Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual information and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Credit Losses: On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASC 326”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASC 326 amends guidance on reporting credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities. ASC 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current US GAAP and instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASC 326 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the reserve for credit losses. In addition, entities need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach. Results for the periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under Accounting Standards Codification 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable US GAAP. The Company recorded a net reduction of retained earnings of $1.7 million upon adoption. The transition adjustment includes an increase in credit related reserves of $1.9 million and the recording of an unfunded commitment reserve of $417,000, respectively, net of the corresponding increase in deferred tax assets of $604,000.

	*January 1, 2023*
	*Post ASC 326 Adoption*		*Pre-ASC 326 Adoption*		*Pre-tax impact of ASC 326 Adoption*
Assets:
Allowance
One-to-four family residential real estate	$	380	$	281	$	99
Multi-family mortgage		4,647		4,017		630
Nonresidential real estate		1,300		1,234		66
Commercial loans and leases		3,670		2,548		1,122
Consumer		39		49		(10	)
Total allowance for credit losses	$	10,036	$	8,129	$	1,907

Liabilities:
Unfunded commitment reserve	$	417	$	—	$	417

The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is evaluated on a regular basis and established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for credit losses. When a loan or portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged against the allowance and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

a.

Portfolio Segmentation (“Pooled Loans”)

Portfolio segmentation is defined as the pooling of loans based upon similar risk characteristics such that quantitative methodologies and qualitative adjustment factors for estimating the allowance for credit losses is constructed for each segment. The allowance for credit losses for Pooled Loans estimate is based upon periodic review of the collectability of the loans quantitatively correlating historical loan experience with reasonable and supportable forecasts using forward looking information. Adjustments to the quantitative evaluation may be made for differences in current or expected qualitative risk characteristics such as changes in: underwriting standards, delinquency level, regulatory environment, economic condition, Company management and the status of portfolio administration including the Company’s Loan Review function.

b.

Individually Evaluated Loans

The Company establishes a specific loss reserve for individually evaluated loans which do not share similar risk characteristics with the loans included in the forecasted allowance for credit losses. These individually evaluated loans are removed from the pooling approach discussed above for the forecasted allowance for credit losses, and include nonaccrual loans and other loans deemed appropriate by management.

c.

Accrued Interest Receivable

Upon adoption of ASC 326 and its related amendments on January 1, 2023, the Company made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable:

●

Presenting accrued interest receivable balances separately within another line item on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

●

Continuing our policy to fully reserve accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income. For commercial loans, the reserve is established upon becoming 90 days past due. For consumer loans, the charge-off typically occurs upon becoming 120 days past due. Historically, the Company has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on its investment securities.

●

Not measuring an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable due to the Company’s policy of fully reserving uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner, as described above.

d.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The reserve for unfunded commitments (the “Unfunded Commitment Reserve”) represents the expected credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. However, a liability is not recognized for commitments that are unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The Unfunded Commitment Reserve is recognized as a liability (other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition), with adjustments to the unfunded commitment reserve recognized as a provision for credit loss expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Unfunded Commitment Reserve is determined by estimating expected future fundings, under each segment, and applying the expected loss rates. Expected future fundings are based on historical averages of funding rates (i.e., the likelihood of draws taken). To estimate future fundings on unfunded balances, current funding rates are compared to historical funding rates.

Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior period’s financial statements to conform them to the current period’s presentation.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.