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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2025
Notes to Financial Statements |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying consolidated financial statements (“the financial statements”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to practices within the banking industry. Nature of Operations NSTS Bancorp, Inc. was formed to serve as the stock holding company for North Shore Trust and Savings (the “Bank”) in connection with the conversion of North Shore Trust and Savings, NSTS Financial Corporation and North Shore MHC, from the mutual to the stock form of organization, which was completed on January 18, 2022. Shares of NSTS Bancorp, Inc. common stock began trading on January 19, 2022 on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol "NSTS." The Bank operates primarily in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The Bank offers a variety of financial services to customers in the surrounding communities. Financial services consist primarily of one to four-family mortgage loans, savings accounts, and certificate of deposit accounts. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. The Bank’s exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy in the Bank’s market area. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2025 presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may vary from those estimates. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the economic environment and market conditions. In connection with the determination of the estimated losses on loans, management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral. The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination. Due to these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated. Additional material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the determination of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and the valuation of investment securities. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net loss and other changes in net worth which bypass the statement of operations. For all periods presented, other comprehensive income includes only one additional component, the change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and amounts due from banks, including cash items in process of clearing. Time Deposits with Other Financial Institutions Time deposits with other financial institutions are carried at cost and generally mature within the next two years. Investment Securities Securities are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive loss. Discounts are accreted into interest income over the estimated life of the related security and premiums are amortized against income over the earlier of the call date or weighted average life of the related security using the level yield method. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Securities available-for-sale are securities that are intended to be held for indefinite periods of time, but which may not be held to maturity. These securities may be used as a part of the Bank’s asset/liability management strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, deterioration of issuer’s creditworthiness, or due to a desire to increase liquidity. 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 sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the aforementioned criteria exists, the Company will record an ACL related to securities available-for-sale with an offsetting entry to the provision for credit losses on securities on the statement of operations. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the available-for-sale security is uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities, totaling $326,000 and $278,000 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. If either of these criteria does not exist, the Company will evaluate the securities individually to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors, such as market interest rate fluctuations. In evaluating securities available-for sale for potential impairment, the Company considers many factors, including the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, which for debt securities considers external credit ratings and recent downgrades; and its ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value. The Company also considers the extent to which the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, and any guarantee of issued amounts by those agencies. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive loss. Federal Home Loan Bank Stock The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLB. Based on redemption provisions of the FHLB, the stock has no quoted market price and is carried at cost of $605,000 and $585,000 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is evaluated for impairment at each reporting date. Loans Held for Sale Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or market value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights released. Gains or losses are recognized through earnings. Loans The Bank’s loan portfolio includes segments for mortgage loans and consumer loans. Mortgage loans include classes for one to four-family, construction, multi-family, and commercial. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge offs, the allowance for credit losses on loans, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the related loan yield using the interest method, adjusted for prepayments. The accrual of interest on all loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until the loans qualify for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when payment of all the principal and interest amounts contractually due is reasonably assured. Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is an estimate of the expected credit losses on the loans held for investment, unfunded loan commitments, and available-for-sale debt securities portfolios. Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans The ACL is calculated according to GAAP standards and is maintained by management at a level believed adequate to absorb estimated credit losses that are expected to occur within the existing loan portfolio through their contractual terms. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans. Determination of the ACL is inherently subjective in nature since it requires significant estimates and management judgment, and includes a level of imprecision given the difficulty of identifying and assessing the factors impacting loan repayment and estimating the timing and amount of losses. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the ACL is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s direct control, including, but not limited to, the performance of the loan portfolio, consideration of current economic trends, changes in interest rates and property values, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on an analysis that uses historical loss experience for prior periods, portfolio growth and concentration risk, management and staffing changes, the interpretation of loan risk classifications by regulatory authorities and other credit market factors. While each component of the ACL is determined separately, the entire balance is available for the entire loan portfolio. The ACL methodology consists of measuring loans on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified five loan portfolios and measures the ACL using the Scaled CECL Allowance for Losses Estimator (“SCALE”) method. The loan portfolios are one- to four-family residential real estate, commercial real estate, multi-family real estate, construction and consumer. The SCALE method uses publicly available data from Schedule RI-C of the Call Report to derive the initial proxy expected lifetime loss rates. These proxy expected lifetime loss rates are then adjusted for bank-specific facts and circumstances to arrive at the final ACL estimate that adequately reflects the Company’s loss history and credit risk within our portfolio. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows: Mortgage Loans One- to four-family mortgage loans in this segment are made to individuals. The loans are secured by real estate with the Bank typically in a first lien position. The Bank generally does not grant loans that would be classified as subprime upon origination. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Although terms for commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans vary, our underwriting standards generally allow for terms not exceeding 30 years and loan-to-value ratios of not more than 75%. Interest rates are typically adjustable, based upon designated market indices such as The Wall Street Journal prime rate, or fixed-rate, and fees are charged to the borrower at the origination of the loan. The actual lives of such loans generally are less than their contractual terms to maturity due to prepayments and re-financings. Generally, we obtain personal guarantees of the principals as additional collateral for commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans. Commercial real estate and multi-family residential lending involve a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential lending. These risks include larger loans to individual borrowers and loan payments that are dependent upon the successful operation of the project or the borrower’s business. These risks can be affected by supply and demand conditions of rental housing units, office and retail space and other commercial space in the project’s market area. We attempt to minimize these risks for loans we originate by soliciting loans from businesses with existing operating performance. We also use conservative debt coverage ratios in our underwriting, and periodically monitor the operation of the business or project and the physical condition of the property. Construction lending is generally originated with a loan-to-value ratio, based on the estimated cost to construct, less than or equal to 80%. Additionally, the construction loan terms generally include interest only payments for the first 18 months. The overall costs of construction, building material supply chain and health of the economy, including housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Consumer Loans Loans in this segment are generally to individuals and are supported by non-real estate collateral, such as deposit accounts and personal property. Unsecured loans are also included in this segment. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower or borrowers. The qualitative factors applied to each loan portfolio consist of the impact of other internal and external qualitative and credit market factors as assessed by management through a detailed loan review, ACL analysis and credit discussions. These internal and external qualitative and credit market factors include:
| ● |  | changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collections, charge-offs and recovery practices;
| ● |  | changes in international, national, regional and local conditions;
| ● |  | changes in the experience, depth and ability of lending management;
| ● |  | changes in the volume and severity of past due loans and other similar loan conditions;
| ● |  | changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans;
| ● |  | the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the levels of such concentrations;
| ● |  | effects of other external factors, such as competition, legal or regulatory factors, on the level of estimated credit losses;
| ● |  | changes in the quality of our loan review functions; and
| ● |  | changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.
The impact of the above listed internal and external qualitative and credit market risk factors is assessed within predetermined ranges to adjust the ACL totals calculated. In addition to the pooled analysis performed for the majority of our loan and commitment balances, we also review those loans that have collateral dependency or nonperforming status which requires a specific review of that loan, per our individually analyzed CECL calculations. Loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed, while recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the ACL. Approved releases from previously established ACL reserves authorized under our ACL methodology also reduce the ACL. Additions to the ACL are established through the provision for credit losses on loans, which is charged to expense. The Company’s ACL methodology is intended to reflect all loan portfolio risk, but management recognizes the inability to accurately depict all future credit losses in a current ACL estimate, as the impact of various factors cannot be fully known. Accrued interest receivable on loans, totaling $577,000 and $560,000 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, is excluded from the amortized cost basis of financing receivables for the purpose of determining the allowance for credit losses. Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Loan Commitments The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk by a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The ACL related to off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is within other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, is estimated at each balance sheet date under the CECL model, and is adjusted as determined necessary through the provision for credit losses on the statement of operations. The estimate for ACL on unfunded loan commitments includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. Premises and Equipment Land is stated at cost. Property, improvements, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is determined under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of assets:
|  | Years |
Land improvements |  |  | 3 - 10 |
Office building and improvements |  |  | 10 - 40 |
Furniture and equipment |  |  | 3 - 10 |
Income Taxes Deferred taxes are recognized using the asset/liability method. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, operating loss and tax credit carryforwards; deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the financial statement amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceed the amount measured as described above, if any, is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet, along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are classified as additional income taxes in the statement of operations. Bank management believes that the Bank maintains no uncertain tax positions for tax reporting purposes and accordingly, no liability is required to be recorded. The Bank is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. Other Real Estate Owned Property acquired in satisfaction of debt or through foreclosure is carried at the lower of cost or market value less estimated costs to sell. At foreclosure, if the fair value of the property acquired is less than the recorded investment in the related loan, a reduction in the carrying amount of the loan is recognized with a charge to the allowance for credit losses. The cost of carrying the assets subsequent to foreclosure and any decrease in the market value occurring after that date are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Bank-owned Life Insurance The Bank purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount estimated to be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due which are probable at settlement. Service Charges on Deposits Service charges on deposits represent general service fees for monthly account maintenance and activity or transaction-based fees and consist of transaction-based revenue, time-based revenue (service period), item-based revenue, or some other individual attribute-based revenue. Revenue is recognized when the Bank’s performance obligation is completed, which is generally monthly for account maintenance services or when a transaction has been completed (such as a wire transfer). Payment for such performance obligations are generally received at the time performance obligations are satisfied. Operating Segments The Company's revenue is primarily derived from the business of banking. The Company's financial performance is monitored on consolidated basis by Mr. Stephen Lear, CEO and Chairman of the Board, who is considered to be the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"). Financial performance is reported to the CODM monthly, and the primary measure of performance is consolidated net income. The allocation of resources throughout the Company is determined annually based upon consolidated net income performance. The presentation of financial performance to the CODM is consistent with amounts and financial statement line items shown in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company's significant expenses are adequately segmented by category and amount in the consolidated statements of operations to include all significant items when considering both qualitative and quantitative factors. Significant expenses of the Company include salaries and employee benefits, equipment and occupancy expense, data processing, professional services and advertising. All of the Company’s financial results are similar and considered by management to be aggregated into one reportable operating segment. While the Company has assigned certain management responsibilities by business-line, the Company’s CODM evaluates financial performance on a Company-wide basis. The Company's assigned business lines have similar economic characteristics, products, services and customers. Accordingly, all of the Company’s operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. Dividend Restrictions Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the holding company or by the holding company to its stockholders. Transfers of Financial Assets Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Bank, 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 the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before maturity. Stock Based Compensation The Company maintains an equity incentive plan under which restricted stock and stock options may be granted to employees and directors, see Note 11. The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. The Company estimates the per share fair value of option grants on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using assumptions for the expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term. These assumptions are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. The Black-Scholes option pricing model also contains certain inherent limitations when applied to options that are not traded on public markets. The per share fair value of options is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions. In general, the per share fair value of options will move in the same direction as changes in the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term, and in the opposite direction as changes in the expected dividend yield. For example, the per share fair value of options will generally increase as expected stock price volatility increases, risk-free interest rate increases, expected option term increases and expected dividend yield decreases. The use of different assumptions or different option pricing models could result in materially different per share fair values of options. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which have graded vesting, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize forfeitures as they occur. Forfeited shares are added back to the pool of shares available for future grants. Employee Stock Ownership Plan The ESOP shares pledged as collateral are reported as unearned ESOP shares in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As shares are committed to be released from collateral, the Bank reports compensation expense equal to the average market price of the shares during the year, and the shares become outstanding for basic net income per common share computations. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares reduce retained earnings; dividends on unearned ESOP shares reduce the ESOP’s debt and accrued interest. Treasury Stock Treasury stock acquired is recorded at cost and is carried as a reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Treasury stock issued is valued based on the “last in, first out” inventory method. The difference between the consideration received upon issuance and the carrying value is charged or credited to additional paid-in capital. Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unallocated ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations. ESOP shares committed to be released are considered to be outstanding for purposes of the earnings per share computation. ESOP shares that have not been legally released, but that relate to employee services rendered during an accounting period (interim or annual) ending before the related debt service payment is made, are considered committed to be released. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483426/235-10-50-1 + Details
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