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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The following significant accounting and reporting policies of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), and are used in preparing and presenting these consolidated financial statements.
 
(a)    Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Northfield Investment, Inc. and Northfield Bank (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly-owned significant subsidiaries, NSB Services Corp. and NSB Realty Trust.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates and assumptions. A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term is the allowance for credit losses. In connection with the determination of this allowance, management generally obtains independent appraisals for significant properties. In addition, judgments related to the amount and timing of expected cash flows from purchased credit-deteriorated (“PCD”, or, previously, purchased credit-impaired “PCI”) loans, goodwill, securities valuation and impairment, and deferred income taxes, involve a higher degree of complexity and subjectivity and require estimates and assumptions about uncertain matters. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions. 
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

(b)    Adoption of New Accounting Standards

ASU No. 2016-03. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). This guidance was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments”; ASU No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief”; and ASU No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses”. ASU No. 2016-13 and its subsequent updates are collectively known as “CECL”. CECL replaces the current incurred loss impairment model that recognizes losses when a probable threshold is met with a requirement to recognize lifetime expected credit losses immediately when a financial asset is originated or purchased. For available-for-sale debt securities where fair value is less than cost, credit-related impairment would be recognized in an allowance for credit losses and adjusted in each subsequent period for changes in credit risk. CECL also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for credit losses.

ASU 2016-13 and its related amendments were initially effective for financial statements for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company elected to defer the adoption of the CECL methodology permitted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, which provided financial institutions with the option to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13 until the earlier of the end of the pandemic or December 31, 2020. This relief was further extended by the Consolidations Appropriations Act enacted on December 27, 2020, to the earlier of the first day of an entity's fiscal year after the date the national emergency terminates or January 1, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and its related amendments on January 1, 2021, using a modified retrospective approach.

At adoption, the Company recorded an $11.1 million increase to its allowance for credit losses, including reserves of $10.4 million related to loans and $737,000 related to unfunded credit commitments. Of the $10.4 million increase in loan reserves, $6.8 million represents PCD loan-related reserves which were 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 non-PCD loan related increase to the allowance for credit losses of $4.3 million, including the reserves for unfunded loan commitments, was offset in shareholders' equity and deferred tax assets. For further details on the adoption of CECL see Note 6 - Loans and Note 7 - Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
ASU No. 2019-12. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” ASU No. 2019-12 simplifies accounting for income taxes by removing specific technical exceptions in ASC 740 related to the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition for deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU No. 2019-12 also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021, which did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

ASU No. 2018-15. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract.” This guidance aligns the accounting for implementation costs related to a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Specifically, where a cloud computing arrangement includes a license to internal-use software, the software license is accounted for by the customer in accordance with Subtopic 350-40, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software”. ASU No. 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on January 1, 2020, and it did not have an impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.
    
ASU No. 2018-13. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on January 1, 2020, and it did not have an impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.

ASU No 2017-04. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The ASU is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on January 1, 2020, and it did not have an impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.

ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”), which requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date for leases classified as operating leases as well as finance leases. Under this guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. This ASU became effective for annual and interim periods for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company adopted the standard by applying the alternative transition method whereby comparative periods were not restated, and no cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was recognized as of January 1, 2019. The Company also elected the ASU’s package of three practical expedients, which allowed the Company to forego a reassessment of (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) the initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected not to apply the recognition requirements of the ASU to any short-term leases (as defined by related accounting guidance) and will account for lease and non-lease components separately because such amounts are readily determinable under most lease contracts. The adoption of this standard resulted in the Company recognizing operating lease right-of-use assets and related operating lease liabilities totaling $43.6 million and $47.3 million respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.

ASU No. 2017-08. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in this update require the premium on callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date rather than the maturity date; however, securities held at a discount continue to be amortized to maturity. The amendments apply only to debt securities purchased at a premium that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates. The amendments more closely align interest income recorded on debt securities held at a premium or discount with the economics of the underlying instrument. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2018-07. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to align the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to employees and nonemployees. The guidance applies to nonemployee awards issued in exchange for goods or services used or consumed in an entity’s own operations and to awards granted by an investor to employees and nonemployees of an equity method investee for goods or services used or consumed in the investee’s operations. There are no new disclosure requirements. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as share-based payment awards to nonemployee directors are accounted for in the same manner as share-based payment awards for employees.

(c)    Business
 
The Company, through its principal subsidiary, the Bank, provides a full range of banking services primarily to individuals and corporate customers in Richmond and Kings counties in New York, and Hunterdon, Mercer, Union and Middlesex counties in New Jersey. The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions and to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies, and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

(d)    Cash Equivalents
 
Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions with an original term of three months or less. 
 
(e)    Securities
 
Securities are classified at the time of purchase, based on management’s intention, as debt securities held-to-maturity, debt securities available-for-sale, trading account securities or equity securities. Debt securities held-to-maturity are those that management has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. Debt securities held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the level-yield method over the contractual term of the securities, adjusted for actual prepayments. Debt securities available-for-sale represents all securities not classified as either held-to-maturity, trading, or equity. Debt securities available-for-sale are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses (net of related tax effects) on such securities excluded from earnings, but included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, titled “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” The cost of securities sold is determined using the specific-identification method. Security transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis.

For securities available for sale, ASU 2016-13 eliminates the concept of other than temporary impairment and instead requires entities to determine if impairment is related to credit loss or non-credit loss. In making the assessment of whether a loss is from credit or other factors, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance is created, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Subsequent activity related to the credit loss component in the form of write-offs or recoveries is recognized as part of the allowance for credit losses on securities available for sale.

Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. All of the held-to-maturity securities in the Company's portfolio are issued by U.S. government agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S government and therefore the expectation of nonpayment is zero. Therefore the Company is not required to estimate an allowance for credit losses related to these securities.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, our evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment considered our assessments of the reason for the decline in value, the duration and severity of the impairment, our intent and ability to hold the securities (as well as the likelihood of a near-term recovery), and our intent to sell the securities and whether it was more likely than not that we would be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. If a determination was made that a debt security was other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company would estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that was attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors.  If we intended to hold securities in an unrealized loss position until the loss was recovered, which may be at maturity, the credit related component was recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income.  The non-credit related component was recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

The estimated fair value of debt securities, including mortgage-backed securities and corporate debt obligations is furnished by an independent third-party pricing service. The third-party pricing service primarily utilizes pricing models and methodologies that incorporate observable market inputs, including among other things, benchmark yields, reported trades, and projected prepayment and default rates. Management reviews the data and assumptions used in pricing the securities by its third-party provider for reasonableness.

The Company has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on securities from the estimate of credit losses. Accrued interest receivable totaled $2.5 million at December 31, 2021 and is reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet.

Trading securities are securities that are bought and may be held for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are reported at estimated fair value, using quoted prices in active markets, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net in non-interest income.

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net in non-interest income. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are recorded at net asset value less any impairment, if any.
 
(f)    Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
 
The accounting and reporting for PCD loans and loans classified as held-for-sale differs substantially from those loans classified by the Company as held-for-investment. For purposes of reporting, discussion and analysis, management has classified its loan portfolio into three categories: (1) loans originated by the Company and held-for-sale, which are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value, less costs to sell, and therefore have no associated allowance for loan losses, (2) PCD loans, which are held-for-investment, and initially valued at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition, with no initial related allowance for credit losses, and (3) Loans held-for-investment, which include originated loans carried at amortized cost, and acquired loans, with no evidence of credit deterioration, initially valued at fair value on the date of acquisition, less net charge-offs and the allowance for credit losses.
 
Net loans held-for-investment are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted by unamortized premiums and unearned discounts, deferred origination fees and certain direct origination costs, and the allowance for credit losses. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Net loan origination fees/costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the loan’s contractual life using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments. Generally, loans held-for-sale are designated at time of origination and generally consist of newly originated fixed rate residential loans and are recorded at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. During 2021 and 2020, the Company transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale certain performing and nonperforming loans. Transfers of loans from held-for-investment to held-for-sale are infrequent and occur at fair value less costs to sell, with any charge-off to allowance for credit losses. Gains are recognized on a settlement-date basis and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loans, including any net deferred fees or costs.
 
Net loans held-for-investment are deemed impaired when it is probable, based on current information, that the Company will not collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company has defined the population of impaired loans to be all non-accrual loans held-for-investment with an outstanding balance of $500,000 or greater and all loans restructured in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Loan held-for-investment are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate, or the fair value of the underlying collateral (less estimated costs to sell) if the loan is collateral dependent. Impairments, if any, are recognized through a charge to the allowance for credit losses on loans for the amount that the loan’s carrying value exceeds the discounted cash flow analysis or estimated fair value of collateral (less estimated costs to sell) if the loan is collateral dependent.  Such amounts are charged-off when considered appropriate.  
 
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

As noted previously, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021, and thus 2021 follows the current expected credit losses methodology. Prior periods have been reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP, which followed the incurred credit losses methodology.

Under ASU 2016-13 the Company determines the allowance for credit losses on loans based upon a consideration of its historical portfolio loss experience, current borrower-specific risk characteristics, current conditions, forecasts of future economic conditions, reversion period, prepayments, and qualitative adjustments. The allowance is measured on a collective (loan segment) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share common risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. Accrued interest on loans is excluded from the calculation of the allowance for credit losses due to the Company's non-accrual policy which results in the reversal of uncollectible accrued interest on non-accrual loans against interest income in a timely manner. Accrued interest receivable on loans held-for-investment totaled $9.4 million at December 31, 2021, and is reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet.

Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment. In estimating the quantitative component of the allowance on a collective basis, the Company uses 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 allowance. 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 to address risks that may not be adequately represented in the risk rating migration model. 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 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.
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. Individually impaired loans that have no impairment losses are not considered for collective allowances described above.

The Company elected to exclude accrued interest on loans from the amortized cost of loans held for investment. The accrued interest is reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet and totaled $9.4 million at December 31, 2021.
PCD/PCI Loans
The Company adopted CECL using the prospective transition approach for PCD loans that were previously classified as PCI loans and accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality,”. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI loans met the criteria of PCD loans as of the date of adoption. On January 1, 2021, the amortized cost basis of the PCD assets was adjusted to reflect the addition of the $6.8 million of the allowance for credit losses. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis)will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2021.

Upon adoption of CECL, the Company elected to maintain pools of loans that were previously accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 and will continue to account for these pools as a unit of account. Loans are only removed from existing pools if they are written off, paid off, or sold. Upon adoption of CECL, the allowance for credit losses was determined for each pool and added to the pool's carrying amount to establish a new amortized cost basis. The difference between the unpaid principal balance of the pool and the new amortized cost basis is the noncredit premium or discount which will be amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the pool. Changes to the allowance for credit losses after adoption are recorded through provision expense.

The Company also maintains a reserve for estimated losses on off-balance sheet credit risks related to loan commitments and stand-by 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.
 
While management uses available information to estimate credit losses on loans, future additions may be necessary based on changes in conditions, including changes in economic conditions and forecasts, particularly in Richmond and Kings counties in New York, and Hunterdon, Mercer, Union and Middlesex counties in New Jersey and to a lesser extent eastern Pennsylvania. Accordingly, as with most financial institutions in the market area, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in conditions in the Company’s marketplace. In addition, future changes in laws and regulations could make it more difficult for the Company to collect all contractual amounts due on its loans and mortgage-backed securities.
 
In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
TDRs are loans where terms have been modified because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. Modifications could include extension of the repayment terms of the loan, reduced interest rates, or forgiveness of accrued interest and/or principal. Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered restructured until paid in full or, if the obligation yields a market rate (a rate equal to the rate the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk), until the year subsequent to the year in which the restructuring takes place, provided the borrower has performed under the modified terms for a consecutive six-month period. The Company records an impairment charge equal to the difference between the present value of estimated future cash flows under the restructured terms discounted at the original loan’s effective interest rate, or the underlying collateral value, less estimated costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. Changes in present values attributable to the passage of time are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses.

The CARES Act includes provisions that provide temporary relief from TDR accounting for certain types of modifications. Under these provisions, modifications deemed to be Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) related would not be considered a TDR if the loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and the deferral was executed between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of 60 days after the date of termination of the COVID-19 national emergency or December 31, 2020. The termination of these provisions was extended, to the earlier of 60 days after the COVID-19 national emergency date or January 1, 2022, with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The banking regulators issued similar guidance, which also clarified that a COVID-19-related modification should not be considered a TDR if the borrower was current on payments at the time the underlying loan modification program was implemented and if the modification is considered to be short-term. The provisions include short-term (e.g., up to six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or delays in payment that are insignificant. The Company implemented a short-term loan modification program in late March 2020 to provide temporary payment relief to borrowers impacted by COVID-19. The program allows for a deferral of payments typically for 90 days, which may be extended for an additional 90 days, for a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. Additionally, loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 are not generally reported as past due or non-accrual.
A loan is considered past due when it is not paid in accordance with its contractual terms. The accrual of income on loans, including impaired loans held-for-investment, and other loans in the process of foreclosure, is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent, or sooner when certain factors indicate that the ultimate collection of principal and interest is in doubt. Loans on which the accrual of income has been discontinued are designated as non-accrual loans. All previously accrued interest is reversed against interest income, and income is recognized subsequently only in the period that cash is received, provided no principal payments are due and the remaining principal balance outstanding is deemed collectible. A non-accrual loan is not returned to accrual status until both principal and interest payments are brought current and factors indicating doubtful collection no longer exist, including performance by the borrower under the loan terms for a consecutive six-month period.

(g)        Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Stock
 
The Bank, as a member of the FHLB of New York (“FHLBNY”), is required to hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB as a condition to both becoming a member and engaging in certain transactions with the FHLB.  The minimum investment requirement is determined by a “membership” investment component and an “activity-based” investment component. The membership investment component is the greater of 0.125% of the Bank’s mortgage-related assets, as defined by the FHLB, or $1,000. The activity-based investment component is equal to 4.5% of the Bank’s outstanding advances with the FHLB. The activity-based investment component also considers other transactions, including assets originated for or sold to the FHLB, and delivery commitments issued by the FHLB. The Company currently does not enter into these other types of transactions with the FHLB. 
    
On at least a quarterly basis, we perform our other-than-temporary impairment analysis of FHLB stock, we evaluate, among other things, (i) its earnings performance, including the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the regulatory capital amount of the FHLB, (ii) the commitment by the FHLB to continue dividend payments, and (iii) the liquidity position of the FHLB. We did not consider our investment in FHLB stock to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
 
(h)    Operating Leases
During the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements, and at inception it determines if a particular agreement is a lease. The Company's operating lease agreements relate primarily to its corporate offices and bank branch offices. The agreements are recorded as operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease right of use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, and represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. As the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

(i)    Premises and Equipment, Net
 
Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment, including capital leases, are computed on a straight-line basis over the estim1ted useful lives of the related assets.  The estimated useful lives of significant classes of assets are generally as follows: buildings - forty years; furniture and equipment - five to seven years; and purchased computer software - three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Major improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, any gain or loss is credited or charged to operations.
 
(j)    Bank-Owned Life Insurance
 
The Company has purchased bank-owned life insurance contracts to help fund its obligations for certain employee benefit costs. The Company’s investment in such insurance contracts has been reported in the consolidated balance sheets at their cash surrender values. Changes in cash surrender values and death benefit proceeds received in excess of the related cash surrender values are recorded as non-interest income.
 
(k)    Goodwill
 
Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to an annual assessment for impairment. The goodwill impairment analysis was generally a two-step test. However, on January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. The guidance removed step two of the goodwill impairment test, which had required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The ASU does not change the optional qualitative assessment which allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, commonly referred to as the qualitative assessment or step 0.

Goodwill is allocated to Northfield’s reporting unit at the date goodwill is actually recorded. As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of goodwill totaled $41.0 million. The Company qualitatively assessed the current economic environment, including the estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on macroeconomic variables and economic forecasts, and on the Company's stock price which has experienced a decline in value, and how these might impact the fair value of its reporting unit. After consideration of the results of the annual 2021 impairment test and the results for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting unit was above its book value as of December 31, 2021, which did not indicate impairment for our reporting unit, nor was our reporting unit at risk. The Company will test goodwill for impairment between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying amount. No events have occurred and no circumstances have changed since the annual impairment test date that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying amount.
(l)    Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary 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 in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  When applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
    Income tax benefits are recognized and measured based upon a two-step model: 1) a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits in order to be recognized, and 2) the benefit is measured as the largest dollar amount of that position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon settlement. The difference between the benefit recognized and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit. The Company records income tax-related interest and penalties, if applicable, within income tax expense.
 
(m)    Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted (and without interest) net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell.
 
(n)    Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings
 
The Company enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (Repurchase Agreements) and collateral pledge agreements (Pledge Agreements) with selected dealers and banks. Such agreements are accounted for as secured financing transactions since the Company maintains effective control over the transferred or pledged securities and the transfer meets the other accounting and recognition criteria as required by the transfer and servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards. Obligations under these agreements are reflected as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. Securities underlying the agreements are maintained at selected dealers and banks as collateral for each transaction executed and may be sold or pledged by the counterparty. Collateral underlying Repurchase Agreements that permit the counterparty to sell or pledge the underlying collateral is disclosed on the consolidated balance sheets as “encumbered.” The Company retains the right under all Repurchase Agreements and Pledge Agreements to substitute acceptable collateral throughout the terms of the agreement. 
 
(o)    Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and the change in unrealized holding gains and losses on debt securities available-for-sale, change in actuarial gains and losses on other post-retirement benefits, and change in service cost on other postretirement benefits, net of taxes. Comprehensive income (loss) and its components is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
 
(p)   Benefits
 
The Company sponsors a defined postretirement benefit plan that provides for medical and life insurance coverage to a limited number of retirees, as well as life insurance to all qualifying employees of the Company. The estimated cost of postretirement benefits earned is accrued during an individual’s estimated service period to the Company. The Company recognizes in its balance sheet the over-funded or under-funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation at the end of our calendar year. The actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits that arise during the period are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.    
 
Funds borrowed by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) from the Company to purchase the Company’s common stock are being repaid from the Bank’s contributions over a period of up to 30 years. The Company’s common stock not yet allocated to participants is recorded as a reduction of stockholders’ equity at cost. The Company records compensation expense related to the ESOP at an amount equal to the shares committed to be released by the ESOP multiplied by the average fair value of our common stock during the reporting period.
 
The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of stock based awards issued to participants' as compensation cost in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The fair value of common stock awards is based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the grant date. The expense related to stock options is based on the estimated fair value of the options at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The awards are fixed in nature and compensation cost related to stock based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
 
The Bank has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees.  Contributions to the plan are expensed as incurred. 

(q)    Segment Reporting
 
As a community-focused financial institution, substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these community banking operations, which constitute the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes. 

(r)    Net Income per Common Share
 
Net income per common share-basic is computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unallocated ESOP shares and unearned common stock award shares. The weighted average common shares outstanding includes the average number of shares of common stock outstanding, including shares allocated or committed to be released ESOP shares.
 
Net income per common share-diluted is computed using the same method as basic earnings per share, but reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock were exercised and converted into common stock. These potentially dilutive shares are included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period using the treasury stock method. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, a new standard that simplifies certain aspects of accounting for share-based payments. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. The update amended the diluted earnings per share calculation in that excess tax benefits are no longer included in assumed proceeds when determining average diluted shares outstanding under the treasury stock method. This guidance was applied prospectively upon adoption.

When applying the treasury stock method for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we added the assumed proceeds from option exercises and the average unamortized compensation costs related to unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options. We then divided this sum by our average stock price for the period to calculate assumed shares repurchased. The excess of the number of shares issuable over the number of shares assumed to be repurchased is added to basic weighted average common shares to calculate diluted earnings per share. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we added (1) the assumed proceeds from option exercises; (2) the tax benefit that would have been credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of non-qualified stock options and vesting of shares of restricted stock; and (3) the average unamortized compensation costs related to unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options. We then divided this sum by our average stock price for the period to calculate assumed shares repurchased. The excess of the number of shares issuable over the number of shares assumed to be repurchased is added to basic weighted average common shares to calculate diluted earnings per share.
At December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were 337,768, 64,459, and 380,362 dilutive shares outstanding, respectively.    

(s)    Other Real Estate Owned
 
Assets acquired through loan foreclosure, or deed-in-lieu of, are held for sale and are initially recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs, when acquired, thus establishing a new cost basis. Costs after acquisition are generally expensed. If the estimated fair value of the asset subsequently declines, a write-down is recorded through other non-interest expense.
(t)    Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed in the period they are incurred.

(u)    Derivatives

The Company records all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Company has interest rate derivatives resulting from a service provided to certain qualified borrowers in a loan related transaction and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. As such, all changes in fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. The fair value of the Company's derivatives is determined using discounted cash flow analysis using observable market-based inputs, which are considered Level 2 inputs.