Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following is a description of the Company’s business and significant accounting and reporting policies: Nature of Business: Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that was incorporated in May 2021 to be the successor to NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc., a federally chartered corporation (the “Mid-Tier Holding Company”), upon completion of the second-step conversion of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”) from the two-tier mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure. NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC was the former mutual holding company for the Mid-Tier Holding Company prior to the completion of the second-step conversion. In conjunction with the second-step conversion, each of NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC and the Mid-Tier Holding Company merged out of existence and now cease to exist. The second-step conversion was completed on July 12, 2021, at which time the Company sold, for gross proceeds of $97.8 million, a total of 9,784,077 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. As part of the second-step conversion, each of the existing outstanding shares of Mid-Tier Holding Company common stock owned by persons other than NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC was converted into 1.3400 shares of Company common stock. As a result of the second-step conversion, all share information has been subsequently revised to reflect the 1.3400 exchange ratio, unless otherwise noted. The Bank is a New York State-chartered savings bank and completed its conversion from a federally-chartered savings bank effective as of the close of business on June 29, 2012. The Company’s primary activity is the ownership and operation of the Bank. The Bank is headquartered in White Plains, New York. The Bank was founded in 1934 and is a community oriented financial institution dedicated to serving the financial services needs of individuals and businesses within its market area. The Bank currently conducts business through its ten branch offices located in Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in White Plains, New York, New City, New York and Danvers, Massachusetts. The Bank’s principal business consists of originating primarily construction loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and industrial loans and multifamily and mixed-use residential real estate loans and non-residential real estate loans. The Bank offers a variety of retail deposit products to the general public in the areas surrounding its main office and its branch offices, with interest rates that are competitive with those of similar products offered by other financial institutions operating in its market area. The Bank also utilizes borrowings as a source of funds. The Bank’s revenues are derived primarily from interest on loans and, to a lesser extent, interest on investment securities and mortgage-backed securities. The Bank also generates revenues from other income including deposit fees, service charges and investment advisory fees. The Bank also offers investment advisory and financial planning services under the name Harbor West Wealth Management Group, a division of the Bank, through a networking arrangement with a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. New England Commercial Properties LLC (“NECP”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2007 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank. New England Commercial Properties, LLC currently owns one foreclosed property located in Pennsylvania. NECB Financial Services Group, LLC (“NECB Financial”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in the third quarter of 2012 as a complement to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to sell life insurance and fixed rate annuities. NECB Financial is licensed in the States of New York and Connecticut. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 72 West Eckerson LLC (“72 West Eckerson”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2015 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch locations in Spring Valley, New York and Monroe, New York. 166 Route 59 Realty LLC (“166 Route 59 Realty”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2021 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch located in Airmont, New York. 3 Winterton Realty LLC, a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2021 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the property for a Bank branch located in Bloomingburg, New York. Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank, NECP, NECB Financial, 72 West Eckerson, 166 Route 59 Realty, and 3 Winterton Realty LLC (collectively the “Company”) and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the instructions to Form 10-K and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. When necessary, certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform with current year presentation. Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain recorded amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimate pertains to the allowance for loan losses. The borrowers’ abilities to meet contractual obligations and collateral value are the most significant assumptions used to arrive at the estimate. The risks associated with such estimates arise when unforeseen conditions affect the borrowers’ abilities to meet the contractual obligations of the loan and result in a decline in the value of the supporting collateral. Such unforeseen changes may have an adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Additionally, the Company is exposed to significant changes in market interest rates. Such changes could have an adverse effect on consolidated earnings and consolidated financial position, particularly in those situations in which the maturities or re-pricing of assets are different than the maturities or re-pricing of the supporting liabilities. Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from depository institutions and interest-bearing deposits in other banks, all with original maturities of 90 days or less. Certificates of Deposit: Certificates of deposit are carried at cost which approximates fair value and have maturities of less than one year. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Securities: The Company classifies its debt securities as held to maturity or available for sale at the time of purchase. Held to maturity securities are those debt securities which management has the intent and the Company has the ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost (unless there is other than temporary impairment). Available for sale securities are those debt securities which are neither held to maturity securities nor trading securities and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. If the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost, the security is deemed to be impaired. Management evaluates all securities with unrealized losses quarterly to determine if such impairments are temporary or other-than-temporary. Temporary impairments on available for sale securities are recognized, on a tax-effected basis, through other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) with offsetting adjustments to the carrying value of the security and the balance of related deferred taxes. Temporary impairments on held to maturity securities are not recorded in the consolidated financial statements; however, information concerning the amount and duration of unrealized losses on held to maturity securities is disclosed. Other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities that the Company has decided to sell, or will, more likely than not, be required to sell prior to the full recovery of fair value to a level equal to or exceeding amortized cost, are recognized in earnings. If either of these conditions regarding the likelihood of sale apply for a debt security, the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated into credit-related and noncredit-related components. Credit-related impairment generally represents the amount by which the present value of the cash flows that are expected to be collected on a debt security fall below its amortized cost. The noncredit-related component represents the remaining portion of the impairment not otherwise designated as credit-related. The Company recognizes credit-related other-than-temporary impairments in earnings. Noncredit-related other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities are recognized in OCI. Premiums and discounts on all securities are amortized/accreted to maturity by use of the level-yield method. Gain or loss on sales of securities is based on the specific identification method. Equity securities are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in income. Loans Receivable: Loans are stated at unpaid principal balances plus net deferred loan origination fees and costs less an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans receivable is recorded on the accrual basis. An allowance for uncollected interest is established on loans where management has determined that the borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal and/or interest obligations or where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, unless the loans are well secured with a reasonable expectation of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, an allowance for uncollected interest is established and charged against current income. Thereafter, interest income is not recognized unless the financial condition and payment record of the borrower warrant the recognition of interest income. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest on loans that have been restructured is accrued according to the renegotiated terms. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual lives of the related loans by use of the level yield method. Past due status of loans is based upon the contractual due date. Prepayment penalties received on loans which pay in full prior to the scheduled maturity are included in interest income in the period the prepayment penalties are collected. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the statement of financial condition date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses, and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. All, or part, of the principal balance of loans receivable are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Risk characteristics associated with the types of loans we underwrite are as follows: Multi-family, Mixed-use and Non-residential Real Estate Loans Commercial and Industrial Loans Construction Loans . Consumer Loans. The allowance consists of specific and general reserves. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans that are classified as impaired, a specific allowance is established or a partial charge-off is taken when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. If an impairment is identified, the Company charges off the impaired portion immediately. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company 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 Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 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. Management determines 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 records, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis. The Company does not evaluate individual 1-4 family residential real estate and consumer loans for impairment, unless such loans are part of a larger relationship that is impaired, or are classified as a troubled debt restructuring. The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral or discounted cash flows. For loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through in-house or third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal, the current value based on the current loan to value and debt coverage ratios as calculated by the troubled debt officer and the executive committee, and the condition of the property. Appraised values might be discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property, if any. For loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable aging or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class including loans not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential real estate and consumer loans. These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates, adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative risk factors include: 1. Changes in policies and procedures in underwriting standards and collections. 2. Changes in economic conditions. 3. Changes in nature and volume of lending. 4. Experience of origination team. 5. Changes in past due loan volume and severity of classified assets. 6. Quality and scope of the loan review system. 7. Debt coverage ratios and loan-to-value averages in existing portfolio. 8. Concentrations of credit. 9. Legal and regulatory issues. Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial, residential and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of pass, special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans classified as special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) loans that may be inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans classified as loss are considered uncollectible and are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Loans not classified are rated pass. The allowance calculation for each pool of loans is also based on the loss factors that reflect the Company’s historical charge-off experience adjusted for current economic conditions applied to loan groups with similar characteristics or classifications in the current portfolio. To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Company has a proprietary structured loan rating process which allows for a periodic review of its loan portfolio and the early identification of potential impaired loans. These proprietary systems, depending on the type of loan, take into consideration factors such as project location, loan duration, loan to value or loan to cost, property condition, borrower experience, guarantor strength, tenant concentration, projected debt-service coverage, absorption rate, sponsor’s experience, and as well as other factors. Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary reduction in interest rate or an extension of a loan’s stated maturity date at a below market rate. In measuring the impairment associated with restructured loans that qualify as troubled debt restructurings, the Company compares the present value of the cash flows that are expected to be received in accordance with the loan’s modified terms, discounted at the loan’s original contractual interest rate, with the pre-modification carrying value to measure impairment. Adversely classified, non-accrual troubled debt restructurings may be returned to accrued status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification. All troubled debt restructured loans are classified as impaired. Based on management’s comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio, management believes the allowance for loan losses is appropriate as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Concentration of Risk: The Company’s lending activity is concentrated in construction and permanent loans secured by multi-family and non-residential real estate located primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had construction loans located in New York State totaling $279.1 million and $181.9 million in the Bronx, $85.5 million and $96.1 million in the Village of Spring Valley, $61.2 million and $69.5 million in the Town of Palm Tree, $87.5 million and $66.9 million in the Hamlet of Monsey, $51.5 million and $63.3 million in Brooklyn and $15.2 million and $18.6 million in the Town of Monroe. The Company also had deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit at other financial institutions. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, such deposits totaled $125.0 million and $47.2 million held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $21.9 million and $10.0 million held by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and $1.0 million and $4.4 million held by Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”). Generally, deposits in excess of $250,000 are not insured by the FDIC. Premises and Equipment: Land is stated at cost. Buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements and furnishings and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization computed on the straight-line method over the following useful lives: Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Years Buildings 30 50 Building improvements 10 50 Leasehold improvements 1 15 Furnishings and equipment 3 5 Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the years incurred. Property and equipment are evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating property and equipment for recoverability, we use our best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value. The Company did not have impairment recorded for property and equipment in 2021 and 2020. Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”): The Company owns life insurance on the lives of certain of its officers. The cash surrender value is recorded as an asset and the change in cash surrender value is included in non-interest income and is tax-exempt. The BOLI can be liquidated, if necessary, with tax consequences. However, the Company intends to hold these policies and, accordingly, the Company has not provided for deferred income taxes on the earnings from the increase in cash surrender value. Investments in Restricted Stock: Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula. The Company also owns restricted stock in Atlantic Community Bancshares, Inc. (ACBI), holding company of ACBB, a correspondent banker’s bank. These stocks are carried at cost. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $1.5 million and $1.5 million in FHLB stock, and $70,000 and $70,000 in ACBB stocks. Goodwill: Goodwill at December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $651,000 and $651,000, respectively, and consists of goodwill acquired in the business combination completed by the Company in November 2007. The Company tests goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year for impairment, or more frequently if certain indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. The Company utilizes a two-step approach. The first step requires a comparison of the carrying value of the reporting unit to the fair value of the unit. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit through internal analyses and external valuation, which utilizes an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, impairment exists and the Company will perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test, if necessary, compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner that the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination is determined. The Company allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit, including identifiable intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Any excess of the value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. No impairment charges were recorded in 2021. Impairment charges of $98,000 were recorded in 2020 due to a decrease in the assets under management resulting in an expected decrease in fee revenue from this division. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Real Estate Owned: Real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or fair value of the related property, as determined by current appraisals less estimated costs to sell. Foreclosed real estate is initially recorded at the fair value of property acquired minus estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Write-downs on these properties, which occur after the initial transfer from the loan portfolio, are recorded as operating expenses. Costs of holding such properties are charged to non-interest expense in the current period. Gains, to the extent allowable, and losses on the disposition of these properties are reflected in the real estate owned expense in the consolidated statement of income. Property Held for Investment: Land is stated at cost. Buildings and improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the useful lives between 30 to 50 years for buildings and 10 to 50 years for building improvements. Property held for investment is evaluated for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating property held for investment for recoverability, we use our best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. To the extent that estimated future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its fair value. The Company did not have impairment recorded for property held for investment in 2021 and 2020. Income Taxes: The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are allocated to the Company, Bank, NECP, and NECB Financial based upon their respective income or loss included in the consolidated income tax return. The Company, the Bank, NECP, and NECB Financial file combined or separate state and city income tax returns depending on the particular requirements of each jurisdiction. Federal, state and city income tax expense has been provided on the basis of reported income. The amounts reflected on the tax returns differ from these provisions due principally to temporary differences in the reporting of certain items for financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes. The tax effect of these temporary differences is accounted for as deferred taxes applicable to future periods. Deferred income tax expense or benefit is determined by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax base. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance provided, when necessary, for that portion of the asset, which is not more likely than not to be realized. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has not identified any significant income tax uncertainties through the evaluation of its income tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and has not recognized any liabilities for tax uncertainties as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company’s policy is to recognize income tax related interest and penalties in income tax expense; such amounts were not significant during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The tax years subject to examination by federal, state, and city taxing authorities are 2018 through 2021. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): The Company records in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes, unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities and the prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses related to the Outside Directors Retirement Plan (“DRP”) that have not yet been recognized in expense. Gains and losses on the sale of securities, if any, are reclassified to non-interest income upon the sale of the related securities or upon the recognition of a security impairment loss and a portion of the prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses of the DRP are reclassified to non-interest expense. At December 31, 2021, accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $139,000 and included $183,000 in prior service cost and actuarial losses of the DRP net of $44,000 of related deferred income taxes. At December 31, 2020, accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $185,000 and included $241,000 in prior service cost and actuarial losses of the DRP net of $56,000 of related deferred income taxes. Net Income Per Common Share: Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unallocated common shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) are not included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic net income |