LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES | 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Major classifications of loans at the periods indicated were as follows: March 31, December 31, 2022 2021 (In thousands) Commercial real estate $ 1,039,487 $ 979,969 Residential real estate: Residential one-to-four family 564,339 552,332 Home equity 100,165 99,759 Total residential real estate 664,504 652,091 Commercial and industrial: Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans 6,052 25,329 Commercial and industrial 209,890 201,340 Total commercial and industrial 215,942 226,669 Consumer 4,252 4,250 Total gross loans 1,924,185 1,862,979 Unamortized PPP loan fees (255 ) (781 ) Unearned premiums and deferred loan fees and costs, net 2,355 2,518 Total loans, net 1,926,285 1,864,716 Allowance for loan losses (19,308 ) (19,787 ) Net loans $ 1,906,977 $ 1,844,929 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 March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company was servicing commercial loans participated out to various other institutions totaling $ 78.3 63.2 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 March 31, 2022, include weighted average prepayment speed for the portfolio using the Public Securities Association Standard Prepayment Model ( 122 9.02 0.25 83.63 277,000 7.6 2,000 227,000 At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company was servicing residential mortgage loans owned by investors totaling $ 85.5 88.2 53,000 24,000 A summary of the activity in the balances of mortgage servicing rights follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 (In thousands) Balance at the beginning of year: $ 693 $ 153 Capitalized mortgage servicing rights 2 48 Amortization (36 ) (15 ) Balance at the end of period $ 659 $ 186 Fair value at the end of period $ 813 $ 235 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 three months ended March 31, 2022. 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 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. 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 three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows: Commercial Real Estate Residential Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Consumer Unallocated Total (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 13,020 $ 4,240 $ 3,630 $ 241 $ 26 $ 21,157 Provision (credit) 295 (135 ) (60 ) (13 ) (12 ) 75 Charge-offs — — (9 ) (24 ) — (33 ) Recoveries — 8 1 19 — 28 Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 13,315 $ 4,113 $ 3,562 $ 223 $ 14 $ 21,227 Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 12,970 $ 3,964 $ 2,643 $ 197 $ 13 $ 19,787 Provision (credit) (639 ) 90 89 27 8 (425 ) Charge-offs (37 ) (16 ) (7 ) (45 ) — (105 ) Recoveries — 30 1 20 — 51 Balance at March 31, 2022 $ 12,294 $ 4,068 $ 2,726 $ 199 $ 21 $ 19,308 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) March 31, 2022 Amount of allowance for impaired loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Amount of allowance for non-impaired loans 12,294 4,068 2,726 199 21 19,308 Total allowance for loan losses $ 12,294 $ 4,068 $ 2,726 $ 199 $ 21 $ 19,308 Impaired loans $ 9,527 $ 2,976 $ 620 $ — $ — $ 13,123 Non-impaired loans 1,025,725 659,784 208,907 4,252 — 1,898,668 Impaired loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 4,235 1,744 363 — — 6,342 Total loans $ 1,039,487 $ 664,504 $ 209,890 $ 4,252 $ — $ 1,918,133 December 31, 2021 Amount of allowance for impaired loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Amount of allowance for non-impaired loans 12,970 3,964 2,643 197 13 19,787 Total allowance for loan losses $ 12,970 $ 3,964 $ 2,643 $ 197 $ 13 $ 19,787 Impaired loans $ 9,601 $ 3,223 $ 699 $ 22 $ — $ 13,545 Non-impaired loans 965,577 647,098 200,271 4,228 — 1,817,174 Impaired loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 4,791 1,770 370 — — 6,931 Total loans $ 979,969 $ 652,091 $ 201,340 $ 4,250 $ — $ 1,837,650 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) March 31, 2022 Commercial real estate $ 301 $ — $ 436 $ 737 $ 1,038,750 $ 1,039,487 $ 660 Residential real estate: Residential 561 270 853 1,684 562,655 564,339 2,846 Home equity 230 — 88 318 99,847 100,165 112 Commercial and industrial 42 — 24 66 209,824 209,890 370 Consumer 3 — — 3 4,249 4,252 — Total loans $ 1,137 $ 270 $ 1,401 $ 2,808 $ 1,915,325 $ 1,918,133 $ 3,988 December 31, 2021 Commercial real estate $ 139 $ — $ 436 $ 575 $ 979,394 $ 979,969 $ 1,224 Residential real estate: Residential 787 41 507 1,335 550,997 552,332 3,214 Home equity 57 5 63 125 99,634 99,759 94 Commercial and industrial 58 10 22 90 201,250 201,340 410 Consumer 5 — 11 16 4,234 4,250 22 Total loans $ 1,046 $ 56 $ 1,039 $ 2,141 $ 1,835,509 $ 1,837,650 $ 4,964 Impaired Loans. The following is a summary of impaired loans by class: Three Months Ended At March 31, 2022 March 31, 2022 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) Impaired Loans (1) Commercial real estate $ 13,762 $ 14,907 $ — $ 14,078 $ 53 Residential real estate: Residential real estate 4,590 5,422 — 4,735 16 Home equity 130 153 — 121 1 Commercial and industrial 983 3,748 — 1,026 15 Consumer — — — 11 — Total impaired loans $ 19,465 $ 24,230 $ — $ 19,971 $ 85 Three Months Ended At December 31, 2021 March 31, 2021 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) Impaired Loans (1) Commercial real estate $ 14,392 $ 15,563 $ — $ 17,403 $ 108 Residential rea estate: Residential real estate 4,881 5,381 — 6,357 104 Home equity 112 136 — 143 4 Commercial and industrial 1,069 3,850 — 4,827 62 Consumer 22 37 — 26 — Total impaired loans $ 20,476 $ 24,967 $ — $ 28,756 $ 278 (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 months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. 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 March 31, 2022 and 2021, we had not committed to lend any additional funds for loans that are classified as impaired. Payments received on impaired loans in accrual status are recorded in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Interest income recognized on impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 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 months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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 months ended March 31, 2022 or 2021. Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The following is a summary of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality in the Chicopee acquisition. Contractual Required Payments Receivable Cash Expected To Be Collected Non- Accretable Discount Accretable Yield Loans Receivable (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 12,134 $ 9,430 $ 2,704 $ 2,499 $ 6,931 Collections (669 ) (639 ) (30 ) (50 ) (589 ) Dispositions (58 ) (58 ) — (58 ) — Balance at March 31, 2022 $ 11,407 $ 8,733 $ 2,674 $ 2,391 $ 6,342 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 Special Mention Loans rated 6 Substandard Loans rated 7 Doubtful 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 loan 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 1-4 Family Home Equity Commercial and Industrial Consumer Total (In thousands) March 31, 2022 Pass (Rated 1 – 4) $ 973,892 $ 560,425 $ 99,891 $ 199,763 $ 4,232 $ 1,838,203 Special Mention (Rated 5) 47,729 — — 7,464 — 55,193 Substandard (Rated 6) 17,866 3,914 274 8,715 20 30,789 Total $ 1,039,487 $ 564,339 $ 100,165 $ 215,942 $ 4,252 $ 1,924,185 December 31, 2021 Pass (Rated 1 – 4) $ 913,063 $ 547,980 $ 99,503 $ 215,605 $ 4,228 $ 1,780,379 Special Mention (Rated 5) 48,765 — — 2,777 — 51,542 Substandard (Rated 6) 18,141 4,352 256 8,287 22 31,058 Total $ 979,969 $ 552,332 $ 99,759 $ 226,669 $ 4,250 $ 1,862,979 |