LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES | 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Major classifications of loans at the periods indicated were as follows: September 30, December 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Commercial real estate $ 917,630 $ 833,949 Residential real estate: Residential one-to-four family 565,912 604,719 Home equity 97,734 103,905 Total residential real estate 663,646 708,624 Commercial and industrial: Paycheck protection program (“PPP”) loans 58,904 167,258 Commercial and industrial 200,526 211,823 Total commercial and industrial 259,430 379,081 Consumer 4,414 5,192 Total gross loans 1,845,120 1,926,846 Unamortized PPP loan fees (1,623 ) (3,050 ) Unearned premiums and deferred loan fees and costs, net 2,653 3,587 Total loans, net 1,846,150 1,927,383 Allowance for loan losses (19,837 ) (21,157 ) Net loans $ 1,826,313 $ 1,906,226 Loans Serviced for Others. The Company has transferred a portion of its originated commercial loans to participating lenders. The amounts transferred have been accounted for as sales and are therefore not included in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We continue to service the loans on behalf of the participating lenders. We share with participating lenders, on a pro-rata basis, any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company was servicing commercial loans participated out to various other institutions totaling $ 53.1 million 52.9 million Residential real estate mortgages are originated by the Bank both for its portfolio and for sale into the secondary market. The Bank may sell its loans to institutional investors such as the FHLMC. Under loan sale and servicing agreements with the investor, the Bank generally continues to service the residential real estate mortgages. The Bank pays the investor an agreed upon rate on the loan, which is less than the interest rate received from the borrower. The Bank retains the difference as a fee for servicing the residential real estate mortgages. The Bank capitalizes mortgage servicing rights at their fair value upon sale of the related loans, amortizes the asset over the estimated life of the serviced loan, and periodically assesses the asset for impairment. The significant assumptions used by a third party to estimate the fair value of capitalized servicing rights at September 30, 2021, included weighted average prepayment speed for the portfolio using the Public Securities Association Standard Prepayment Model ( 180 9.02 0.25 83.77 40 1.1 million At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company serviced residential mortgage loans owned by investors totaling $ 71 38.1 88,000 85,000 A summary of the activity in the balances of mortgage servicing rights follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 (In thousands) Balance at the beginning of period: $ 243 $ 153 Capitalized mortgage servicing rights 295 417 Amortization (23 ) (55 ) Balance at the end of period $ 515 $ 515 Fair value at the end of period $ 561 $ 561 Loans are recorded at the principal amount outstanding, adjusted for charge-offs, unearned premiums and deferred loan fees and costs. Interest on loans is calculated using the effective yield method on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding and is credited to income on the accrual basis to the extent it is deemed collectable. Our general policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest when principal or interest payments are delinquent 90 days or more based on the contractual terms of the loan, or earlier if the loan is considered impaired. Any unpaid amounts previously accrued on these loans are reversed from income. Subsequent cash receipts are applied to the outstanding principal balance or to interest income if, in the judgment of management, collection of the principal balance is not in question. Loans are returned to accrual status when they become current as to both principal and interest and perform in accordance with contractual terms for a period of at least six months, reducing the concern as to the collectability of principal and interest. Loan fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net fee or cost is recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the estimated average lives of the related loans. The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance consists of general, allocated, and unallocated components, as further described below. General component The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors stratified by the following loan segments: residential real estate (includes one-to-four family and home equity), commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer. Management uses a rolling average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment. This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: trends in delinquencies and nonperforming loans; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; and national and local economic trends and industry conditions. There were no changes to the Company’s policies and procedures surrounding the allowance for loan losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Beginning in March 2020, the Bank added a new qualitative factor category to the allowance calculation – “Economic Impact of COVID-19”. The allocation of additional reserves for the COVID-19 qualitative factor at March 31, 2020 was based upon an analysis of the loan portfolio that included identifying borrowers sensitive to the shutdown (i.e. accommodation and food service, recreation, construction, manufacturing, and wholesale & retail trade). In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company determined that it was prudent to provide an allowance for loan losses related to the loan portfolio acquired on October 24, 2016 from Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. (“Chicopee”) due to the ongoing impacts and extended nature of the pandemic. 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: Residential real estate 80 80 Commercial real estate . Commercial and industrial loans Consumer loans Allocated component The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. Impaired loans are identified by analysis of loan performance, internal credit ratings and watch list loans that management believes are subject to a higher risk of loss. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, we do not separately identify individual consumer and residential real estate loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are subject to a troubled debt restructuring agreement. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. We determine the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our borrower’s ability to repay and therefore the classification of a loan as impaired is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence as it is highly dependent upon the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures. Unallocated component An unallocated component may be maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance, if any, reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. An analysis of changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows: Commercial Real Estate Residential Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Consumer Unallocated Total (In thousands) Three Months Ended Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 10,271 $ 4,167 $ 3,564 $ 237 $ 14 $ 18,253 Provision (credit) 2,103 117 458 50 (3 ) 2,725 Charge-offs — (26 ) (325 ) (37 ) — (388 ) Recoveries 58 1 37 6 — 102 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 12,432 $ 4,259 $ 3,734 $ 256 $ 11 $ 20,692 Balance at June 30, 2021 $ 12,129 $ 4,102 $ 3,410 $ 214 $ 15 $ 19,870 Provision (credit) 524 (176 ) (456 ) 18 (10 ) (100 ) Charge-offs — (3 ) — (35 ) — (38 ) Recoveries 6 87 3 9 — 105 Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 12,659 $ 4,010 $ 2,957 $ 206 $ 5 $ 19,837 Nine Months Ended Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 6,807 $ 3,920 $ 3,183 $ 203 $ (11 ) $ 14,102 Provision 5,674 406 1,057 116 22 7,275 Charge-offs (107 ) (135 ) (544 ) (96 ) — (882 ) Recoveries 58 68 38 33 — 197 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 12,432 $ 4,259 $ 3,734 $ 256 $ 11 $ 20,692 Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 13,020 $ 4,240 $ 3,630 $ 241 $ 26 $ 21,157 Provision (credit) (265 ) (283 ) (665 ) 9 (21 ) (1,225 ) Charge-offs (103 ) (43 ) (34 ) (82 ) — (262 ) Recoveries 7 96 26 38 — 167 Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 12,659 $ 4,010 $ 2,957 $ 206 $ 5 $ 19,837 The following table presents information pertaining to the allowance for loan losses by segment, excluding PPP loans, for the dates indicated: Commercial Real Estate Residential Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Consumer Unallocated Total (In thousands) September 30, 2021 Amount of allowance for impaired loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Amount of allowance for non-impaired loans 12,659 4,010 2,957 206 5 19,837 Total allowance for loan losses $ 12,659 $ 4,010 $ 2,957 $ 206 $ 5 $ 19,837 Impaired loans $ 9,748 $ 3,568 $ 812 $ 23 $ — $ 14,151 Non-impaired loans 902,942 658,306 199,338 4,391 — 1,764,977 Impaired loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 4,940 1,772 376 — — 7,088 Total loans $ 917,630 $ 663,646 $ 200,526 $ 4,414 $ — $ 1,786,216 December 31, 2020 Amount of allowance for impaired loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Amount of allowance for non-impaired loans 13,020 4,240 3,630 241 26 21,157 Total allowance for loan losses $ 13,020 $ 4,240 $ 3,630 $ 241 $ 26 $ 21,157 Impaired loans $ 11,803 $ 4,363 $ 4,439 $ 27 $ — $ 20,632 Non-impaired loans 816,406 701,915 207,002 5,165 — 1,730,488 Impaired loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 5,740 2,346 382 — — 8,468 Total loans $ 833,949 $ 708,624 $ 211,823 $ 5,192 $ — $ 1,759,588 Past Due and Nonaccrual Loans. The following tables present an age analysis of past due loans, excluding PPP loans, as of the dates indicated: 30 – 59 Days Past Due 60 – 89 Days Past Due 90 Days or More Past Due Total Past Due Loans Total Current Loans Total Loans Nonaccrual Loans (In thousands) September 30, 2021 Commercial real estate $ 238 $ 1 $ 499 $ 738 $ 916,892 $ 917,630 $ 1,255 Residential real estate: Residential one-to-four family 878 129 860 1,867 564,045 565,912 3,626 Home equity 25 — 87 112 97,622 97,734 154 Commercial and industrial 329 — — 329 200,197 200,526 574 Consumer 4 15 — 19 4,395 4,414 23 Total loans $ 1,474 $ 145 $ 1,446 $ 3,065 $ 1,783,151 $ 1,786,216 $ 5,632 December 31, 2020 Commercial real estate $ 5,844 $ 3,144 $ 1,256 $ 10,244 $ 823,705 $ 833,949 $ 1,632 Residential real estate: Residential one-to-four family 1,684 360 707 2,751 601,968 604,719 5,353 Home equity 25 — — 25 103,880 103,905 124 Commercial and industrial 166 158 156 480 211,343 211,823 705 Consumer 22 — — 22 5,170 5,192 27 Total loans $ 7,741 $ 3,662 $ 2,119 $ 13,522 $ 1,746,066 $ 1,759,588 $ 7,841 Impaired Loans. The following is a summary of impaired loans by class: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended At September 30, 2021 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2021 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) Impaired Loans (1) Commercial real estate $ 14,688 $ 15,849 $ 14,900 $ 72 $ 16,163 $ 377 Residential one-to-four family 5,167 6,107 5,445 30 5,916 197 Home equity 173 207 162 3 146 7 Commercial and industrial 1,188 3,691 1,214 20 3,026 110 Consumer 23 38 24 3 25 3 Total impaired loans $ 21,239 $ 25,892 $ 21,745 $ 128 $ 25,276 $ 694 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended At December 31, 2020 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2020 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) Impaired Loans (1) Commercial real estate $ 17,543 $ 18,590 $ 19,709 $ 169 $ 18,361 $ 369 Residential one-to-four family 6,544 7,647 5,728 14 5,655 53 Home equity 165 207 384 1 413 4 Commercial and industrial 4,821 7,038 6,072 120 3,720 196 Consumer 27 39 32 — 36 — Total impaired loans $ 29,100 $ 33,521 $ 31,925 $ 304 $ 28,185 $ 622 (1) Includes loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality and performing troubled debt restructurings. With the exception of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, the majority of impaired loans are included within the nonaccrual balances; however, not every loan on nonaccrual status has been designated as impaired. Impaired loans include loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). Impaired loans are individually evaluated and exclude large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, which are collectively evaluated for impairment, and loans that are measured at fair value, unless the loan is amended in a TDR. All payments received on impaired loans in nonaccrual status are applied to principal. There was no interest income recognized on nonaccrual impaired loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. The Company's obligation to fulfill the additional funding commitments on impaired loans is generally contingent on the borrower's compliance with the terms of the credit agreement. If the borrower is not in compliance, additional funding commitments may or may not be made at the Company's discretion. At September 30, 2021, we had not committed to lend any additional funds for loans that are classified as impaired. Interest income recognized on impaired loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 pertained to performing TDRs and purchased impaired loans. Troubled Debt Restructurings. Loans are designated as a TDR when, as part of an agreement to modify the original contractual terms of the loan as a result of financial difficulties of the borrower, the Bank grants the borrower a concession on the terms that would not otherwise be considered. Typically, such concessions may consist of a reduction in interest rate to a below market rate, taking into account the credit quality of the note, extension of additional credit based on receipt of adequate collateral, or a deferment or reduction of payments (principal or interest) which materially alters the Bank's position or significantly extends the note's maturity date, such that the present value of cash flows to be received is materially less than those contractually established at the loan's origination. All loans that are modified are reviewed by the Company to identify if a TDR has occurred. All TDR loans are classified as impaired. When we modify loans in a TDR, we measure impairment similar to other impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, or use the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs for collateral dependent loans. If we determine that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized through a specific allowance or a charge-off to the allowance. Nonperforming TDRs are included in nonperforming loans. There were no loan modifications classified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, no TDRs defaulted (defined as 30 days or more past due) within 12 months of restructuring. There were no charge-offs on TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The following is a summary of loans acquired in the Chicopee acquisition with evidence of credit deterioration as of September 30, 2021. Contractual Required Payments Receivable Cash Expected To Be Collected Non- Accretable Discount Accretable Yield Loans Receivable (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 14,297 $ 11,485 $ 2,812 $ 3,017 $ 8,468 Collections (1,712 ) (1,635 ) (77 ) (258 ) (1,377 ) Dispositions (177 ) (175 ) (2 ) (172 ) (3 ) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 12,408 $ 9,675 $ 2,733 $ 2,587 $ 7,088 Credit Quality Information. The Company utilizes an eight-grade internal loan rating system for commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans. Performing residential real estate, home equity and consumer loans are grouped with “Pass” rated loans. Nonperforming residential real estate, home equity and consumer loans are monitored individually for impairment and risk rated as “substandard.” Loans rated 1 – 4 Loans rated 5 Loans rated 6 Loans rated 7 Loans rated 8 On an annual basis, or more often if needed, we formally review the ratings on all commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans. In addition, management utilizes delinquency reports, the criticized report and other loan reports to monitor credit quality. In addition, at least on an annual basis, the Company contracts with an external loan review company to review the internal credit ratings assigned to loans in the commercial loan portfolio on a pre-determined schedule, based on the type, size, rating, and overall risk of the loan. During the course of its review, the third party examines a sample of loans, including new loans, existing relationships over certain dollar amounts and classified assets. The following table presents our loans by risk rating for the periods indicated: Commercial Real Estate Residential One-to-Four Family Home Equity Commercial and Industrial Consumer Total (In thousands) September 30, 2021 Pass (Rated 1 – 4) $ 843,666 $ 560,972 $ 97,418 $ 242,264 $ 4,391 $ 1,748,711 Special Mention (Rated 5) 54,283 — — 9,905 — 64,188 Substandard (Rated 6) 19,681 4,940 316 7,261 23 32,221 Total $ 917,630 $ 565,912 $ 97,734 $ 259,430 $ 4,414 $ 1,845,120 December 31, 2020 Pass (Rated 1 – 4) $ 726,751 $ 598,250 $ 103,619 $ 345,967 $ 5,165 $ 1,779,752 Special Mention (Rated 5) 78,207 — — 13,871 — 92,078 Substandard (Rated 6) 28,991 6,469 286 19,243 27 55,016 Total $ 833,949 $ 604,719 $ 103,905 $ 379,081 $ 5,192 $ 1,926,846 |