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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pathward Financial, Inc. ("Pathward Financial" or the “Company” or "us"), a registered bank holding company located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company's subsidiaries include Pathward®, National Association ("Pathward®, N.A." or "Pathward" or the “Bank”), a national bank whose primary federal regulator is the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC"), and Pathward Venture Capital, LLC, a wholly-owned service corporation subsidiary of Pathward, N.A. which invests in companies in the financial services industry. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company also owns 100% of First Midwest Financial Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), which was formed in July 2001 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities, and Crestmark Capital Trust I, which was acquired from the Crestmark Acquisition in August 2018. The Trust and Crestmark Capital Trust I are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. In addition, the Company is a variable interest holder in certain entities in which the equity holders do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or where the entity does not have enough equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support (referred to as variable interest entities or "VIEs"). The Company's variable interest arises from contractual ownership or other monetary interests that change with fluctuations in the VIE's net asset value. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. To determine whether or not a variable interest the Company holds could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of the Company's involvement with the VIE. Further, the Company assesses whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis. If the determination is made that the Company is the primary beneficiary, then that entity is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of net income and equity attributable to third-party owners of consolidated subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by Pathward Financial. All of the Company's noncontrolling interests relate to the Company's Commercial Finance business line. Variable Interest Entities As a result of the Crestmark Acquisition, the Company acquired existing membership interests of certain joint venture limited liability companies (the "LLCs"). The Company holds 80% of the membership interests in each of the LLC entities, which offer commercial lending and other financing arrangements. In connection with these LLCs, the Company exclusively provides funding for each entity's activities. The Company determined it is the primary beneficiary of all LLCs as it has the managing power under the terms of each of the LLC operating agreements. Results of the LLCs are reflected in the Company's September 30, 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements and are summarized below. The assets recognized as a result of consolidating the LLCs are the property of the LLCs and are not available for any other purpose.
(Dollars in thousands) | At September 30, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 127 |
Loans and leases | 51,835 |
Allowance for credit losses | (1,148) |
Accrued interest receivable | 163 |
Other assets | 1,110 |
Total assets | 52,087 |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 338 |
Noncontrolling interest | (277) |
Net assets less noncontrolling assets | $ | 52,026 |
Amounts for noncontrolling interests reflect the proportionate share of membership interest (equity) and net income attributable to the holders of minority membership interest in the following entities: •CM Help, LLC - CM Help provides flexible patient loan programs to hospitals and patient customers of hospitals as a financing alternative for the self-pay and co-pay portions of patients’ hospital expenses. •CM Southgate II, LLC - CM Southgate II engages in the business of acquiring fleet leases and semi-trailer/tractor loans and leases. •CM TFS, LLC - CM TFS engages in the business of acquiring equipment financing term loans and leases. In the normal course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet transactions with SPEs, which can be structured as corporations, trusts, limited liability companies, or partnerships and are established for a limited purpose. Currently, the Company utilizes a SPE facility for certain term lending products within the Company's Commercial Finance business line. The Company participated in the structuring of the SPE, has a minority ownership interest in the SPE, and acts as servicer for the SPE in exchange for a servicing fee. Pathward is not the primary beneficiary of the SPE as our risk of loss or right to benefits from the SPE are not significant. At September 30, 2024, there are $18.4 million commercial term loans held at the SPE compared to $13.7 million for the prior fiscal year, and the Company’s equity investment in the SPE is $5.8 million compared to $1.2 million for the prior fiscal year. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from the SPE is limited to its equity investment. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were $4.6 million and no commercial term loans classified as held for sale related to this SPE, respectively. NATURE OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION One of the Company's primary sources of revenue relates to payment processing services for prepaid cards, ATM sponsorship, tax refund transfer and money movement. Additionally, a significant source of revenue for the Company is interest from the purchase or origination of commercial finance loans, consumer finance loans, and warehouse finance loans. The Company accepts deposits from customers in the normal course of business on a national basis through its partner solutions and tax services divisions, and through wholesale funding. The Company operates in the banking industry, which accounts for the majority of its revenues and assets. The Company uses the “management approach” for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the management approach model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of three reporting segments. See Note 16. Segment Reporting for additional information on the Company's segment reporting. RECLASSIFICATION AND REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD BALANCES Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These changes and reclassifications did not impact previously reported net income or comprehensive income (loss). Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, after discussion with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe LLP, concluded that our audited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and for each year in the three fiscal year periods ended September 30, 2024 contained in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the interim periods ended December 31, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, and September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (collectively, but excluding the interim period ended December 31, 2024, the “Affected Periods”) should no longer be relied upon and should be restated because of errors identified in such financial statements. As described in Note 21. Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements, the Company is restating its accompanying audited historical consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The affected balances in the accompanying footnotes to these consolidated financial statements have also been restated accordingly. Additionally, as described in Note 18. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited), the Company has restated its unaudited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures for the interim periods as previously disclosed in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for those respective fiscal quarters, with the affected balances restated accordingly. USE OF ESTIMATES IN PREPARING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain significant estimates include the valuation of residual values within lease receivables, allowance for credit losses, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, Consumer Loan Program derivatives and the fair values of securities and other financial instruments. These estimates are reviewed by management regularly; however, they are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the future. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents is defined to include the Company’s cash on hand and due from financial institutions and short-term interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. The Company reports cash flows net for customer loan transactions, securities purchased under agreement to resell, federal funds purchased, deposit transactions, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and FHLB advances with terms less than 90 days. Previously, the FRB required all depository institutions to maintain reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts, primarily checking accounts. However, since March 26, 2020, the reserve requirement ratio has been zero percent. At September 30, 2024, the Bank was not required to maintain any reserve balances. The Company at times maintains balances in excess of insured limits at various financial institutions including the FRB, the FHLB and other private institutions. At September 30, 2024, the Company had $104.9 million in interest-bearing deposits held at the FRB and $1.7 million interest-bearing deposits held at the FHLB. The Company does not believe these instruments carry a significant risk of loss but cannot provide assurances that no losses could occur if these institutions were to become insolvent. SECURITIES GAAP requires that, at acquisition, an enterprise classify debt securities into one of three categories: Available for Sale (“AFS”), Held to Maturity (“HTM”) or trading. Debt securities AFS are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Unrealized holding gains and losses due to risk of credit loss are recognized in earnings while unrealized holding gains and losses due to market conditions and other non-credit risk factors are excluded from earnings and recognized as a separate component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). See Note 19. Fair Values of Financial Instruments for additional information on fair value of AFS debt securities. Debt securities HTM are measured at amortized cost. The Company classifies the majority of its debt securities as AFS, which are those the Company may decide to sell if needed for liquidity, asset/liability management, or other reasons. Both AFS and HTM are subject to an allowance for credit losses. Pathward Financial did not hold trading securities at September 30, 2024 or 2023. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined using the specific identification method based on amortized cost and are reflected in results of operations at the time of sale. Interest and dividend income, adjusted by amortization of purchase premium or discount using the level yield method, is included in income as earned. For callable debt securities, any purchase premium is amortized to the first call date while any discount is accreted over the contractual life of the security. Debt Securities Credit Losses The Company evaluates debt securities AFS for credit losses on a quarterly basis and records any such losses as a component of provision for credit loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has concluded that any unrealized holding losses in its portfolio as of September 30, 2024 are not related to credit loss and as a result has not recorded an allowance for credit losses. See Note 2. Securities for further information. The Company evaluates debt securities HTM for credit losses on a quarterly basis and records any such losses as a component of provision for credit loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has concluded that its portfolio as of September 30, 2024 has a zero risk of credit loss due to the related U.S. Government financial guarantees underlying the securities within the HTM portfolio and as a result has not recorded an allowance for credit losses. Equity Investments The Company holds marketable equity securities, which have readily determinable fair value, and include common equity and mutual funds. These securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, due to changes in fair value, reflected in earnings. Interest and dividend income from these securities is recognized in interest income. See Note 2. Securities for additional information on marketable equity securities. The Company also holds non-marketable equity securities that are included in Other Assets in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company generally accounts for these investments under the equity method or the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 321. Equity Securities. Investments where the Company has significant influence, but not control, over the investee are accounted for under the equity method. Investments where the Company cannot exercise significant influence over the investee are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings, unless those investments have no readily determinable fair value. Investments without readily determinable fair value are measured under the measurement alternative, which reflects cost less impairment, with adjustments in value resulting from observable price changes arising from orderly transactions of the same or a similar security from the same issuer ("measurement alternative investments"). The Company reviews for impairment for equity method and measurement alternative investments and includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances for each investment, expectations of cash flows, capital needs, and viability of its business model. For equity method, the asset carrying value is reduced when the decline in fair value is considered to be other than temporary. For measurement alternative investments, the asset carrying value is reduced when the fair value is less than the carrying value, without the consideration of recovery. The Company held the following non-marketable equity securities: •Equity Method - The Company held equity method investments of $4.1 million within other assets as of September 30, 2024 and $4.1 million at September 30, 2023. The Company’s ownership of such investments typically ranges from 5% - 25% of the investee. The Company recognized nominal net earnings from these investments within noninterest income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. The Company elected to classify distributions received from equity method investments using the cumulative earnings approach on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. •Fair Value Method - The Company held equity investments measured at net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) of $11.8 million at September 30, 2024 and $8.4 million at September 30, 2023 where NAV is considered the fair value practical expedient. These investments are recorded within other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Fluctuations in fair value are recognized in earnings within noninterest Income. •Measurement Alternative - The Company held equity investments measured using the measurement alternative of $9.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and $12.1 million at September 30, 2023 within other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Equity investments measured using the measurement alternative are subject to fair value adjustments when observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer occur. The Company did not recognize any fair value adjustments in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Additionally, the Company recognized impairment loss of $1.0 million and $3.3 million of such investments during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. LOANS HELD FOR SALE ("LHFS") Loans are designated as LHFS based on management's intent to sell loans, or portions of loans, in established secondary markets, to fintech partners in our Consumer Lending Programs, or to participating third-party financial institutions. LHFS are held at the lower of cost or fair value. Any amount by which the cost exceeds fair value is initially recorded as a valuation allowance and subsequently reflected in the gain or loss on sale when sold. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, there was no valuation allowance recorded for LHFS. Gains and losses on LHFS are recorded in noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Loan costs and fees are deferred at origination and are recognized in income at the time of sale. Interest income is calculated based on the note rate of the loan and is recorded as interest income. The Company occasionally transfers loans between held for sale and held for investment classifications based on its intent and ability to hold or sell loans. Management's intent to sell may be impacted by secondary market conditions, loan credit quality, or other factors. The following table summarizes the activity pertaining to loans held for sale:
| Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
| 2024 |  | 2023
(Dollars in thousands) | Consumer | Commercial |  | Consumer | Commercial
Beginning of year balance | $ | 77,779 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 21,071 |  | $ | — |
Originations | 1,901,593 |  | 133,388 |  |  | 1,206,201 |  | 2,483 |
Proceeds from sales | (1,937,079) |  | (99,005) |  |  | (1,123,271) |  | (16,610) |
Gain (loss) on sales | — |  | 5,102 |  |  | — |  | 268 |
Principal collections, net of deferred fees and costs | (18,083) |  | (48) |  |  | (26,222) |  | 280 |
Non-cash transfers, net | — |  | 628,041 |  |  | — |  | 13,579 |
End of year balance | $ | 24,210 |  | $ | 667,478 |  |  | $ | 77,779 |  | $ | — |
LOANS AND LEASES Loans Receivable Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are classified as held for investment and are generally reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income, cumulative charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans (amortized cost). Interest income on loans is generally accrued over the term of the loans based upon the amount of principal outstanding except when serious doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan, in which case the accrual of interest is discontinued. Unearned income, deferred loan fees and costs, and discounts and premiums are amortized to interest income over the contractual life of the loan generally using the interest method. The Company's business lines follow a nonaccrual policy with certain commercial finance, consumer finance and tax service loans not generally being placed on non-accrual status, but instead are charged off when the collection of principal and interest become doubtful. When placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income and any remaining amortizing of net deferred fees is suspended. Cash collected on these loans is applied to first reduce the carrying value of the loan with any remainder being recognized as interest income. Generally, a loan can return to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal become current under the terms of the loan agreement and collectability of the remaining principal and interest is no longer doubtful. Loans are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates. For commercial loans, the Company generally fully charges off or charges down to net realizable value (fair value of collateral, less estimated costs to sell) for loans secured by collateral when: management judges the loans to be uncollectible; repayment is deemed to be protracted beyond reasonable time frames; the loan has been classified as a loss by either the Company's internal loan review process or its banking regulatory agencies; the customer has filed bankruptcy and the loss becomes evident owing to lack of assets; or the loan meets a defined number of days past due unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. For consumer loans, the Company fully charges off or charges down to net realizable value when deemed uncollectible due to bankruptcy or other factors, or meets a defined number of days past due. Consumer Loan Programs The Company partners with third-parties to originate and service consumer loans to further deploy financing offerings to the underserved and underbanked (the Programs). Loan options under the Programs include secured and unsecured installment products. The Programs allow for loans to be originated as held for sale or held for investment, with the majority of the loans being originated as held for sale and not retained by the Company. The loans are originated with terms up to 73 months, although the effective life of the loans may be much shorter. The Programs are governed by multiple interrelated agreements including the loan agreement between the Company and the borrower and the agreements with the third-party partners. The structure of the Programs is intended to generate loans that yield a targeted return to the Bank on a portfolio basis while also providing credit enhancements from the third-party partner. Key characteristics of the Programs include: •The Bank has thresholds in place on the maximum amount of loans to be retained by the Bank. The majority of loans originated under these Programs are originated as held for sale. •For loans retained by the Bank, only interest received is allocated between the Bank and third-party partners. All principal cash collections for loans are retained by the Bank and reduce the outstanding principal balance. •For loans retained by the Bank, interest received is first applied to charge offs and then to the Bank for its targeted yield under the applicable Program. Any remaining interest received in excess of the targeted yield is then allocated to the third-party partner, which includes compensation for servicing, and recorded in noninterest expense. If there is no remaining interest received after charge offs and the Bank’s yield, there is no excess interest paid or due to the third-party partners. •The third-party partners contribute funds to a reserve account at the time of Program execution to be used for any future charge-offs not covered by interest collections, as well as any Bank required yield, as outlined in the contract. The reserve account is required to maintain minimum thresholds over the term of the Program. The Company's agreements with multiple unrelated parties are required to be accounted for separately in accordance with U.S. GAAP relevant to each unit of account. The Company accounts for the Programs into multiple units of account as follows: •The loans and related interest income are accounted for under ASC 310, Receivables, and are included in the Company’s expected credit losses estimation process under CECL. Due to the nature of the product, the Company recognizes interest income based on the monthly interest. •The agreement with the third-party partner that governs the excess interest, required Bank yield, and credit enhancements meets the definition of a derivative financial instrument and is accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The derivative is accounted for at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition in other assets or liabilities with changes in fair value each period reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within noninterest expense. –Noninterest expense each period includes actual amounts paid during the period for excess interest. The Company had $273.0 million and $332.2 million of loans outstanding in the Programs, or 6% and 8% of its total gross loan portfolio, as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, $24.2 million is included in loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value as a result of the Company’s decision to pursue a sale of that portion of the portfolio. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, $248.8 million and $254.4 million are included in loans held for investment, respectively. Loans in the Programs held for investment are included within the Consumer Finance category disclosures in Note 3. Loans and Leases, net. Leases Receivable The Company provides various types of commercial lease financing that are classified for accounting purposes as direct financing, sales-type or operating leases. Leases that transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the lessee are classified as direct financing or sales-type leases and are included in loans and leases receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Direct financing and sales-type leases are carried at the combined present value of future minimum lease payments and lease residual values. The determination of lease classification requires various judgments and estimates by management, including the fair value of equipment at lease inception, useful life of the equipment under lease, lease residual value, and collectability of minimum lease payments. Sales-type leases generate a gain or loss at lease inception by recording lease revenue less lease cost. Lease revenue consists of the present value of the future minimum lease payments. Lease cost consists of the lease equipment’s book value, less the present value of its residual. Interest income on direct financing and sales-type leases is recognized using methods that approximate a level yield over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the lease. Recognition of interest income is generally discontinued at the time the lease becomes 90 days delinquent, unless the lease is well-secured and in process of collection. Delinquency and past due status is based on the contractual terms of the lease. The Company receives pro rata rent payments for the interim period until the lease contract commences and the fixed, non-cancelable lease term begins. Interim payments are recognized in the month they are earned and are recorded in interest income. Management has policies and procedures in place for the determination of lease classification and review of the related judgments and estimates for all lease financings. The Company generally fully charges off or charges down to net realizable value (fair value of collateral, less estimated costs to sell) for leases when management judges the lease to be uncollectible; repayment is deemed to be protracted beyond reasonable time frames; the lease has been classified as a loss by either the Company's internal review process or its banking regulatory agencies; the customer has filed bankruptcy and the loss becomes evident owing to lack of assets; or the lease meets a defined number of days past due unless the lease is both well-secured and in the process of collection. Some lease financings include a residual value component, which represents the estimated fair value of the leased equipment at the expiration of the initial term of the transaction. The estimation of the residual value involves judgments regarding product and technology changes, customer behavior, shifts in supply and demand, and other economic assumptions. The Company may purchase and sell minimum lease payments, primarily as a credit risk reduction tool, to third-party financial institutions at fixed rates on a non-recourse basis with its underlying equipment as collateral. For those transactions that achieve sale treatment, the related lease cash flow stream and the non-recourse financing are derecognized. For those transactions that do not achieve sale treatment, the underlying lease remains on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and non-recourse debt is recorded in the amount of the proceeds received. The Company retains servicing of these leases and bills, collects, and remits funds to the third-party financial institution. Upon default by the lessee, the third-party financial institutions may take control of the underlying collateral which the Company would otherwise retain as residual value. Leases that do not transfer substantially all benefits and risks of ownership to the lessee are classified as operating leases. Such leased equipment are included in rental equipment on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease to its estimated residual value. Depreciation expense is recorded as operating lease equipment depreciation expense within noninterest expense. Operating lease rental income is recognized when it becomes due and is reflected as a component of noninterest income. The Company evaluates the carrying value of rental equipment for impairment whenever events or circumstances have occurred that would indicate the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. If the carrying amount is not fully recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to fair value, where fair value is based on the condition of the rental equipment and the projected net cash flows from rental and sale adjusted for current market conditions. A $2.0 million impairment expense from rental equipment was recognized for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, a nominal impairment expense was recognized for fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and no impairment expense was recognized for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Loan Servicing and Transfers of Financial Assets The Company sells loan participations, generally without recourse, in both the commercial and consumer segments. The Company also sells commercial SBA and USDA loans and consumer loans to third parties, generally without recourse. Sold loans are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. For commercial loans sold, the Bank generally retains the right to service the sold loans for a fee. If the fee is determined commensurate and customary with market terms, no servicing asset or liability is recorded. Any fee that is above or below market terms results in a servicing asset or liability and is included within Other Assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Bank was servicing loans for others with aggregate unpaid principal balances of $364.5 million and $332.5 million, respectively. The service fees and ancillary income related to these loans were immaterial. For consumer loans originated, the Bank relies on third-party services regardless if the loans are held for investment or sold. Transfers of loans, portions of loans meeting the definition of a participating interest, and other financial assets are accounted for as sales on the transaction settlement date when control has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been legally isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of such right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through a repurchase agreement or other means. Upon sale, the loans or other financial assets are derecognized from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. If the transfer does not satisfy the aforementioned control criteria, the transaction is recorded as a secured borrowing with the loans or other financial assets remaining on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and proceeds recognized as a liability. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES The ACL represents management’s estimate of current credit losses expected to be incurred by the loan and lease portfolio over the life of each financial asset as of the balance sheet date. The Company individually evaluates loans and leases that do not share similar risk characteristics with other financial assets, which generally means loans and leases on nonaccrual status. All other loans and leases are evaluated collectively for credit loss. A reserve for unfunded credit commitments such as letters of credit and binding unfunded loan commitments is recorded in other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Individually evaluated loans and leases are a key component of the ACL. Generally, the Company measures credit loss on individually evaluated loans based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, as the Company considers these financial assets to be collateral dependent. If an individually evaluated loan or lease is not collateral dependent, credit loss is measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan or lease initial effective interest rate. Management has also identified certain structured finance credits for alternative energy projects in which a substantial cash collateral account has been established to mitigate credit risk. Due to the nature of the transactions and significant cash collateral positions, these credits are evaluated individually. Credit loss for all other loans and leases is evaluated collectively by various characteristics. The collective evaluation of expected losses in all commercial finance and consumer lending portfolios is based on a cohort loss rate and adjustments for forward-looking information, including industry and macroeconomic forecasts. The cohort loss rate is a life of loan loss rate that immediately reverts to historical loss information for the remaining maturity of the financial asset. Management has elected to use a twelve to twenty-four month reasonable and supportable forecast for forward-looking information. Factors utilized in the determination of the allowance include historical loss experience, current economic forecasts and measurement date credit characteristics such as product type, delinquency, and industry. The unfunded credit commitments depend on these same factors, as well as estimates of lines of credit usage. The various quantitative and qualitative factors used in the methodologies are reviewed quarterly. The consumer lending programs are structured with freestanding credit enhancements that are not incorporated in management’s estimate of expected credit losses in accordance with ASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. Rather these credit enhancements are reflected in the Company’s noninterest expense section of the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) from Operations. The amount of ACL depends significantly on management’s estimates or key factors and assumptions affecting valuation, appraisals of collateral, evaluations of performance and status, the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received, forecasts of future economic conditions and reversion periods. Such estimates, appraisals, evaluations, cash flows and forecasts may be subject to frequent adjustments due to changing economic prospects of borrowers, lessees, properties or economic conditions. These estimates are reviewed quarterly and adjustments, if necessary, are recorded in the provision for credit loss in the periods in which they become known. Accrued interest receivable is presented separately on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, and an ACL is not recorded for these balances. Generally, when a loan or lease is placed on nonaccrual status, typically when the collection of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, uncollected interest accrued in prior years is charged off against the ACL and interest accrued in the current year is reversed against interest income. Management maintains a framework of controls over the estimation process for the ACL, including review of collective reserve methodologies for compliance with GAAP. Management has a quarterly process to review the appropriateness of historical observation periods and loss assumptions and risk ratings assigned to loans and leases, if applicable. Management reviews its qualitative framework and the effect on the collective reserve compared with relevant credit risk factors and consistency with credit trends. Management also maintains controls over information systems, models and spreadsheets used in the quantitative components of the reserve estimate. This includes the quality and accuracy of historical data used to derive loss rates, the inputs to industry and macroeconomic forecasts and the reversion periods utilized. The results of this process are summarized and presented to management quarterly for their approval of the recorded allowance. See Note 3. Loans and Leases, Net for further information. The following are risk characteristics of the Company’s loan and lease portfolio: Commercial Finance The Company's Commercial Finance business line offers a variety of products through its working capital, equipment finance, structured finance, and insurance premium finance lending solutions. These products include term lending, asset-based lending, factoring, lease financing, insurance premium finance, government guaranteed lending and other commercial finance products offered on a nationwide basis that are subject to adverse market conditions which may impact the borrower’s ability to make repayment on the loan or lease or could cause a decline in the value of the collateral that secures the loan or lease. The loans or leases are primarily made based on the operating cash flows of the borrower and on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows of borrowers may be volatile and the value of the collateral securing these loans and leases may be difficult to measure. Most commercial finance loans and leases are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory. Although the loans and leases are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, insurance premiums or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of a borrower default may be an insufficient source of repayment, because accounts receivable may be uncollectible and inventories and equipment may be obsolete or of limited use. The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by adhering to its underwriting policies in evaluating the management of the business and the credit-worthiness of borrowers and guarantors. See Note 20. Subsequent Events for further information on the Company's commercial premium finance insurance business. Consumer Finance The Bank offers a variety of installment and revolving consumer lending products through its credit solutions. The Bank designs its credit program relationships with certain desired outcomes, including liquidity, credit protection, and risk retention by the program partner. The Bank believes the benefits of these outcomes not only support its goals but the goals of the credit program partner as well. The Bank designs its program credit protections in a manner so that the Bank earns a reasonable risk adjusted return, but is protected by certain layers of credit support, similar to what you would find in structured finance. Certain loans are sold to third parties based on terms and conditions within the Program Agreement. Derivative Instruments Derivatives are financial instruments that meet the criteria in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to be recognized as either freestanding or embedded derivatives. The Company’s derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded through noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not utilize derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Bank’s use of derivatives is limited to the Consumer Lending Programs. Under these Programs, the Bank has an agreement with a third party to originate consumer loans that are included in the Bank’s held for investment or held for sale portfolios. The third party provides a target return to the Company on the portfolio of loans retained by the Bank and all interest received from borrowers on such loans above the target return and after all charge-offs have been covered is paid to the third-party as excess interest and servicing. This agreement to pay the third-party excess interest and receive credit enhancements meets the definition of a derivative instrument. The primary drivers of the derivative value include the Company’s ability to settle the loans at par value and the third-party partners’ rights of first refusal to purchase loans that the Company intends to sell. Each reporting period, the Company estimates the fair value of the derivative instrument using a market approach considering primarily the average interest rate on the underlying loans and the credit spread relative to the risk-free rate in order to validate that the value of the loans is in excess of par and thus the derivative could be settled by either party at no cost. The Company considers this derivative instrument to be within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as it utilizes inputs from sales or securitization transactions involving similar loans. A s of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company determined the derivatives had no fair value, respectively, thus eliminating the need for further disclosures regarding Level 3 inputs as outlined in ASC 820. Tax Services The Bank's Partner Solutions business line also offers tax solutions, which includes short-term refund advance loans. Through this product, taxpayers are underwritten to determine eligibility for these unsecured loans. Due to the nature of refund advance loans, it typically takes no more than three e-file cycles (the period of time between scheduled IRS payments) from when the return is accepted by the IRS to collect from the borrower. In the event of default, the Bank has no recourse against the tax consumer. When collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Bank will charge off the balance of a refund advance loan on September 30. Any remaining balances are charged off at the end of the calendar year. The Bank may record recoveries of previously charged off loans if collected in subsequent tax years. The Bank offers short-term electronic return originator ("ERO") advance loans on a nationwide basis. These loans are typically utilized by tax preparers to purchase tax preparation software and to prepare tax office operations for the upcoming tax season. EROs go through an underwriting process to determine eligibility for the unsecured advances. ERO loans are not collateralized. Collection on ERO advances begins once the ERO begins to process refund transfers. Generally, the Bank will charge off the balance of an ERO advance loan if there is a balance at the end of June, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful. Warehouse Finance The Bank participates in several collateral-based warehouse lines of credit whereby the Bank is in a senior, secured position as the first out participant. These facilities are primarily collateralized by consumer receivables, with the Bank holding a senior collateral position enhanced by a subordinate party structure. PREMISES, FURNITURE, AND EQUIPMENT Land is carried at cost. Buildings, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, internal-use software and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company primarily uses the straight-line method of depreciation and amortization over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is 39 years for buildings, three years for internal-use software, and range from two years to 15 years for leasehold improvements and for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. See Note 5. Premises, Furniture and Equipment, Net for further information. GOODWILL Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (including identifiable intangibles) in transactions accounted for as business acquisitions. Goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment at a reporting unit level. The Company has determined that its reporting units are one level below the operating segments and distinguish these reporting units based on how the segments and reporting units are managed, taking into consideration the economic characteristics, nature of the products, and customers of the segments and reporting units. The Company performs its impairment evaluation as of September 30 of each fiscal year unless a triggering event occurs that would require an interim impairment evaluation. The Company generally utilizes a qualitative approach during this annual assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If we determine it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment is performed to determine fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit with goodwill exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and is written down by the excess carrying value of the reporting unit. Subsequent increases in goodwill are not recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. No goodwill impairment was recognized during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024, 2023 or 2022. See Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further information. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their respective estimated lives. All intangible assets are subject to an impairment test at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment. See Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further information. STOCK COMPENSATION Compensation expense for share-based awards is recorded over the vesting period at the fair value of the award at the time of grant. The fair value of nonvested (restricted) shares and performance share units granted under the Company’s incentive plans is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date, adjusted for dividends where applicable. The Company has elected to record forfeitures as they occur. See Note 12. Stock Compensation for further information. INCOME TAXES The Company records income tax expense based on the amount of taxes due on its tax return plus deferred taxes computed based on the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognizes a tax position as a benefit only if it is more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon examination. For tax positions not meeting the more likely than not test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in noninterest income or noninterest expense. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recorded in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which the enactment date occurs. If current period income tax rates change, the impact on the annual effective income tax rate is applied year to date in the period of enactment. See Note 13. Income Taxes for further information. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK The Company, in the normal course of business, makes commitments to originate loans which are not reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The reserve for these unfunded commitments is included within Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income or loss includes the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses due to market conditions and other non-credit risk factors on AFS debt securities, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is recognized as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. REVENUE RECOGNITION Interest revenue from loans, leases, and investments is recognized on the accrual basis of accounting as the interest is earned according to the terms of the particular loan, lease, or investment. Income from service and other customer charges is recognized as earned. Revenue within the Consumer segment is recognized as services are performed and service charges are earned in accordance with the terms of the various programs. Refer to Note 15. Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (“EPS”) Basic EPS is computed using the two-class method by dividing income available to common stockholders after the allocation of dividends and undistributed earnings to the participating securities by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, and is computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect upon vesting of restricted stock grants and after the allocation of earnings to the participating securities. See Note 4. Earnings per Common Share for further information. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company has disclosed information on its equity investments and relationships with variable interest entities in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no loans or deposits outstanding with individuals deemed under Regulation O to be directors, executive officers and/or employees of the Company. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES ("ASU") The following ASU was adopted by the Company during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The following ASU became effective for the Company on October 1, 2023. ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU eliminate accounting guidance for troubled-debt restructurings (“TDRs”) by creditors in Subtopic ASC 310-40, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, and enhance disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The ASU also requires current period gross charge-offs by year of origination to be disclosed for loans and leases within scope of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The following ASUs have been issued and are considered applicable to the Company, but have not yet been adopted as of September 30, 2024. ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU improves reportable segment disclosures primarily by enhancing disclosure requirements about significant segment expenses. The amendments will be effective for the Company beginning with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 and subsequent interim periods. The amendments will be applied retrospectively to all prior periods in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of such amendments to the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (ASC 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU requires enhanced income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information to provide further transparency surrounding the Company’s income tax position. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for the Company beginning on October 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of such amendments to the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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