Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Total Assets. Total assets were $1.30 billion at March 31, 2024 as compared to $1.31 billion at December 31, 2023, reflecting a decrease of $14.4 million, or 1.1%. Loans receivable decreased by $15.5 million, or 1.5%, available for sale securities decreased $9.3 million, or 4.9%, premises and equipment decreased $3.0 million, or 16.9%, and Federal Home Loan Bank stock decreased $900,000. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in cash of $8.5 million, or 38.6%, and an increase in other assets of $5.5 million, or 28.8%.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased $8.5 million, or 38.6%, to $30.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $22.1 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in deposits held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as customer deposits increased, specifically time certificates and money market accounts.
Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale decreased 9.3 million, or 4.9%, to $182.6 million at March 31, 2024 from $192.0 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to paydowns, calls and maturities of $8.5 million and an increase in the unrealized loss of $734,000. The proceeds from the maturity of securities were primarily used to paydown the advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Net Loans. Total net loans receivable were $993.3 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $15.5 million, or 1.5%, as compared to $1.01 billion at December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in indirect automobile loans of $27.2 million, or 6.9%, reflecting a strategic decision to decrease that loan portfolio as a percentage of our balance sheet. Partially offsetting the decreases in automobile loans were increases in commercial real estate loans of $9.5 million, or 2.2%, residential real estate loans of $1.6 million, or 2.1%, and commercial and industrial loans of $2.4 million, or 2.7%. Non-accrual loans increased $379,000, or 9.1%, to $4.6 million at March 31, 2024 from $4.2 million at December 31, 2023.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. FHLB stock decreased $900,000, or 13.8%, to $5.6 million at March 31, 2024, primarily due to a reduction in mandatory FHLB stock in connection with the pay-off of $20.0 million in advances during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment decreased $3.0 million, or 16.9%, to $14.6 million at March 31, 2024 from $17.6 million at March 31, 2023 as the Beacon branch office was sold in February of 2024 for $2.9 million. The sale included the land and building as well of all branch furniture and equipment. All of the branch accounts were redomiciled to the customer’s nearest branch and all employees were placed in open positions.
Other Assets. Other assets increased $5.5 million, or 28.8%, primarily due to a $5.0 million U.S. Treasury bond that matured on March 31, 2024 and was awaiting settlement.
Total Liabilities. Total liabilities decreased $15.0 million, or 1.3%, to $1.18 billion at March 31, 2024 from $1.20 billion at December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in borrowings of $20.0 million and a decrease in mortgagors’ escrow accounts of $2.0 million, partially offset by an increase in deposits of $6.5 million.
Deposits. Deposits increased $6.5 million, or 0.6%, to $1.04 billion at March 31, 2024 from $1.03 billion at December 31, 2023. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, interest-bearing accounts increased $19.4 million, or 2.5%, to $800.1 million, while non-interest bearing balances decreased $12.8 million, or 5.1%, to $237.0 million. Of the interest bearing accounts, transaction accounts (including NOW, savings and money market accounts) increased $4.4 million, or 1.0%, while time deposits increased $14.9 million, or 4.7%, at March 31, 2024. The continued growth in interest-bearing deposits was primarily due a shift in deposits from non-interest bearing and lower-yielding transaction accounts to higher-yielding time deposits and money market accounts as customers sought higher interest rates, contributing to the decrease in non-interest bearing and lower interest-bearing deposits.