BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which is the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on March 5, 2024, the shareholders approved a change in its state of incorporation from the State of New York to the State of Maryland subject to regulatory approval. Basis of Presentation In October 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. The Company’s current fiscal year is the calendar year January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (fiscal year 2024). In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2024, its consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had an immaterial effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and had no effect on prior period net income or stockholders’ equity. In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or of the results for the full fiscal year 2024. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis. Accounting Policies Securities - Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale at the time of purchase. Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity, which management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as available for sale, which management has the intent and ability to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, included in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income. Any decision to sell investment securities available for sale would be based on various factors, including, but not limited to, asset / liability management strategies, changes in interest rates or prepayment risks, liquidity needs, or regulatory capital considerations. Premiums are amortized and discounts accreted using the interest method over the remaining terms of the related securities. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Sales of investment securities are recorded at trade date, with realized gains and losses on sales determined using the specific identification method and included in non-interest income. A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Alowance for Credit Losses – Held-to-Maturity Securities – Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $9 thousand at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Mortgage backed: residential and commercial. All mortgage-backed: residential and commercial securities held by the Company are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-For-Sale Securities – For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, 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 specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as credit loss expense (or reversal). Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $0.8 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for credit losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans. Accrued interest receivable totaled $11.2 million and $10.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and was reported in Accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income on loans is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and credited to income as earned. Interest income on loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the contractual life of loans using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments. Loans Held for Sale – Mortgage and SBA and other government guaranteed loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans. For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans – The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that collection in full is not probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral or discounted value of the projected cash flows at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. The quantitative component of the estimate relies on the statistical relationship between the projected value of an economic indicator and the implied historical loss experience among a curated group of peers. The Company utilized regression analyses of peer data, in which the Company was included, and where observed credit losses and selected economic factors were used to determine suitable loss drivers for modeling the lifetime rates of probability of default (PD). A loss given default rate (LGD) is assigned to each pool for each period based on these PD outcomes. The model primarily utilizes an expected discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis with a remaining life (RL) approach used limitedly. The DCF analysis is run at the instrument-level and incorporates an array of loan-specific data points and segment-implied assumptions to determine the lifetime expected loss attributable to each instrument. An implicit "hypothetical loss" is derived for each period of the DCF, and helps establish the present value of future cash flows for each period. The reserve applied to a specific instrument is the difference between the sum of the present value of future cash flows and the book balance of the loan at the measurement date. The RL approach utilizes projected loss rates based on the remaining life of a loan pool. It is utilized when a regression analysis could not provide adequate correlation of PD and external economic factors on which to base projected losses. Portfolio segments are the level at which loss assumptions are applied to a pool of loans based on the similarity of risk characteristics inherent in the included instruments, relying on FFIEC Call Report codes. The loss driver for each loan portfolio segment is derived from a readily available and reasonable economic forecast, chiefly the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve's projections of civilian unemployment and year-over-year U.S. GDP growth. Forecasts are applied over a four-quarter period and revert to the lookback period's historical mean for the economic indicator over a four-quarter horizon, on a straight-line basis. The model incorporates qualitative factor adjustments in order to calibrate the model for risk in each portfolio segment that may not be captured through quantitative analysis. Determinations regarding qualitative adjustments are reflective of management's expectation of loss conditions differing from those already captured in the quantitative component of the model. Factors that the Company considers include a) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collections, charge offs, and recovery practices; b) changes in international, national, regional, and local conditions; c) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and term loans; d) changes in experience, depth, and ability of lending management; e) changes in volume and severity of past due loans and other similar conditions; f) changes in the quality of the Bank’s loan review system; g) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans; h) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the levels of such concentrations; and i) the effects of other external factors (i.e. competition, legal and regulatory requirements) on the level of estimated credit losses. Allowance for credit losses are aggregated for the major loan segments, with similar characteristics, summarized below. However, for the purposes of calculating reserves, these segments may be further broken down into loan classes by risk characteristics that include but are not limited to FFIEC Call Report codes, industry type, geographic location, and collateral type. One-to-four family residential mortgage loans involve certain risks such as interest rate risk and risk of nonpayment. Adjustable-rate loans decrease the interest rate risk to the Bank that is associated with changes in interest rates but involve other risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Repayment risk can be affected by the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices. Commercial real estate lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending. Such loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Loans in this classification include income producing investment properties and owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes. The underlying properties are located largely in the Bank’s primary market area. The cash flows of the income producing investment properties could be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, could have an effect on credit quality. In the case of owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes, a weakened economy and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending could have an adverse effect on credit quality. Multifamily lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending, but less when compared to commercial real estate lending. Loans in this classification include income producing residential investment properties of five or more units. Loans are made to established owners with a proven and demonstrable record of strong performance. Loans are secured by a first mortgage lien on the subject property. Repayment is derived generally from the rental income generated from the property and may be supplemented by the owners’ personal cash flow. Credit risk arises with changes in economic conditions that could cause an increase in vacancy rates or decline in property value. Commercial and industrial lending is generally considered higher risk due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effects of general economic conditions on the business. Generally, these loans are primarily secured by inventories and other assets of the business and repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class. The Company’s construction loan portfolio covers the development of commercial properties. Construction loans involve the disbursement of funds during construction with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans because their ultimate repayment depends on the satisfactory completion of construction and is sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing. Repayment is dependent on completion of the project and the subsequent financing of the completed project as a commercial real estate loan, and in some instances on the rent or sale of the underlying project. Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates than other lending but generally involve more credit risk because of the type and nature of the collateral and, in certain cases, the absence of collateral. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and, if applicable, sale of the collateral securing the loan. Therefore, the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class. Allowance for Credit losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition in other liabilities section and is adjusted through a provision for credit losses reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income in other expenses. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the commitment’s estimated useful life. Series A Preferred Stock - Holders of the Company’s Series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, in the same per share amount as the common stockholders. No dividend for any quarterly period will be payable on the common stock unless a dividend identical to that paid on the common stock is paid at the same time on the Series A preferred stock. Therefore, Series A preferred stock is treated as common stock for EPS calculations. Series A preferred stock has no voting rights. In the event of a dissolution of the Company, Series A preferred stock is entitled to the payment of any declared and unpaid dividend, and then will share in dissolution proceeds, if any, with the shares of common stock. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adoption of New Accounting Standards The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326) on October 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. In November 2019, the FASB adopted changes to delay the effective date of ASU 2016-13 to 2023 for certain entities, including certain Securities and Exchange Commission filers, public business entities, and private companies. As the Company is a smaller reporting company under SEC regulations, the Company was eligible for and elected delayed adoption of the ASU until October 1, 2023. The objective of the ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology, and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to form credit loss estimates. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. On October 1, 2023, the Company recognized a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings, of $4.0 million, or $3.2 million, net of tax effects, of which $0.1 million reflected a reduction of allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, $4.1 million reflected additional allowance related to the loan portfolio, and no adjustment was recognized related to the securities portfolio. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, which eliminates creditor accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) for entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) and enhances Vintage Disclosures of Gross Writeoffs. This ASU eliminates Subtopic 310-40 guidance for TDRs, and requires creditors to apply the loan refinancing and restructuring guidance in Subtopic 310-20 when evaluating modifications granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to determine whether the modification is considered a continuation of an existing loan or a new loan. The vintage disclosure component of the ASU requires entities to disclose current-period gross writeoffs by origination year for financing receivables and investment leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 prospectively, beginning October 1, 2023, concurrently with the aforementioned ASU 2016-13. The Company did not have any loans that were both experiencing financial difficulties and modified during the reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2023. In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848” that extends the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance. In 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” which provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The objective of the guidance in Topic 848 is to provide relief during the temporary transition period, so the FASB included a sunset provision within Topic 848 based on expectations of when LIBOR would cease being published. In 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority delayed the intended cessation date of certain tenors of USD LIBOR to June 30, 2023. To ensure relief in Topic 848 covers the period of time during which a significant number of modifications may take place, ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. For all entities, the amendments in ASU 2022-06 are effective upon issuance. The Company adopted this ASU on July 1, 2023. The adoption of this standard did not have material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition. Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require public business entities to disclose annually a tabular rate reconciliation, including specific items such as state and local income tax, tax credits, nontaxable or nondeductible items, among others, and a separate disclosure requiring disaggregation of reconciling items as described above which equal or exceed 5% of the product of multiplying income from continuing operations by the applicable statutory income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which is the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on March 5, 2024, the shareholders approved a change in its state of incorporation from the State of New York to the State of Maryland subject to regulatory approval.

Basis of Presentation

In October 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. The Company’s current fiscal year is the calendar year January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (fiscal year 2024).

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2024, its consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had an immaterial effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and had no effect on prior period net income or stockholders’ equity.

In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or of the results for the full fiscal year 2024. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.

Accounting Policies

Securities - Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale at the time of purchase. Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity, which management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as available for sale, which management has the intent and ability to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, included in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income. Any decision to sell investment securities available for sale would be based on various factors,

including, but not limited to, asset / liability management strategies, changes in interest rates or prepayment risks, liquidity needs, or regulatory capital considerations.

Premiums are amortized and discounts accreted using the interest method over the remaining terms of the related securities. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Sales of investment securities are recorded at trade date, with realized gains and losses on sales determined using the specific identification method and included in non-interest income.

A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income.

Alowance for Credit Losses – Held-to-Maturity Securities – Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $9 thousand at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Mortgage backed: residential and commercial. All mortgage-backed: residential and commercial securities held by the Company are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-For-Sale Securities – For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, 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 specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as credit loss expense (or reversal). Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $0.8 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for credit losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans. Accrued interest receivable totaled $11.2 million and $10.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and was reported in Accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income on loans is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and credited to income as earned. Interest income on loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the contractual life of loans using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments.

Loans Held for Sale – Mortgage and SBA and other government guaranteed loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans.

For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans – The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that collection in full is not probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral or discounted value of the projected cash flows at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

The quantitative component of the estimate relies on the statistical relationship between the projected value of an economic indicator and the implied historical loss experience among a curated group of peers. The Company utilized regression analyses of peer data, in which the Company was included, and where observed credit losses and selected economic factors were used to determine suitable loss drivers for modeling the lifetime rates of probability of default (PD). A loss given default rate (LGD) is assigned to each pool for each period based on these PD outcomes. The model primarily utilizes an expected discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis with a remaining life (RL) approach used limitedly. The DCF analysis is run at the instrument-level and incorporates an array of loan-specific data points and segment-implied assumptions to determine the lifetime expected loss attributable to each instrument. An implicit "hypothetical loss" is derived for each period of the DCF, and helps establish the present value of future cash flows for each period. The reserve applied to a specific instrument is the difference between the sum of the present value of future cash flows and the book balance of the loan at the measurement date. The RL approach utilizes projected loss rates based on the remaining life of a loan pool. It is utilized when a regression analysis could not provide adequate correlation of PD and external economic factors on which to base projected losses.

Portfolio segments are the level at which loss assumptions are applied to a pool of loans based on the similarity of risk characteristics inherent in the included instruments, relying on FFIEC Call Report codes. The loss driver for each loan portfolio segment is derived from a readily available and reasonable economic forecast, chiefly the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve's projections of civilian unemployment and year-over-year U.S. GDP growth. Forecasts are applied over a four-quarter period and revert to the lookback period's historical mean for the economic indicator over a four-quarter horizon, on a straight-line basis.

The model incorporates qualitative factor adjustments in order to calibrate the model for risk in each portfolio segment that may not be captured through quantitative analysis. Determinations regarding qualitative adjustments are reflective of management's expectation of loss conditions differing from those already captured in the quantitative component of the model. Factors that the Company considers include a) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collections, charge offs, and recovery practices; b) changes in international, national, regional, and local conditions; c) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and term loans; d) changes in experience, depth, and ability of lending management; e) changes in volume and severity of past due loans and other similar conditions; f) changes in the quality of the Bank’s loan review system; g) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans; h) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the levels of such concentrations; and i) the effects of other external factors (i.e. competition, legal and regulatory requirements) on the level of estimated credit losses.

Allowance for credit losses are aggregated for the major loan segments, with similar characteristics, summarized below. However, for the purposes of calculating reserves, these segments may be further broken down into loan classes by risk characteristics that include but are not limited to FFIEC Call Report codes, industry type, geographic location, and collateral type.

One-to-four family residential mortgage loans involve certain risks such as interest rate risk and risk of nonpayment. Adjustable-rate loans decrease the interest rate risk to the Bank that is associated with changes in interest rates but involve other risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Repayment risk can be affected by the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices.

Commercial real estate lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending. Such loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Loans in this classification include income producing investment properties and owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes. The underlying properties are located largely in the Bank’s primary market area. The cash flows of the income producing investment properties could be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, could have an effect on credit quality. In the case of owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes, a weakened economy and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending could have an adverse effect on credit quality.

Multifamily lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending, but less when compared to commercial real estate lending. Loans in this classification include income producing residential investment properties of five or more units. Loans are made to established owners with a proven and demonstrable record of strong performance. Loans are secured by a first mortgage lien on the subject property. Repayment is derived generally from the rental income generated from the property and may be supplemented by the owners’ personal cash flow. Credit risk arises with changes in economic conditions that could cause an increase in vacancy rates or decline in property value.

Commercial and industrial lending is generally considered higher risk due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effects of general economic conditions on the business. Generally, these loans are primarily secured by inventories and other assets of the business and repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.

The Company’s construction loan portfolio covers the development of commercial properties. Construction loans involve the disbursement of funds during construction with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans because their ultimate repayment depends on the satisfactory completion of construction and is sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing. Repayment is dependent on completion of the project and the subsequent financing of the completed project as a commercial real estate loan, and in some instances on the rent or sale of the underlying project.

Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates than other lending but generally involve more credit risk because of the type and nature of the collateral and, in certain cases, the absence of collateral. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and, if applicable, sale of the collateral securing the loan. Therefore, the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.

Allowance for Credit losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition in other liabilities section and is adjusted through a provision for credit losses reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income in other expenses. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the commitment’s estimated useful life.

Series A Preferred Stock - Holders of the Company’s Series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, in the same per share amount as the common stockholders. No dividend for any quarterly period will be payable on the common stock unless a dividend identical to that paid on the common stock is paid at the same time on the Series A preferred stock. Therefore, Series A preferred stock is treated as common stock for EPS calculations. Series A preferred stock has no voting rights. In the event of a dissolution of the Company, Series A preferred stock is entitled to the payment of any declared and unpaid dividend, and then will share in dissolution proceeds, if any, with the shares of common stock.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326) on October 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. In November 2019, the FASB adopted changes to delay the effective date of ASU 2016-13 to 2023 for certain entities, including certain Securities and Exchange Commission filers, public business entities, and private companies. As the Company is a smaller reporting company under SEC regulations, the Company was eligible for and elected delayed adoption of the ASU until October 1, 2023. The objective of the ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology, and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to form credit loss estimates. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. On October 1, 2023, the Company recognized a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings, of $4.0 million, or $3.2 million, net of tax effects, of which $0.1 million reflected a reduction of allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, $4.1 million reflected additional allowance related to the loan portfolio, and no adjustment was recognized related to the securities portfolio.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, which eliminates creditor accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) for entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) and enhances Vintage Disclosures of Gross Writeoffs. This ASU eliminates Subtopic 310-40 guidance for TDRs, and requires creditors to apply the loan refinancing and restructuring guidance in Subtopic 310-20 when evaluating modifications granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to determine whether the modification is considered a continuation of an existing loan or a new loan. The vintage disclosure component of the ASU requires entities to disclose current-period gross writeoffs by origination year for financing receivables and investment leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 prospectively, beginning October 1, 2023, concurrently with the aforementioned ASU 2016-13. The Company did not have any loans that were both experiencing financial difficulties and modified during the reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2023.

In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848” that extends the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance. In 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” which provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The objective of the guidance in Topic 848 is to provide relief during the temporary transition period, so the FASB included a sunset provision within Topic 848 based on expectations of when LIBOR would cease being published. In 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority delayed the intended cessation date of certain tenors of USD LIBOR to June 30, 2023. To ensure relief in Topic 848 covers the period of time during which a significant number of modifications may take place, ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. For all entities, the amendments in ASU 2022-06 are effective upon issuance. The Company adopted this ASU on July 1, 2023. The adoption of this standard did not have material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require public business entities to disclose annually a tabular rate reconciliation, including specific items such as state and local income tax, tax credits, nontaxable or nondeductible items, among others, and a separate disclosure requiring disaggregation of reconciling items as described above which equal or exceed 5% of the product of multiplying income from continuing operations by the applicable statutory income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024.