HTM debt securities, which are carried at amortized cost, are investments for which there is the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. The portfolio is primarily comprised of obligations of U.S. Government, state and political subdivisions and mortgage-backed securities.
HTM debt securities were $36.0 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.5 percent, compared to $35.8 million at December 31, 2022. This net increase was the result of:
| ● | $0.2 million in net accretion |
The weighted average life of HTM securities, adjusted for prepayments, amounted to 17.9 years and 18.0 years at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of HTM securities was $27.2 million and $28.6 million at December 31, 2022. The effective duration of HTM securities amounted to 11.5 years and 10.5 years at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Equity securities are investments carried at fair value that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes. Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, to take advantage of market conditions that create economically attractive returns and as an additional source of earnings. Equity securities consist of Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") mutual fund investments and the equity holdings of other financial institutions.
Equity securities totaled $8.0 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $1.8 million or 18.2 percent, compared to $9.8 million at December 31, 2022. This net decrease was the result of:
| ● | $1.3 million in sales and |
| ● | $0.6 million in net losses. |
| ● | The above were partially offset by $0.1 million in purchases. |
Securities with a carrying value of $9.5 million and $835 thousand at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were held at the FHLB or FRB and were pledged for borrowing purposes; however, all securities are unencumbered by borrowings as of September 30, 2023.
Approximately 64 percent of the total debt security investment portfolio had a fixed rate of interest at September 30, 2023.
See Note 6 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding Securities.
Loan Portfolio
The loan portfolio, which represents the Company’s largest asset group, is a significant source of both interest and fee income. The portfolio consists of SBA, commercial, residential mortgage, consumer and residential construction loans. Each of these segments is subject to differing levels of credit and interest rate risk.
Total loans increased $66.6 million or 3.2 percent to $2.2 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to year end 2022. Commercial, residential mortgage and SBA held for investment loans increased $88.6 million, $23.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases of $30.0 million, $6.0 million and $3.4 million in residential construction, consumer and SBA PPP loans, respectively.