Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality of Loans | 6. Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality of Loans The allowance for credit losses totaled $115.3 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $114.4 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans was 1.19% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company’s January 1, 2023 adoption of ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - CECL Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosure The allowance for credit losses calculation incorporated a 6-quarter forecast period to account for forecast economic conditions under each scenario utilized in the measurement. For periods beyond the 6-quarter forecast, the model reverts to long-term economic conditions over a 4-quarter reversion period on a straight-line basis. The Company considers a baseline, upside and downside economic forecast in measuring the allowance. The quantitative model as of March 31, 2024 incorporated a baseline economic outlook along with an alternative downside scenario sourced from a reputable third-party to accommodate other potential economic conditions in the model. At March 31, 2024, the weightings were 70% and 30% for the baseline and downside economic forecasts, respectively. The baseline outlook reflects an economic environment where the unemployment rate increases slightly from 3.8% to 4.1% during the forecast period. Northeast GDP’s annualized growth (on a quarterly basis) is expected to start the second quarter of 2024 at approximately 3.3% and decrease to 2.8% before increasing to 3.4% by the end of the forecast period. Key assumptions in the baseline economic outlook included the Federal Reserve cutting rates with three 25 basis point cuts at the June, September, and December meetings, the economy remaining at full employment, and continued tapering of the Federal Reserve balance sheet. The alternative downside scenario assumed deteriorated economic conditions from the baseline outlook. Under this scenario, national unemployment rises from 3.8% in the first quarter of 2024 to a peak of 7.7% in the second quarter of 2025. These scenarios and their respective weightings are evaluated at each measurement date and reflect management’s expectations as of March 31, 2024. Additional adjustments were made for factors not incorporated in the forecasts or the model, such as loss rate expectations for certain loan pools, considerations for inflation, and recent trends in asset value indices. Additional monitoring for industry concentrations, loan growth, and policy exceptions was also conducted. The quantitative model as of December 31, 2023 incorporated a baseline economic outlook along with an alternative downside scenario sourced from a reputable third-party to accommodate other potential economic conditions in the model. At December 31, 2023, the weightings were 70% and 30% for the baseline and downside economic forecasts, respectively. The baseline outlook reflected an unemployment rate environment starting at 3.8% and increasing slightly during the forecast period to 4.1%. Northeast GDP’s annualized growth (on a quarterly basis) was expected to start the first quarter of 2024 at approximately 3.7% before decreasing to a low of 2.9% in the third quarter of 2024 and then increasing to 3.8% by the end of the forecast period. Other utilized economic variable forecasts are mixed compared to the prior year, with retail sales improving, business output mixed and housing starts down. Key assumptions in the baseline economic outlook included currently being in a full employment economy, continued tapering of the Federal Reserve balance sheet and the FOMC beginning to cut rates in the second quarter of 2024. The alternative downside scenario assumed deteriorated economic conditions from the baseline outlook. Under this scenario, northeast unemployment increases to a peak of 7.0% in the first quarter of 2025. These scenarios and their respective weightings are evaluated at each measurement date and reflect management’s expectations as of December 31, 2023. Additional qualitative adjustments were made for factors not incorporated in the forecasts or the model, such as loss rate expectations for certain loan pools, considerations for inflation and recent trends in asset value indices. Additional monitoring for industry concentrations, loan growth and policy exceptions was also conducted. There were no loans purchased with credit deterioration during the three months ended March 31, 2024. There were $219.5 million of PCD loans acquired from Salisbury during the year ended December 31, 2023, which resulted in an allowance for credit losses at acquisition of $5.8 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company purchased $0.4 million of residential loans at a 7.0% premium with a $4 thousand allowance for credit losses recorded for these loans. During 2023, the Company purchased $3.8 million of residential loans at a 7.0% premium with a $31 thousand allowance for credit losses recorded for these loans. The Company made a policy election to report AIR in the other assets The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by our portfolio segments: (In thousands) Commercial Loans Consumer Loans Residential Total Balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 45,903 $ 46,427 $ 22,070 $ 114,400 Charge-offs (985 ) (5,581 ) (114 ) (6,680 ) Recoveries 198 1,651 152 2,001 Provision (644 ) 4,922 1,301 5,579 Ending balance as of March 31 2024 $ 44,472 $ 47,419 $ 23,409 $ 115,300 Balance as of January 1, 2023 (after adoption of ASC 2022-02) $ 34,662 $ 50,951 $ 14,539 $ 100,152 Charge-offs (169 ) (5,342 ) (339 ) (5,850 ) Recoveries 541 1,377 121 2,039 Provision 1,006 1,834 1,069 3,909 Ending balance as of March 31 2023 $ 36,040 $ 48,820 $ 15,390 $ 100,250 The allowance for credit losses as of increased compared to the allowance estimates as of primarily due to the slowing of prepayment speed The increase in the allowance for credit losses from to was primarily due to the recording of $14.5 $8.8 million of non-PCD allowance recognized through the provision for loan losses and the $5.8 million of PCD allowance reclassified from loans. Individually Evaluated Loans The threshold for evaluating classified, commercial and commercial real estate loans risk graded substandard or doubtful, and nonperforming loans specifically evaluated for individual credit loss is $1.0 million. As of March 31, 2024, there were two relationships identified to be evaluated for loss on an individual basis which had an amortized cost basis of $17.1 million, with no allowance for credit loss. As of December 31, 2023, the same two relationships were identified to be evaluated for loss on an individual basis which had an amortized cost basis of $17.3 million, with no allowance for credit loss. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were $17.1 million and $17.3 million, respectively, of loans in nonaccrual that were specifically evaluated for individual expected credit loss without an allowance for credit losses. The following table sets forth information with regard to past due and nonperforming loans by loan segment: (In thousands) 31-60 Days Past Due Accruing 61-90 Days Past Due Accruing Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Accruing Total Past Due Accruing Nonaccrual Current Recorded Total Loans As of March 31 2024 Commercial loans: C&I $ 1,711 $ 750 $ - $ 2,461 $ 3,079 $ 1,398,831 $ 1,404,371 CRE 1,929 64 - 1,993 18,743 3,424,810 3,445,546 Total commercial loans $ 3,640 $ 814 $ - $ 4,454 $ 21,822 $ 4,823,641 $ 4,849,917 Consumer loans: Auto $ 10,376 $ 1,676 $ 1,045 $ 13,097 $ 2,274 $ 1,142,702 $ 1,158,073 Residential solar 3,940 1,362 446 5,748 125 890,274 896,147 Other consumer 2,054 1,158 882 4,094 299 146,372 150,765 Total consumer loans $ 16,370 $ 4,196 $ 2,373 $ 22,939 $ 2,698 $ 2,179,348 $ 2,204,985 Residential $ 3,799 $ 858 $ 227 $ 4,884 $ 10,669 $ 2,617,622 $ 2,633,175 Total loans $ 23,809 $ 5,868 $ 2,600 $ 32,277 $ 35,189 $ 9,620,611 $ 9,688,077 (In thousands) 31-60 Days Past Due Accruing 61-90 Days Past Due Accruing Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Accruing Total Past Due Accruing Nonaccrual Current Recorded Total Loans As of December 31 2023 Commercial loans: C&I $ 414 $ 33 $ 1 $ 448 $ 3,441 $ 1,393,616 $ 1,397,505 CRE 803 835 - 1,638 18,126 3,413,984 3,433,748 Total commercial loans $ 1,217 $ 868 $ 1 $ 2,086 $ 21,567 $ 4,807,600 $ 4,831,253 Consumer loans: Auto $ 10,115 $ 2,011 $ 1,067 $ 13,193 $ 2,106 $ 1,084,143 $ 1,099,442 Residential solar 3,074 1,301 915 5,290 245 912,220 917,755 Other consumer 2,343 1,811 1,124 5,278 215 164,867 170,360 Total consumer loans $ 15,532 $ 5,123 $ 3,106 $ 23,761 $ 2,566 $ 2,161,230 $ 2,187,557 Residential $ 3,836 $ 399 $ 554 $ 4,789 $ 10,080 $ 2,617,034 $ 2,631,903 Total loans $ 20,585 $ 6,390 $ 3,661 $ 30,636 $ 34,213 $ 9,585,864 $ 9,650,713 Credit Quality Indicators The Company has developed an internal loan grading system to evaluate and quantify the Company’s loan portfolio with respect to quality and risk. The system focuses on, among other things, financial strength of borrowers, experience and depth of borrower’s management, primary and secondary sources of repayment, payment history, nature of the business and outlook on particular industries. The internal grading system enables the Company to monitor the quality of the entire loan portfolio on a consistent basis and provide management with an early warning system, which facilitates recognition and response to problem loans and potential problem loans. Commercial Grading System For C&I and CRE loans, the Company uses a grading system that relies on quantifiable and measurable characteristics when available. This includes comparison of financial strength to available industry averages, comparison of transaction factors (loan terms and conditions) to loan policy and comparison of credit history to stated repayment terms and industry averages. Some grading factors are necessarily more subjective such as economic and industry factors, regulatory environment and management. C&I and CRE loans are graded Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention and Pass. Doubtful A Doubtful loan has a high probability of total or substantial loss, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the asset, its classification as a loss is deferred. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity or capital and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. Pending events can include mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, capital injections, the perfection of liens on additional collateral, the valuation of collateral and refinancing. Generally, pending events should be resolved within a relatively short period and the ratings will be adjusted based on the new information. Nonaccrual treatment is required for Doubtful assets because of the high probability of loss. Substandard Substandard loans have a high probability of payment default or they have other well-defined weaknesses. They require more intensive supervision by bank management. Substandard loans are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. For some Substandard loans, the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt and those loans should be placed on nonaccrual. Although Substandard assets in the aggregate will have a distinct potential for loss, an individual asset’s loss potential does not have to be distinct for the asset to be rated Substandard. Special Mention Special Mention loans have potential weaknesses that may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date. These loans pose elevated risk, but their weakness does not yet justify a Substandard classification. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends (i.e., declining revenues or margins) or may be struggling with an ill-proportioned balance sheet (i.e., increasing inventory without an increase in sales, high leverage and/or tight liquidity). Adverse economic or market conditions, such as interest rate increases or the entry of a new competitor, may also support a Special Mention rating. Although a Special Mention loan has a higher probability of default than a Pass asset, its default is not imminent. Pass Loans graded as Pass encompass all loans not graded as Doubtful, Substandard or Special Mention. Pass loans are in compliance with loan covenants and payments are generally made as agreed. Pass loans range from superior quality to fair quality. Pass loans also include any portion of a government guaranteed loan, including Paycheck Protection Program loans. Consumer and Residential Grading System Consumer and Residential loans are graded as either Nonperforming or Performing. Nonperforming Nonperforming loans are loans that are (1) over 90 days past due and interest is still accruing or (2) on nonaccrual status. Performing All loans not meeting any of the above criteria are considered Performing. The following tables illustrate the Company’s credit quality by loan class by vintage and includes gross charge-offs by loan class by vintage. Included in other consumer gross charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded $0.2 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2023 originations. Included in other consumer gross charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $0.2 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2022 originations and $0.8 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2023 originations. (In thousands) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Revolving Loans Converted to Term Total As of March 31 2024 C&I By internally assigned grade: Pass $ 60,820 $ 214,985 $ 243,619 $ 231,577 $ 146,409 $ 129,310 $ 318,078 $ 2,585 $ 1,347,383 Special mention - 1,795 2,802 378 3,845 1,812 15,946 251 26,829 Substandard - 2,934 3,154 1,885 289 6,845 14,880 127 30,114 Doubtful - 21 1 19 - 4 - - 45 Total C&I $ 60,820 $ 219,735 $ 249,576 $ 233,859 $ 150,543 $ 137,971 $ 348,904 $ 2,963 $ 1,404,371 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ (9 ) $ (900 ) $ - $ - $ (76 ) $ - $ - $ (985 ) CRE By internally assigned grade: Pass $ 81,048 $ 362,660 $ 492,661 $ 546,787 $ 449,533 $ 1,013,118 $ 308,977 $ 37,243 $ 3,292,027 Special mention - 3,602 5,971 7,842 3,875 28,841 3,547 - 53,678 Substandard - - 726 17,961 1,132 61,499 1,542 16,981 99,841 Total CRE $ 81,048 $ 366,262 $ 499,358 $ 572,590 $ 454,540 $ 1,103,458 $ 314,066 $ 54,224 $ 3,445,546 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Auto By payment activity: Performing $ 175,451 $ 430,001 $ 331,202 $ 138,915 $ 36,140 $ 43,045 $ - $ - $ 1,154,754 Nonperforming 29 1,014 1,171 724 94 287 - - 3,319 Total auto $ 175,480 $ 431,015 $ 332,373 $ 139,639 $ 36,234 $ 43,332 $ - $ - $ 1,158,073 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ (274 ) $ (493 ) $ (226 ) $ (12 ) $ (122 ) $ - $ - $ (1,127 ) Residential solar By payment activity: Performing $ 1,365 $ 149,789 $ 422,422 $ 176,158 $ 63,222 $ 82,620 $ - $ - $ 895,576 Nonperforming - - 432 76 - 63 - - 571 Total residential solar $ 1,365 $ 149,789 $ 422,854 $ 176,234 $ 63,222 $ 82,683 $ - $ - $ 896,147 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ (53 ) $ (910 ) $ (136 ) $ - $ (196 ) $ - $ - $ (1,295 ) Other consumer By payment activity: Performing $ 5,600 $ 10,559 $ 22,720 $ 47,947 $ 18,029 $ 25,681 $ 19,015 $ 33 $ 149,584 Nonperforming - 5 184 650 39 295 1 7 1,181 Total other consumer $ 5,600 $ 10,564 $ 22,904 $ 48,597 $ 18,068 $ 25,976 $ 19,016 $ 40 $ 150,765 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ (250 ) $ (811 ) $ (1,453 ) $ (364 ) $ (281 ) $ - $ - $ (3,159 ) Residential By payment activity: Performing $ 39,693 $ 258,154 $ 336,357 $ 438,007 $ 273,451 $ 1,006,816 $ 255,582 $ 14,219 $ 2,622,279 Nonperforming - 626 825 1,605 272 7,568 - - 10,896 Total residential $ 39,693 $ 258,780 $ 337,182 $ 439,612 $ 273,723 $ 1,014,384 $ 255,582 $ 14,219 $ 2,633,175 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ (114 ) $ - $ - $ (114 ) Total loans $ 364,006 $ 1,436,145 $ 1,864,247 $ 1,610,531 $ 996,330 $ 2,407,804 $ 937,568 $ 71,446 $ 9,688,077 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ (586 ) $ (3,114 ) $ (1,815 ) $ (376 ) $ (789 ) $ - $ - $ (6,680 ) (In thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Revolving Loans Converted to Term Total As of December 31, 2023 C&I By internally assigned grade: Pass $ 229,249 $ 270,796 $ 241,993 $ 158,051 $ 74,469 $ 63,826 $ 299,248 $ 2,923 $ 1,340,555 Special mention 420 1,672 277 3,524 87 1,854 19,489 - 27,323 Substandard 1,496 2,461 1,609 282 2,266 5,632 14,266 1,607 29,619 Doubtful - 1 2 - 4 1 - - 8 Total C&I $ 231,165 $ 274,930 $ 243,881 $ 161,857 $ 76,826 $ 71,313 $ 333,003 $ 4,530 $ 1,397,505 Current-period gross charge-offs $ (24 ) $ (3,021 ) $ (5 ) $ (86 ) $ - $ (600 ) $ - $ - $ (3,736 ) CRE By internally assigned grade: Pass $ 353,161 $ 518,201 $ 561,897 $ 452,110 $ 327,804 $ 739,189 $ 294,039 $ 33,705 $ 3,280,106 Special mention 3,577 4,472 10,711 7,055 9,967 39,460 2,970 - 78,212 Substandard 370 731 21,807 1,146 2,996 37,418 10,962 - 75,430 Total CRE $ 357,108 $ 523,404 $ 594,415 $ 460,311 $ 340,767 $ 816,067 $ 307,971 $ 33,705 $ 3,433,748 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ (114 ) $ (304 ) $ - $ - $ (418 ) Auto By payment activity: Performing $ 474,369 $ 363,516 $ 157,251 $ 42,644 $ 45,406 $ 13,071 $ 12 $ - $ 1,096,269 Nonperforming 532 1,241 830 190 306 74 - - 3,173 Total auto $ 474,901 $ 364,757 $ 158,081 $ 42,834 $ 45,712 $ 13,145 $ 12 $ - $ 1,099,442 Current-period gross charge-offs $ (102 ) $ (1,183 ) $ (1,066 ) $ (340 ) $ (301 ) $ (295 ) $ - $ - $ (3,287 ) Residential solar By payment activity: Performing $ 155,425 $ 430,855 $ 178,839 $ 65,382 $ 46,554 $ 39,540 $ - $ - $ 916,595 Nonperforming - 837 205 18 47 53 - - 1,160 Total residential solar $ 155,425 $ 431,692 $ 179,044 $ 65,400 $ 46,601 $ 39,593 $ - $ - $ 917,755 Current-period gross charge-offs $ (150 ) $ (1,930 ) $ (923 ) $ (45 ) $ (558 ) $ (345 ) $ - $ - $ (3,951 ) Other consumer By payment activity: Performing $ 13,089 $ 27,394 $ 57,876 $ 21,087 $ 14,548 $ 15,964 $ 19,042 $ 21 $ 169,021 Nonperforming - 244 685 144 56 161 4 45 1,339 Total other consumer $ 13,089 $ 27,638 $ 58,561 $ 21,231 $ 14,604 $ 16,125 $ 19,046 $ 66 $ 170,360 Current-period gross charge-offs $ (885 ) $ (3,744 ) $ (7,511 ) $ (1,329 ) $ (832 ) $ (568 ) $ - $ - $ (14,869 ) Residential By payment activity: Performing $ 212,799 $ 366,860 $ 453,206 $ 267,845 $ 167,860 $ 876,563 $ 260,836 $ 15,300 $ 2,621,269 Nonperforming 134 430 1,121 385 591 7,460 - 513 10,634 Total residential $ 212,933 $ 367,290 $ 454,327 $ 268,230 $ 168,451 $ 884,023 $ 260,836 $ 15,813 $ 2,631,903 Current-period gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ (81 ) $ (30 ) $ - $ (406 ) $ - $ - $ (517 ) Total loans $ 1,444,621 $ 1,989,711 $ 1,688,309 $ 1,019,863 $ 692,961 $ 1,840,266 $ 920,868 $ 54,114 $ 9,650,713 Current-period gross charge-offs $ (1,161 ) $ (9,878 ) $ (9,586 ) $ (1,830 ) $ (1,805 ) $ (2,518 ) $ - $ - $ (26,778 ) Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures The allowance for losses on unfunded commitments totaled $4.7 million as March 31, 2024, compared to $5.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulties When the Company modifies a loan with financial difficulty, such modifications generally include one or a combination of the following: an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; a change in scheduled payment amount; or principal forgiveness. The following table shows the amortized cost basis at the end of the reporting period of the loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of concession granted: Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Term Extension (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Cost % of Total Class of Financing Receivables Residential $ 294 0.011 % Total $ 294 Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Term Extension (Dollars in thousands) Amortized Cost % of Total Class of Financing Receivables Residential $ 43 0.002 % Total $ 43 The following table describes the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties: Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Loan Type Term Extension Residential Added a weighted-average 7.4 years to the life of loans, which reduced monthly payment amounts for the borrowers. Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Loan Type Term Extension Residential Added a weighted-average 18 years to the life of loans, which reduced monthly payment amounts for the borrowers. There were no financing receivables that had a payment default during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified in the twelve months prior to that default. The Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis) (In thousands) Current 31-60 Days Past Due 61-90 Days Past Due Greater than 90 Days Past Due As of March 31, 2024 Loan Type Residential $ 863 $ - $ - $ 29 Total $ 863 $ - $ - $ 29 |