Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality | NOTE 4 – LOANS, ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND CREDIT QUALITY Loans Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold until maturity or payoff are carried at amortized cost (net of the allowance for credit losses). Amortized cost is the principal amount outstanding, adjusted by partial charge-offs and net of deferred loan origination costs and fees. For originated loans, loan fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the level-yield method. When a loan is paid off, the unamortized portion is recognized in interest income. Interest income on loans is accrued based upon the daily principal amount outstanding except for loans on nonaccrual status. As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest, or sooner if management considers such action to be prudent, are classified as nonaccrual loans. However, loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status if the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Income accruals are suspended on all nonaccrual loans in a timely manner and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan can be returned to accrual status when collectibility of principal and interest is reasonably assured and the loan has performed for a period of time, generally six months. When doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan, any payments received are applied to reduce the amortized cost of the loan to the extent necessary to eliminate such doubt. For all loan portfolios, a charge-off occurs when the Company determines that a specific loan, or portion thereof, is uncollectible. This determination is made based on management's review of specific facts and circumstances of the individual loan, including the expected cash flows to repay the loan, the value of the collateral and the ability and willingness of any guarantors to perform. Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Held for Investment The allowance for credit losses is established based upon the Company's current estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on loans measured at amortized cost. Credit losses are charged against the allowance when management's assessments confirm that the Company will not collect the full amortized cost basis of a loan. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Under the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology, the Company estimates credit losses for financial assets on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics. The Company has elected to segment its loans based on Federal Call codes used for reporting loans to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as part of the Call Report process. These segments are collectively evaluated for expected credit losses using a quantitative Discounted Cash Flow ("DCF") model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. The Company has elected to use this approach because DCF models allow for effective incorporation of a reasonable and supportable forecast in a directionally consistent and objective manner and peer data is available for certain inputs such as the probability of default and the loss given default. The quantitative model utilizes a loss factor based approach to estimate expected credit losses, which are derived from internal historical and industry peer loss experience. The model estimates expected credit losses using loan level data over the estimated life of the exposure, considering the effect of prepayments. Economic forecasts are incorporated into the estimate over a reasonable and supportable forecast period, beyond which is a reversion to the historical long-run average using the straight-line reversion method. Management periodically evaluates a reasonable and supportable period and a reversion period to be appropriate for purposes of estimating expected credit losses. The qualitative risk factors impacting the expected risk of loss within the portfolio include the following: • Lending policies and procedures • Economic and business conditions • Nature and volume of loans • Changes in management • Changes in credit quality • Changes in loan review system • Changes to underlying collateral values • Concentrations of credit risk • Other external factors Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with any pools of assets are subject to individual assessment and are removed from the collectively assessed pools to avoid double counting. For the loans that will be individually assessed, the Company will use either a DCF approach or a fair value of collateral approach. The latter approach will be used for loans deemed to be collateral dependent or when foreclosure is probable. Accrued interest receivable amounts are excluded from balances of loans held at amortized cost and are included within accrued interest receivable in the consolidated balance sheets. Management has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses on these amounts as the Company employs a timely write-off policy. Consistent with the Company's policy for nonaccrual loans, accrued interest receivable is typically written off when loans reach 90 days past due and are placed on nonaccrual status. In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the allowance for credit losses with an additional assumption of probability of funding. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Loans consisted of the following as of the dates indicated: At September 30, At December 31, 2024 2023 Amount Percent Amount Percent (Dollars in thousands) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 419,373 37.3 % $ 410,131 39.1 % Multi-family 326,975 29.1 % 287,361 27.4 % Commercial 222,680 19.8 % 196,365 18.7 % Home equity lines of credit and loans 39,413 3.5 % 33,357 3.2 % Construction 101,401 9.0 % 112,000 10.7 % Other loans: Commercial 14,508 1.3 % 9,219 0.9 % Consumer 141 0.0 % 173 0.0 % Total loans, gross 1,124,491 100.0 % 1,048,606 100.0 % Less: Net deferred loan fees ( 480 ) ( 226 ) Allowance for credit losses ( 9,068 ) ( 8,591 ) Total loans, net $ 1,114,943 $ 1,039,789 The carrying value of loans pledged to secure advances from the FHLBB were $ 676.5 million and $ 553.0 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The following tables set forth information regarding the allowance for credit losses on loans as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023: For the three months ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Beginning Charge-offs Recoveries Provision (benefit) Ending (1) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 3,604 $ - $ - $ 81 $ 3,685 Multi-family 1,304 - - 53 1,357 Commercial 1,740 - - 95 1,835 Home equity lines of credit and loans 363 - - 19 382 Construction 1,814 - - ( 211 ) 1,603 Other loans: Commercial 199 - - 6 205 Consumer 1 - - - 1 Total $ 9,025 $ - $ - $ 43 $ 9,068 For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Beginning Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending (1) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 3,555 $ - $ - $ 130 $ 3,685 Multi-family 1,190 - - 167 1,357 Commercial 1,636 - - 199 1,835 Home equity lines of credit and loans 321 - - 61 382 Construction 1,757 - - ( 154 ) 1,603 Other loans: - Commercial 131 - - 74 205 Consumer 1 ( 3 ) - 3 1 Total $ 8,591 $ ( 3 ) $ - $ 480 $ 9,068 For the three months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Beginning Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending (1) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 1,980 $ - $ - $ 40 $ 2,020 Multi-family 2,150 - - 79 2,229 Commercial 2,348 - - ( 154 ) 2,194 Home equity lines of credit and loans 203 - - 4 207 Construction 1,570 - - ( 126 ) 1,444 Other loans: Commercial 218 - - ( 21 ) 197 Consumer 1 ( 1 ) 1 - 1 Total $ 8,470 $ ( 1 ) $ 1 ( 178 ) $ 8,292 For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Beginning Cumulative effect accounting adjustment (2) Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending (1) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 1,703 $ 130 $ - $ - $ 187 $ 2,020 Multi-family 1,839 77 - - 313 2,229 Commercial 1,797 145 - - 252 2,194 Home equity lines of credit and loans 194 ( 20 ) - - 33 207 Construction 1,286 136 - - 22 1,444 Other loans: Commercial 60 34 - - 103 197 Consumer 1 - ( 1 ) 1 - 1 Unallocated 320 ( 320 ) - - - - Total $ 7,200 $ 182 $ ( 1 ) $ 1 $ 910 $ 8,292 (1) Balances of accrued interest receivable excluded from amortized cost and the calculation of allowance for credit losses amounted to $ 3.5 million and $ 2.9 million as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 . (2) Represents an adjustment needed to reflect the cumulative day one impact pursuant to the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-13. The adjustment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 represents a $ 182,000 increase to the allowance for credit losses attributable to the change in accounting methodology for estimating the allowance for credit losses on loans resulting from the Company's adoption of the standard. The following tables show the age analysis of past due loans as of the dates indicated: 30–59 Days 60–89 Days 90 Days Total Total Total 90 days Loans on Non-accrual (in thousands) As of September 30, 2024 Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 1,545 $ — $ — $ 1,545 $ 417,828 $ 419,373 $ — $ 1,012 Multi-family — — — — 326,975 326,975 — — Commercial — — — — 222,680 222,680 — — Home equity lines of credit and loans 220 258 — 478 38,935 39,413 — 85 Construction — — — — 101,401 101,401 — — Other loans: Commercial — — — — 14,508 14,508 — — Consumer 1 1 — 2 139 141 — 1 $ 1,766 $ 259 $ — $ 2,025 $ 1,122,466 $ 1,124,491 $ — $ 1,098 30–59 Days 60–89 Days 90 Days Total Total Total 90 days Loans on Non-accrual (in thousands) As of December 31, 2023 Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ 722 $ 225 $ 809 $ 1,756 $ 408,375 $ 410,131 $ — $ 1,191 Multi-family — — — — 287,361 287,361 — — Commercial — — — — 196,365 196,365 — — Home equity lines of credit and loans 360 — 8 368 32,989 33,357 — 22 Construction — — — — 112,000 112,000 — — Other loans: Commercial — — — — 9,219 9,219 — — Consumer 1 — — 1 172 173 — — $ 1,083 $ 225 $ 817 $ 2,125 $ 1,046,481 $ 1,048,606 $ — $ 1,213 During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 , interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans amounted to $ 13,000 and $ 12,000 , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 , interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans amounted to $ 49,000 and $ 26,000 , respectively. The following tables show information regarding nonaccrual loans as of the dates indicated: As of September 30, 2024 With an Allowance for Credit Losses Without an Allowance for Credit Losses Total (in thousands) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ — $ 1,012 $ 1,012 Home equity lines of credit and loans — 85 85 Consumer — 1 1 Total nonaccrual loans $ — $ 1,098 $ 1,098 As of December 31, 2023 With an Allowance for Credit Losses Without an Allowance for Credit Losses Total (in thousands) Real estate loans: One-to-four family residential $ — $ 1,191 $ 1,191 Home equity lines of credit and loans — 22 22 Total nonaccrual loans $ — $ 1,213 $ 1,213 Credit Quality Information During the second quarter of 2024, the Company expanded its internal loan risk rating system from a seven grade system to a ten grade system. The new loan rating system for multi-family and commercial real estate, construction, commercial loans and certain residential and home equity lines of credit is as follows: Loans rated 1 – 6: Loans in these categories are considered “pass” rated loans with low to average risk. Loans rated 7: Loans in this category are considered “special mention.” These loans are starting to show signs of potential weakness and are being closely monitored by management. Loans rated 8: Loans in this category are considered “substandard.” Generally, a loan is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligors and/or the collateral pledged. There is a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the weakness is not corrected. Loans rated 9: Loans in this category are considered “doubtful.” Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, highly questionable and improbable. Loans rated 10: Loans in this category are considered uncollectible (loss) and of such little value that their continuance as loans is not warranted. The rating system as of December 31, 2023 was as follows: Loans rated 1 – 3: Loans in these categories are considered “pass” rated loans with low to average risk. Loans rated 4: Loans in this category are considered “special mention.” These loans are starting to show signs of potential weakness and are being closely monitored by management. Loans rated 5: Loans in this category are considered “substandard.” Generally, a loan is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligors and/or the collateral pledged. There is a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the weakness is not corrected. Loans rated 6: Loans in this category are considered “doubtful.” Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, highly questionable and improbable. Loans rated 7: Loans in this category are considered uncollectible (loss) and of such little value that their continuance as loans is not warranted. On an annual basis, or more often if needed, the Company formally reviews the ratings on all commercial loans with aggregate potential outstanding balances of $ 500,000 or more, and all commercial real estate loans (including multi-family and construction loans as well as residential and home equity line of credit loans to commercial borrowers) with aggregate potential outstanding balances of $ 2.0 million or more. For loans that are not formally rated, the Company initially assesses credit quality based upon the borrower’s ability to pay and subsequently monitors these loans based on the borrower’s payment activity. The following tables detail the amortized cost balances of the Company's loan portfolios, presented by credit quality indicator and origination year as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023: Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Revolving Loans Converted to Term Total 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior As of September 30, 2024 (in thousands) One-to-four family residential Pass $ 2,734 $ 14,157 $ 35,081 $ 15,229 $ 4,018 $ 11,892 $ — $ — $ 83,111 Special Mention — — — — 636 440 — — 1,076 Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 24,692 46,686 85,337 69,451 48,868 60,152 — — 335,186 Total $ 27,426 $ 60,843 $ 120,418 $ 84,680 $ 53,522 $ 72,484 $ — $ — $ 419,373 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Multi-family Pass $ 11,373 $ 54,026 $ 202,121 $ 35,545 $ 8,682 $ 8,874 $ 6,354 $ — $ 326,975 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — — — — — — — — Total $ 11,373 $ 54,026 $ 202,121 $ 35,545 $ 8,682 $ 8,874 $ 6,354 $ — $ 326,975 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Commercial real estate Pass $ 22,655 $ 41,411 $ 77,828 $ 25,839 $ 15,586 $ 32,556 $ 6,805 $ — 222,680 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — — — — — — — — Total $ 22,655 $ 41,411 $ 77,828 $ 25,839 $ 15,586 $ 32,556 $ 6,805 $ — $ 222,680 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Home equity lines of credit and loans Pass $ 199 $ 323 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 6,033 $ — $ 6,555 Special Mention — — — — — 10 74 — 84 Substandard — — — — — — 99 — 99 Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 127 390 27 8 — 75 31,452 596 32,675 Total $ 326 $ 713 $ 27 $ 8 $ — $ 85 $ 37,658 $ 596 $ 39,413 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction Pass $ 19,615 $ 32,207 $ 39,820 $ 4,516 $ — $ 2,988 $ — $ — $ 99,146 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 459 1,796 — — — — — — 2,255 Total $ 20,074 $ 34,003 $ 39,820 $ 4,516 $ — $ 2,988 $ — $ — $ 101,401 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Commercial Pass $ 5,100 $ 4,419 $ 2,768 $ 355 $ 20 $ 202 $ 1,644 $ — $ 14,508 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — — — — — — — — Total $ 5,100 $ 4,419 $ 2,768 $ 355 $ 20 $ 202 $ 1,644 $ — $ 14,508 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Consumer Pass $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 8 17 31 41 — 8 36 — 141 Total $ 8 $ 17 $ 31 $ 41 $ — $ 8 $ 36 $ — $ 141 Current-period gross charge-offs $ 3 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 3 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Revolving Loans Converted to Term Total 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior As of December 31, 2023 (in thousands) One-to-four family residential Pass $ 9,689 $ 36,662 $ 15,529 $ 4,476 $ 4,230 $ 9,224 $ — $ — $ 79,810 Special Mention — — — 809 — 451 — — 1,260 Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 48,688 90,827 72,463 51,035 7,129 58,919 — — 329,061 Total $ 58,377 $ 127,489 $ 87,992 $ 56,320 $ 11,359 $ 68,594 $ — $ — $ 410,131 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Multi-family Pass $ 45,188 $ 194,999 $ 26,820 $ 8,873 $ — $ 9,798 $ 1,683 $ — $ 287,361 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — — — — — — — — Total $ 45,188 $ 194,999 $ 26,820 $ 8,873 $ — $ 9,798 $ 1,683 $ — $ 287,361 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Commercial real estate Pass $ 43,639 $ 72,671 $ 24,138 $ 16,407 $ 4,054 $ 31,132 $ 4,324 $ — $ 196,365 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — — — — — — — — Total $ 43,639 $ 72,671 $ 24,138 $ 16,407 $ 4,054 $ 31,132 $ 4,324 $ — $ 196,365 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Home equity lines of credit and loans Pass $ 326 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 4,986 $ — $ 5,312 Special Mention — — — — — 14 8 — 22 Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 410 36 12 — 65 22 26,970 508 28,023 Total $ 736 $ 36 $ 12 $ — $ 65 $ 36 $ 31,964 $ 508 $ 33,357 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction Pass $ 33,707 $ 55,170 $ 17,228 $ — $ 786 $ 2,988 $ — $ — $ 109,879 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 2,121 — — — — — — — 2,121 Total $ 35,828 $ 55,170 $ 17,228 $ — $ 786 $ 2,988 $ — $ — $ 112,000 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Commercial Pass $ 4,444 $ 3,349 $ 428 $ 35 $ 89 $ 154 $ 655 $ — $ 9,154 Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) — — 65 — — — — — 65 Total $ 4,444 $ 3,349 $ 493 $ 35 $ 89 $ 154 $ 655 $ — $ 9,219 Current-period gross charge-offs $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Consumer Pass $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Special Mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard — — — — — — — — — Doubtful — — — — — — — — — Loans not formally rated (1) 31 38 45 — — 13 46 — 173 Total $ 31 $ 38 $ 45 $ — $ — $ 13 $ 46 $ — $ 173 Current-period gross charge-offs $ 2 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2 (1) All loans no t formally rated were accruing as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 , the Company did no t provide loan restructurings involving borrowers that are experiencing financial difficulty. |