Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses | Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses The Bank makes loans to customers primarily in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and surrounding communities. A substantial portion of the Bank's loan portfolio consists of loans to businesses secured by real estate and other business assets. Loans, net of unamortized deferred fees and costs, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized by portfolio segment as follows: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands, except amounts in the footnote) Amount % Amount % Commercial $ 1,408,767 18 % $ 1,473,766 18 % PPP loans 467 — % 528 — % Income-producing - commercial real estate 4,040,655 50 % 4,094,614 51 % Owner-occupied - commercial real estate 1,185,582 15 % 1,172,239 15 % Real estate mortgage - residential 72,087 1 % 73,396 1 % Construction - commercial and residential 1,082,556 13 % 969,766 12 % Construction - C&I (owner-occupied) 138,379 2 % 132,021 2 % Home equity 53,251 1 % 51,964 1 % Other consumer 958 — % 401 — % Total loans 7,982,702 100 % 7,968,695 100 % Less: allowance for credit losses (99,684) (85,940) Net loans (1) $ 7,883,018 $ 7,882,755 (1) Excludes accrued interest receivable of $46.3 million and $45.3 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which were recorded in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unamortized net deferred fees and costs amounted to $24.1 million and $27.0 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank serviced $334.1 million and $328.0 million, respectively, of multifamily FHA loans, SBA loans and other loan participations that are not reflected as loan balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Real estate loans are secured primarily by duly recorded first deeds of trust or mortgages. In some cases, the Bank may accept a recorded junior trust position. In general, borrowers will have a proven ability to build, lease, manage and/or sell a commercial or residential project and demonstrate satisfactory financial condition. Additionally, an equity contribution toward the project is customarily required. Construction loans require that the financial condition and experience of the general contractor and major subcontractors be satisfactory to the Bank. Guaranteed, fixed-price contracts are required whenever appropriate, along with payment and performance bonds or completion bonds for larger scale projects. Loans intended for residential land acquisition, lot development and construction are made on the premise that the land: 1) is or will be developed for building sites for residential structures, and 2) will ultimately be utilized for construction or improvement of residential zoned real properties, including the creation of housing. Residential development and construction loans will finance projects such as single family subdivisions, planned unit developments, townhouses, and condominiums. Residential land acquisition, development and construction loans generally are underwritten with a maximum term of 36 months, including extensions approved at origination. Commercial land acquisition and construction loans are secured by real property where loan funds will be used to acquire land and to construct or improve appropriately zoned real property for the creation of income producing or owner occupied commercial properties. Borrowers are generally required to put equity into each project at levels determined by the appropriate approval authority. Commercial land acquisition and construction loans generally are underwritten with a maximum term of 24 months. Substantially all construction draw requests must be presented in writing on American Institute of Architects documents and certified either by the contractor, the borrower and/or the borrower's architect. Each draw request shall also include the borrower's soft cost breakdown certified by the borrower or their agent. Prior to an advance, the Bank or its contractor inspects the project to determine that the work has been completed, to justify the draw requisition. Commercial permanent loans are generally secured by improved real property that is generating income in the normal course of operation. Debt service coverage, assuming stabilized occupancy, must be satisfactory to support a permanent loan. The debt service coverage ratio is ordinarily at least 1.15 to 1.0. As part of the underwriting process, debt service coverage ratios are stress tested assuming a 200 basis point increase in interest rates from their current levels. Commercial permanent loans generally are underwritten with a term not greater than 10 years or the remaining useful life of the property, whichever is lower. The preferred term is between 5 to 7 years, with amortization to a maximum of 25 years. The Company's loan portfolio includes acquisition, development and construction ("ADC") real estate loans including both investment and owner-occupied projects. ADC loans amounted to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2024. A portion of the ADC portfolio, both speculative and non-speculative, includes loan-funded interest reserves at origination. ADC loans that provide for the use of interest reserves represent approximately 58.5% of the outstanding ADC loan portfolio at March 31, 2024. The decision to establish a loan-funded interest reserve is made upon origination of the ADC loan and is based upon a number of factors considered during underwriting of the credit, including: (1) the feasibility of the project; (2) the experience of the sponsor; (3) the creditworthiness of the borrower and guarantors; (4) the borrower equity contribution; and (5) the level of collateral protection. When appropriate, an interest reserve provides a means of addressing the cash flow characteristics of a properly underwritten ADC loan. The Company does not significantly utilize interest reserves in other loan products. The Company recognizes that one of the risks inherent in the use of interest reserves is the potential masking of underlying problems with the project and/or the borrower's ability to repay the loan. In order to mitigate these inherent risks, the Company employs a series of reporting and monitoring mechanisms on all ADC loans, whether or not an interest reserve is provided, including: (1) construction and development timelines that are monitored on an ongoing basis and track the progress of a given project to the timeline projected at origination; (2) a construction loan administration department independent of the lending function; (3) third party independent construction loan inspection reports; (4) monthly interest reserve monitoring reports detailing the balance of the interest reserves approved at origination and the days of interest carry represented by the reserve balances as compared to the then current anticipated time to completion and/or sale of speculative projects; and (5) quarterly commercial real estate construction meetings among senior Company management, which include monitoring of current and projected real estate market conditions. If a project has not performed as expected, it is not the customary practice of the Company to increase loan funded interest reserves. The following table details activity in the ACL by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. PPP loans are excluded from these tables since they do not carry an allowance for credit loss, as these loans are fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the SBA, whose guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories. (dollars in thousands) Commercial Income-Producing Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied -Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Mortgage Residential Construction - Commercial and Residential Construction - C&I (Owner-Occupied) Home Equity Other Consumer Total Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Allowance for credit losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 17,824 $ 40,050 $ 14,333 $ 861 $ 10,198 $ 1,992 $ 657 $ 25 $ 85,940 Loans charged-off (496) (20,943) — — (129) — — (1) (21,569) Recoveries of loans previously charged-off 115 — 24 — — — — — 139 Net loans (charged-off) recovered (381) (20,943) 24 — (129) — — (1) (21,430) Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 6,239 26,830 (820) 32 2,989 (63) (39) 6 35,174 Ending balance $ 23,682 $ 45,937 $ 13,537 $ 893 $ 13,058 $ 1,929 $ 618 $ 30 $ 99,684 Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Allowance for credit losses: Balance at beginning of period $ 15,655 $ 35,688 $ 12,702 $ 969 $ 7,195 $ 1,606 $ 555 $ 74 $ 74,444 Loans charged-off (868) — — — (136) — — (50) (1,054) Recoveries of loans previously charged-off 76 — — — — — — 3 79 Net loans (charged-off) recovered (792) — — — (136) — — (47) (975) Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 912 2,452 (245) 33 1,682 36 38 — 4,908 Ending balance $ 15,775 $ 38,140 $ 12,457 $ 1,002 $ 8,741 $ 1,642 $ 593 $ 27 $ 78,377 The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class of loans as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Business/Other Business/Other (dollars in thousands) Assets Real Estate Assets Real Estate Commercial $ 1,532 $ 1,218 $ 1,674 $ 1,240 Income-producing - commercial real estate 878 66,724 1,754 39,172 Owner-occupied - commercial real estate — 19,798 — 19,836 Real estate mortgage - residential — 1,692 — 1,692 Construction - commercial and residential — — — 525 Home equity — 237 — 242 Total $ 2,410 $ 89,669 $ 3,428 $ 62,707 Credit Quality Indicators The Company uses several credit quality indicators to manage credit risk in an ongoing manner. The Company's primary credit quality indicators inform an internal credit risk rating system that categorizes loans into pass, watch, special mention, or classified categories. Credit risk ratings are applied individually to those classes of loans that have significant or unique credit characteristics that benefit from a case-by-case evaluation. These are typically loans to businesses or individuals in the classes that comprise the commercial portfolio segment. Groups of loans that are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, such as statistical models (e.g., credit scoring or payment performance), are typically risk rated and monitored collectively. These are typically loans to individuals in the classes that comprise the consumer portfolio segment. The following are the definitions of the Company's credit quality indicators: Pass: Loans in all classes that comprise the commercial and consumer portfolio segments that are not adversely rated, are contractually current as to principal and interest, and are otherwise in compliance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management believes that there is a low likelihood of loss related to those loans that are considered pass. Special Mention: Loans in the classes that comprise the commercial portfolio segment that have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If not addressed, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan. The special mention credit quality indicator is not used for classes of loans that comprise the consumer portfolio segment. Management believes that there is a moderate likelihood of some loss related to those loans that are considered special mention. Classified: Classified (a) Substandard – Loans inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard loans, does not have to exist in individual loans classified substandard. Classified (b) Doubtful – Loans that have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan classified substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the assets, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. The Company's credit quality indicators are generally updated annually, however, credits rated "Special Mention" or below are reviewed more frequently. Based on the most recent analysis performed, the amortized cost basis of loans by risk category, class and year of origination, along with any charge-offs that were recorded in the applicable loan segment, if applicable, were as follows: (dollars in thousands) Prior 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Revolving Loans Amort. Cost Basis Revolving Loans Convert. to Term Total March 31, 2024 Commercial Pass $ 193,755 $ 35,451 $ 174,103 $ 141,181 $ 187,057 $ 24,604 $ 569,226 $ 1,154 $ 1,326,531 Special Mention 8,493 — — — — — 4,286 8,058 20,837 Substandard 13,771 9,371 1,538 281 — — 36,438 — 61,399 Total 216,019 44,822 175,641 141,462 187,057 24,604 609,950 9,212 1,408,767 YTD gross charge-offs (396) — — — — — (100) — (496) PPP loans Pass — — 467 — — — — — 467 Income producing - commercial real estate Pass 1,452,244 308,573 559,404 755,375 299,264 26,251 243,343 19,359 3,663,813 Special Mention 170,118 6,744 — — — — — — 176,862 Substandard 199,980 — — — — — — — 199,980 Total 1,822,342 315,317 559,404 755,375 299,264 26,251 243,343 19,359 4,040,655 YTD gross charge-offs (20,943) — — — — — — — (20,943) Owner occupied - commercial real estate Pass 628,063 34,703 222,361 41,514 126,663 4,590 515 — 1,058,409 Special Mention 61,117 — — — — — — — 61,117 Substandard 64,791 1,265 — — — — — — 66,056 Total 753,971 35,968 222,361 41,514 126,663 4,590 515 — 1,185,582 Real estate mortgage - residential Pass 29,496 2,175 15,668 14,689 5,889 — — — 67,917 Substandard 4,170 — — — — — — — 4,170 Total 33,666 2,175 15,668 14,689 5,889 — — — 72,087 Construction - commercial and residential Pass 77,388 11,101 241,373 485,461 89,757 3,874 136,092 1,177 1,046,223 Special Mention 6,532 — — — — — — — 6,532 Substandard — 29,801 — — — — — — 29,801 Total 83,920 40,902 241,373 485,461 89,757 3,874 136,092 1,177 1,082,556 YTD gross charge-offs (129) — — — — — — — (129) Construction - C&I (owner occupied) Pass 26,151 56,094 615 33,242 15,084 — 7,193 — 138,379 Home equity Pass 1,758 86 185 117 — — 50,589 146 52,881 Substandard 71 — 237 — — — 62 — 370 Total 1,829 86 422 117 — — 50,651 146 53,251 Other consumer Pass 2 — — — — — 956 — 958 Total 2 — — — — — 956 — 958 YTD gross charge-offs — — — — — — — (1) (1) Total recorded investment $ 2,937,900 $ 495,364 $ 1,215,951 $ 1,471,860 $ 723,714 $ 59,319 $ 1,048,700 $ 29,894 $ 7,982,702 Total YTD gross charge-offs $ (21,468) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (100) $ (1) $ (21,569) (dollars in thousands) Prior 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Revolving Loans Amort. Cost Basis Revolving Loans Convert. to Term Total December 31, 2023 Commercial Pass $ 157,563 $ 48,524 $ 39,133 $ 194,555 $ 149,320 $ 191,889 $ 623,684 $ 5,207 $ 1,409,875 Special Mention 1,415 — — — — — 2,259 — 3,674 Substandard 13,797 58 10,337 1,509 222 — 33,670 624 60,217 Total 172,775 48,582 49,470 196,064 149,542 191,889 659,613 5,831 1,473,766 YTD gross charge-offs (885) — — — — — — (1,135) (2,020) PPP loans Pass — — — 528 — — — — 528 Income producing - commercial real estate Pass 1,257,937 326,999 328,743 517,957 732,291 327,126 263,317 1,845 3,756,215 Special Mention 84,585 44,424 6,740 — — — — — 135,749 Substandard 139,961 62,689 — — — — — — 202,650 Total 1,482,483 434,112 335,483 517,957 732,291 327,126 263,317 1,845 4,094,614 YTD gross charge-offs (11,817) — — — — — — — (11,817) Owner occupied - commercial real estate Pass 534,525 103,034 35,385 202,776 41,907 125,934 673 55 1,044,289 Special Mention 54,288 13,348 — — — — — — 67,636 Substandard 37,167 — 1,274 — — — — 21,873 60,314 Total 625,980 116,382 36,659 202,776 41,907 125,934 673 21,928 1,172,239 Real estate mortgage - residential Pass 22,877 7,545 2,186 15,967 14,756 5,895 — — 69,226 Substandard 4,170 — — — — — — — 4,170 Total 27,047 7,545 2,186 15,967 14,756 5,895 — — 73,396 Construction - commercial and residential Pass 30,619 3,440 45,739 251,038 419,393 87,400 124,013 — 961,642 Substandard 8,124 — — — — — — — 8,124 Total 38,743 3,440 45,739 251,038 419,393 87,400 124,013 — 969,766 YTD Gross Charge-offs (136) (5,500) — — — — — — (5,636) Construction - C&I (owner occupied) Pass 18,551 4,265 56,361 618 33,237 12,619 6,370 — 132,021 Home equity Pass 1,590 — 87 151 118 — 49,035 643 51,624 Substandard — 36 — — — — 62 242 340 Total 1,590 36 87 151 118 — 49,097 885 51,964 Other consumer Pass 1 — — — 46 — 354 — 401 Total 1 — — — 46 — 354 — 401 YTD gross charge-offs (50) — — — — — — — (50) Total recorded investment $ 2,367,170 $ 614,362 $ 525,985 $ 1,185,099 $ 1,391,290 $ 750,863 $ 1,103,437 $ 30,489 $ 7,968,695 Total YTD gross charge-offs $ (12,888) $ (5,500) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (1,135) $ (19,523) Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The following table presents, by portfolio segment the nonaccrual loans on an amortized cost basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023: (dollars in thousands, except amounts in footnotes) Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit Losses Nonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit Losses Total Nonaccrual Loans March 31, 2024 Commercial $ 1,045 $ 875 $ 1,920 Income producing - commercial real estate 67,602 — 67,602 Owner occupied - commercial real estate 19,798 — 19,798 Real estate mortgage - residential — 1,934 1,934 Home equity 237 — 237 Total (1) $ 88,682 $ 2,809 $ 91,491 December 31, 2023 Commercial $ 1,002 $ 1,047 $ 2,049 Income producing - commercial real estate 40,926 — 40,926 Owner occupied - commercial real estate 19,836 — 19,836 Real estate mortgage - residential — 1,946 1,946 Construction - commercial and residential — 525 525 Home equity 242 — 242 Total (1) $ 62,006 $ 3,518 $ 65,524 (1) Gross coupon interest income of approximately $1.3 million and $182 thousand would have been recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, if nonaccrual loans shown above had been current and in accordance with their original terms, while no coupon interest income was actually recorded on such loans for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The table presents, by portfolio segment, an aging analysis and the recorded investments in loans past due on an amortized cost basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023: (dollars in thousands) Loans 30-59 Days Past Due Loans 60-89 Days Past Due Loans 90 Days or More Past Due Total Past Due Loans Current Loans Nonaccrual Loans Total Recorded Investment in Loans March 31, 2024 Commercial $ 11,175 $ — $ — $ 11,175 $ 1,395,672 $ 1,920 $ 1,408,767 PPP loans — — — — 467 — 467 Income producing - commercial real estate 11,106 — — 11,106 3,961,947 67,602 4,040,655 Owner occupied - commercial real estate — — — — 1,165,784 19,798 1,185,582 Real estate mortgage - residential 199 — — 199 69,954 1,934 72,087 Construction - commercial and residential 8,590 — — 8,590 1,073,966 — 1,082,556 Construction - C&I (owner occupied) — — — — 138,379 — 138,379 Home equity — 36 — 36 52,978 237 53,251 Other consumer 2 — — 2 956 — 958 Total $ 31,072 $ 36 $ — $ 31,108 $ 7,860,103 $ 91,491 $ 7,982,702 December 31, 2023 Commercial $ 985 $ 7,048 $ — $ 8,033 $ 1,463,684 $ 2,049 $ 1,473,766 PPP loans — — — — 528 — 528 Income producing - commercial real estate — — — — 4,053,688 40,926 4,094,614 Owner occupied - commercial real estate 1,274 — — 1,274 1,151,129 19,836 1,172,239 Real estate mortgage – residential 2,089 — — 2,089 69,361 1,946 73,396 Construction - commercial and residential 2,056 — — 2,056 967,185 525 969,766 Construction - C&I (owner occupied) — — — — 132,021 — 132,021 Home equity 197 — — 197 51,525 242 51,964 Other consumer — — — — 401 — 401 Total $ 6,601 $ 7,048 $ — $ 13,649 $ 7,889,522 $ 65,524 $ 7,968,695 Loan Modifications for Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty The Company evaluates all loan restructurings according to the accounting guidance for loan modifications to determine if the restructuring results in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties that result in a direct change in the timing or amount of contractual cash flows include situations where there is principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions, and combinations of the listed modifications. Therefore, the disclosures related to loan restructurings are for modifications which have a direct impact on cash flows. The Company may offer various types of modifications when restructuring a loan. Commercial and industrial loans modified in a loan restructuring often involve temporary interest-only payments, term extensions, and converting revolving credit lines to term loans. Additional collateral, a co-borrower, or a guarantor is often requested. Commercial mortgage and construction loans modified in a loan restructuring often involve reducing the interest rate for the remaining term of the loan, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, or substituting or adding a new borrower or guarantor. Construction loans modified in a loan restructuring may also involve extending the interest-only payment period. Loans modified in a loan restructuring for the Company may have the financial effect of increasing the specific allowance associated with the loan. An allowance for consumer and commercial loans that have been modified in a loan restructuring is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs, if the loan is collateral dependent. Management exercises significant judgment in developing these estimates. Commercial and consumer loans modified in a loan restructuring are closely monitored for delinquency as an early indicator of possible future default. If loans modified in a loan restructuring subsequently default, the Company evaluates the loan for possible further loss. The allowance may be increased, adjustments may be made in the allocation of the allowance, or partial charge-offs may be taken to further write-down the carrying value of the loan. The following tables present the amortized cost basis as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 and the financial effect of loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: March 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands) Term Extension Combination - Term Extension and Principal Payment Delay Total Percentage of Total Loan Type Weighted Average Term and Principal Payment Extension Three months ended March 31, 2024: Commercial $ 31,553 $ — $ 31,553 2.2 % 4 months Income producing - commercial real estate — 50,926 50,926 1.3 % 3 months Real estate mortgage - residential — 2,478 2,478 3.4 % 6 months Total $ 31,553 $ 53,404 $ 84,957 March 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands) Term Extension Combination - Term Extension and Principal Payment Delay Total Percentage of Total Loan Type Weighted Average Term and Principal Payment Extension Three months ended March 31, 2023: Commercial $ 21,744 $ — $ 21,744 1.5 % 3 months Income producing - commercial real estate 7,211 60,139 67,350 1.7 % 4 months Owner occupied - commercial real estate — 19,170 19,170 1.8 % 3 months Total $ 28,955 $ 79,309 $ 108,264 The following table presents the performance of loans modified during the prior twelve months to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty: March 31, 2024 Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis) (dollars in thousands) Current 30-89 Days Past Due Nonaccrual Commercial $ 37,308 $ 1,467 $ — Income producing - commercial real estate 104,463 — 66,136 Owner occupied - commercial real estate — — 19,127 Real estate mortgage - residential 2,478 — — Construction - commercial and residential — 6,532 — Total $ 144,249 $ 7,999 $ 85,263 The Company monitors loan payments on performing and nonperforming loans on an on-going basis to determine if a loan is considered to have a payment default. To determine the existence of a payment default, the Company analyzes the economic conditions that exist for each borrower and their ability to generate positive cash flow during a given loan's term. The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing payment default at March 31, 2024 and were modified in the twelve months prior to that default to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty: March 31, 2024 Amortized Cost Basis (dollars in thousands) Term Extension Combination - Term Extension and Principal Payment Delay Combination - Term Extension, Principal Payment Delay and Interest Rate Reduction Commercial $ — $ 1,467 $ — Income producing - commercial real estate — — 66,136 Owner occupied - commercial real estate — 19,127 — Construction - commercial and residential 6,532 — — Total $ 6,532 $ 20,594 $ 66,136 The Company individually evaluates nonaccrual loans when performing its CECL estimate to calculate the ACL. Additionally, the Company utilizes historical internal and third-party service provider sourced loss data in the determination of its PD/LGD rates applied in the calculation of its CECL estimate. Upon determination that a modified loan (or a portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is charged off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the ACL is adjusted by the same amount. |