Loans And The Allowance For Loan Losses | 3. LOANS AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Major categories of loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized as follows: December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Mortgage loans on real estate: (in thousands) Residential mortgages $ 158,404 $ 131,208 Commercial and multi-family 592,507 519,902 Construction-Residential 113 2,134 Construction-Commercial 105,196 107,274 Home equities 70,546 69,745 Total real estate loans 926,766 830,263 Commercial and industrial loans 226,057 232,211 Consumer and other loans 1,520 1,654 Net deferred loan origination costs 1,587 1,187 Total gross loans 1,155,930 1,065,315 Allowance for loan losses (14,784) (14,019) Loans, net $ 1,141,146 $ 1,051,296 Residential Mortgages : The Company originates adjustable-rate and fixed-rate, one-to-four-family residential real estate loans for the construction, purchase, or refinancing of a mortgage. These loans are collateralized by owner-occupied properties located in the Company’s market area and are amortized over a period of 10 to 30 years. Loans on one-to-four-family residential real estate are mostly originated in amounts of no more than 80% of the property’s appraised value or have private mortgage insurance. Mortgage title insurance and hazard insurance are normally required. Construction loans have a unique risk, because they are secured by an incomplete dwelling. The Bank, in its normal course of business, sells certain residential mortgages which it originates to FNMA. The Company maintains servicing rights on the loans that it sells to FNMA and earns a fee thereon. The Bank determines with each origination of residential real estate loans which desired maturities, within the context of overall maturities in the loan portfolio, provide the appropriate mix to optimize the Bank’s ability to absorb the corresponding interest rate risk within the Company’s tolerance ranges. This practice allows the Company to manage interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had approximately $73 million and $78 million, respectively, in unpaid principal balances of loans that it services for FNMA. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company sold $4 million and $11 million, respectively, in loans to FNMA and realized gains on those sales of $ 38 thousand and $ 156 thousand, respectively. Gains or losses recognized upon the sale of loans are determined on a specific identification basis. The Company had a related asset of approximately $0.6 million for the servicing portfolio rights as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There were $0.4 million in loans held for sale at December 31, 2018 and no loans held for sale at December 31, 2017. Loans held for sale are typically in the portfolio for less than a month. As a result, the carrying value approximates fair value. The Company has never been contacted by FNMA to repurchase any loans due to improper documentation or fraud. Due to the lack of foreclosure activity and absence of any ongoing litigation at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no accrual for loss contingencies or potential costs associated with foreclosure-related activities at those dates. Commercial and Multi-Family Mortgages and Commercial Construction Loans : Commercial real estate loans are made to finance the purchases of real estate with completed structures or in the midst of being constructed. These commercial real estate loans are secured by first liens on the real estate, which may include apartments, hotels, retail stores or plazas, healthcare facilities, and other non-owner-occupied facilities. These loans are generally less risky than commercial and industrial loans, since they are secured by real estate and buildings. The Company offers commercial mortgage loans with up to an 80% LTV ratio for up to 20 years on a variable and fixed rate basis. Many of these mortgage loans either mature or are subject to a rate call after three to five years. The Company’s underwriting analysis includes credit verification, independent appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and the underlying cash flows. Construction loans have a unique risk, because they are secured by an incomplete dwelling. As of December 31, 2018, there were $406 million in residential and commercial mortgage loans pledged to FHLBNY to serve as collateral for potential borrowings. Home Equities : The Company originates home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans (loans secured by a second lien position on one-to-four-family residential real estate). These loans carry a higher risk than first mortgage residential loans because they are in a second position with respect to collateral. Risk is reduced through underwriting criteria, which include credit verification, appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and personal cash flows. A security interest, with title insurance when necessary, is taken in the underlying real estate. Commercial and Industrial Loans: These loans generally include term loans and lines of credit. Such loans are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisition of real estate, expansion, and improvements) and equipment purchases. As a general practice, a collateral lien is placed on equipment or other assets owned by the borrower. These loans generally carry a higher risk than commercial real estate loans based on the nature of the underlying collateral, which can be business assets such as equipment and accounts receivable. To reduce the risk, management also attempts to secure real estate as collateral and obtain personal guarantees of the borrowers. To further reduce risk and enhance liquidity, these loans generally carry variable rates of interest, re-pricing in three - to five -year periods, and have a maturity of five years or less. Lines of credit generally carry floating rates of interest (e.g. prime plus a margin). Consumer Loans : The Company funds a variety of consumer loans, including direct automobile loans, recreational vehicle loans, boat loans, home improvement loans, and personal loans (collateralized and uncollateralized). Most of these loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging up to five years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. The majority of consumer loans are underwritten on a secured basis using the underlying collateral being financed. A minimal amount of loans are unsecured, which carry a higher risk of loss. These loans included overdrawn deposit accounts classified as loans of less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses in order to capture the probable losses inherent in its loan portfolio. There is a risk that the Company may experience significant loan losses in 2019 and beyond which could exceed the allowance for loan losses. If the Company's assumptions and judgments prove to be incorrect or bank regulators require the Company to increase its provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs, the Company may have to increase its allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the Company's allowance for loan losses will be adequate to protect the Company against loan losses that it may incur. Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 follow: 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 14,019 $ 13,916 $ 12,883 Provisions for loan losses 1,402 738 1,209 Recoveries 54 350 231 Charge-offs (691) (985) (407) Balance, end of year $ 14,784 $ 14,019 $ 13,916 The following tables summarize the allowance for loan losses, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, by portfolio segment. The segments presented are at the level management uses to assess and monitor the risk and performance of the portfolio. 2018 (in thousands) Commercial and Industrial Commercial Real Estate Mortgages* Consumer and Other Residential Mortgages* Home Equities Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $ 5,204 $ 7,409 $ 109 $ 950 $ 347 $ 14,019 Charge-offs (203) (262) (113) (86) (27) (691) Recoveries 41 - 12 - 1 54 Provision (Credit) (674) 1,697 98 257 24 1,402 Ending balance $ 4,368 $ 8,844 $ 106 $ 1,121 $ 345 $ 14,784 Allowance for loan losses: Ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 249 $ 716 $ 23 $ 85 $ - $ 1,073 Collectively evaluated for impairment 4,119 8,128 83 1,036 345 13,711 Total $ 4,368 $ 8,844 $ 106 $ 1,121 $ 345 $ 14,784 Loans: Ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 3,701 $ 15,290 $ 23 $ 2,814 $ 1,887 $ 23,715 Collectively evaluated for impairment 222,356 682,413 1,497 155,703 68,659 1,130,628 Total $ 226,057 $ 697,703 $ 1,520 $ 158,517 $ 70,546 $ 1,154,343 N ote : Loan balances do not include $ 1.6 million in net deferred loan origination costs as of December 31, 2018. * includes construction loans 2017 (in thousands) Commercial and Industrial Commercial Real Estate Mortgages* Consumer and Other Residential Mortgages* Home Equities Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $ 4,813 $ 7,890 $ 96 $ 769 $ 348 $ 13,916 Charge-offs (791) (127) (66) - (1) (985) Recoveries 323 - 24 - 3 350 Provision (Credit) 859 (354) 55 181 (3) 738 Ending balance $ 5,204 $ 7,409 $ 109 $ 950 $ 347 $ 14,019 Allowance for loan losses: Ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 372 $ 643 $ 34 $ 28 $ - $ 1,077 Collectively evaluated for impairment 4,832 6,766 75 922 347 12,942 Total $ 5,204 $ 7,409 $ 109 $ 950 $ 347 $ 14,019 Loans: Ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 2,263 $ 9,212 $ 34 $ 2,611 $ 1,785 $ 15,905 Collectively evaluated for impairment 229,948 617,964 1,620 130,731 67,960 1,048,223 Total $ 232,211 $ 627,176 $ 1,654 $ 133,342 $ 69,745 $ 1,064,128 Note : Loan balances do not include $1.2 million in net deferred loan origination costs as of December 31, 2017. * includes construction loans A description of the Company’s accounting policies and the methodology used to estimate the allowance for loan losses, including a description of the factors considered in determining the allowance for loan losses, such as historical losses and existing economic conditions, is included in Note 1 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table provides data, at the class level, of credit quality indicators of certain loans, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively: 2018 (in thousands) Corporate Credit Exposure – By Credit Rating Commercial Real Estate Construction Commercial and Multi-Family Mortgages Total Commercial Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Acceptable or better $ 65,932 $ 466,294 $ 532,226 $ 155,687 Watch 30,628 109,409 140,037 57,366 Special Mention - 10,583 10,583 4,105 Substandard 8,636 6,221 14,857 8,870 Doubtful/Loss - - - 29 Total $ 105,196 $ 592,507 $ 697,703 $ 226,057 2017 (in thousands) Corporate Credit Exposure – By Credit Rating Commercial Real Estate Construction Commercial and Multi-Family Mortgages Total Commercial Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Acceptable or better $ 83,203 $ 418,819 $ 502,022 $ 158,181 Watch 24,071 87,746 111,817 57,827 Special Mention - 4,106 4,106 13,247 Substandard - 9,231 9,231 2,134 Doubtful/Loss - - - 822 Total $ 107,274 $ 519,902 $ 627,176 $ 232,211 The Company’s risk ratings are monitored by the individual relationship managers and changed as deemed appropriate after receiving updated financial information from the borrowers or deterioration or improvement in the performance of a loan is evident in the customer’s payment history. Each commercial relationship is individually assigned a risk rating. The Company also maintains a loan review process that monitors the management of the Company’s commercial loan portfolio by the relationship managers. The Company’s loan review function reviews at least 40% of the commercial loan portfolio annually. The Company’s consumer loans, including residential mortgages and home equity loans and lines of credit, are not individually risk rated or reviewed as part of the Company’s loan review process. Unlike commercial customers, consumer loan customers are not required to provide the Company with updated financial information. Consumer loans also carry smaller dollar balances. Given the lack of updated information since the initial underwriting of the loan and the small size of individual loans, the Company uses delinquency status as the primary credit quality indicator for consumer loans. Once a consumer loan reaches 60 days past due, management orders an independent appraisal of the underlying collateral and produces a credit report on the borrower. After discounting for potential selling costs and other factors specific to the property or borrower, the book value of the loan is then compared to the collateral value as determined by the appraisal. In situations where the Company holds a junior lien, management accounts for the amount of the senior liens held by other lenders, and the collateral value is more heavily discounted to account for the increased risk. If the loan is ultimately determined to be impaired, it is placed in non-accrual status. Unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection, all consumer loans that are more than 90 days past due are placed in non-accrual status. A summary of current, past due, and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 follows: 2018 (in thousands) Current Non-accruing Total Balance 30-59 days 60-89 days 90+ days Loans Balance Commercial and industrial $ 217,625 $ 6,173 $ 565 $ - $ 1,694 $ 226,057 Residential real estate: Residential 154,063 2,546 332 - 1,463 158,404 Construction 113 - - - - 113 Commercial real estate: Commercial 582,016 4,546 - - 5,945 592,507 Construction 95,204 1,027 329 - 8,636 105,196 Home equities 69,094 123 76 - 1,253 70,546 Consumer and other 1,514 5 1 - - 1,520 Total Loans $ 1,119,629 $ 14,420 $ 1,303 $ - $ 18,991 $ 1,154,343 2017 (in thousands) Current Non-accruing Total Balance 30-59 days 60-89 days 90+ days Loans Balance Commercial and industrial $ 225,915 $ 4,019 $ 163 $ 365 $ 1,749 $ 232,211 Residential real estate: Residential 129,251 731 - - 1,226 131,208 Construction 2,134 - - - - 2,134 Commercial real estate: Commercial 508,044 2,611 - 309 8,938 519,902 Construction 102,109 3,239 1,926 - - 107,274 Home equities 68,415 171 40 - 1,119 69,745 Consumer and other 1,628 11 6 - 9 1,654 Total Loans $ 1,037,496 $ 10,782 $ 2,135 $ 674 $ 13,041 $ 1,064,128 The following table provides data, at the class level, of impaired loans: At December 31, 2018 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized With no related allowance recorded: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 1,633 $ 2,611 $ - $ 1,785 $ 116 $ 65 Residential real estate: Residential 2,289 2,483 - 2,337 45 69 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial 6,538 6,914 - 6,733 220 115 Construction 116 116 - 143 - 12 Home equities 1,887 2,058 - 1,952 71 43 Consumer and other - - - - - - Total impaired loans $ 12,463 $ 14,182 $ - $ 12,950 $ 452 $ 304 At December 31, 2018 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized With a related allowance recorded: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 2,068 $ 2,095 $ 249 $ 2,098 $ 17 $ 125 Residential real estate: Residential 525 556 85 520 22 3 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial - - - - - - Construction 8,636 8,975 716 8,793 379 113 Home equities - - - - - - Consumer and other 23 27 23 23 - 2 Total impaired loans $ 11,252 $ 11,653 $ 1,073 $ 11,434 $ 418 $ 243 At December 31, 2018 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized Total: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 3,701 $ 4,706 $ 249 $ 3,883 $ 133 $ 190 Residential real estate: Residential 2,814 3,039 85 2,857 67 72 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial 6,538 6,914 - 6,733 220 115 Construction 8,752 9,091 716 8,936 379 125 Home equities 1,887 2,058 - 1,952 71 43 Consumer and other 23 27 23 23 - 2 Total impaired loans $ 23,715 $ 25,835 $ 1,073 $ 24,384 $ 870 $ 547 At December 31, 2017 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized With no related allowance recorded: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 1,023 $ 1,917 $ - $ 1,704 $ 92 $ 28 Residential real estate: Residential 2,415 2,594 - 2,456 46 83 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial 2,336 2,469 - 2,449 134 32 Construction 187 187 - 218 - 13 Home equities 1,785 1,892 - 1,828 62 33 Consumer and other - - - - - - Total impaired loans $ 7,746 $ 9,059 $ - $ 8,655 $ 334 $ 189 At December 31, 2017 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized With a related allowance recorded: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 1,240 $ 1,431 $ 372 $ 1,279 $ 79 $ 12 Residential real estate: Residential 196 196 28 196 6 3 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial 6,689 6,819 643 6,755 156 129 Construction - - - - - - Home equities - - - - - - Consumer and other 34 59 34 37 3 2 Total impaired loans $ 8,159 $ 8,505 $ 1,077 $ 8,267 $ 244 $ 146 At December 31, 2017 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Foregone Interest Income Recognized Total: (in thousands) Commercial and industrial $ 2,263 $ 3,348 $ 372 $ 2,983 $ 171 $ 40 Residential real estate: Residential 2,611 2,790 28 2,652 52 86 Construction - - - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial 9,025 9,288 643 9,204 290 161 Construction 187 187 - 218 - 13 Home equities 1,785 1,892 - 1,828 62 33 Consumer and other 34 59 34 37 3 2 Total impaired loans $ 15,905 $ 17,564 $ 1,077 $ 16,922 $ 578 $ 335 There were $ 12.5 million in impaired loans with no related allowance at December 31, 2018 and $ 7.7 million in impaired loans with no related allowance at December 31, 2017. As management identifies impaired loans that are collateral dependent, new appraisals are ordered to determine the fair value of the collateral. It should also be noted that when estimating the fair value of collateral for the purpose of performing an impairment test, management further reduces the appraised value of the collateral to account for estimated selling or carrying costs, age of the appraisal, if applicable, or any other perceived market or borrower-specific risks to the value of the collateral. The interest income in the preceding table was interest income recognized on accruing TDRs and interest paid prior to loans being identified as non-accrual. The interest income foregone in the preceding table represents interest income that the Company did not recognize on those loans while they were on non-accrual. The Bank had no loan commitments to borrowers in non-accrual status at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) The following tables summarize the loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings as of the dates indicated: December 31, 2018 (in thousands) Total Nonaccruing Accruing Related Allowance Commercial and industrial $ 2,282 $ 275 $ 2,007 $ 154 Residential real estate: Residential 1,617 266 1,351 14 Construction - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial and multi-family 4,164 3,571 593 - Construction 8,753 8,637 116 716 Home equities 756 122 634 - Consumer and other 23 - 23 23 Total TDR loans $ 17,595 $ 12,871 $ 4,724 $ 907 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Total Nonaccruing Accruing Related Allowance Commercial and industrial $ 734 $ 220 $ 514 $ 8 Residential real estate: Residential 1,656 271 1,385 - Construction - - - - Commercial real estate: Commercial and multi-family 3,854 3,767 87 236 Construction 187 - 187 - Home equities 794 128 666 - Consumer and other 25 - 25 24 Total TDR loans $ 7,250 $ 4,386 $ 2,864 $ 268 Any TDR that is placed on non-accrual is not reverted back to accruing status until the borrower makes timely payments as contracted for at least six months and future collection under the revised terms is probable. All of the Company’s restructurings were allowed in an effort to maximize its ability to collect on loans where borrowers were experiencing financial difficulty. The reserve for a TDR is based upon the present value of the future expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate or upon the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell, if the loan is deemed collateral dependent. This reserve methodology is used because all TDR loans are considered impaired. As of December 31, 2018, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors owing on loans whose terms have been modified in TDRs. The Company’s TDRs have various agreements that involve deferral of principal payments, or interest-only payments, for a period (usually 12 months or less) to allow the borrower time to improve cash flow or sell the property. Other common concessions leading to the designation of a TDR are lines of credit that are termed-out and/or extensions of maturities at rates that are less than the prevailing market rates given the risk profile of the borrower. The following tables show the data for TDR activity by type of concession granted to the borrower during 2018 and 2017: Year ended December 31, 2018 Year ended December 31, 2017 (Recorded Investment in thousands) (Recorded Investment in thousands) Troubled Debt Restructurings by Type of Concession Number of Contracts Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment Number of Contracts Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment Commercial and Industrial: Deferral of principal - $ - $ - 1 $ 874 $ 874 Extension of maturity 2 1,651 1,651 - - - Term-out line of credit 1 29 29 1 180 180 Combination of concessions 1 63 63 - - - Residential Real Estate & Construction: Extension of maturity 1 156 156 2 254 272 Commercial Real Estate & Construction: Deferral of principal 1 8,768 8,768 - - - Extension of maturity 1 181 181 3 5,073 5,073 Combination of concessions 1 154 154 1 4,179 3,397 Home Equities: - - - - - - Deferral of principal 1 100 100 1 175 175 Extension of maturity and interest rate reduction - - - 1 20 20 Consumer and other loans - - - - - - Modifications made to loans in a troubled debt restructuring did not have a material impact on the Company’s net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. All of the C&I and commercial real estate TDRs were already considered impaired and sufficiently reserved for prior to being identified as a TDR. The general practice of the Bank is to work with borrowers so that they are able to repay their loan in full. If a borrower continues to be delinquent or cannot meet the terms of a TDR and the loan is determined to be uncollectible, the loan will be charged-off to its collateral value. A loan is considered in default when the loan is 90 days past due. The following table presents loans which were classified as TDRs during the preceding twelve months and which subsequently defaulted during the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively: Year ended December 31, 2018 Year ended December 31, 2017 (Recorded Investment in thousands) (Recorded Investment in thousands) Troubled Debt Restructurings Number of Recorded Number of Recorded That Subsequently Defaulted Contracts Investment Contracts Investment Commercial and industrial - $ - 1 $ 107 Residential real estate - - 1 151 Commercial real estate - - - - Home equities - - - - Consumer and other loans - - - - |