Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidated Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements which include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank, the New Jersey Investment Company, Special Asset REO 1, LLC, and Special Asset REO 2, LLC have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). 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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the years then ended. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the identification of other-than-temporary impairment of securities, a determination as to possible impairment of goodwill. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate and no securities in unrealized loss positions are other-than-temporarily impaired. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in the market area. Management’s assessment regarding impairment of securities is based on future projections of cash flow which are subject to change. Management performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined there was no impairment as of December 31, 2022.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluated the events that occurred between December 31, 2022 and the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from depository institutions and interest-earning deposits in other banks having original maturities of three months or less.
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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Debt Securities

Investments in debt securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost. Debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near-term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings. Debt securities not classified as trading securities or as held-to-maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities (“AFS”) and reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, reported in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

If the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost, the security is deemed to be impaired. Management evaluates all securities with unrealized losses quarterly to determine if such impairments are “temporary” or “other-than-temporary” in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments – Debt Securities. Accordingly, temporary impairments are accounted for based upon the classification of the related securities as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Temporary impairments on available-for sale-securities are recognized, on a tax-effected basis, through Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) with offsetting entries adjusting the carrying value of the securities and the balance of deferred taxes. Information concerning the amount and duration of temporary impairments on both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Other-than-temporary impairments are accounted for based upon several considerations. First, impairments on debt securities that the Company has decided to sell as of the close of a fiscal period, or will, more likely than not, be required to sell, prior to the full recovery of fair value to a level equal to or exceeding amortized cost, are recognized in operations. If neither of these conditions regarding the likelihood of the sale of debt securities are applicable, then the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated into credit-related and noncredit-related components. A credit-related impairment generally represents the amount by which the present value of the cash flows that are expected to be collected on a debt security fall below its amortized cost. The noncredit-related component represents the remaining portion of the impairment not otherwise designated as credit-related. Credit-related, other-than-temporary impairments are recognized in earnings and noncredit-related, other-than-temporary impairments are recognized, net of deferred taxes, in OCI.

Discounts on securities are amortized/accreted to maturity using the interest method. Premiums on securities are amortized to maturity or the earliest call date for callable securities using the interest method. Interest and dividend income on securities, which includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, are recognized in the consolidated financial statements when earned.

Loans Held For Sale

Loans held for sale consist primarily of residential mortgage loans intended for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair market value using the aggregate method. These loans are generally sold with servicing rights released. Gains and losses recognized on loan sales are based upon the cash proceeds received and the cost of the related loans sold.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable are stated at unpaid principal balances, less net deferred loan origination fees and the allowance for loan losses. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized/accreted, as an adjustment of yield, over the contractual lives of the related loans.

Generally, the accrual of interest on loans that are contractually delinquent more than ninety days is discontinued and the related loans are placed on nonaccrual status. All payments received while in nonaccrual status, are applied to principal until the loan has performed as expected for a minimum of six (6) months or until the loan is determined to qualify for return to normal accruing status. Loans may be returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Acquired Loans

Loans that were acquired in acquisitions are recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest. The excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

Purchase Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired at a discount, due in part to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, and are initially recorded at fair value. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable discount. The nonaccretable discount represents estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows require an evaluation to determine the need for an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in the reversal of a corresponding amount of the nonaccretable discount which is then reclassified as accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. The evaluation of the amount of future cash flows that is expected to be collected is performed in a similar manner as that used to determine our allowance for credit losses. Charge-offs of the principal amount on acquired loans would be first applied to the nonaccretable discount portion of the fair value adjustment.

Concentration of Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company and its subsidiaries to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, investment and mortgage-backed securities and loans.

Cash and cash equivalents include amounts placed with highly rated financial institutions. Securities include securities backed by the U.S. Government and other highly rated instruments. The Bank’s lending activity is primarily concentrated in loans collateralized by real estate in the State of New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area as a result, credit risk related to loans is broadly dependent on the real estate market and general economic conditions in the area.

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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is increased through provisions charged to operations and by recoveries, if any, on previously charged-off loans and reduced by charge-offs on loans which are determined to be a loss in accordance with Bank policy.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to absorb loan losses. Management, in determining the allowance for loan losses, considers the risks inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activities, along with the general economic and real estate market conditions. The Bank utilizes a two-tier approach: (1) identification of impaired loans and establishment of specific loss allowances on such loans; and (2) establishment of general valuation allowances on the remainder of its loan portfolio. The Bank maintains a loan review system which allows for a periodic review of its loan portfolio and the early identification of potentially impaired loans. Such a system takes into consideration, but is not limited to, delinquency status, size of loans, types and value of collateral, and financial condition of the borrowers. Specific loan loss allowances are established for impaired loans based on a review of such information and/or appraisals of the underlying collateral. General loan loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual loan loss experience, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and management’s judgment. Although management believes that adequate specific and general allowances for loan losses are established, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further additions to the level of specific and general loan loss allowances may be necessary.

Impaired loans and performing troubled debt restructure loans (“TDRs”) are analyzed on an individual basis for impairment and are measured based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. A loan evaluated for impairment is deemed to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All loans identified as impaired are evaluated individually. The Bank does not aggregate such loans for evaluation purposes.

When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, interest accruals discontinue and generally, until the loan becomes current, any payments received from the borrower are applied to outstanding principal under the cost recovery method until such time as management determines that the financial condition of the borrower and other factors merit recognition of a portion of such payments as interest income.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Buildings, building improvements, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Significant renovations and additions are charged to the property and equipment account. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense in the period incurred. Depreciation charges are computed on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of each type of asset.


			Years
	Buildings		40
	Building improvements		7 - 40
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		5 - 7
	Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful life or term of lease

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock

Federal law requires a member institution of the FHLB system to purchase and hold restricted stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula. Such stock is carried at cost. The Company reviews for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis of the stock. No impairment charges were recorded related to the FHLB of New York stock during 2022 or 2021.

Other Real Estate Owned

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosures are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Costs relating to development and improvement of property are capitalized, whereas costs relating to the holding of property are expensed. At December 31, 2022, the Bank owned one property totaling $75,000. At December 31, 2021, the Bank owned one property totaling $75,000.

Interest Rate Risk

The Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using these deposits, together with other funds, to make loans primarily secured by real estate and to purchase securities. The potential for interest-rate risk exists as a result of the difference in duration of the Bank’s interest-sensitive liabilities compared to its interest-sensitive assets. For this reason, management regularly monitors the maturity structure of the Bank’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities in order to measure its level of interest-rate risk and to plan for future volatility.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Fair Value Hierarchy

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Company recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans. The right to service loans for others is generally obtained through the sale of loans with servicing retained. The initial asset recognized for originated mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) is measured at fair value. The estimated fair value of MSR is obtained through independent third-party valuations through an analysis of future cash flows, incorporating assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing income, servicing costs, default rates and other market driven data, including the market’s perception of future interest rate movements. MSR are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. We apply the amortization method for measurements of our MSR. MSR are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. MSR impairment, if any, is recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings as a component of fees and service charges. Subsequent increases in the fair value of impaired MSR are recognized only up to the amount of the previously recognized valuation allowance. Fees earned for servicing loans are reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Bank-Owned Life Insurance policies are reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition at cash surrender value. Changes in the net cash surrender value of the policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are reflected in non-interest income on the consolidated statements of operations and are not subject to income taxes.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill resulting from a business combination is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date. Goodwill acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected October 31 as the date to perform the annual goodwill impairment test.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are allocated to the Company and its subsidiaries based upon their respective income or loss included in the consolidated income tax return. Separate state income tax returns are filed by the Company and its subsidiaries.

Federal and state income tax expense has been provided on the basis of reported income. The amounts reflected on the tax returns differ from these provisions due principally to temporary differences in the reporting of certain items for financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes. The tax effect of these temporary differences is accounted for as deferred taxes applicable to future periods. Deferred income tax expense or (benefit) is determined by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance provided, when necessary, for that portion of the asset which is not more likely than not to be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that has a likelihood of being realized on examination of more than 50 percent. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Under the “more likely than not” threshold guidelines, the Company believes no significant uncertain tax positions exist, either individually or in the aggregate, that would give rise to the non-recognition of an existing tax benefit. The Company recognizes interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company did not recognize any interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021. The tax years subject to examination by the Federal taxing authority are the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. The tax years subject to examination by the State taxing authorities are the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018. In 2022, the company received notice that it had been selected for audit by the State of New Jersey for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. The audit was completed in 2022 and resulted in a nominal audit adjustment. In 2022, the Company received notice that it had been selected for an audit by the City of New York for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017. The audit was completed in 2022 and resulted in a nominal audit adjustment.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income less dividends on preferred stock by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The diluted net income per common share is computed by adjusting the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding to include the effects of outstanding stock options, if dilutive, using the treasury stock method. Dilution is not applicable in periods of net loss. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the difference in the weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares was due solely to the effects of outstanding stock options. No adjustments to net income were necessary in calculating basic and diluted net income per share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company had 0 shares considered to be anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had 3,588 shares considered to be anti-dilutive.



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2022					2021
		Net Income	Shares		Per Share		Net Income	Shares		Per Share
		(Numerator)	(Denominator)		Amount		(Numerator)	(Denominator)		Amount
	(In Thousands, Except per share data)
Net income	$	45,579				$	34,240
Basic earnings per share-
Income available to
Common stockholders	$	44,783	16,969	$	2.64	$	33,080	17,063	$	1.94
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options			380					176
Diluted earnings per share-
Income available to
Common stockholders	$	44,783	17,349	$	2.58	$	33,080	17,239	$	1.92

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company, under plans approved by its stockholders in 2018 and 2011, has granted stock options to employees and outside directors. See Note 12 for additional information as to option grants. Compensation expense recognized for option grants is net of estimated forfeitures and is recognized over the awards’ respective requisite service periods. The fair values relating to options granted are estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors, such as implied market volatility using the respective options’ expected term. The Company used the mid-point of the original vesting period and original option life to estimate the options’ expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of option awards, which have graded vesting, on a straight-line basis.

Benefit Plans

The Company acquired, through the merger with Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc., a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering all eligible employees of Pamrapo Savings Bank. Effective January 1, 2010, the defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), was frozen by Pamrapo Savings Bank. All benefits for eligible participants accrued in the Pension Plan to January 1, 2010 have been retained. The benefits are based on years of service and employee’s compensation. The Pension Plan is funded in conformity with funding requirements of applicable government regulations. Prior service costs for the Pension Plan generally are amortized over the estimated remaining service periods of employees.

The Bank entered into a Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (the “SERP Agreement”) with its Chief Executive Officer (“the CEO”) in December 2021. Upon the CEO’s retirement, the Bank will provide for a monthly retirement payment for his lifetime. The SERP Agreement provides that a retirement benefit is payable upon his attaining age sixty-five (65) while in service to the Bank and a lesser benefit is payable upon early retirement. The SERP Agreement provides the CEO with supplemental retirement income payable in the form of a life annuity. Upon the Executive’s separation from service after reaching normal retirement age (age 65), for any reason other than death, benefit payments will commence on the first day of the second month following CEO’s separation from service, payable monthly and continuing for the CEO’s lifetime. The monthly benefit payment will be $10,000. The amount charged to expense follows the vesting schedule in the SERP Agreement and was $328,000 in 2022.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company records unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, on securities available-for-sale in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses, if any, are reclassified to non-interest income upon sale of the related securities or upon the recognition of an impairment loss. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) also includes benefit plan amounts recognized in accordance with ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, which reflect, net of tax, the unrecognized gains (losses) on the benefit plans.

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Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2022, the financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. The amendments n this ASU defer 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. The ASU is effective upon issuance. The FASB had previously issued 2020-04 - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting and related amendments in 2020 to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 were elective and applied to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Inter-bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of the new ASU will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this update eliminate the existing accounting guidance for troubled debt restructures ("TDRs") by creditors in Subtopic 310-40, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors and instead requires that an entity evaluate whether a modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructuring by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. All amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on the Company's financial statements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ASU 2016-13, and related guidance, requires entities to report “expected” credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit rather than the current “incurred loss” model. These expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date are to be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU will also require enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

The amendments are effective for the Company in 2023. The Company engaged a third-party vendor to assist in the development of a CECL model that would be used in the calculation of the allowance for loan and lease losses. The Company also engaged a third-party vendor to perform validation of our model.

There are a number of key factors and assumptions that are involved in the Company’s CECL methodology. The following are some of the factors:

methods based on probability of default and loss given default which are modeled based on macroeconomic scenarios;

a reasonable and supportable forecast period determined based on management’s current review of macroeconomic environment;

a reversion period after the reasonable and supportable forecast period;

estimated prepayment rates based on the Company’s historical experience and future macroeconomic environment; and

incorporation of qualitative factors not captured within the modeled results.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 will result in an allowance for credit losses amount at January 1, 2023. The impact upon adoption will be reflected as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings, net of taxes. The Company is currently finalizing the execution of its implementation controls and concluding the model validation process. The Company does not expect the cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the change in the allowance for credit losses upon adoption to have a material impact on regulatory capital and ratios (unaudited).