Dime Community Bancshares (DCOM) 10-Q 2021 Q3 Quarterly report

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

OR

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-34096

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

New York	11-2934195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. employer identification number)
898 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 560, Hauppauge, NY	11788
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(631) 537-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value	DCOM	The NASDAQ Stock Market
Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.01 Par Value	DCOMP	The NASDAQ Stock Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all the reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  ☐	Accelerated Filer  ☒
Non-Accelerated Filer  ☐	Smaller Reporting Company  ☐
	Emerging Growth Company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐   NO ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Classes of Common Stock	Number of shares outstanding at October 31, 2021
$0.01 Par Value	40,454,438

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION		Page
Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020	4
	Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	5
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	6
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	7
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	9
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	10
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	47
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	63
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	64
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	65
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	65
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	65
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	65
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	65
Item 5.	Other Information	66
Item 6.	Exhibits	67
	Signatures	68

2

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements may be identified by use of words such as “annualized,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company”), in light of management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual conditions or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:

● increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;

● fluctuation in market interest rates;

● changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values;

● changes in the quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolios;

● changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines;

● changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws or policies;

● general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry;

● legislative, regulatory or policy changes;

● the success or consummation of new business initiatives or the integration of any acquired entities may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; and

● the risks referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused local and national economic disruption and has had an impact on the Company’s operations and financial results. Given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict what further effects the pandemic will have on our business and results of operations. The pandemic and related local and national economic disruption may, among other effects, result in a decline in demand for our products and services; increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; branch closures, work stoppages and unavailability of personnel; and increased cybersecurity risks, as employees continue to increasingly work remotely.

The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

3

Item 1.   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)

	September 30,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	629,011	$	243,603
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale, at fair value		1,212,383		426,979
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value		496,680		111,882
Investment securities held-to-maturity		40,303		—
Marketable equity securities, at fair value		—		5,970
Loans held for sale		14,720		5,903
Loans held for investment, net:
Real estate		8,251,743		4,978,195
Commercial and industrial ("C&I") loans		1,012,415		641,533
Other loans		20,713		2,316
Allowance for credit losses		(81,255)		(41,461)
Total loans held for investment, net		9,203,616		5,580,583
Premises and fixed assets, net		49,615		19,053
Premises held for sale		2,799		—
Restricted stock		37,719		60,707
Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI")		293,898		156,096
Goodwill		155,339		55,638
Other intangible assets		9,077		—
Operating lease assets		56,836		33,898
Derivative assets		41,700		18,932
Accrued interest receivable		43,284		34,815
Other assets		77,401		27,551
Total assets	$	12,364,381	$	6,781,610
Liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits	$	6,852,205	$	3,744,371
Non-interest-bearing deposits		3,821,832		780,751
Total deposits		10,674,037		4,525,122
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") advances		25,000		1,204,010
Other short-term borrowings		2,629		120,000
Subordinated debt, net		197,142		114,052
Operating lease liabilities		62,870		39,874
Derivative liabilities		38,889		37,374
Other liabilities		162,697		40,082
Total liabilities		11,163,264		6,080,514
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, Series A ($0.01 par, $25.00 liquidation value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and 5,299,200 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)		116,569		116,569
Common stock ($0.01 par 80,000,000 shares authorized, 41,599,973 shares and 34,813,302 shares issued at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and 40,714,828 shares and 21,232,984 shares outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)		416		348
Additional paid-in capital		493,775		278,295
Retained earnings		630,744		600,641
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes		(1,042)		(5,924)
Unearned equity awards		(9,417)		—
Common stock held by the Benefit Maintenance Plan ("BMP")		—		(1,496)
Treasury stock, at cost (885,145 shares and 13,580,318 shares at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)		(29,928)		(287,337)
Total stockholders' equity		1,201,117		701,096
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	12,364,381	$	6,781,610

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Interest income:
Loans	$	94,045	$	53,245	$	269,715	$	161,564
Securities		6,030		3,422		15,536		10,794
Other short-term investments		583		729		2,563		2,577
Total interest income		100,658		57,396		287,814		174,935
Interest expense:
Deposits and escrow		3,565		6,672		13,666		28,298
Borrowed funds		2,265		5,780		8,225		17,613
Total interest expense		5,830		12,452		21,891		45,911
Net interest income		94,828		44,944		265,923		129,024
(Credit) provision for credit losses		(5,187)		5,931		6,344		20,003
Net interest income after (credit) provision for credit losses		100,015		39,013		259,579		109,021
Non-interest income:
Service charges and other fees		4,581		1,632		11,377		3,918
Title fees		482		—		1,603		—
Loan level derivative income		445		1,544		2,796		5,201
BOLI income		2,249		1,033		5,181		3,831
Gain on sale of SBA loans		348		808		22,182		972
Gain on sale of residential loans		304		617		1,533		974
Net gain on equity securities		—		175		131		139
Net gain on sale of securities and other assets		—		215		730		3,357
Loss on termination of derivatives		—		—		(16,505)		—
Other		1,319		125		2,861		379
Total non-interest income		9,728		6,149		31,889		18,771
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		28,276		14,316		80,693		45,030
Severance		—		—		1,875		4,000
Occupancy and equipment		7,814		4,046		22,913		12,061
Data processing costs		3,573		2,146		12,132		6,177
Marketing		1,054		345		2,702		1,140
Professional services		2,751		935		7,154		2,713
Federal deposit insurance premiums		1,173		761		3,046		1,767
Loss from extinguishment of debt		—		—		1,751		—
Curtailment loss		—		—		1,543		—
Merger expenses and transaction costs		2,472		769		42,250		2,427
Branch restructuring costs		4,518		—		6,177		—
Amortization of other intangible assets		715		—		1,907		—
Other		4,437		1,535		10,327		4,924
Total non-interest expense		56,783		24,853		194,470		80,239
Income before income taxes		52,960		20,309		96,998		47,553
Income tax expense		14,565		4,441		28,359		10,327
Net income		38,395		15,868		68,639		37,226
Preferred stock dividends		1,822		1,822		5,465		2,962
Net income available to common stockholders	$	36,573	$	14,046	$	63,174	$	34,264
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.89	$	0.66	$	1.62	$	1.57
Diluted	$	0.89	$	0.65	$	1.62	$	1.56

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income	$	38,395	$	15,868	$	68,639	$	37,226
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale:
Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period		(8,654)		1,716		(15,222)		15,769
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets		—		(215)		(1,207)		(3,357)
Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense		(735)		4		(1,595)		194
Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss		—		—		1,543		—
Change in the net actuarial gain or loss		941		267		2,470		619
Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives:
Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period		225		100		3,767		(25,098)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives		—		—		16,505		—
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense		38		2,319		902		3,679
Other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes		(8,185)		4,191		7,163		(8,194)
Deferred tax (benefit) expense		(2,567)		1,327		2,281		(2,595)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(5,618)		2,864		4,882		(5,599)
Total comprehensive income	$	32,777	$	18,732	$	73,521	$	31,627

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2021
										Accumulated
										Other
										Comprehensive				Common
	Number of					Additional				Loss,		Unearned		Stock		Treasury		Total
	Shares of	Preferred		Common		Paid-in		Retained		Net of Deferred		Equity		Held by		Stock,		Stockholders’
	Common Stock	Stock		Stock		Capital		Earnings		Taxes		Awards		BMP		at cost		Equity
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2021	21,232,984	$	116,569	$	348	$	278,295	$	600,641	$	(5,924)	$	—	$	(1,496)	$	(287,337)	$	701,096
Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 3)	—		—		—		—		1,686		—		—		—		—		1,686
Adjusted beginning balance on January 1, 2021	21,232,984		116,569		348		278,295		602,327		(5,924)		—		(1,496)		(287,337)		702,782
Net loss	—		—		—		—		(21,034)		—		—		—		—		(21,034)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		6,455		—		—		—		6,455
Reverse merger with Bridge Bancorp Inc.	19,992,284		—		65		206,641		—		—		(2,603)		—		287,107		491,210
Exercise of stock options	15,928		—		—		292		—		—		—		—		80		372
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	335,959		—		3		8,562		—		—		(8,340)		—		(33)		192
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		836		—		—		836
Shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits	(41,101)		—		—		(1,359)		—		—		—		1,496		(1,130)		(993)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(1,821)		—		—		—		—		(1,821)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(5,175)		—		—		—		—		(5,175)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2021	41,536,054		116,569		416		492,431		574,297		531		(10,107)		—		(1,313)		1,172,824
Net income	—		—		—		—		51,278		—		—		—		—		51,278
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		4,045		—		—		—		4,045
Exercise of stock options	1,174		—		—		(7)		—		—		—		—		31		24
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	3,098		—		—		424		—		—		64		—		(141)		347
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		1,514		—		—		1,514
Shares received related to tax withholding	(3,342)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(147)		(147)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(1,822)		—		—		—		—		(1,822)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(9,962)		—		—		—		—		(9,962)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(424,121)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(13,825)		(13,825)
Ending balance as of June 30, 2021	41,112,863	$	116,569	$	416	$	492,848	$	613,791	$	4,576	$	(8,529)	$	—	$	(15,395)	$	1,204,276
Net income	—		—		—		—		38,395		—		—		—		—		38,395
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		(5,618)		—		—		—		(5,618)
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	82,004		—		—		1,048		—		—		(2,423)		—		1,615		240
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		1,535		—		—		1,535
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(1,822)		—		—		—		—		(1,822)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(19,620)		—		—		—		—		(19,620)
Redemption of real estate investment trust ("REIT") preferred stock	—		—		—		(121)		—		—		—		—		—		(121)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(480,039)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(16,148)		(16,148)
Ending balance as of September 30, 2021	40,714,828	$	116,569	$	416	$	493,775	$	630,744	$	(1,042)	$	(9,417)	$	—	$	(29,928)	$	1,201,117

7

	Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2020
										Accumulated
										Other
										Comprehensive				Common
	Number of					Additional				Loss,		Unearned		Stock		Treasury		Total
	Shares of	Preferred		Common		Paid-in		Retained		Net of Deferred		Equity		Held by		Stock,		Stockholders’
	Common Stock	Stock		Stock		Capital		Earnings		Taxes		Awards		BMP		at cost		Equity
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2020	22,780,208	$	—	$	348	$	279,511	$	581,817	$	(5,940)	$	(6,731)	$	(1,496)	$	(250,751)	$	596,758
Net income	—		—		—		—		8,392		—		—		—		—		8,392
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		(6,692)		—		—		—		(6,692)
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	59		—		—		5		—		—		(7)		—		2		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		671		—		—		671
Proceeds from Preferred Stock issuance, net	—		72,224		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		72,224
Shares received related to tax withholding	(3,025)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(79)		(79)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders, net	—		—		—		—		(4,915)		—		—		—		—		(4,915)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(825,992)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(20,711)		(20,711)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2020	21,951,250		72,224		348		279,516		585,294		(12,632)		(6,067)		(1,496)		(271,539)		645,648
Net income	—		—		—		—		12,966		—		—		—		—		12,966
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		(1,771)		—		—		—		(1,771)
Exercise of stock options, net	1,973		—		—		38		—		—		—		—		—		38
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	127,582		—		—		(784)		—		—		(1,960)		—		2,772		28
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		478		—		—		478
Proceeds from Preferred Stock issuance, net	—		44,345		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		44,345
Shares received related to tax withholding	(6,912)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(169)		(169)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(1,140)		—		—		—		—		(1,140)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(4,623)		—		—		—		—		(4,623)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(631,842)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(14,257)		(14,257)
Ending balance as of June 30, 2020	21,442,051	$	116,569	$	348	$	278,770	$	592,497	$	(14,403)	$	(7,549)	$	(1,496)	$	(283,193)	$	681,543
Net income	—		—		—		—		15,868		—		—		—		—		15,868
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		2,864		—		—		—		2,864
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	(2,368)		—		—		(1)		—		—		50		—		(49)		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		804		—		—		804
Shares received related to tax withholding	(4,203)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(81)		(81)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(1,822)		—		—		—		—		(1,822)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(4,630)		—		—		—		—		(4,630)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(19,196)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(388)		(388)
Ending balance as of September 30, 2020	21,416,284	$	116,569	$	348	$	278,769	$	601,913	$	(11,539)	$	(6,695)	$	(1,496)	$	(283,711)	$	694,158

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	68,639	$	37,226
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net gain on sales of securities available-for-sale and other assets		(730)		(3,357)
Net gain on equity securities		(131)		(139)
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale		(23,715)		(1,946)
Loss on termination of derivatives		16,505		—
Net depreciation, amortization and accretion		4,907		3,786
Amortization of other intangible assets		1,907		—
Stock-based compensation		3,885		1,953
Provision for credit losses		6,344		20,003
Originations of loans held for sale		(38,709)		(26,007)
Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale		57,558		38,789
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI		(4,831)		(2,697)
Gain from death benefits from BOLI		(350)		(1,134)
Deferred income tax benefit		(12,704)		(6,841)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		126,377		(17,810)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(45,669)		6,148
Net cash provided by operating activities		159,283		47,974
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale		138,077		68,784
Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities		6,101		410
Purchases of securities available-for-sale		(1,025,697)		(149,353)
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity		(40,303)		—
Acquisition of marketable equity securities		0		(136)
Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale		350,598		121,169
Purchase of BOLI		(40,000)		(40,000)
Proceeds received from cash surrender value of BOLI		1,464		3,020
Loans purchased		(9,855)		(18,892)
Proceeds from the sale of portfolio loans transferred to held for sale		681,956		35,025
Net decrease (increase) in loans		244,995		(266,490)
Purchases of fixed assets, net		(781)		(1,442)
Redemptions (purchases) of restricted stock, net		46,350		(1,286)
Net cash received in business combination		715,988		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		1,068,893		(249,191)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in deposits		733,744		133,042
Repayments of FHLBNY advances, long-term		(190,150)		(188,800)
Repayments of FHLBNY advances, short-term, net		(2,663,865)		—
Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, short-term		1,435,000		127,500
Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, long-term		25,000		97,450
Repayments of other short-term borrowings, net		(117,371)		(40,000)
Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net		0		116,569
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		396		38
Release of stock for benefit plan awards		779		28
Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards		(147)		(329)
BMP ESOP shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits		(993)		—
Treasury shares repurchased		(29,973)		(35,356)
Redemption of REIT preferred stock		(121)		—
Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders		(5,465)		(2,962)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders		(29,602)		(14,168)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(842,768)		193,012
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		385,408		(8,205)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD		243,603		155,488
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	629,011	$	147,283
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	17,930	$	13,755
Cash paid for interest		21,995		46,972
Loans transferred to held for sale		685,747		47,938
Loans transferred to held for investment		10,000		—
Premises held for investment transferred to held for sale		2,799		—
Premises held for sale transferred to premises and fixed assets, net		0		(514)
Operating lease assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities		4,048		1,524
Cumulative change due to CECL adoption		1,686		—
Net non-cash liabilities assumed in Merger (See Note 2)		324,479		—

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On February 1, 2021, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Dime”) merged with and into Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation (“Bridge”) (the “Merger”), with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” (the “Holding Company”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into the right to receive 0.6480 shares of the Holding Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Dime Preferred Stock”), was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Holding Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

Immediately following the Merger, Dime Community Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dime, merged with and into BNB Bank, a New York-chartered trust company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridge, with BNB Bank as the surviving bank, under the name “Dime Community Bank” (the “Bank”).

The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the collective results of the Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which are collectively herein referred to as “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company.”

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting, which means that for accounting and financial reporting purposes, Legacy Dime was deemed to have acquired Bridge in the Merger, even though Bridge was the legal acquirer. Accordingly, Legacy Dime’s historical financial statements are the historical financial statements of the combined company for all periods before February 1, 2021 (the “Merger Date”).

The Company’s results of operations for 2021 include the results of operations of Bridge on and after the Merger Date. Results for periods before the Merger Date reflect only those of Legacy Dime and do not include the results of operations of Bridge. The number of shares issued and outstanding, earnings per share, additional paid-in capital, dividends paid and all references to share quantities of the Company have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the equivalent number of shares issued to holders of Legacy Dime common stock in the Merger. The assets and liabilities of Bridge as of the Merger Date have been recorded at their estimated fair value and added to those of Legacy Dime. See Note 2. Merger for further information.

As of September 30, 2021, we operated 65 branch locations throughout Long Island and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.  

The Company is a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank, which was known as BNB Bank prior to the Merger. The Bank was established in 1910 and is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York. The Holding Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1988 to serve as the holding company for the Bank. The Company functions primarily as the holder of all of the Bank’s common stock. Our bank operations include Dime Community Inc., a real estate investment trust subsidiary which was formerly known as Bridgehampton Community, Inc., as an operating subsidiary. Our bank operations also include Bridge Abstract LLC (“Bridge Abstract”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker of title insurance services. In connection with the Merger, on February 1, 2021, the Holding Company acquired Dime Community Bank and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In September 2021, the Company dissolved 2 REITs, DSBW Preferred Funding Corporation and DSBW Residential Preferred Funding Corporation, which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank. The preferred shares issued by the REITs were redeemed in connection with the dissolutions.  

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods

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presented. In preparing the interim financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported periods. Such estimates are subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or previously existing circumstances are modified. Actual future results could differ significantly from those estimates. The annualized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts, and the related discussion and analysis, to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders' equity. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Legacy Dime’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which remain significantly unchanged and have been followed similarly as in prior periods except for the allowance for credit losses policy, resulting from the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)” and certain policies added as a result of the Merger.

Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which has spread to most countries, including the United States. The pandemic has adversely affected economic activity globally, nationally and locally.

In March 2020, the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, local state governments, including New York (in which the Bank has retail banking offices), have taken preventative or protective actions such as travel restrictions, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes, and other forced closures for certain types of non-essential businesses. The impact of these actions is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets in the United States.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The CARES Act is intended to provide relief and lessen a severe economic downturn. The stimulus package includes direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for hospitals and healthcare providers.

In December 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law to provide additional relief.  

It is possible that there will be continued material, adverse impacts to significant estimates, asset valuations, and business operations, including intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, and derivative counter party risk.

2.MERGER

As described in Note 1. Basis of Presentation, on February 1, 2021, we completed our Merger with Legacy Dime.

Pursuant to the merger agreement, Legacy Dime merged with and into Bridge with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into 0.6480 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 was converted into 1 share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

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In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime.

The Merger constituted a business combination and was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting. As a result, Legacy Dime was the accounting acquirer and Bridge was the legal acquirer and the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, the historical financial statements of Legacy Dime became the historical financial statements of the combined company. In addition, the assets and liabilities of Bridge have been recorded at their estimated fair values and added to those of Legacy Dime as of the Merger Date. The determination of fair value required management to make estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are subjective and subject to change.

The Company issued 21.2 million shares of its common stock to Legacy Dime stockholders in connection with the Merger, which represented 51.5% of the voting interests in the Company upon completion of the Merger. In accordance with FASB ASC 805-40-30-2, the purchase price in a reverse acquisition is determined based on the number of equity interests the legal acquiree would have had to issue to give the owners of the legal acquirer the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition.

The table below summarizes the ownership of the combined company following the Merger, for each shareholder group, as well as the market capitalization of the combined company using shares of Bridge and Legacy Dime common stock outstanding at January 31, 2021 and Bridge’s closing price on January 31, 2021.

	Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. Ownership and Market Value
	Number of				Market Value at
	Bridge		Percentage		$24.43 Bridge
(Dollars and shares in thousands)	Outstanding Shares		Ownership		Share Price
Bridge shareholders		19,993		48.5%	$	488,420
Legacy Dime shareholders		21,233		51.5%		518,720
Total		41,226		100.0%	$	1,007,140

The table below summarizes the hypothetical number of shares as of January 31, 2021 that Legacy Dime would have to issue to give Bridge owners the same percentage ownership in the combined company.

	Hypothetical Legacy Dime Ownership
	Number of
	Legacy Dime		Percentage
(Shares in thousands)	Outstanding Shares		Ownership
Bridge shareholders		30,853		48.5%
Legacy Dime shareholders		32,767		51.5%
Total		63,620		100.0%

The purchase price is calculated based on the number of hypothetical shares of Legacy Dime common stock issued to Bridge shareholders multiplied by the share price as demonstrated in the table below.

(Dollars and shares in thousands)
Number of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders		30,853
Legacy Dime market price per share as of February 1, 2021	$	15.90
Purchase price determination of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders	$	490,560
Value of Bridge stock options hypothetically converted to options to acquire shares of Legacy Dime common stock		643
Cash in lieu of fractional shares		7
Purchase price consideration	$	491,210

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The following table provides the purchase price allocation as of the Merger Date and the Bridge assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of the Merger Date as recorded by Dime Community Bancshares. We recorded the estimate of fair value based on initial valuations available at the Merger Date and these estimates are considered preliminary and subject to adjustment for up to one year after the Merger Date. While we believe that the information available on the Merger Date provided a reasonable basis for estimating fair value, we are currently within the measurement period and our estimates of fair value are provisional. During the third quarter of 2021, no material fair value adjustments to acquired assets and assumed liabilities were identified. We expect that we may obtain additional information and evidence during the measurement period that would result in changes to the estimated fair value amounts. The measurement period ends on the earlier of one year after the Merger Date or the date we are able to determine that we have obtained all necessary information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of Merger Date. We expect to finalize all valuations and record final adjustments during the fourth quarter of 2021. Subsequent adjustments to fair value, if necessary, will be reflected in our future filings.

(In thousands)
Purchase price consideration	$	491,210
Fair value of assets acquired:
Cash and due from banks		715,988
Securities available-for-sale		651,997
Loans held for sale		10,000
Loans held for investment		4,531,640
Premises and fixed assets		37,881
Restricted stock		23,362
BOLI		94,085
Other intangible assets		10,984
Operating lease assets		45,603
Other assets		117,474
Total assets acquired		6,239,014
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
Deposits		5,405,575
Other short-term borrowings		216,298
Subordinated debt		83,200
Operating lease liabilities		45,285
Other liabilities		97,147
Total liabilities assumed		5,847,505
Fair value of net identifiable assets		391,509
Goodwill resulting from Merger	$	99,701

As a result of the Merger, we recorded $99.7 million of goodwill. The goodwill recorded is not deductible for income tax purposes.

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As described in detail in Note 3. Summary of Accounting Policies, the Company is required to record purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets), defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD assets.  Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset.  At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis shall be allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any non-credit discount or premium.  The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Information regarding loans acquired at the Merger Date are as follows:

(In thousands)
PCD loans:
Unpaid principal balance	$	295,306
Non-credit discount at acquisition		(9,050)
Unpaid principal balance, net		286,256
Allowance for credit losses at acquisition		(52,284)
Fair value at acquisition		233,972
Non-PCD loans:
Unpaid principal balance		4,289,236
Premium at acquisition		8,432
Fair value at acquisition		4,297,668
Total fair value at acquisition	$	4,531,640

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to investing and financing activities regarding the Merger are as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021:

(In thousands)
Business combination:
Fair value of tangible assets acquired	$	6,228,030
Goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible assets acquired		110,685
Liabilities assumed		5,847,505
Purchase price consideration		491,210

Other intangible assets consisted of core deposit intangibles and a non-compete agreement with estimated fair values at the Merger Date of $10.2 million and $780 thousand, respectively. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over a life of 10 years on an accelerated basis. The non-compete agreement is being amortized over a life of 13 months.

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Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations

The following pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of Legacy Dime and Bridge as if the Merger occurred as of January 1, 2020 with pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments give effect to any change in interest income due to the accretion of discounts (premiums) associated with the fair value adjustments of acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and other debt, and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2020. Merger related expenses incurred by the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Legacy Dime merged with Bridge at the beginning of 2020.  

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net interest income	$	93,316	$	86,818	$	274,499	$	252,455
Non-interest income		9,728		12,939		33,240		33,030
Net income		39,978		29,971		92,782		72,015
Net income available to common shareholders		37,700		27,791		86,390		68,169
Earnings per share:
Basic		0.93		0.68		2.11		1.66
Diluted		0.93		0.68		2.11		1.66

3.SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the results of operations and statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

Please see "Part I - Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" for a discussion of areas in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements utilizing significant estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Allowance for Credit Losses – The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures.  ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Under Section 4014 of the CARES Act, financial institutions required to adopt ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 were provided an option to delay the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL” or the “CECL Standard”) framework. The Company elected to defer adoption of the CECL Standard until January 1, 2021. The CECL Standard requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires financial institutions and other organizations to use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under the CECL Standard while prior period amounts will continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.

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The adoption of the CECL Standard resulted in an initial decrease of $3.9 million to the allowance for credit losses and an increase of $1.4 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments in other liabilities. The after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.7 million was recorded in retained earnings as of January 1, 2021. There were no held-to-maturity securities as of January 1, 2021 and, therefore, no impact from the adoption of the CECL Standard.

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes it has confirmed the loan balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The CECL Standard requires that debt securities held-to-maturity be accounted for under the current expected credit losses model, including historical loss experience and impact of current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, with an associated allowance for credit losses. In addition, while credit losses on debt securities available-for-sale should be measured in accordance with the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) framework under current GAAP, the amendments in the CECL Standard require that these credit losses be presented as an allowance for credit losses.  For AFS debt securities, a decline in fair value due to credit loss results in recording an allowance for credit losses to the extent the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.

Management estimates the allowance for credit losses for the Company’s loan portfolio required using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historically observed credit loss experience of peer banks within our geography provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or terms as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product, and real estate pricing. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis.

Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the allowance for credit losses using the following methods:

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment loans - Loans in this classification consist of residential real estate and one-to-four family real estate properties, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect. Included in one-to-four family loans are also certain Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans in which the loan is secured by underlying real estate as collateral. The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. Owner-occupied properties are generally underwritten based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser and the credit quality of the individual borrower. Investment properties require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.25x. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and housing prices.  

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of multifamily residential real estate with a minimum of five residential units, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for multifamily residential loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.20x. Repayment of multifamily residential loans is dependent, in significant part, on cash flow from the collateral property sufficient to satisfy operating expenses and debt service. Future increases in interest rates, increases in vacancy rates on multifamily residential or commercial buildings, and other economic events, such as unemployment rates, which are outside the control of the borrower or the Bank could negatively impact the future net operating income of such properties. Similarly, government regulations, such as the existing New York City Rent Regulation and Rent Stabilization laws, could limit future increases in the revenue from these buildings.

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Commercial real estate and commercial mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of commercial real estate, both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied, and may have a residential aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for commercial real estate loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.25x. Included in commercial real estate loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying real estate as collateral. The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. Repayment of commercial real estate loans is often dependent upon successful operation or management of the collateral properties, as well as the success of the business and retail tenants occupying the properties. Repayment of such loans is generally more vulnerable to weak economic conditions, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices.

Acquisition, development, and construction loans - Loans in this classification consist of loans to purchase land intended for further development, including single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial income properties. In general, the maximum loan-to-value ratio for a land acquisition loan is 50% of the appraised value of the property. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices.

Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans - Loans in this classification consist of lines of credit, revolving lines of credit, and term loans, generally to businesses or high net worth individuals. The owners of these businesses typically provide recourse such that they guarantee the debt. The lines of credit are generally secured by the assets of the business, though they may at times be issued on an unsecured basis. Generally speaking, they are subject to renewal on an annual basis based upon review of the borrower’s financial statements. Term loans are generally secured by either specific or general asset liens of the borrower’s business. These loans are granted based upon the strength of the cash generation ability of the borrower. Included in C&I loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying assets of the business (excludes SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans from allowance for credit losses as these loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA). The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates.

Other Loans – Loans in this classification consist of installment and consumer loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and housing prices.

As allowed by ASC 326, the Entity elected to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as of the date of adoption.

TDRs – A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except when the value of a concession cannot be measured using a method other than the discounted cash flow method. When the value of a concession is measured using the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit loss is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the original interest rate of the loan.  The allowance for credit losses on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis based on various factors. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. Factors that may be considered are borrower delinquency trends and non-accrual status, probability of foreclosure or note sale, changes in the borrower’s circumstances or cash collections, borrower’s industry, or other facts and circumstances of the loan or collateral.

Individually Evaluated Loans with an ACL and Other Real Estate Owned: For collateral-dependent loans where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment of the loan to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral, less the estimated costs to sell, and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date.  The fair value of real estate collateral is

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determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of other real estate owned is also determined based on recent appraised values less the estimated cost to sell. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Adjustments may relate to location, square footage, condition, amenities, market rate of leases as well as timing of comparable sales. All appraisals undergo a second review process to ensure that the methodology employed and the values derived are reasonable. The fair value of non-real estate collateral, which includes inventory, may be determined based on an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, aging reports, or by reference to  market activity, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation and management’s expertise and knowledge of the borrower and its business. For non-collateral-dependent loans, ACL is measured based on the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date.

Appraisals for collateral-dependent loans are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, the Appraisal and Credit Departments review the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. Management also considers the appraisal values for commercial properties associated with current loan origination activity. Collectively, this information is reviewed to help assess current trends in commercial property values. For each collateral dependent loan, management considers information that relates to the type of property to determine if such properties may have appreciated or depreciated in value since the date of the most recent appraisal. Adjustments to fair value are made only when the analysis indicates a probable decline in collateral values. Adjustments made in the appraisal process are not deemed material to the overall consolidated financial statements given the level of collateral dependent loans measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition, is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life, which is the same as the expected loss factor as determined based on the corresponding portfolio segment.

Loans acquired in a business combination – The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, on January 1, 2021 which now requires the Company to record purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets), defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD assets.  Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset.  At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis shall be allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any non-credit discount or premium.  The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date.

A purchased financial asset that does not qualify as a PCD asset is accounted for similar to an originated financial asset.  Generally, this means that an entity recognizes the allowance for credit losses for non-PCD assets through net income at the time of acquisition.  In addition, both the credit discount and non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets that do not qualify as PCD assets shall be allocated to each individual asset.  This combined discount or premium shall be accreted to interest income using the effective yield method.

For further discussion of our loan accounting and acquisitions, see Note 2 – Merger and Note 8 – Loans.

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Held-to-maturity debt securities and the allowance for credit losses

To the extent that debt securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio share common risk characteristics, estimated expected credit losses are calculated in a manner like that used for loans held for investment.  That is, for pools of such debt securities with common risk characteristics, the historical lifetime probability of default and severity of loss in the event of default is derived or obtained from external sources and adjusted for the expected effects of reasonable and supportable forecasts over the expected lives of the securities.

Expected credit loss on each debt security in the held-to-maturity portfolio that do not share common risk characteristics with any of the pools of debt securities is individually measured based on net realizable value, or the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the recorded amortized cost basis of the security.

With respect to certain classes of debt securities, primarily U.S. Treasuries and securities issued by Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”), the Company considers the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero, even if the U.S. government were to technically default. Therefore, the Company did not record an allowance for expected credit losses on its securities issued by GSEs at September 30, 2021.

Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Available-for-sale debt securities and the allowance for credit losses

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, management first assesses whether it intends to sell, or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes in the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security.  If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount the fair value is less than amortized cost basis. Declines in fair value that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses, such as declines due to changes in market interest rates, are excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense.  Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.  

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4.ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, was as follows:

							Total
							Accumulated
	Securities		Defined				Other
	Available-		Benefit				Comprehensive
(In thousands)	for-Sale		Plans		Derivatives		Income (Loss)
Balance as of January 1, 2021	$	12,694	$	(6,086)	$	(12,532)	$	(5,924)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(10,378)		2,706		13,850		6,178
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		(826)		(1,082)		612		(1,296)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income during the period		(11,204)		1,624		14,462		4,882
Balance as of September 30, 2021	$	1,490	$	(4,462)	$	1,930	$	(1,042)
Balance as of January 1, 2020	$	4,621	$	(6,024)	$	(4,537)	$	(5,940)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		10,783		423		(17,150)		(5,944)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,302)		133		2,514		345
Net other comprehensive income (loss) during the period		8,481		556		(14,636)		(5,599)
Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	13,102	$	(5,468)	$	(19,173)	$	(11,539)

The before and after-tax amounts allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale:
Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period	$	(8,654)	$	1,716	$	(15,222)	$	15,769
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets		—		(215)		(1,207)		(3,357)
Net change		(8,654)		1,501		(16,429)		12,412
Tax (benefit) expense		(2,714)		475		(5,226)		3,931
Net change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification adjustments and tax		(5,940)		1,026		(11,203)		8,481
Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense		(735)		4		(1,595)		194
Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss		—		—		1,543		—
Change in the net actuarial gain or loss		941		267		2,470		619
Net change		206		271		2,418		813
Tax expense		65		86		795		257
Net change in pension and other postretirement obligations		141		185		1,623		556
Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives:
Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period		225		100		3,767		(25,098)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives		—		—		16,505		—
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense		38		2,319		902	��	3,679
Net change		263		2,419		21,174		(21,419)
Tax expense (benefit)		82		766		6,712		(6,783)
Net change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives, net of reclassification adjustments and tax		181		1,653		14,462		(14,636)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$	(5,618)	$	2,864	$	4,882	$	(5,599)

5.EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS")

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock, and prior to 2021, if all likely aggregate performance-based share awards ("PSA”) were issued. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested restricted stock award ("RSA") shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA

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and PSA shares not yet awarded are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income available to common stockholders	$	36,573	$	14,046	$	63,174	$	34,264
Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities		(437)		(83)		(811)		(195)
Income attributable to common stock	$	36,136	$	13,963	$	62,363	$	34,069
Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities		40,915,012		21,378,332		38,979,259		21,848,184
Less: weighted average participating securities		(489,274)		(187,781)		(405,102)		(191,438)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		40,425,738		21,190,551		38,574,157		21,656,746
Basic EPS	$	0.89	$	0.66	$	1.62	$	1.57
Income attributable to common stock	$	36,136	$	13,963	$	62,363	$	34,069
Weighted average common shares outstanding		40,425,738		21,190,551		38,574,157		21,656,746
Weighted average common equivalent shares outstanding		423		133,636		700		134,334
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding		40,426,161		21,324,187		38,574,857		21,791,080
Diluted EPS	$	0.89	$	0.65	$	1.62	$	1.56

Common and equivalent shares resulting from the dilutive effect of "in-the-money" outstanding stock options are calculated based upon the excess of the average market value of the common stock over the exercise price of outstanding in-the-money stock options during the period.

There were 174,584 and 177,953 weighted-average stock options outstanding for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, which were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since their exercise prices exceeded the average market price during the period. There were 0 "out-of-the-money" stock options during the three-month or the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

6.PREFERRED STOCK

On February 5, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering of 2,999,200 shares, or $75.0 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of its 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Legacy Dime Preferred Stock”). The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $72.2 million. On June 10, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering, a reopening of the February 5, 2020 original issuance, of 2,300,000 shares, or $57.5 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock. The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $44.3 million.

At the Effective Time of the Merger, each outstanding share of the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock.

The Company expects to pay dividends when, as, and if declared by its board of directors, at a fixed rate of 5.50% per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. The Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no stated maturity. The Company may redeem the Preferred Stock at its option at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends), subject to regulatory approval, on or after June 15, 2025 or within 90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event, as described in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering.

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7.INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

The following tables summarize the major categories of securities owned by the Company as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2021
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	82,475	$	—	$	(1,457)	$	81,018
Treasury securities		248,173		5		(482)		247,696
Corporate securities		122,476		4,758		(401)		126,833
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		622,225		6,005		(6,273)		621,957
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs")		590,385		5,159		(5,118)		590,426
State and municipal obligations		41,158		153		(178)		41,133
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,706,892	$	16,080	$	(13,909)	$	1,709,063
	September 30, 2021
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrecognized		Unrecognized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities held-to-maturity:
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs	$	25,325	$	—	$	—	$	25,325
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs")		14,978		—		—		14,978
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	40,303	$	—	$	—	$	40,303

	December 31, 2020
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	47,500	$	12	$	(91)	$	47,421
Corporate securities		62,021		2,440		—		64,461
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		135,842		7,672		(31)		143,483
Agency CMOs		274,898		8,674		(76)		283,496
Total securities available-for-sale	$	520,261	$	18,798	$	(198)	$	538,861

As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $652.0 million of securities available-for-sale on the Merger Date.

As of December 31, 2020, there were 0 securities held-to-maturity.

The carrying amount of securities pledged as collateral was $684.0 million and $99.4 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 0 holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders' equity.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities are shown by contractual maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.  

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	September 30, 2021
	Amortized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Value
Available-for-sale
Within one year	$	1,346	$	1,351
One to five years		270,069		269,665
Five to ten years		209,938		212,881
Beyond ten years		12,929		12,783
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO		1,212,610		1,212,383
Total	$	1,706,892	$	1,709,063
Held-to-maturity
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO	$	40,303	$	40,303
Total	$	40,303	$	40,303

The following table presents the information related to sales of securities available-for-sale as of the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Agency Notes:
Proceeds	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	273
Gross gains		—		—		—		—
Tax expense on gain		—		—		—		—
Gross losses		—		—		—		—
Tax benefit on loss		—		—		—		—
Corporate Securities:
Proceeds		—		—		50,273		25,403
Gross gains		—		—		729		1,344
Tax expense on gain		—		—		232		423
Gross losses		—		—		41		—
Tax benefit on loss		—		—		13		—
Pass through MBS issued by GSEs:
Proceeds		—		5,987		26,823		39,182
Gross gains		—		215		187		2,005
Tax expense on gain		—		67		59		630
Gross losses		—		—		35		—
Tax benefit on loss		—		—		11		—
Agency CMOs:
Proceeds		—		—		41,324		4,199
Gross gains		—		—		268		8
Tax expense on gain		—		—		85		3
Gross losses		—		—		44		—
Tax benefit on loss		—		—		14		—
State and municipal obligations:
Proceeds		—		—		19,657		—
Gross gains		—		—		143		—
Tax expense on gain		—		—		45		—
Gross losses		—		—		—		—
Tax benefit on loss		—		—		—		—

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Proceeds:
Marketable equity securities	$	—	$	137	$	—	$	410

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There were 0 gains on marketable equity securities for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Net gain of $175 thousand was recognized on marketable equity securities for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Net gains of $131 thousand and $139 thousand were recognized on marketable equity securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Marketable equity securities were fully liquidated in connection with the termination of the BMP.

There were 0 sales of securities held-to-maturity during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.  There were 0 sales of securities held-to-maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

There were 0 transfers to or from securities held-to-maturity during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.  There were 0 transfers to or from securities held-to-maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time the securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2021
	Less than 12				12 Consecutive
	Consecutive Months				Months or Longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
(In thousands)	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	81,018	$	1,457	$	0	$	0	$	81,018	$	1,457
Treasury securities		231,984		482		0		0		231,984		482
Corporate securities		17,863		401		0		0		17,863		401
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		446,864		6,273		0		0		446,864		6,273
Agency CMOs		347,726		5,118		0		0		347,726		5,118
State and municipal obligations		16,412		178		0		0		16,412		178

	December 31, 2020
	Less than 12				12 Consecutive
	Consecutive Months				Months or Longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
(In thousands)	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	22,409	$	91	$	0	$	0	$	22,409	$	91
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		5,007		31		0		0		5,007		31
Agency CMOs		6,563		30		4,954		46		11,517		76

The issuers of securities available-for-sale are primarily U.S. government-sponsored entities or agencies. The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate notes are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. It is likely that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, and as such, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily-impaired at September 30, 2021.

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8.LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT, NET

The following table presents the loan categories for the period ended as indicated:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	683,665	$	184,989
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		3,468,262		2,758,743
Commercial real estate ("CRE")		3,814,437		1,878,167
Acquisition, development, and construction ("ADC")		285,379		156,296
Total real estate loans		8,251,743		4,978,195
Commercial and industrial ("C&I")		1,012,415		641,533
Other loans		20,713		2,316
Total		9,284,871		5,622,044
Allowance for credit losses		(81,255)		(41,461)
Loans held for investment, net	$	9,203,616	$	5,580,583

As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $4.53 billion of loans held for investment on the Merger Date.

As of September 30, 2021, included in C&I loans was $134.1 million of SBA PPP loans. There was $313.4 million of SBA PPP loans at December 31, 2020.  These loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA and have 0 allowance for credit losses allocated to them based on the nature of the guarantee. In June 2021, the Company sold $596.2 million of SBA PPP loans and recorded a gain of $20.7 million in Gain on sale of SBA loans in the consolidated statements of income.

The following tables present data regarding the allowance for credit losses activity for the periods indicated:

	At or for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Real Estate Loans
	One-to-Four
	Family		Multifamily
	Residential and		Residential
	Cooperative/		and
	Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
(In thousands)	Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	5,522	$	10,285	$	41,201	$	5,158	$	62,166	$	30,095	$	499	$	92,760
Provision (credit) for credit losses		583		(1,998)		(8,649)		(139)		(10,203)		1,943		946		(7,314)
Charge-offs		(1)		(58)		(2,952)		—		(3,011)		(497)		(768)		(4,276)
Recoveries		—		78		3		—		81		4		—		85
Ending balance	$	6,104	$	8,307	$	29,603	$	5,019	$	49,033	$	31,545	$	677	$	81,255

	At or for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Real Estate Loans
	One-to-Four
	Family		Multifamily
	Residential and		Residential
	Cooperative/		and
	Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
(In thousands)	Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	671	$	16,666	$	9,859	$	1,777	$	28,973	$	13,502	$	17	$	42,492
Provision (credit) for credit losses		134		3,468		2,162		274		6,038		(107)		—		5,931
Charge-offs		(6)		(13)		0		0		(19)		0		(1)		(20)
Recoveries		0		89		0		0		89		0		0		89
Ending balance	$	799	$	20,210	$	12,021	$	2,051	$	35,081	$	13,395	$	16	$	48,492

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	At or for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Real Estate Loans
	One-to-Four
	Family		Multifamily
	Residential and		Residential
	Cooperative/		and
	Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
	Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance, prior to the adoption of CECL	$	644	$	17,016	$	9,059	$	1,993	$	28,712	$	12,737	$	12	$	41,461
Impact of adopting CECL		1,048		(8,254)		4,849		381		(1,976)		(1,935)		(8)		(3,919)
Adjusted beginning balance as of January 1, 2021		1,692		8,762		13,908		2,374		26,736		10,802		4		37,542
PCD Day 1		2,220		3,292		23,124		117		28,753		23,374		157		52,284
Provision (credit) for credit losses		2,212		(3,361)		(4,068)		2,528		(2,689)		2,215		1,286		812
Charge-offs		(20)		(467)		(3,365)		—		(3,852)		(4,959)		(773)		(9,584)
Recoveries		—		81		4		—		85		113		3		201
Ending balance	$	6,104	$	8,307	$	29,603	$	5,019	$	49,033	$	31,545	$	677	$	81,255

	At or for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Real Estate Loans
	One-to-Four
	Family		Multifamily
	Residential and		Residential
	Cooperative/		and
	Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
	Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	269	$	10,142	$	3,900	$	1,244	$	15,555	$	12,870	$	16	$	28,441
Provision for credit losses		540		10,010		8,127		807		19,484		518		1		20,003
Charge-offs		(10)		(45)		(6)		—		(61)		—		(1)		(62)
Recoveries		—		103		—		—		103		7		—		110
Ending balance	$	799	$	20,210	$	12,021	$	2,051	$	35,081	$	13,395	$	16	$	48,492

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on non-accrual status as of the period indicated:

		September 30, 2021
		Non-accrual with		Non-accrual with
(In thousands)		No Allowance	Allowance			Reserve
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	-	$	4,938	$	781
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		859		-		-
CRE		1,240		2,882		812
C&I		-		23,727		11,191
Other		-		374		371
Total	$	2,099	$	31,921	$	13,155

The Company did not recognize interest income on non-accrual loans during the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2021.

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method, prior to the adoption of ASC 326, as of the dates indicated:

26

	December 31, 2020
	Real Estate Loans
	One-to-Four
	Family		Multifamily
	Residential and		Residential
	Cooperative/		and
	Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
(In thousands)	Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	6,474	$	—	$	6,474
Collectively evaluated for impairment		644		17,016		9,059		1,993		28,712		6,263		12		34,987
Total ending allowance balance	$	644	$	17,016	$	9,059	$	1,993	$	28,712	$	12,737	$	12	$	41,461
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	1,863	$	2,704	$	—	$	4,567	$	12,502	$	—	$	17,069
Collectively evaluated for impairment		184,989		2,756,880		1,875,463		156,296		4,973,628		629,031		2,316		5,604,975
Total ending loans balance	$	184,989	$	2,758,743	$	1,878,167	$	156,296	$	4,978,195	$	641,533	$	2,316	$	5,622,044

Impaired Loans (prior to the adoption of ASC 326)

A loan is considered impaired when, based on then current information and events, it is probable that all contractual amounts due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the loan. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays or shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and 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 record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

The Bank considers TDRs and all non-accrual loans, except non-accrual one-to-four family loans in less than the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) Limits, to be impaired. Non-accrual one-to-four family loans equal to or less than the FNMA Limits, as well as all consumer loans, are considered homogeneous loan pools and are not required to be evaluated individually for impairment unless considered a TDR.

Impairment is typically measured using the difference between the outstanding loan principal balance and either: 1) the likely realizable value of a note sale; 2) the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of likely disposal costs, if repayment is expected to come from liquidation of the collateral; or 3) the present value of estimated future cash flows (using the loan’s pre-modification rate for certain performing TDRs). If a TDR is substantially performing in accordance with its restructured terms, management will look to either the potential net liquidation proceeds of the underlying collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows from the debt service in measuring impairment (whichever is deemed most appropriate under the circumstances). If a TDR has re-defaulted, generally the likely realizable net proceeds from either a note sale or the liquidation of the collateral is considered when measuring impairment. Measured impairment is either charged off immediately or, in limited instances, recognized as an allocated reserve within the allowance for loan losses.

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The following tables summarize impaired loans with no related allowance recorded and with related allowance recorded as of the periods indicated (by collateral type within the real estate loan segment):

	December 31, 2020
	Unpaid
	Principal		Recorded		Related
(In thousands)	Balance		Investment(1)		Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use	$	1,863	$	1,863	$	0
CRE		2,704		2,704		0
Total with no related allowance recorded		4,567		4,567		0
With an allowance recorded:
C&I		12,502		12,502		6,474
Total with an allowance recorded		12,502		12,502		6,474
Total	$	17,069	$	17,069	$	6,474

(1) The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

The following table presents information for impaired loans for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2020				September 30, 2020
	Average		Interest		Average		Interest
	Recorded		Income		Recorded		Income
	Investment(1)		Recognized(2)		Investment(1)		Recognized(2)
With no related allowance recorded:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment	$	—	$	—	$	10	$	4
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		1,295		—		416		7
Commercial real estate and commercial mixed-use		1,525		—		2,688		54
Total with no related allowance recorded		2,820		—		3,114		65
With an allowance recorded:
C&I		10,232		—		7,500		153
Total	$	13,052	$	—	$	10,614	$	218

(1) The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

(2) Cash basis interest and interest income recognized on accrual basis approximate each other.

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The following tables summarize the past due status of the Company’s investment in loans as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2021
					Loans 90
					Days or
	30 to 59		60 to 89		More Past Due
	Days		Days		and Still				Total				Total
(In thousands)	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing Interest		Non-accrual		Past Due		Current		Loans
Real estate:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment	$	3,135	$	1,245	$	5,021	$	4,938	$	14,339	$	669,326	$	683,665
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		10,251		2,738		—		859		13,848		3,454,414		3,468,262
CRE		8,360		1,069		1,004		4,122		14,555		3,799,882		3,814,437
ADC		17,700		0		0		0		17,700		267,679		285,379
Total real estate		39,446		5,052		6,025		9,919		60,442		8,191,301		8,251,743
C&I		10,962		2,455		257		23,727		37,401		975,014		1,012,415
Other		730		2		0		374		1,106		19,607		20,713
Total	$	51,138	$	7,509	$	6,282	$	34,020	$	98,949	$	9,185,922	$	9,284,871

	December 31, 2020
					Loans 90
					Days or
	30 to 59		60 to 89		More Past Due
	Days		Days		and Still				Total				Total
(In thousands)	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing Interest		Non-accrual		Past Due		Current		Loans
Real estate:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment	$	0	$	0	$	44	$	858	$	902	$	184,087	$	184,989
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		0		0		437		1,863		2,300		2,756,443		2,758,743
CRE		15,351		0		0		2,704		18,055		1,860,112		1,878,167
ADC		0		0		0		0		0		156,296		156,296
Total real estate		15,351		0		481		5,425		21,257		4,956,938		4,978,195
C&I		0		917		2,848		12,502		16,267		625,266		641,533
Other		8		1		0		1		10		2,306		2,316
Total	$	15,359	$	918	$	3,329	$	17,928	$	37,534	$	5,584,510	$	5,622,044

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due:

The Company continued accruing interest on loans with an outstanding balance of $6.3 million at September 30, 2021, and loans with an outstanding balance of $3.3 million at December 31, 2020, all of which were 90 days or more past due on their respective contractual maturity dates. These loans continued to make monthly payments consistent with their initial contractual amortization schedule exclusive of the balloon payments due at maturity. These loans were well secured and/or were expected to be refinanced, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above.

Collateral Dependent Loans:

At September 30, 2021, the Company had collateral dependent loans which were individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses.

Collateral dependent CRE loans totaled $53.2 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $7.6 million at September 30, 2021.  The loans were secured by real estate.

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Collateral dependent multi-family residential and residential mixed-use loans totaled $8.5 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $0.6 million at September 30, 2021. The loans were secured by real estate.

Collateral dependent C&I loans totaled $4.4 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $0.7 million at September 30, 2021. The loans were secured by business assets.

TDRs

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had TDRs totaling $528 thousand. The Company has allocated $481 thousand of allowance for those loans at September 30, 2021, with 0 commitments to lend additional amounts.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, TDR modifications included reduction of outstanding principal, extensions of maturity dates, or favorable interest rates and loan terms than the prevailing market interest rates and loan terms.

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company modified 1 CRE loan as a TDR, which subsequently paid off during the quarter.

The following table presents the loans by category modified as TDRs that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2021:

	Modifications During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
			Pre-		Post-
			Modification		Modification
			Outstanding		Outstanding
	Number of		Recorded		Recorded
(Dollars in thousands)	Loans		Investment		Investment
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	1	$	50	$	50
Commercial real estate ("CRE")	1		10,000		10,000
Commercial and industrial ("C&I")	1		456		488
Total	3	$	10,506	$	10,538

There were no TDR charge-offs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. TDRs did not have a material impact to the allowance for credit losses. There were no TDRs that subsequently defaulted.

Loan payment deferrals due to COVID-19

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 17 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $26.6 million, that were deferring full principal and interest (“P&I” deferrals).

30

The table below presents the P&I deferrals as of September 30, 2021:

	September 30, 2021
	Number
	of Loans	Balance(1)		% of Portfolio
(Dollars in thousands)
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	10	$	9,255	1.4	%
CRE	1		3,487	0.1
C&I	6		13,861	1.4
Total	17	$	26,603	0.3

(1) Amount excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

Pursuant to guidance under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, a qualified loan modification, such as a payment deferral, is exempt from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP. This applies if the loan was current as of December 31, 2019 and the modifications are related to arrangements that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate of the loan. This guidance was expected to expire on December 31, 2020.  The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law December of 2020, extended the exemption for TDR classification until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak is lifted.

Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit structure, loan documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.  The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying them as to credit risk. This analysis includes all loans, such as multifamily residential, mixed-use residential (i.e., loans in which the aggregate rental income of the underlying collateral property is generated from both residential and commercial units, but 50% or more of such income is generated from the residential units), commercial real estate, mixed-use commercial real estate (i.e., loans in which the aggregate rental income of the underlying collateral property is generated from both residential and commercial units, but over 50% of such income is generated from the commercial units), ADC, C&I, as well as all one-to- four family residential and cooperative and condominium apartment loans. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Bank’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of then existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. All real estate and C&I loans not classified as Special Mention, Substandard, or Doubtful were deemed pass loans at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were $11.9 million and $66.5 million of sales of criticized loans, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were $3.0 million and $10.0 million of sales of criticized loans, respectively.  

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The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of loans by internally assigned grade as of the periods indicated, the years represent the year of origination for non-revolving loans:

	September 30, 2021
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2019		2018		2017		2016 and Prior			Revolving		Revolving-Term		Total
One-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment:
Pass	$	104,830	$	93,315	$	86,214	$	79,981	$	84,075	$	143,807		$	52,483	$	11,162	$	655,867
Special mention		—		—		337		756		345		2,168			846		1,089		5,541
Substandard		—		1,461		2,048		862		2,206		14,691			—		966		22,234
Doubtful		—		—		—		23		—		—			—		—		23
Total one-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment		104,830		94,776		88,599		81,622		86,626		160,666			53,329		13,217		683,665
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use:
Pass		426,164		347,900		493,077		193,738		373,965		1,329,688			5,111		825		3,170,468
Special mention		—		12,550		14,551		—		11,842		22,378			—		—		61,321
Substandard		—		—		35,886		27,265		51,680		118,179			3,463		—		236,473
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—			—		—		—
Total multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		426,164		360,450		543,514		221,003		437,487		1,470,245			8,574		825		3,468,262
CRE:
Pass		636,234		872,347		578,758		331,636		337,930		863,215			39,323		5,164		3,664,607
Special mention		5,354		2,384		—		4,191		11,109		15,416			—		—		38,454
Substandard		2,335		1,752		7,110		39,892		19,733		40,448			—		—		111,270
Doubtful		—		—		106		—		—		—			—		—		106
Total CRE		643,923		876,483		585,974		375,719		368,772		919,079			39,323		5,164		3,814,437
ADC:
Pass		101,947		69,546		62,414		24,587		8,120		807			2,686		600		270,707
Special mention		—		—		—		1,078		—		—			—		—		1,078
Substandard		—		—		—		13,500		—		94			—		—		13,594
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—			—		—		—
Total ADC		101,947		69,546		62,414		39,165		8,120		901			2,686		600		285,379
C&I:
Pass		52,667		199,677		58,835		54,190		38,065		25,948			479,111		10,359		918,852
Special mention		—		1,690		265		2,260		611		61			1,685		1,368		7,940
Substandard		—		5,949		4,842		6,175		2,982		1,057			34,996		6,764		62,765
Doubtful		—		—		10,087		752		11,989		30			—		—		22,858
Total C&I		52,667		207,316		74,029		63,377		53,647		27,096			515,792		18,491		1,012,415
Total:
Pass		1,321,842		1,582,785		1,279,298		684,132		842,155		2,363,465			578,714		28,110		8,680,501
Special mention		5,354		16,624		15,153		8,285		23,907		40,023			2,531		2,457		114,334
Substandard		2,335		9,162		49,886		87,694		76,601		174,469	��		38,459		7,730		446,336
Doubtful		—		—		10,193		775		11,989		30			—		—		22,987
Total Loans	$	1,329,531	$	1,608,571	$	1,354,530	$	780,886	$	954,652	$	2,577,987		$	619,704	$	38,297	$	9,264,158

	December 31, 2020
			Special
(In thousands)	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Real Estate:
One-to-four family residential and condominium/cooperative apartment	$	183,293	$	0	$	1,696	$	0	$	184,989
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		2,523,258		56,400		179,085		0		2,758,743
CRE		1,831,712		13,861		32,594		0		1,878,167
ADC		142,796		13,500		0		0		156,296
Total real estate		4,681,059		83,761		213,375		0		4,978,195
C&I		613,691		2,131		13,315		12,396		641,533
Total Real Estate and C&I	$	5,294,750	$	85,892	$	226,690	$	12,396	$	5,619,728

32

For other loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on payment activity. Other loans that are 90 days or more past due are placed on non-accrual status, while all remaining other loans are classified and evaluated as performing. The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of other loans by internally assigned grade:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Performing	$	20,339	$	2,315
Non-accrual		374		1
Total	$	20,713	$	2,316

9.LEASES

As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $45.6 million of operating lease assets and $45.3 million of operating lease liabilities on the Merger Date.  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company elected to terminate 3 leases in connection with the combination of 3 branches into other locations, which resulted in a decrease to the Company’s operating lease liabilities of $3.7 million, and an early termination fee of $4.0 million.  The early termination fee is reported in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income.  

The Company recognizes operating lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities related to its office facilities and retail branches. The operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and the lease liability represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments over the lease term.

The operating lease asset and lease liability are determined at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of the lease payments. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate, the rate of interest to borrow on a collateralized basis for a similar term, at the lease commencement date.

The Company made a policy election to exclude the recognition requirements of ASU 2016-02 to short-term leases, those leases with original terms of 12 months or less. Short-term lease payments are recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases may include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the Company’s discretion and are included in the operating lease liability if it is reasonably certain that the renewal option will be exercised. Certain real estate leases may contain lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes, and insurance, which are generally accounted for separately and are not included in the measurement of the lease liability since they are generally able to be segregated. The Company does not sublease any of its leased properties. The Company does not lease properties from any related parties.

Maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at September 30, 2021 are as follows:

	Rent to be
(In thousands)	Capitalized
2021	$	3,374
2022		11,006
2023		9,301
2024		9,186
2025		8,941
Thereafter		25,439
Total undiscounted lease payments		67,247
Less amounts representing interest		(4,377)
Operating lease liabilities	$	62,870

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Other information related to operating leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating lease cost	$	4,012	$	1,636	$	11,178	$	4,867
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities		3,724		1,745		10,496		5,295

The weighted average remaining lease term at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was 6.9 years and 6.5 years, respectively. The weighted average discount rate at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was 1.82% and 3.23%, respectively.

10.DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s loan portfolio.

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Company engages in both cash flow hedges and freestanding derivatives.

Cash Flow Hedges

Cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  The Company uses these types of derivatives to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing or forecasted issuances of short-term borrowings.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $356 thousand will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of twenty-four months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not terminate any derivatives. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company terminated 34 derivatives with notional values totaling $785.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $16.5 million which was recognized in loss on termination of derivatives in non-interest income.

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The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of the dates indicated.

	September 30, 2021							December 31, 2020
		Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value			Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities		Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances	4	$	150,000	$	2,811	$	—	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	32	$	655,000	$	—	$	(18,442)

The table below presents the effect of the cash flow hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$	225	$	100	$	3,767	$	(25,098)
Gain recognized on termination of derivatives		—		—		16,505		—
Loss reclassified from other comprehensive income into interest expense		(38)		(2,319)		(902)		(3,679)

All cash flow hedges are recorded gross on the balance sheet.

The cash flow hedges involve derivative agreements with third-party counterparties that contain provisions requiring the Bank to post cash collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of September 30, 2021, the bank did not post collateral to the third-party counterparties.

Freestanding Derivatives

The Company maintains an interest-rate risk protection program for its loan portfolio in order to offer loan level derivatives with certain borrowers and to generate loan level derivative income. The Company enters into interest rate swap or interest rate floor agreements with borrowers. These interest rate derivatives are designed such that the borrower synthetically attains a fixed-rate loan, while the Company receives floating rate loan payments. The Company offsets the loan level interest rate swap exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap or interest rate floor with an unaffiliated and reputable bank counterparty. These interest rate derivatives do not qualify as designated hedges, under ASU 815; therefore, each interest rate derivative is accounted for as a freestanding derivative. The notional amounts of the interest rate derivatives do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate derivative agreements. The following tables reflect freestanding derivatives included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2021
		Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(In thousands)	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	128	$	818,370	$	36,095	$	—
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	61		439,198		—		(7,414)
Loan level interest rate floors with borrower	47		405,685		—		(4,072)
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	128		818,370		—		(36,095)
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	61		439,198		7,414		—
Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties	47		405,685		4,072		—

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	December 31, 2020
		Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(In thousands)	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	65	$	570,277	$	24,764	$	—
Loan level interest rate floors with borrower	41		364,643		—		(5,832)
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	65		570,277		—		(24,764)
Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties	41		364,643		5,832		—

Loan level derivative income is recognized on the mark-to-market of the interest rate swap as a fair value adjustment at the time the transaction is closed. Total loan level derivative income is included in non-interest income as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Loan level derivative income	$	445	$	1,544	$	2,796	$	5,201

The interest rate swap product with the borrower is cross collateralized with the underlying loan and therefore there is 0 posted collateral. Certain interest rate swap agreements with third-party counterparties contain provisions that require the Company to post collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of September 30, 2021, posted collateral was $23.5 million.

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features

The Company’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties state that if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.

The Company’s agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties state that if the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution, the Bank could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.

As of September 30, 2021, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $24.6 million for those related to loan level derivatives. If the Company had breached any of the above provisions at September 30, 2021, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value with the respective counterparty. There were 0 provisions breached for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

11.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs – Significant other observable inputs such as any of the following: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates), or (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).

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Level 3 Inputs – Significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Significant unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). Significant unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Securities

The Company’s marketable equity securities and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, which were determined utilizing prices obtained from independent parties. The valuations obtained are based upon market data, and often utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (obtained only from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. For certain securities, additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Prioritization of inputs may vary on any given day based on market conditions.

All MBS, CMOs, treasury securities, agency notes, and state and municipal obligations available-for-sale are guaranteed either implicitly or explicitly by GSEs as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate securities are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. Obtaining market values as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for these securities utilizing significant observable inputs was not difficult due to their liquid nature.

Derivatives

Derivatives represent interest rate swaps and estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date.

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

			Fair Value Measurements
			at September 30, 2021 Using
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Total		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
Financial Assets:
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	81,018	$	—	$	81,018	$	—
Treasury securities		247,696		—		247,696		—
Corporate securities		126,833		—		126,833		—
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		621,957		—		621,957		—
Agency CMOs		590,426		—		590,426		—
State and municipal obligations		41,133		—		41,133		—
Derivative – cash flow hedges		2,811		—		2,811		—
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		38,889		—		38,889		—
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		38,889		—		38,889		—

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			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2020 Using
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Total		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
Financial Assets:
Marketable equity securities (Registered mutual funds)
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	1,769	$	1,769	$	—	$	—
International equity mutual funds		468		468		—		—
Fixed income mutual funds		3,733		3,733		—		—
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes		47,421		—		47,421		—
Corporate securities		64,461		—		64,461		—
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		143,483		—		143,483		—
Agency CMOs		283,496		—		283,496		—
Derivative – freestanding derivatives		30,596		—		30,596		—
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative – cash flow hedges		18,442		—		18,442		—
Derivative – freestanding derivatives		30,596		—		30,596		—

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. Financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include certain individually evaluated loans (or impaired loans prior to the adoption of ASC 326) reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.

	September 30, 2021
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices
			In Active			Significant
			Markets for			Other	Significant
			Identical			Observable	Unobservable
	Carrying		Assets			Inputs	Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)			(Level 2)	(Level 3)
Individually evaluated loans	$	55,146	$	—	$	—	$	55,146

Individually evaluated loans with an allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2021 had a carrying amount of $55.1 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $63.9 million, net of a valuation allowance of $8.8 million. Collateral dependent individually analyzed loans as of September 30, 2021 resulted in a credit loss recovery of $9.0 million and $8.7 million, which is included in the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. There were 0 collateral dependent impaired loans (prior to the adoption of the CECL Standard) with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2020.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The methods of determining the fair value of assets and liabilities presented in this note are consistent with our methodologies disclosed in Note 24 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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The following tables present the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments other than those measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis for the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

			Fair Value Measurements
			at September 30, 2021 Using
	Carrying		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Amount		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	629,011	$	629,011	$	—	$	—	$	629,011
Securities held-to-maturity		40,303		—		40,303		—		40,303
Loans held for investment, net		9,148,470		—		—		9,212,454		9,212,454
Accrued interest receivable		43,284		—		4,228		39,056		43,284
Financial Liabilities:
Savings, money market and checking accounts		9,657,821		9,657,821		—		—		9,657,821
Certificates of Deposits ("CDs")		1,016,216		—		1,021,029		—		1,021,029
FHLBNY advances		25,000		—		25,015		—		25,015
Subordinated debt, net		197,142		—		203,355		—		203,355
Other short-term borrowings		2,629		2,629		—		—		2,629
Accrued interest payable		1,630		—		1,630		—		1,630

			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2020 Using
	Carrying		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Amount		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	243,603	$	243,603	$	—	$	—	$	243,603
Loans held for investment, net		5,580,583		—		—		5,598,787		5,598,787
Accrued interest receivable		34,815		2		1,584		33,229		34,815
Financial Liabilities:
Savings, money market and checking accounts		3,202,484		3,202,484		—		—		3,202,484
CDs		1,322,638		—		1,328,554		—		1,328,554
FHLBNY advances		1,204,010		—		1,207,890		—		1,207,890
Subordinated debt, net		114,052		—		114,340		—		114,340
Other short-term borrowings		120,000		120,000		—		—		120,000
Accrued interest payable		1,734		—		1,734		—		1,734

12.OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $10.2 million of core deposit intangible assets and a $780 thousand non-compete agreement intangible asset on the Merger Date.

The following table presents the carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets that are amortizable and arose from the Merger. There were 0 intangible assets at December 31, 2020.

	September 30, 2021
		Core Deposit		Non-complete
(In thousands)		Intangibles		Agreement		Total
Gross carrying value	$	10,204	$	780	$	10,984
Accumulated amortization		(1,427)		(480)		(1,907)
Net carrying amount	$	8,777	$	300	$	9,077

Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $715 thousand and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.  There was 0 amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2020.

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Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2021 through 2025 and thereafter is as follows:

(In thousands)		Total
2021	$	715
2022		1,878
2023		1,425
2024		1,163
2025		958
Thereafter		2,938
Total	$	9,077

13.FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF NEW YORK ADVANCES

The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLBNY advances for each of the next five years. There were 0 FHLBNY advances with an overnight contractual maturity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There are 0 FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities after 2021 and 2022 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

	September 30, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)			Weighted
Contractual Maturity	Amount		Average Rate
2021	$	25,000	0.35	%
Total FHLBNY advances	$	25,000	0.35	%

	December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)			Weighted
Contractual Maturity	Amount		Average Rate
2021	$	1,144,010	0.52	%
2022		60,000	0.60
Total FHLBNY advances	$	1,204,010	0.53	%

Each FHLBNY advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by $4.25 billion and $2.15 billion of residential and commercial mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Company's holdings of FHLBNY stock, the Company is eligible to borrow up to a total of $3.71 billion at September 30, 2021.

As part of the Merger, $216.3 million of FHLBNY advances were acquired on the Merger Date.  During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not extinguish any FHLBNY advances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company extinguished $209.0 million of FHLBNY advances that had a weighted average rate of 1.31%. The prepayment penalty expense was recognized as a $1.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt during the first nine months of 2021.  There were 0 prepayments of FHLBNY advances during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2020.

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14.SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime on the Merger Date. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Legacy Dime issued $115.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due June 2027, which become callable commencing on June 15, 2022. The notes will mature on June 15, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). From and including June 13, 2017 until but excluding June 15, 2022, interest will be paid semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15 at a fixed annual interest rate equal to 4.50%. From and including June 15, 2022 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate shall reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 266 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. Debt issuance cost directly associated with subordinated debt offering was capitalized and netted with subordinated notes payable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

In September 2015, the Company issued $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures. $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after five years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2025 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.25% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2020. From and including September 30, 2020 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 360 basis points. The remaining $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after ten years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2030 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.75% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2025. From and including September 30, 2025 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 345 basis points.

The subordinated debentures totaled $197.1 million at September 30, 2021 and $114.1 million at December 31, 2020. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $2.2 million and $1.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $6.3 million and $4.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The subordinated debentures are included in tier 2 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

15.RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

As of September 30, 2021, the Company maintains one Legacy Dime employee benefit plan, the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (the "Employee Retirement Plan").

The Company also maintains the two Bridge employee benefit plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the BNB Bank 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan.

The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) was terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors.  The effective date of the Dime KSOP Plan termination was January 31, 2021, the day immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. As such, all participants were required to transfer their assets out of the Dime KSOP Plan. The 401(k) Plan is available to all former Dime employees that continue to be employed following the Merger Date, that meet eligibility requirements, and provides tax deferred salary deductions and alternative investment options. Under the provisions of the 401(k) plan, employee contributions are partially matched by the Bank as follows: 100% of each employee’s contributions up to 1% of each employee’s compensation plus 50% of each employee’s contributions over 1% but not in excess of 6% of each employee’s compensation for a maximum contribution of 3.5% of a participating employee’s compensation. Participants can invest their account balances into several investment alternatives. While the Company does not allow for the investment of plan contributions in the Company’s common stock, former Legacy Dime employees that continue to be employed following the Merger Date may rollover and hold shares in-kind held in the Dime KSOP Plan to the 401(k) plan and hold the shares in the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan also includes a discretionary profit-sharing component.

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The following table represents the components of net periodic benefit (credit) cost included in other non-interest expense, except for service cost which is reported in salaries and employee benefits expense, in the consolidated statements of income. Net expenses associated with these plans were comprised of the following components:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
		2021			2020
							BMP, Postretirement
	BNB Bank		Employee		Employee		and Outside Director
(In thousands)	Pension Plan		Retirement Plan		Retirement Plan		Retirement Plans
Service cost	$	223	$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest cost		302		183		10		241
Expected return on assets		(1,244)		(428)		—		(428)
Unrecognized past service liability		—		—		(2)		—
Amortization of unrealized loss		207		229		—		274
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(512)	$	(16)	$	8	$	87

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021				2020
							BMP, Postretirement
	BNB Bank		Employee		Employee		and Outside Director
(In thousands)	Pension Plan		Retirement Plan		Retirement Plan		Retirement Plans
Service cost	$	594	$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest cost		854		549		30		723
Expected return on assets		(3,473)		(1,284)		—		(1,284)
Unrecognized past service liability		—		—		(6)		—
Amortization of unrealized loss		619		687		—		822
Net periodic (credit) cost	$	(1,406)	$	(48)	$	24	$	261

There were 0 contributions to the BNB Bank Pension Plan or the Employee Retirement Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.  

In connection with the Merger, the Outside Director Retirement Plan and the BMP were terminated resulting in lump sum payments to the participants in the amounts of $2.8 million for the Outside Director Retirement Plan and $6.2 million for the BMP. The total expense recognized as a curtailment loss during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.5 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime approved the termination of the Postretirement Plan in anticipation of the Merger.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company made gross lump-sum distributions totaling $11.6 million from the BMP. These distributions were satisfied by 88,081 shares of common stock with a market value of $2.4 million, held by the previous ESOP component of the BMP, of which 41,101 shares were returned to Treasury Stock to cover income tax liabilities, and cash of $9.2 million. As a result of the distribution, a non-cash tax benefit of $301 thousand was recognized as a discrete item in income tax expense in accordance to ASU 2016-09 for the difference between the market value and the cost basis of the common stock held by the BMP.

16.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Before the Merger, Bridge and Legacy Dime granted share-based awards under their respective share-based compensation plans, (collectively, the “Legacy Stock Plans”), which are both subject to the accounting requirements of ASC 718.  

In May 2021, the Company’s shareholders approved the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”) to provide the Company with sufficient equity compensation to meet the objectives of appropriately incentivizing its officers, other employees, and directors to execute our strategic plan to build shareholder

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value, while providing appropriate shareholder protections. The Company no longer makes grants under the Legacy Stock Plans. Awards outstanding under the Legacy Stock Plans will continue to remain outstanding and subject to the terms and conditions of the Legacy Stock Plans. At September 30, 2021, there were 1,123,639 shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

In anticipation of the Merger, Legacy Dime accelerated and vested all unvested and outstanding share-based awards such that there were 0 outstanding awards as of December 31, 2020. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options granted under Legacy Dime’s equity plans, were legally assumed by the combined company and adjusted so that its holder is entitled to receive a number of shares of Dime’s common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of shares of Legacy Dime common stock subject to such award multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio and (c) rounded, as applicable, to the nearest whole share, and otherwise subject to the same terms and conditions (including, without limitation, with respect to vesting conditions (taking into account any vesting that occurred at the Merger Date)).

In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options and time-vesting restricted stock units of Bridge, which we refer to as the Bridge equity awards, which were outstanding immediately before the Merger Date continue to be awards in respect of Dime common stock following the Merger, subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to such awards before the Merger Date.

Stock Option Awards

The following table presents a summary of activity related to stock options granted under the Legacy Stock Plans, and changes during the period then ended:

				Weighted-
				Average	Aggregate
		Weighted-		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Number of	Average Exercise		Contractual	Value
	Options	Price		Years	(In thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2021	28,842	$	15.05
Options outstanding at January 1, 2021 as adjusted for conversion	18,685		23.23
Options acquired	180,020		35.39
Options exercised	(17,102)		23.40
Options forfeited	(29,421)		35.38
Options outstanding at September 30, 2021	152,182	$	35.24	7.4	$	18
Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2021	152,182	$	35.24	7.4	$	18

Information related to stock options during each period is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Cash received for option exercise cost	$	—	$	—	$	396	$	38
Income tax benefit recognized on stock option exercises		—		—		—		—
Intrinsic value of options exercised		—		—		77		8

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has made RSA grants to outside Directors and certain officers under the Legacy Stock Plans and the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. Typically, awards to outside Directors fully vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, while awards to officers vest over a pre-determined requisite period. All awards were made at the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense on all RSAs is based upon the fair value of the shares on the respective dates of the grant.

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The following table presents a summary of activity related to the RSAs granted, and changes during the period then ended:

		Weighted-
		Average
	Number of	Grant-Date
	Shares	Fair Value
Unvested allocated shares outstanding at January 1, 2021	—	$	—
Shares acquired in the Merger	101,778		25.98
Shares granted	390,027		26.48
Shares vested	(9,838)		25.41
Shares forfeited	(33,089)		25.73
Unvested allocated shares at September 30, 2021	448,878	$	26.45

Information related to RSAs during each period is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Compensation expense recognized	$	1,454	$	444	$	3,804	$	1,311
Income tax expense recognized on vesting of RSA		—		(38)		(86)		(95)

As of September 30, 2021, there was $8.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.

Performance Based Share Awards

The Company maintained a long-term incentive award program (“LTIP”) for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each award, threshold (50% of target), target (100% of target) and stretch (150% of target) opportunities are eligible to be earned over a three-year performance period based on the Company’s relative performance on certain goals that were established at the onset of the performance period and cannot be altered subsequently. Shares of common stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. Shares are issued at the stretch opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period.

At December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain PSAs to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. There were 0 outstanding PSAs at December 31, 2020. This plan continued into 2021, and as of September 30, 2021, 38,948 shares have been granted.  

The following table presents a summary of activity related to the PSAs granted, and changes during the period then ended:

		Weighted-
		Average
	Number of	Grant-Date
	Shares	Fair Value
Maximum aggregate share payout at January 1, 2021	—	$	—
Shares granted	38,948		31.40
Maximum aggregate share payout at September 30, 2021	38,948	$	31.40
Minimum aggregate share payout	—		—
Expected aggregate share payout	25,963	$	31.40

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Information related to PSAs during each period is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Compensation expense recognized	$	81	$	210	$	81	$	362
Income tax expense recognized on vesting of LTIP		—		—		—		—

As of September 30, 2021, there was $1.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSAs.

Sales Incentive Awards

Legacy Dime maintained a sales incentive award program for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each quarter an individual can earn their shares based on their sales performance in that quarter. The shares then vest one year from the quarter in which they are earned. Shares of common stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. They are issued at the maximum opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period.

At December 31, 2020, the Legacy Dime modified certain performance based share awards to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. There were 0 outstanding sales incentive share awards at December 31, 2020. Total compensation expense of $150 thousand was recognized during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, and $280 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

17.INCOME TAXES

During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rates were 27.5% and 21.9%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company's consolidated effective tax rates were 29.2% and 21.7%, respectively.  There were 0 significant unusual income tax items during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 or 2020.

18.MERGER RELATED EXPENSES

Merger-related expenses were recorded in the consolidated statements of income as a component of non-interest expense and include costs relating to the Merger, as described in Note 2. Merger. These charges represent one-time costs associated with merger activities and do not represent ongoing costs of the fully integrated combined organization. Accounting guidance requires that merger-related transactional and restructuring costs incurred by the Company be charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the Merger totaled $1.1 million and $15.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs expense in the consolidated statements of income. Transaction costs (inclusive of costs to terminate leases) in connection with the Merger totaled $1.4 million and $27.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income. There were 0 costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the Merger with Bridge for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Transaction costs in connection with the Merger totaled $769 thousand and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income.

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19.BRANCH RESTRUCTURING COSTS

On June 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Bank planned to combine 5 branch locations into other existing branches. The combinations took place in October 2021. Costs associated with early lease terminations and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets totaled $4.5 million and $6.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and were recorded in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income.  There were 0 branch restructuring costs for the three or nine months periods ended September 30, 2020.

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Who We Are and How We Generate Income

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a New York corporation previously known as “Bridge Bancorp, Inc.,” is a bank holding company formed in 1988. On a parent-only basis, the Holding Company has minimal operations, other than as owner of Dime Community Bank. The Holding Company is dependent on dividends from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank, which was previously known as “BNB Bank,” its own earnings, additional capital raised, and borrowings as sources of funds. The information in this report reflects principally the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank. The Bank's results of operations are primarily dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The Bank also generates non-interest income, such as fee income on deposit and loan accounts, merchant credit and debit card processing programs, loan swap fees, investment services, income from its title insurance subsidiary, and net gains on sales of securities and loans. The level of non-interest expenses, such as salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, other general and administrative expenses, expenses from the Bank’s title insurance subsidiary, and income tax expense, further affects our net income. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts and the related discussion and analysis to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders' equity.

Completion of Merger of Equals

On February 1, 2021, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Dime”) merged with and into Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation (“Bridge”) (the “Merger”), with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” (the “Company”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into the right to receive 0.6480 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Dime Preferred Stock”), was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

Immediately following the Merger, Dime Community Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dime, merged with and into BNB Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridge, with BNB Bank as the surviving bank, under the name “Dime Community Bank.”

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime.

See “Note 2. “Merger” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Recent Developments Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As Banking was designated by New York State as an essential business, the Company remains committed to being a source of capital to businesses in its footprint. Over the past several years, the Company has taken numerous steps, including hiring personnel and adding new processes and systems, that have put the Bank in a position to help its business customers, through programs such as the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Our retail branch office locations remain open to conduct business. The locations are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on safe practices and social distancing, including social distancing signs and floor markings to guide employees and customers. The Bank also offers mobile and digital banking platforms. All employees and customers must wear masks when unable to socially distance. The Company also allows for a remote working environment for many of the Company’s back office personnel. The Company has not identified any material operational or internal control challenges.

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The Company also prioritizes the well-being of employees, including the creation of the Safety and Wellness Committee.

The Bank adheres to the NY Health & Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act, under which the Company has adopted additional guidelines and safety measures to protect employees against exposure.

Future government actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination mandates, may affect the Company’s workforce, human capital resources and infrastructure.

Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers

The Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of the Bank’s borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying the Bank’s secured loans, and demand for loans and other products and services the Bank offers, which are highly dependent on the business environment in the Bank’s primary markets where it operates.

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 17 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $26.6 million, that were deferring full principal and interest.  In accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act, issued in March 2020, these deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis. The loans will be subject to the Bank’s normal credit monitoring. The collectability of accrued interest is evaluated on a periodic basis.

The Bank is closely monitoring the developments and uncertainties regarding the pandemic, including various segments of our loan portfolio that may be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The Company does not have any exposure to the energy industry, airline industry, leveraged lending, or auto loans. The Company does not have any hotel loans that are in full P&I deferral.

With the passage of the PPP, administered by the SBA, the Company participated in assisting its customers with applications for resources through the program.  Since the inception of the program, the consolidated PPP originations for the Company, including originations by Legacy Dime and Bridge, through September 30, 2021 exceeded $1.90 billion. The Company’s ability to respond quickly to the SBA guidelines allowed the Company to be a source of funding for local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company’s SBA PPP loans generally have a two-year or five-year term and earn interest at 1%.  Following the completion of the PPP, the Company was able to sell $596.2 million of the SBA PPP loan portfolio in order to re-deploy funds to service ongoing loan portfolio growth. The Company believes that the remainder of these loans will ultimately be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program.  As of September 30, 2021, the Company had SBA PPP loans totaling $134.1 million, net of deferred fees. It is the Company’s understanding that loans funded through the PPP are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Should those circumstances change, the Company could be required to establish additional allowance for credit losses through additional provision expense charged to earnings.

We continue to monitor unfunded commitments through the pandemic, including commercial and home equity lines of credit, for evidence of increased credit exposure as borrowers utilize these lines for liquidity purposes.

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Selected Financial Highlights and Other Data

(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

	At or For the						At or For the
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Per Share Data:
Reported EPS (Diluted)	$	0.89		$	0.65		$	1.62		$	1.56
Cash dividends paid per common share		0.24			0.22			0.72			0.65
Book value per common share		26.64			26.97			26.64			26.97
Dividend payout ratio		26.97	%		33.33	%		44.44	%		41.58	%
Performance and Other Selected Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.22	%		0.98	%		0.76	%		0.78	%
Return on average equity		12.69			9.22			8.00			7.59
Net interest spread		3.08			2.71			3.02			2.59
Net interest margin		3.20			2.92			3.15			2.83
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities		159.05			125.10			152.96			123.68
Non-interest expense to average assets		1.80			1.53			2.16			1.68
Efficiency ratio		54.3			48.6			65.3			54.3
Loan-to-deposit ratio at end of period		87.0			125.3			87.0			125.3
Effective tax rate		27.50			21.87			29.24			21.72
Asset Quality Summary:
Non-performing loans (1)	$	34,020		$	12,424		$	34,020		$	12,424
Non-performing assets		34,020			12,424			34,020			12,424
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		4,191			(69)			9,383			(48)
Non-performing assets/Total assets		0.28	%		0.19	%		0.28	%		0.19	%
Non-performing loans/Total loans		0.37			0.22			0.37			0.22
Allowance for credit loss/Total loans		0.88			0.87			0.88			0.87
Allowance for credit loss/Non-performing loans		238.84			390.31			238.84			390.31

(1) Non-performing loans are defined as all loans on non-accrual status.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s policies with respect to the methodologies it uses to determine the allowance for credit losses (including reserves for loan commitments) and loans acquired in a business combination, are its most critical accounting policies because they are important to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations, involve a significant degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often necessitate assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. The use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could result in material variations in the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Allowance for Credit Losses. The Bank’s methods and assumptions utilized to periodically determine its allowance for credit losses are summarized in Note 3 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination. The Bank’s methods are summarized in Note 3 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and management of the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by ALCO. On a daily basis, appropriate senior management receives a current cash position report and one-week forecast to ensure that all short-term obligations are

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timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund future activities. Reports detailing the Bank’s liquidity reserves are presented to appropriate senior management on a monthly basis, and the Board of Directors at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to ALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity concerns. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming 12 months is presented to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

The Bank’s primary sources of funding for its lending and investment activities include deposits, loan and MBS payments, investment security principal and interest payments and advances from the FHLBNY. The Bank may also sell or securitize selected multifamily residential, mixed-use or one-to-four family residential real estate loans to private sector secondary market purchasers, and has in the past sold such loans to FNMA and FHLMC. The Company may additionally issue debt or equity under appropriate circumstances. Although maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and investments are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and prepayments on real estate loans and MBS are influenced by interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

The Bank is a member of AFX, through which it may either borrow or lend funds on an overnight or short-term basis with other member institutions. The availability of funds changes daily.

The Bank utilizes securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) as part of its borrowing policy to add liquidity. Repurchase agreements represent funds received from customers, generally on an overnight basis, which are collateralized by investment securities. As of September 30, 2021, the Bank’s repurchase agreements totaled $2.7 million, included in other short-term borrowings on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Bank gathers deposits in direct competition with commercial banks, savings banks and brokerage firms, many among the largest in the nation. It must additionally compete for deposit monies against the stock and bond markets, especially during periods of strong performance in those arenas. The Bank’s deposit flows are affected primarily by the pricing and marketing of its deposit products compared to its competitors, as well as the market performance of depositor investment alternatives such as the U.S. bond or equity markets. To the extent that the Bank is responsive to general market increases or declines in interest rates, its deposit flows should not be materially impacted. However, favorable performance of the equity or bond markets could adversely impact the Bank’s deposit flows.

Total deposits increased $6.15 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to an increase of $89.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in total deposits during the current period was primarily due to the acquisition of deposits in the Merger. Within deposits, core deposits (i.e., non-CDs) increased $6.46 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and increased $305.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. CDs decreased $306.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to a decrease of $215.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in CDs during the current period was primarily due to higher-cost CDs not being renewed. In the event that the Bank should require funds beyond its ability or desire to generate them internally, an additional source of funds is available through its borrowing line at the FHLBNY or borrowing capacity through AFX and lines of credit with unaffiliated correspondent banks. At September 30, 2021, the Bank had an additional unused borrowing capacity of $3.25 billion through the FHLBNY, subject to customary minimum FHLBNY common stock ownership requirements (i.e., 4.5% of the Bank’s outstanding FHLBNY borrowings).

The Bank decreased its outstanding FHLBNY advances by $1.18 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to a $36.2 million increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 13. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances for further information.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, real estate loan originations totaled $1.24 billion and $681.6 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, C&I loan originations totaled $631.3 million (including $579.9 million of PPP loans) and $442.4 million (including $334.3 million of PPP loans), respectively. The increase in both real estate loan originations and C&I loan originations during the current period was primarily due to the Merger.

Sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $138.1 million and $68.8 million during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Purchases of available-for-sale securities totaled $1.03 billion and $149.4 million during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Proceeds from pay downs and

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calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities were $350.6 million and $121.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  

The Company and the Bank are subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements imposed by its primary federal regulator. As a general matter, these capital requirements are based on the amount and composition of an institution’s assets. At September 30, 2021, each of the Company and the Bank were in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements and the Bank was considered "well capitalized" for all regulatory purposes.

The following table summarizes Company and Bank capital ratios calculated under the Basel III Capital Rules framework as of the period indicated:

	Actual Ratios at September 30, 2021
							Basel III
				Consolidated			Minimum			To Be Categorized as
	Bank			Company			Requirement			“Well Capitalized” (1)
Tier 1 common equity ratio		12.7	%		9.9	%		4.5	%	6.5	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		12.7			11.2			6.0		8.0
Total risk-based capital ratio		13.7			14.1			8.0		10.0
Tier 1 leverage ratio		9.6			8.4			4.0		5.0

(1) Only the Bank is subject to these requirements.

The Holding Company repurchased 904,160 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Legacy Dime repurchased 1,477,030 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.   As of September 30, 2021, up to 1,937,588 shares remained available for purchase under the authorized share repurchase programs. See "Part II - Item 2. Other Information - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds" for additional information about repurchases of common stock.

The Holding Company paid $5.5 million in cash dividends on its preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Legacy Dime paid $3.0 million in cash dividends on its preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The Holding Company paid $29.6 million in cash dividends on its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Legacy Dime paid $14.2 million in cash dividends on its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.  

Contractual Obligations

The Bank is obligated to make rental payments under leases on certain of its branches and equipment. In addition, the Bank generally has outstanding at any time significant borrowings in the form of FHLBNY advances, or overnight or short-term borrowings, as well as customer and brokered CDs with fixed contractual interest rates.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of its loan origination business, the Bank generally has outstanding commitments to extend credit to third parties, which are granted pursuant to its regular underwriting standards. Since these loan commitments may expire prior to funding, in whole or in part, the contract amounts are not estimates of future cash flows.

Asset Quality

General

The Bank does not originate or purchase loans, either whole loans or loans underlying mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which would have been considered subprime loans at origination, i.e., real estate loans advanced to borrowers

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who did not qualify for market interest rates because of problems with their income or credit history. See Note 7 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of evaluation for impaired securities.

COVID-19 Related Loan Deferrals

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 17 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $26.6 million, that were P&I deferrals.

The table below presents the loans with P&I deferrals as of the period indicated:

	September 30, 2021
	Number
(Dollars in thousands)	of Loans		Balance (1)
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	10	$	9,255
CRE	1		3,487
C&I	6		13,861
Total	17	$	26,603

(1) Amount excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

Pursuant to guidance under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, a qualified loan modification, such as a payment deferral, is exempt from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP. This applies if the loan was current as of December 31, 2019 and the modifications are related to arrangements that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate of the loan. This guidance was expected to expire on December 31, 2020.  The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law December of 2020, extended the exemption for TDR classification until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak is lifted.  

Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

While interest is expected to still accrue to income during the deferral period, should deterioration in the financial condition of the borrowers that would not support the ultimate repayment of interest emerge, interest income accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted.

Monitoring and Collection of Delinquent Loans

Management of the Bank reviews delinquent loans on a quarterly basis and reports to its Board of Directors at each regularly scheduled Board meeting regarding the status of all non-performing and otherwise delinquent loans in the Bank’s portfolio.

The Bank’s loan servicing policies and procedures require that an automated late notice be sent to a delinquent borrower as soon as possible after a payment is ten days late in the case of multifamily residential, commercial real estate loans, and C&I loans, or fifteen days late in connection with one-to-four family or consumer loans. Thereafter, periodic letters are mailed and phone calls placed to the borrower until payment is received. When contact is made with the borrower at any time prior to foreclosure, the Bank will attempt to obtain the full payment due or negotiate a repayment schedule with the borrower to avoid foreclosure.

Accrual of interest is generally discontinued on a loan that meets any of the following three criteria: (i) full payment of principal or interest is not expected; (ii) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more (unless the

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loan is both deemed to be well secured and in the process of collection); or (iii) an election has otherwise been made to maintain the loan on a cash basis due to deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. Such non-accrual determination practices are applied consistently to all loans regardless of their internal classification or designation. Upon entering non-accrual status, the Bank reverses all outstanding accrued interest receivable.

The Bank generally initiates foreclosure proceedings on real estate loans when a loan enters non-accrual status based upon non-payment, unless the borrower is paying in accordance with an agreed upon modified payment agreement. The Bank obtains an updated appraisal upon the commencement of legal action to calculate a potential collateral shortfall and to reserve appropriately for the potential loss. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure action is completed, the property securing the loan is transferred to Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) status. The Bank generally attempts to utilize all available remedies, such as note sales in lieu of foreclosure, in an effort to resolve non-accrual loans and OREO properties as quickly and prudently as possible in consideration of market conditions, the physical condition of the property and any other mitigating circumstances. In the event that a non-accrual loan is subsequently brought current, it is returned to accrual status once the doubt concerning collectability has been removed and the borrower has demonstrated performance in accordance with the loan terms and conditions for a period of at least six months.

The C&I portfolio is actively managed by the Bank’s lenders and underwriters. All credit facilities at a minimum require an annual review of the exposure and typically terms of the loan require annual and interim financial reporting and have financial covenants to indicate expected performance levels. Guarantors are also required to, at a minimum, annually update their financial reporting. All exposures are risk rated and those entering adverse ratings due to financial performance concerns of the borrower or material delinquency of any payments or financial reporting are subjected to added management scrutiny. Measures taken typically include amendments to the amount of the available credit facility, requirements for increased collateral, a request for a capital infusion, additional guarantor support or a material enhancement to the frequency and quality of financial reporting. Loans determined to reach adverse risk rating standards are subject to quarterly updating to Credit Administration and executive management. When warranted, loans reaching a Substandard rating could be reassigned to the Workout Group for direct handling.

Non-accrual Loans

Within the Bank’s held-for-investment loan portfolio, non-accrual loans totaled $34.0 million at September 30, 2021, and $17.9 million at December 31, 2020. Compared to June 30, 2021, non-accrual loans as of September 30, 2021 included $14.3 million of additional loans placed on non-accrual status. There were no non-accrual loan sales during the three months ended September 30, 2021.

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The following is a reconciliation of non-accrual loans as of the dates indicated:

	September 30,			December 31,			September 30,
	2021			2020			2020
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment	$	4,938		$	858		$	867
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use real estate		859			1,863			1,213
CRE		4,122			2,704			47
C&I		23,727			12,502			10,287
Other		374			1			10
Total non-accrual loans	$	34,020		$	17,928		$	12,424
TDRs:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment		49			—			—
C&I		479			—			—
Total TDRs	$	528		$	—		$	—
Ratios:
Total non-accrual loans to total loans		0.37	%		0.32	%		0.22	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets		0.28			0.26			0.19

TDRs

The Bank is required to recognize loans for which certain modifications or concessions have been made as TDRs.  A TDR has been created in the event that, for economic or legal reasons, any of the following concessions has been granted that would not have otherwise been considered to a debtor experiencing financial difficulties. The following criteria are considered concessions:

● A reduction of interest rate has been made for the remaining term of the loan

● The maturity date of the loan has been extended with a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk

● The outstanding principal amount and/or accrued interest have been reduced

In instances in which the interest rate has been reduced, management would not deem the modification a TDR in the event that the reduction in interest rate reflected either a general decline in market interest rates or an effort to maintain a relationship with a borrower who could readily obtain funds from other sources at the current market interest rate, and the terms of the restructured loan are comparable to the terms offered by the Bank to non-troubled debtors.  The Bank modified three loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Bank did not modify any loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Accrual status for TDRs is determined separately for each TDR in accordance with the Bank's policies for determining accrual or non-accrual status.  At the time an agreement is entered into between the Bank and the borrower that results in the Bank's determination that a TDR has been created, the loan can be on either accrual or non-accrual status.  If a loan is on non-accrual status at the time it is restructured, it continues to be classified as non-accrual until the borrower has demonstrated compliance with the modified loan terms for a period of at least three months. Conversely, if at the time of restructuring the loan is performing (and accruing) it will remain accruing throughout its restructured period, unless the loan subsequently meets any of the criteria for non-accrual status under the Bank's policy and agency regulations.

The Bank does not accept receivables or equity interests in satisfaction of TDRs.

For TDRs that demonstrated conditions sufficient to warrant accrual status, the present value of the expected net cash flows of the underlying property was utilized as the primary means of determining impairment.  Any shortfall in the present

54

value of the expected cash flows calculated at each measurement period (typically quarter-end) compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the time of the original loan agreement was recognized as either an allocated reserve (in the event that it related to lower expected interest payments) or a charge-off (if related to lower expected principal payments).  For TDRs on non-accrual status, an appraisal of the underlying real estate collateral is deemed the most appropriate measure to utilize when evaluating impairment and any shortfall in valuation from the recorded balance is accounted for through a charge-off.  In the event that either an allocated reserve or a charge-off is recognized on TDRs, the periodic loan loss provision is impacted.

Please refer to Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of TDRs.

OREO

Property acquired by the Bank, or a subsidiary, as a result of foreclosure on a mortgage loan or a deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as OREO. Upon entering OREO status, the Bank obtains a current appraisal on the property and reassesses the likely realizable value (a/k/a fair value) of the property quarterly thereafter. OREO is carried at the lower of the fair value or book balance, with any write downs recognized through a provision recorded in non-interest expense. Only the appraised value, or either a contractual or formal marketed value that falls below the appraised value, is used when determining the likely realizable value of OREO at each reporting period. The Bank typically seeks to dispose of OREO properties in a timely manner. As a result, OREO properties have generally not warranted subsequent independent appraisals.

There was no carrying value of OREO properties on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The Bank did not recognize any provisions for losses on OREO properties during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020.

Other Potential Problem Loans

The delinquencies noted below as of December 31, 2020 reflect those for Legacy Dime prior to the Merger with Bridge on February 1, 2021.  See Note 2 for further information regarding the Merger.

Loans Delinquent 30 to 59 Days

At September 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $51.1 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. At December 31, 2020, the Company had loans totaling $15.4 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. The 30 to 59-day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Loans Delinquent 60 to 89 Days

At September 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $7.5 million that were past due between 60 and 89 days. At December 31, 2020, the Company had loans totaling $918 thousand that were past due between 60 and 89 days. The 60 to 89-day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due

The Bank continued accruing interest on ten loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $6.3 million at September 30, 2021, and three loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.3 million at December 31, 2020, all of which were 90 days or more past due. These loans were well secured and/or awaiting a forbearance extension or formal payment deferral, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above.

55

Reserve for Loan Commitments

The Bank maintains a reserve, recorded in other liabilities, associated with unfunded loan commitments accepted by the borrower. The amount of reserve was $7.0 million at September 30, 2021 and $25 thousand at December 31, 2020. This reserve is determined based upon the outstanding volume of loan commitments at each period end. Any increases or reductions in this reserve are recognized in provision for credit losses. The adoption of the CECL Standard resulted in a $1.4 million increase in the reserve. An additional $5.6 million increase in the reserve was recorded as a provision for credit losses primarily attributable to acquired loan commitments during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Allowance for Credit Losses

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)". ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020.  Under Section 4014 of the CARES Act, financial institutions required to adopt ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 were provided an option to delay the adoption of the CECL framework. The Company elected to defer adoption of CECL until January 1, 2021. This standard requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires financial institutions and other organizations to use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates.  

The adoption of the CECL Standard resulted in an initial decrease of $3.9 million to the allowance for credit losses and an increase of $1.4 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments. The after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.7 million was recorded as an increase to retained earnings as of January 1, 2021.

A provision of $6.3 million and $20.0 million were recorded during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $6.3 million credit loss provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was due to a provision for credit losses recorded on acquired non-PCD loans which totaled $20.3 million for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger, and a provision for unfunded commitments which approximated $5.5 million, offset by a credit of $19.5 million as a result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the credit loss provision was driven mainly by an increase in the general allowance for credit losses due to the adjustment of qualitative factors to account for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption. During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, a credit of $5.2 million and a provision of $5.9 million were recorded, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the credit was primarily the result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans.  During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the credit loss provision was driven mainly by an increase in the general allowance for credit losses due to the adjustment of qualitative factors to account for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption.

For a further discussion of the allowance for credit losses and related activity during the three- or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and as of December 31, 2020, please see Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

Assets. Assets totaled $12.36 billion at September 30, 2021, $5.58 billion above their level at December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase in the loan portfolio of $3.62 billion, an increase in securities of $1.20 billion, and an increase in cash and due from banks of $385.4 million. These changes were mainly due to the acquisition of assets due to the Merger.

Total loans increased $3.62 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, to $9.20 billion at period end. During the period, the Bank had originations of $1.87 billion. Additionally, the allowance for credit losses increased by $39.8 million, which was due to the Merger (credit mark on PCD loans plus provision on non-PCD), offset by CECL adoption,  improvements in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, and releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

56

The $137.8 million increase in BOLI was mainly due to purchases of $40.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and acquisition of $94.1 million in BOLI as a result of the Merger.

Liabilities. Total liabilities increased $5.08 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, to $11.16 billion at period end, primarily due to an increase of $6.15 billion in deposits, an increase of $83.1 million in subordinated debt, an increase of $23.0 million in lease liability for operating leases, and an increase of $1.5 million in derivative liabilities. The increases in total liabilities in the current year were mainly due to the assumption of liabilities due to the Merger.  The increases due to the Merger were partially offset by a decrease of $1.18 billion in FHLBNY advances and a decrease of $118.2 million in other short-term borrowings. The Company used excess liquidity on the balance sheet to pay down FHLBNY advances and other short-term borrowings in the current year.

The Company terminated 28 interest rates swaps related to FHLBNY advances totaling $505.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 with a termination fee of $16.5 million.  The remaining four interest rate swaps are in an asset position as of September 30, 2021.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased $500.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $1.20 billion at period end, due to share issuances associated with the Merger of $491.2 million, net income for the period of $38.4 million, and income from other comprehensive income of $4.9 million, offset in part by common stock dividends of $34.8 million and preferred stock dividends of $5.5 million.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

The Company’s results of operations for the third quarter of 2021 include income for the full quarter from the Merger with Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (“Bridge”), compared to the Company’s historical information for the third quarter of 2020, which does not include the historical GAAP results of Bridge. 

General. Net income was $38.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, higher than net income of $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, net interest income increased by $49.9 million, non-interest income increased by $3.6 million, non-interest expense increased by $31.9 million, income tax expense increased by $10.1 million and the credit loss provision decreased by $11.1 million, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. Please see "Provision for Credit Losses" for a discussion of the decrease in the credit loss provision for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021.

Net Interest Income.  The discussion of net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the following tables, which set forth certain information related to the consolidated statements of income for those periods, and which also present the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated.  The average yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of their related assets or liabilities during the periods represented. Average balances were derived from average daily balances. The yields include fees that are considered adjustments to yields.

57

Analysis of Net Interest Income

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2021							2020
					Average							Average
	Average				Yield/			Average				Yield/
	Balance		Interest		Cost			Balance		Interest		Cost
Assets:	(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Real estate loans	$	8,234,182	$	78,626		3.79	%	$	4,874,780	$	47,482		3.90	%
Commercial and industrial loans		923,698		12,337		5.30			326,636		3,574		4.38
SBA PPP loans		266,472		2,643		3.94			316,747		2,178		2.75
Other loans		21,992		439		7.92			1,444		11		3.05
Mortgage-backed securities		976,198		3,999		1.63			435,920		2,707		2.48
Investment securities		462,150		2,031		1.74			78,405		715		3.65
Other short-term investments		880,606		583		0.26			130,520		729		2.23
Total interest-earning assets		11,765,298		100,658		3.39	%		6,164,452		57,396		3.72	%
Non-interest earning assets		819,074							327,721
Total assets	$	12,584,372						$	6,492,173
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	1,000,435	$	388		0.15	%	$	241,248	$	186		0.31	%
Money market		3,698,124		1,467		0.16			1,696,297		1,858		0.44
Savings		1,335,310		170		0.05			405,582		170		0.17
Certificates of deposit		1,138,853		1,540		0.54			1,425,083		4,458		1.24
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,172,722		3,565		0.20			3,768,210		6,672		0.70
FHLBNY advances		25,000		59		0.94			1,040,127		4,448		1.70
Subordinated debt, net		197,172		2,206		4.44			113,992		1,330		4.64
Other short-term borrowings		2,290		—		—			5,283		2		0.12
Total borrowings		224,462		2,265		4.00			1,159,402		5,780		1.98
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,397,184		5,830		0.31	%		4,927,612		12,452		1.01	%
Non-interest-bearing checking		3,789,623							652,880
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		186,977							223,285
Total liabilities		11,373,784							5,803,777
Stockholders' equity		1,210,588							688,396
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	12,584,372						$	6,492,173
Net interest income			$	94,828						$	44,944
Net interest spread						3.08	%						2.71	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	4,368,114						$	1,236,840
Net interest margin						3.20	%						2.92	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						159.05	%						125.10	%
Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts)	$	10,962,345	$	3,565		0.13	%	$	4,421,090	$	6,672		0.60	%

58

Rate/Volume Analysis

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Increase / (Decrease) Due to:
	Volume		Rate		Total
	(Dollars In thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Real estate loans	$	32,703	$	(1,559)	$	31,144
Commercial and industrial loans		7,323		1,440		8,763
SBA PPP loans		(358)		823		465
Other loans		276		152		428
Mortgage-backed securities		2,877		(1,585)		1,292
Investment securities		2,606		(1,290)		1,316
Other short-term investments		2,526		(2,672)		(146)
Total interest-earning assets	$	47,953	$	(4,691)	$	43,262
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	451	$	(249)	$	202
Money market		1,582		(1,973)		(391)
Savings		298		(298)		—
Certificates of deposit		(758)		(2,160)		(2,918)
FHLBNY advances		(3,144)		(1,245)		(4,389)
Subordinated debt, net		961		(85)		876
Other short-term borrowings		(7)		5		(2)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	(617)	$	(6,005)	$	(6,622)
Net change in net interest income	$	48,570	$	1,314	$	49,884

Net interest income was $94.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $49.9 million from the three months ended September 30, 2020. Average interest-earning assets were $11.77 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $5.60 billion from $6.16 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.20% during the three months ended September 30, 2021, up from 2.92% during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Interest Income. Interest income was $100.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $43.3 million from the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $31.1 million on real estate loans, $8.8 million on C&I loans, $0.5 million on SBA PPP loans, $0.4 million on other loans, $1.3 million on investment securities, and $1.3 million on mortgage-backed securities. The increased interest income on real estate loans was related to an increase of $3.36 billion in the average balance of such loans in the period, offset by an 11-basis point decrease in the yield. The increased interest income on C&I loans was due to an increase of $597.1 million in the average balance of such loans during the period. The increased average balances were due to the Merger.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $6.6 million, to $5.8 million, during the three months ended September 30, 2021, from $12.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decreased interest expense was mainly attributable to a reduction in interest rates offered on CDs as well as a decrease in average balances of $286.2 million in CD products, and a decrease in average balances of $1.02 billion in FHLBNY advances.

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recognized a credit loss recovery of $5.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to a provision of $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The $5.2 million credit loss recovery for the third quarter of 2021 was primarily associated with the improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income was $9.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to non-interest income of $6.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase of service charges and other fees of $2.9 million, and an increase in BOLI income of $1.2 million, offset by a decrease of $1.1 million of loan level derivative income for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

59

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $56.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $31.9 million from $24.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of an increase in salaries and employee benefits expenses of $14.0 million, an increase in occupancy and equipment expense of $3.8 million, an increase in professional services of $1.8 million, an increase in merger expense and transaction costs of $1.7 million, and an increase in data processing costs of $1.4 million, primarily due to the Merger. The Company also incurred branch restructuring costs of $4.5 million during the third quarter of 2021.

Non-interest expense was 1.80% and 1.53% of average assets during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $14.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to tax expense of $4.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The reported effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2021 was 27.5%, and 21.9% for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate during the third quarter of 2021 compared to the year ago quarter was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REITs and non-deductible expenses during the current period.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

The Company’s results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 include income for the eight months following the Merger with Bridge on February 1, 2021. The Company’s historical operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 do not include the historical results of Bridge. 

General.  Net income was $68.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $31.4 million from net income of $37.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net interest income increased by $136.9 million, provision for credit losses decreased by $13.7 million, and non-interest income increased by $13.1 million.  These increases to net income were partially offset by a non-interest expense increase of $114.2 million and an income tax expense increase of $18.0 million.

Net Interest Income.  The discussion of net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the following tables, which set forth certain information related to the consolidated statements of income for those periods, and which also present the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated.  The average yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of their related assets or liabilities during the periods represented. Average balances were derived from average daily balances. The yields include fees that are considered adjustments to yields.

60

Analysis of Net Interest Income

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021							2020
					Average							Average
	Average				Yield/			Average				Yield/
	Balance		Interest		Cost			Balance		Interest		Cost
Assets:	(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Real estate loans	$	7,846,509	$	219,207		3.74	%	$	4,898,959	$	146,657		3.99	%
Commercial and industrial loans		862,988		35,449		5.49			326,852		11,202		4.57
SBA PPP loans		821,822		13,866		2.26			170,362		3,666		2.87
Other loans		21,300		1,193		7.49			1,253		39		4.15
Mortgage-backed securities		823,585		10,562		1.71			463,681		9,076		2.61
Investment securities		325,654		4,974		2.04			63,594		1,718		3.60
Other short-term investments		575,399		2,563		0.60			144,414		2,577		2.38
Total interest-earning assets		11,277,257		287,814		3.41	%		6,069,115		174,935		3.84	%
Non-interest earning assets		732,265							294,653
Total assets	$	12,009,522						$	6,363,768
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	911,156	$	1,240		0.18	%	$	207,779	$	486		0.31	%
Money market		3,437,677		5,395		0.21			1,644,679		7,938		0.64
Savings		1,131,122		589		0.07			397,941		842		0.28
Certificates of deposit		1,359,380		6,442		0.63			1,507,442		19,032		1.69
Total interest-bearing deposits		6,839,335		13,666		0.27			3,757,841		28,298		1.01
FHLBNY advances		338,129		1,902		0.75			1,029,485		13,580		1.76
Subordinated debt, net		187,770		6,319		4.50			113,955		3,991		4.68
Other short-term borrowings		7,562		4		0.07			5,971		42		0.95
Total borrowings		533,461		8,225		2.06			1,149,411		17,613		2.05
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,372,796		21,891		0.40	%		4,907,252		45,911		1.25	%
Non-interest-bearing checking		3,316,989							579,753
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		175,703							222,659
Total liabilities		10,865,488							5,709,664
Stockholders' equity		1,144,034							654,104
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	12,009,522						$	6,363,768
Net interest income			$	265,923						$	129,024
Net interest spread						3.02	%						2.59	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	3,904,461						$	1,161,863
Net interest margin						3.15	%						2.83	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						152.96	%						123.68	%
Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts)	$	10,156,324	$	13,666		0.18	%	$	4,337,594	$	28,298		0.87	%

61

Rate/Volume Analysis

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Increase / (Decrease) Due to:
	Volume		Rate		Total
	(Dollars In thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Real estate loans	$	84,854	$	(12,304)	$	72,550
Commercial and industrial loans		20,161		4,086		24,247
SBA PPP loans		12,479		(2,279)		10,200
Other loans		870		284		1,154
Mortgage-backed securities		5,816		(4,330)		1,486
Investment securities		5,529		(2,273)		3,256
Other short-term investments		4,790		(4,804)		(14)
Total interest-earning assets	$	134,499	$	(21,620)	$	112,879
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	1,299	$	(545)	$	754
Money market		5,689		(8,232)		(2,543)
Savings		960		(1,213)		(253)
Certificates of deposit		(1,308)		(11,282)		(12,590)
FHLBNY advances		(6,498)		(5,180)		(11,678)
Subordinated debt, net		2,526		(198)		2,328
Other short-term borrowings		6		(44)		(38)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	2,674	$	(26,694)	$	(24,020)
Net change in net interest income	$	131,825	$	5,074	$	136,899

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income was $265.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $136.9 million from $129.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.  Average interest-earning assets were $11.28 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $5.21 billion compared to $6.07 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Net interest margin was 3.15% during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, up from 2.83% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Interest Income.  Interest income was $287.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $112.9 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $72.6 million on real estate loans, $24.2 million on C&I loans, $10.2 million on SBA PPP loans, $1.2 million on other loans, $1.5 million on mortgage-backed securities, and $3.3 million on investment securities. The increased interest income on real estate loans was due to an increase of $2.95 billion in the average balance of such loans in the period, offset in part by a 25-basis point decrease in the yield. The increased interest income on C&I loans was primarily due to growth of $536.1 million in the average balances, and a 92-basis point increase in yield during the period.   The increased interest income from mortgage-backed securities was primarily due to the increase in the average balances of $359.9 million. The increased average balances were related to increased balances from the Merger.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased $24.0 million, to $21.9 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from $45.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was due to decreased rates offered on CD accounts, a decrease of $148.1 million in the average balances of such accounts, a decrease of $691.4 million in the average balances of FHLBNY advances, and a decrease of 101 basis points in the cost of such borrowings.

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.  The change in provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was due to a provision for credit losses recorded on acquired non-PCD loans which totaled $20.3 million for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger. Excluding acquired non-PCD loans, the provision on the remainder of the portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was a credit loss recovery of $19.5 million primarily as a result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans.

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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income was $31.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $13.1 million from $18.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to increases in gains on the sales of SBA loans of $21.2 million and increases in service charges and other fees of $7.5 million, partially offset by a loss on termination of derivatives of $16.5 million in the 2021 period, a decrease in gains on sales of securities and other assets of $2.6 million, and a decrease in loan level derivative income of $2.4 million.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense was $194.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $114.3 million from $80.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, reflecting an increase of $39.8 million in merger expenses and transaction costs, an increase of $35.7 million in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase of $10.9 million in occupancy and equipment expense, an increase of $6.0 million in data processing costs, and an increase of $4.4 million in professional services expenses, primarily due to the Merger. The Company also incurred branch restructuring costs of $6.2 million during the 2021 period.

Non-interest expense was 2.16% and 1.68% of average assets during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income Tax Expense.   Income tax expense was $28.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $18.0 million from $10.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.  The Company's consolidated tax rate was 29.2% during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase from 21.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the year ago period was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REIT and non-deductible expenses during the period.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk were presented at December 31, 2020 in Item 7A of the Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2021. The following is an update of the discussion provided therein.

General. The Company’s largest component of market risk remains interest rate risk. The Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company conducted zero transactions involving derivative instruments requiring bifurcation in order to hedge interest rate or market risk.

Interest Rate Risk Exposure Analysis

Economic Value of Equity ("EVE") Analysis. In accordance with agency regulatory guidelines, the Company simulates the impact of interest rate volatility upon EVE using several interest rate scenarios. EVE is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the value of any off-balance sheet items, such as derivatives, if applicable.

Traditionally, the fair value of fixed-rate instruments fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates thus result in decreases in the fair value of interest-earning assets, which could adversely affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the event they were to be sold, or, in the case of interest-earning assets classified as available-for-sale, reduce the Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity, if retained. The changes in the value of assets and liabilities due to fluctuations in interest rates measure the interest rate sensitivity of those assets and liabilities.

In order to measure the Company’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates, EVE is calculated under market interest rates prevailing at a given quarter-end ("Pre-Shock Scenario"), and under various other interest rate scenarios ("Rate Shock Scenarios") representing immediate, permanent, parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates from the actual term structure observed in the Pre-Shock Scenario. An increase in the EVE is considered favorable, while a decline is considered unfavorable. The changes in EVE between the Pre-Shock Scenario and various Rate Shock Scenarios due to fluctuations

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in interest rates reflect the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items that are included in the EVE. Management reports the EVE results to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The report compares the Company’s estimated Pre-Shock Scenario EVE to the estimated EVE calculated under the various Rate Shock Scenarios.

The Company’s valuation model makes various estimates regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and deposit decay rates at each level of interest rate change. The Company’s estimates for loan repayment levels are influenced by the recent history of prepayment activity in its loan portfolio, as well as the interest rate composition of the existing portfolio, especially in relation to the existing interest rate environment. In addition, the Company considers the amount of fee protection inherent in the loan portfolio when estimating future repayment cash flows. Regarding deposit decay rates, the Company tracks and analyzes the decay rate of its deposits over time, with the assistance of a reputable third party, and over various interest rate scenarios. Such results are utilized in determining estimates of deposit decay rates in the valuation model. The Company also generates a series of spot discount rates that are integral to the valuation of the projected monthly cash flows of its assets and liabilities. The valuation model employs discount rates that it considers representative of prevailing market rates of interest with appropriate adjustments it believes are suited to the heterogeneous characteristics of the Company’s various asset and liability portfolios. No matter the care and precision with which the estimates are derived, actual cash flows could differ significantly from the Company’s estimates resulting in significantly different EVE calculations.

The analysis that follows presents, as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated EVE at both the Pre-Shock Scenario and the +100 Basis Point Rate and +200 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenarios.

	September 30, 2021					December 31, 2020
			Dollar		Percentage			Dollar		Percentage
(Dollars in thousands)	EVE		Change		Change	EVE		Change		Change
Rate Shock Scenarios
+ 200 Basis Points	$	1,369,702	$	222,016	19.34%	$	601,319	$	7,892	1.33%
+ 100 Basis Points		1,280,262		132,576	11.55%		597,398		3,971	0.67%
Pre-Shock Scenario		1,147,686		—	—		593,427		—	—

The Company’s Pre-Shock Scenario EVE increased from $593.4 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.15 billion at September 30, 2021. The primary factor contributing to the significant increase in EVE at September 30, 2021, was the completion of the Merger in the first quarter.

The Company’s EVE in the +100 Basis Point Rate and +200 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenarios increased from $597.4 million and $601.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020, to $1.28 billion and $1.37 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2021.

Income Simulation Analysis. As of the end of each quarterly period, the Company also monitors the impact of interest rate changes through a net interest income simulation model. This model estimates the impact of interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest income over forward-looking periods typically not exceeding 36 months (a considerably shorter period than measured through the EVE analysis). Management reports the net interest income simulation results to the Company’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The following table discloses the estimated changes to the Company’s net interest income over the 12-month period beginning September 30, 2021 assuming gradual changes in interest rates for the given rate scenarios:

	Percentage Change in
Gradual Change in Interest rates of:	Net Interest Income
+ 200 Basis Points	1.28	%
+ 100 Basis Points	0.47	%

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Management of the Company, with the participation of its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness as of September 30, 2021, of the Company’s disclosure controls and

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procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2021 in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management of the Company as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to CECL and business combinations that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is routinely named as a defendant in or party to various pending or threatened legal actions or proceedings. Certain of these matters may seek substantial monetary damages. In the opinion of management, the Company was not involved in any actions or proceedings that were likely to have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations as of September 30, 2021.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no changes to the risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c)

	Total			Total Number of	Maximum Number
	Number	Average		Shares Purchased	of Shares that May
	of Shares	Price Paid		as Part of Publicly	Yet be Purchased
Period	Purchased	Per Share		Announced Programs	Under the Programs (1)
July 2021	253,145	$	31.84	253,145	120,514
August 2021	71,284		33.38	71,284	2,093,198
September 2021	155,610		32.10	155,610	1,937,588

(1) In August 2021, the Company announced the adoption of a new stock repurchase program of up to 2,043,968 shares, upon the completion of its existing authorized stock repurchase program. The stock repurchase program may be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time for any reason.  As of September 30, 2021, there were 1,937,588 shares remaining to be purchased in the program.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

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Item 5.Other Information

None.

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Item 6.Exhibits

3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))
31.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101		The following financial statements from Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2021, filed on November 9, 2021, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and (vi) the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document
104		Cover page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline XBRL

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

Dated: November 9, 2021	By:	/s/ KEVIN M. O’CONNOR
		Kevin M. O’Connor
		Chief Executive Officer
Dated: November 9, 2021	By:	/s/ AVINASH REDDY
		Avinash Reddy
		Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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