Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

2. Use of Estimates: The consolidated financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP.”) To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, the allowance for credit losses, goodwill, and deferred taxes.

4. Loans: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, adjusted for deferred loan origination costs, net, discounts on purchased loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance unless the collectability of the loan is in doubt. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Interest income on one- to four-family residential loans is generally discontinued at the time a loan is 180 days delinquent and on other loans at the time a loan is 90 days delinquent. All other loans are moved to non-accrual status in accordance with the Company’s policy, typically 90 days after the loan becomes delinquent. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Credit Losses

6. Allowance for Credit Losses: The allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, trends in the level of delinquent and problem loans, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current and anticipated economic conditions in the primary lending area. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

Residential Real Estate

Our primary lending activity is the origination of mortgage loans, which enable a borrower to purchase or refinance existing homes in the Banks’ respective market areas. We further classify our residential real estate loans as one- to four-family (owner-occupied vs nonowner-occupied), multi-family or construction. We believe that our first mortgage position on loans secured by residential real estate presents lower risk than our other loans, with the exception of loans secured by deposits.

We offer a mix of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 30 years for owner-occupied properties. For these properties a borrower may be able to borrow up to 95% of the value with private mortgage insurance. Alternatively, the borrower may be able to borrow up to 90% of the value through other programs offered by the bank.

We offer loans on one- to four-family rental properties at a maximum of 80% loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio and we generally charge a slightly higher interest rate on such loans.

We also originate loans to individuals to finance the construction of residential dwellings for personal use or for use as rental property. We occasionally lend to builders for construction of speculative or custom residential properties for resale, but on a limited basis. Construction loans are generally less than one year in length, do not exceed 80% of the appraised value, and provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase. Funds are disbursed as progress is made toward completion of the construction.

Multi-family and Nonresidential Loans

We offer mortgage loans secured by residential multi-family (five or more units), and nonresidential real estate. Nonresidential real estate loans are comprised generally of commercial office buildings, churches and properties used for other purposes. Generally, these loans are originated for 25 years or less and do not exceed 80% of the appraised value. Loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. These loans depend on the borrower’s creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the project. Payments on loans secured by income properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment on such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market or economy than owner-occupied residential loans.

Consumer lending

Our consumer loans include home equity lines of credit, loans secured by savings deposits, automobile loans, and unsecured loans. Home equity loans are generally second mortgage loans subordinate only to first mortgages also held by the bank and do not exceed 80% of the estimated value of the property. We do offer home equity loans up to 90% of the estimated value to qualified borrowers and these loans carry a premium interest rate. Loans secured by savings are originated up to 90% of the depositor’s savings account balance and bear interest at a rate higher than the rate paid on the deposit account. Because the deposit account must be pledged as collateral to secure the loan, the inherent risk of this type of loan is minimal. Loans secured by automobiles are made directly to consumers (there are no relationships with dealers) and are based on the value of the vehicle and the borrower’s creditworthiness. Vehicle loans present a higher level of risk because of the natural decline in the value of the property as well as its mobility. Unsecured loans are based entirely on the borrower’s creditworthiness and present the highest level of risk to the bank.

The Banks choose the most appropriate method for accounting for impaired loans. For secured loans, which make up the vast majority of the loans in the Banks’ portfolio, this method involves determining the fair value of the collateral, reduced by estimated selling costs. Where appropriate, the Banks would account for impaired loans by determining the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Although most of our loans are secured by collateral, we rely heavily on the capacity of our borrowers to generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt. As a result, our loans do not become collateral-dependent until there is deterioration in the borrower’s cash flow and financial condition, which makes it necessary for us to look to the collateral for our sole source of repayment. Collateral-dependent loans which are more than ninety days delinquent are considered to constitute more than a minimum delay in repayment and are evaluated for impairment under the policy at that time.

We utilize updated independent appraisals to determine fair value for collateral-dependent loans, adjusted for estimated selling costs, in determining our specific reserve. In some situations, management does not secure an updated independent appraisal. These situations may involve small loan amounts or loans that, in management’s opinion, have an abnormally low loan-to-value ratio.

With respect to the Banks’ investment in troubled debt restructurings, multi-family and nonresidential loans, and the evaluation of impairment thereof, such loans are nonhomogenous and, as such, may be deemed to be collateral-dependent when they become more than 90 days delinquent. We obtain updated independent appraisals in these situations or when we suspect that the previous appraisal may no longer be reflective of the property’s current fair value. This process varies from loan to loan, borrower to borrower, and also varies based on the nature of the collateral.

Real Estate Owned

8. Real Estate Owned: Real estate acquired through or instead of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling expenses at the date of acquisition, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequently, the carrying value is adjusted through a valuation allowance and the amount is recorded through expense. Costs relating to holding real estate owned, net of rental income, are charged against earnings as incurred.

Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent that the amount of net deductible temporary differences or carryforward attributes may be utilized against current period earnings, carried back against prior years’ earnings, offset against taxable temporary differences reversing in future periods, or utilized to the extent of management’s estimate of future taxable income. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax liabilities are provided on the total amount of net temporary differences taxable in the future.

A tax provision 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 is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense.

Kentucky First Federal Bancorp and Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc., each are subject to state income taxes in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020.

Earnings Per Share

12. Earnings Per Share: Diluted earnings per share is computed taking into consideration common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares to be issued or released under the Company’s share-based compensation plans. There is no adjustment to net earnings for the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The factors used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the fiscal years ended June 30 follow:

	For the fiscal year ended
	June 30,
	2024			2023
Net income (loss) allocated to common shareholders, basic and diluted	$	(1,721,000	)	$	933,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	(0.21	)	$	0.11

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		8,098,715			8,131,568

Basic earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted-average shares outstanding during the year (which excludes treasury shares) less average shares in the ESOP that are unallocated and not committed to be released. There were no options outstanding for fiscal years 2024 and 2023.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

14. Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions with original maturities of less than ninety days.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

16. Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance: First Federal of Kentucky has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Related Party Transactions

18. Related Party Transactions: Loans outstanding to executive officers, directors, significant shareholders and their affiliates (related parties) at June 30, 2024 and 2023 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)	2024			2023
Outstanding principal, beginning of year	$	480		$	688
Changes in composition of related parties		338			-
Principal disbursed during the year		194			-
Principal repaid and refinanced during the year		(33	)		(208	)
Outstanding principal, end of year	$	979		$	480

Deposits from related parties held by the Company at June 30, 2024 and 2023 totaled $1.7 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

In management’s opinion, such loans and other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. Further, in management’s opinion, these loans did not involve more than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

Revenue Recognition

20. Revenue Recognition: The Company’s revenue-generating activities accounted for under Topic 606 includes primarily service charges and fees on deposits and other service charges and fees and comprise the majority of other non-interest income on the statement of income. Service charges and fees on deposits are primarily debit card interchange fees and automatic teller machine (“ATM”) surcharge fees. To a lesser extent service charges and fees also include overdraft fees, dormant account fees, and service charges on checking and savings accounts. Overdraft fees are recognized at the time an account is overdrawn. Dormant account fees are recognized when an account is inactive for at least 365 days. Service charges on checking and savings accounts are primarily account maintenance services performed and recognized in the same calendar month. Other deposit-based service charges and fees include transaction-based services completed at the request of the customer and recognized at the time the transaction is completed. These transaction-based services include ATM usage and stop payment services. All service charges and fees on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account at the time the service is provided.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

22. Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments: Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Operating Segments

24. Operating Segments: While the chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Operating segments are aggregated into one as operating results for all segments are similar. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

New Accounting Standards

26. New Accounting Standards:

FASB ASC 326 - In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard requires credit losses on most financial assets and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model. Under this model entities estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument (considering estimated prepayments, but not expected extensions or modifications) from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. The ASU replaces the current accounting model for purchased credit impaired and debt securities. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination (referred to as “PCD assets”), should be determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis. However, upon initial recognition, the allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price to determine the initial amortized cost basis. The subsequent accounting for PCD financial assets is the same expected loss model described herein.

The Company will now use forward-looking information to enhance its credit loss estimates. The amendment requires enhanced disclosures to aid investors and other users of financial statements to better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of our portfolio. The largest impact to the Company was on its allowance for loan and lease losses, although the ASU also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, held-to-maturity securities, and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The standard was effective for public companies for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. However, the FASB delayed the implementation of the ASU for smaller reporting companies until years beginning after December 15, 2022, or in the Company’s case the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. ASU 2016-13 was applied through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings (modified-retrospective approach).

In addition, ASC 326 made changes to the accounting for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. One such change requires credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on AFS securities. Management does not intend to sell or believes that it is more likely than not that they will be required to sell.

We adopted ASC 326 effective July 1, 2023, using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet (“OBS”) credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after July 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.

Upon adoption of the ASU we recorded an increase in the allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) for loans which represented a $497,000 increase from the Allowance for Loan Losses (“ALLL”) at June 30, 2023. This transaction further resulted in an increase of $54,000 to the ACL for unfunded commitments, a decrease of $414,000 to retained earnings and a deferred tax asset of $137,000.