loans approved for payment deferral representing $360.2 million, or approximately 10% of the Company's loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2021, substantially all of the borrowers who had requested relief have returned to contractual payments. Two borrowers with loans totaling $774,000 did not return to their contractual status; however, they are making partial payments.
Loans in deferment status (“COVID-19 Modified Loans”) have continued to accrue interest during the deferment period unless otherwise classified as non-performing. COVID-19 Modified Loans are required to make escrow payments for real estate taxes and insurance, if applicable. The COVID-19 Modified Loan agreements also require loans to be brought back to their fully contractual terms within 12 to 18 months and include covenants that prohibit distributions, bonuses, or payments of management fees to related entities until all deferred payments are made. Consistent with industry regulatory guidance, borrowers who were otherwise current on loan payments and were granted COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferrals will continue to be reported as current loans throughout the agreed upon deferral period. Borrowers who were delinquent in their payments to the Bank prior to requesting a COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferral are reviewed on a case by case basis for TDR classification and non-performing loan status.
Other
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we downgraded a lending relationship with an outstanding principal balance at December 31, 2021 of approximately $15.6 million to substandard, which is comprised of two commercial real estate loans with balances of $10.9 million, and a commercial line of credit secured by all unencumbered business assets with a balance of $4.7 million. In addition, the Bank has a commitment to fund $1.8 million under the line of credit with one of the entities in the relationship and all draws on the line are at the discretion of the Bank.
The commercial real estate loans are secured by two commercial properties with a current appraised value of $19.2 million. The lending relationship was downgraded as a result of legal matters against certain officers of the borrowing entities, including certain individuals who are guarantors to the loans, and the impact such legal matters may have on future operations of the entities.
All loans under the lending relationship are current as of February 28, 2022, and the entities continue to operate. We continue to evaluate the financial condition, operating results and cash flows of the related entities and guarantors. At December 31, 2021, approximately $1.9 million of the allowance for credit losses has been designated to this lending relationship. Based on information available, the loan has not been designated as impaired and remains on accrual status. However, there can be no assurances that one or more of the loans under the relationship will not migrate to non-accrual status in the future or require the establishment of additional loan losses reserves.
During 2022, the Bank received paydowns of approximately $3.0 million on the commercial line of credit, reducing the outstanding balance to approximately $1.7 million.
65
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the CECL standard and as a result of the adoption recorded a $10.4 million increase to its allowance for credit losses on loans, including $6.8 million related to PCD loans.
The allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans increased from 127.38% at December 31, 2020 to 486.80% at December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in non-performing loans of $21.5 million, from $29.5 million at December 31, 2020 to $8.0 million at December 31, 2021. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company transferred $19.9 million of certain high risk, primarily commercial real estate accommodation (hotel/motel) loans that were modified in the form of interest and/or principal payment deferrals due to COVID-19 related hardships, and had not returned to contractual payments after 180 days of relief, to held-for-sale. These loans were sold in the first quarter of 2021.
The Company utilizes external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as an impaired loan and updated annually, or more frequently if required. Generally, non-performing loans are charged down to the appraised value of collateral less costs to sell for collateral-dependent loans and to the present value of the expected future cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans, which reduces the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans. Downward adjustments to appraisal values, primarily to reflect “quick sale” discounts, are generally recorded as specific reserves within the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net, was 1.02% (1.03% excluding PPP loans which are fully government guaranteed and do not carry any allowance for loan losses) at December 31, 2021, as compared to 0.98% and 1.00%, respectively, at December 31, 2020. The increase in the loan coverage ratio from December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the Company's Day 1 CECL adoption adjustment of $10.4 million recorded, $6.8 million of which related to PCD loans. For PCD loans, the allowance for credit losses recorded is recognized through a gross-up that increases the amortized cost basis of loans with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses and therefore results in no impact to shareholders' equity. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans attributable to the CECL adoption adjustment was partially offset by a decrease in the provision for 2021, primarily due to improvements in the economic forecast and asset quality. The improvement in asset quality was largely attributable to an improvement in risk ratings as loans previously modified for COVID-19 relief returned to consistent payment status. Net charge-offs were $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net charge-offs of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and net recoveries of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021, were primarily related to PCD loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale at fair value, and subsequently sold in the first quarter of 2021. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2020, included $3.6 million related to higher risk commercial real estate and multifamily loans transferred to held-for-sale at estimated net realizable value in the fourth quarter of 2020. The benefit for credit losses on loans was $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The provision for credit losses on loans was $12.7 million and $22,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment decreased by $43,000, or 59%, from $73,000 at December 31, 2020, to $30,000 at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2021, the Company had 25 loans classified as individually impaired and recorded $30,000 of specific reserves on four of the 25 impaired loans. At December 31, 2020, the Company had 26 loans classified as impaired and recorded $73,000 of specific reserves on four of the 26 impaired loans.
66
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for credit losses, by loan type, at December 31, for the years indicated (in thousands):
| Real estate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (1) | One-to-four Family Residential | Construction and Land | Home Equity and Lines of Credit | Commercial and Industrial | Other | PCI/ PCD | Total Allowance for Credit Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | $ | 23,714 | $ | 342 | $ | 463 | $ | 291 | $ | 1,569 | $ | 108 | $ | 1,010 | $ | 27,497 | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for loan losses | 115 | (326) | 73 | 73 | 150 | 158 | (221) | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 1,916 | 228 | — | 2 | 21 | 8 | — | 2,175 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (651) | (64) | — | (49) | (100) | (123) | — | (987) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 25,094 | 180 | 536 | 317 | 1,640 | 151 | 789 | 28,707 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision/(benefit) for loan losses | 11,710 | 22 | 678 | (84) | 283 | 41 | 92 | 12,742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 414 | 5 | — | 27 | 13 | 6 | — | 465 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (4,213) | — | — | — | (94) | — | — | (4,307) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 33,005 | 207 | 1,214 | 260 | 1,842 | 198 | 881 | 37,607 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of CECL Adjustment | (1,949) | 5,233 | (921) | 419 | 947 | (188) | 6,812 | 10,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2021 | 31,056 | 5,440 | 293 | 679 | 2,789 | 10 | 7,693 | 47,960 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Benefit)/provision for credit losses | (4,331) | (1,903) | (124) | (145) | 991 | (3) | (669) | (6,184) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 60 | 29 | — | 26 | 39 | 5 | 119 | 278 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | — | (21) | — | — | (646) | (3) | (2,411) | (3,081) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 26,785 | $ | 3,545 | $ | 169 | $ | 560 | $ | 3,173 | $ | 9 | $ | 4,732 | $ | 38,973 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Commercial includes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and multifamily properties. |
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $2.8 million, as compared to net charge-offs of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and net recoveries of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Charge-offs in 2021 are primarily related to PCD loans. Charge-offs in 2020 were primarily related to high risk, commercial real estate accommodation (hotel/motel) loans on COVID-19 forbearance that were transferred to held-for-sale. The net recoveries in 2019 were primarily due to a $1.8 million recovery on a multifamily loan previously charged-off, partially offset by a $521,000 charge-off on an impaired commercial real estate loan. The increase in the allowance for credit losses from 2020 to 2021 for one-to-four family residential loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, and PCD loans was primarily attributable to the Day 1 CECL adoption adjustment. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses for commercial loans, construction and land loans, and other loans was primarily due to a benefit in the provision for credit losses attributable to the improved forecast and asset quality, as well as a benefit from the Day 1 CECL adoption adjustment.
67
Management of Market Risk
General. A majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage-related securities and loans, generally have longer maturities than our liabilities, which consist primarily of deposits and wholesale borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy involves managing interest rate risk and limiting the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Management Asset-Liability Committee, comprised of our Senior Vice President ("SVP") & Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, who chairs this Committee, our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Vice President ("EVP") & Chief Risk Officer, our EVP & Chief Financial Officer, our SVP and Chief Credit Officer and our SVP & Director of Marketing, and other officers and staff as necessary or appropriate. This committee is responsible for, among other things, evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for recommending to the risk management committee of our Board of Directors the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
We seek to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. As part of our ongoing asset-liability management, we currently use the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk:
•originating multifamily loans and commercial real estate loans that generally have shorter maturities than one-to-four family residential real estate loans and have higher interest rates that generally reset from five to ten years;
•investing in investment grade corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities; and
•obtaining general financing through lower-cost core deposits, brokered deposits, and longer-term FHLB advances and repurchase agreements.
Shortening the average term of our interest-earning assets by increasing our investments in shorter-term assets, as well as originating loans with variable interest rates, helps to match the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities better, thereby reducing the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.
Net Portfolio Value Analysis. We compute amounts by which the net present value of our assets and liabilities (net portfolio value or NPV) would change in the event market interest rates changed over an assumed range of rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of our NPV. Depending on current market interest rates, we estimate the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment. 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 “Change in Interest Rates” column below.
Net Interest Income Analysis. In addition to NPV calculations, we analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through our net interest income model. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. In our model, we estimate what our net interest income would be for a twelve-month period. Depending on current market interest rates we then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase or decrease of 100, 200, 300, or 400 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, which is based on the current interest rate environment.
68
The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our calculation of the estimated changes in our NPV, NPV ratio, and percent change in net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous and sustained changes in interest rates (dollars in thousands). Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing characteristics including decay rates, and correlations to movements in interest rates, and should not be relied on as indicative of actual results.
| NPV at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,036,366 | $ | 4,101,782 | $ | 934,584 | $ | (145,605) | (13.48) | % | 18.56 | % | (14.49) | % | 4.48 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,155,293 | 4,180,838 | 974,455 | (105,734) | (9.79) | % | 18.90 | % | (10.51) | % | 3.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,279,904 | 4,264,283 | 1,015,621 | (64,568) | (5.98) | % | 19.24 | % | (6.51) | % | 3.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,405,275 | 4,352,712 | 1,052,563 | (27,626) | (2.56) | % | 19.47 | % | (2.79) | % | 2.20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,526,916 | 4,446,727 | 1,080,189 | — | — | % | 19.54 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,650,190 | 4,594,219 | 1,055,971 | (24,218) | (2.24) | % | 18.69 | % | (3.83) | % | (7.93) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,765,436 | 4,715,356 | 1,050,080 | (30,109) | (2.79) | % | 18.21 | % | (6.02) | % | (11.42) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2021, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 2.79% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 6.02% decrease in net interest income in year one, and an 11.42% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 13.48% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 14.49% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 4.48% increase in net interest income in year two. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company revised certain assumptions in the modelling as a result of a new non-maturity deposit study which resulted in a decrease in the duration of these instruments.
| NPV at December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated Present Value of Assets | Estimated Present Value of Liabilities | Estimated NPV | Estimated Change In NPV | Estimated Change in NPV % | Estimated NPV/Present Value of Assets Ratio | Next 12 Months Net Interest Income Percent Change | Months 13-24 Net Interest Income Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| +400 | $ | 5,085,541 | $ | 4,262,399 | $ | 823,142 | $ | (29,103) | (3.41) | % | 16.19 | % | 1.52 | % | 20.02 | % | ||||||||||||
| +300 | 5,183,396 | 4,358,918 | 824,478 | (27,767) | (3.26) | % | 15.91 | % | 1.35 | % | 15.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +200 | 5,289,795 | 4,459,805 | 829,990 | (22,255) | (2.61) | % | 15.69 | % | 1.19 | % | 10.99 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| +100 | 5,401,377 | 4,565,784 | 835,593 | (16,652) | (1.95) | % | 15.47 | % | 0.78 | % | 5.98 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| — | 5,529,750 | 4,677,505 | 852,245 | — | — | % | 15.41 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (100) | 5,678,960 | 4,781,710 | 897,250 | 45,005 | 5.28 | % | 15.80 | % | (2.41) | % | (5.73) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| (200) | 5,814,119 | 4,794,445 | 1,019,674 | 167,429 | 19.65 | % | 17.54 | % | (3.70) | % | (7.89) | % |
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2020, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 19.65% increase in estimated net portfolio value, a 3.70% decrease in net interest income in year one and a 7.89% decrease in net income in year two. In the event of a 400 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 3.41% decrease in estimated net portfolio value, a 1.52% increase in net interest income in year one and a 20.02% increase in net interest income in year two.
Our policies provide that, in the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less in interest rates, our net present value ratio should decrease by no more than 300 basis points and 10%, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our net present value should decrease by no more than 475 basis points and 35%. In the event of a 200 basis point decrease or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 10% in year one and 10% in year two, and in the event of a 400 basis point increase or less, our projected net interest income should decrease by no more than 30% in year one and 20% in year two. However, when the federal funds rate is low and negative rate shocks do not produce meaningful results, management may temporarily suspend use of guidelines for negative interest rate shocks. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all Board-approved policies with respect to interest rate risk management.
69
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in net portfolio value and net interest income. Our model requires us to make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. However, we also apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. In addition, the net portfolio value and net interest income information presented 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 interest rate risk calculations 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 on our net portfolio value or net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to fund assets and meet obligations as they come due. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowings through repurchase agreements, advances from money center banks and the FHLBNY, and repayments, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are reasonably predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our Board Risk Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and withdrawals of deposits by our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We seek to maintain a ratio of liquid assets (not subject to pledge or encumbered) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings of 35% or greater. At December 31, 2021, this ratio was 56.31%. We believe that we had sufficient sources of liquidity to satisfy our short- and long-term liquidity needs at December 31, 2021.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based on our assessment of:
•expected loan demand;
•expected deposit flows;
•yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities; and
•the objectives of our asset/liability management program.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and multifamily loans. Any amount pledged for such deposits under the line of credit reduces the Company's available borrowing amount under the FHLB advance agreement. The Company continues to maintain a strong liquidity position, despite the economic uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ | 72,877 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds | $ | 214,769 | ||
| Multifamily loans(2) | $ | 1,439,583 | ||
| Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2) | $ | 432,741 |
(1) Excludes $18.2 million of cash at Northfield Bank.
(2) Represents remaining borrowing potential.
70
At December 31, 2021, we had $159.4 million in outstanding loan commitments. In addition, we had $245.9 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2021, totaled $295.8 million, or 7.1% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan sales, securities sales, other deposit products, including replacement certificates of deposit, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), and advances from the FHLBNY and other borrowing sources. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit. Based on experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, and we have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
We have a detailed contingency funding plan that is reviewed and reported to the Board Risk Committee at least quarterly. This plan includes monitoring cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of Northfield Bank. Additionally, management performs a stress test on Northfield Bank’s retail deposits and wholesale funding sources in several scenarios on a quarterly basis. The stress scenarios include deposit attrition of up to 50%, and selling our securities available-for-sale portfolio at a discount of 20% to its current estimated fair value. Northfield Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity under all stress scenarios.
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. is a separate legal entity from Northfield Bank and must provide for its own liquidity to fund dividend payments, stock repurchases, and other corporate risk factors. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the receipt of dividend payments from the Bank in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2021, Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (unconsolidated) had liquid assets of $14.4 million.
Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. are both subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2021, both Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation” and Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our potential future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process applicable to loans we originate. In addition, we routinely enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans; such amounts are not significant to our operations. For additional information, see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The effect of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater effect on our performance than inflation.