4 - LOANS

The following table sets forth the loans outstanding by class of loans at the dates indicated.

Allowance for Credit Losses. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Such disparate risk characteristics may include internal or external credit ratings, risk ratings, collateral type, size of loan, effective interest rate, term, geographic location, industry or historical or expected loss pattern. For loans individually evaluated, an allowance for credit losses (“ACL” or “allowance”) is estimated based on either the fair value of collateral or the discounted value of expected future cash flows. In estimating the fair value of real estate collateral, management utilizes appraisals or evaluations adjusted for costs to dispose and a distressed sale adjustment, if needed. Estimating the fair value of collateral other than real estate is also subjective in nature and sometimes requires difficult and complex judgements. Determining expected future cash flows can be more subjective than determining fair values. Expected future cash flows could differ significantly, both in timing and amount, from the cash flows actually received over the loan’s remaining life. Individually evaluated loans are excluded from the estimation of credit losses for the pooled portfolio.

For loans collectively evaluated for credit loss, management segregates its loan portfolio into distinct pools, certain of which are combined in reporting loans outstanding by class of loans: (1) commercial and industrial; (2) small business; (3) multifamily; (4) owner-occupied; (5) other commercial real estate; (6) construction and land development; (7) residential mortgage; (8) revolving home equity; (9) consumer; and (10) municipal loans. Historical loss information from the Bank’s own loan portfolio from December 31, 2007 to present provides a basis for management’s assessment of expected credit losses. The choice of a historical look-back period that begins in 2007 covers an entire economic cycle and impacts the average historical loss rates used to calculate the final ACL. Due to the extensive loss data available, management selected the vintage approach to measure the historical loss component of credit losses for most of its loan pools. For the revolving home equity and small business pools, the lifetime PD/LGD (probability of default/loss given default) method is used to measure historical losses.

Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are included in loans collectively evaluated for credit loss. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification. A charge to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification.

Management believes that the methods selected fairly reflect the historical loss component of expected losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio. However, since future losses could vary significantly from those experienced in the past, on a quarterly basis management adjusts its historical loss experience to reflect current and forecasted conditions. In doing so, management considers a variety of general qualitative and quantitative factors (“Q-factors”) and then subjectively determines the weight to assign to each in estimating losses. Qualitative characteristics include differences in underwriting standards, policies, lending staff and environmental risks. Management also considers whether further adjustments to historical loss information are needed to reflect the extent to which current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts over a one year to two year forecasting horizon differ from the conditions that existed during the historical loss period. These quantitative adjustments reflect changes to relevant data such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product (“GDP”), vacancies, average growth in pools of loans, rent regulation status, delinquencies or other factors associated with the financial assets. The immediate reversion method is applied for periods beyond the forecasting horizon. The Bank’s ACL allocable to pools of loans that are collectively evaluated for credit loss results primarily from these qualitative and quantitative adjustments to historical loss experience. Because of the nature of the Q-factors and the degree of judgement involved in assessing their impact, management’s resulting estimate of losses may not accurately reflect current and future losses in the portfolio.

Chargeoffs and deterioration in current and forecasted economic conditions, including adjustments for economic uncertainty, were the main drivers of the provision recorded in the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by declines in loan portfolio balances, historical loss rates and allowances on individually evaluated loans.

The following tables present the activity in the ACL for the periods indicated.

Aging of Loans. The following tables present the aging of loans past due and loans on nonaccrual status by class of loans.

At March 31, 2025, past due loans increased $7.2 million from year-end 2024. The increase was primarily due to one multifamily loan with an amortized cost of $6.8 million. This loan is included in the column “Past Due - 30-59 Days” in the March 31, 2025 table above.  

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there was one residential real estate loan for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process with an amortized cost of $844,000. This loan is included in the column "Nonaccrual - With No Allowance for Credit Loss" in the tables above. The Bank did not hold any foreclosed residential real estate property at  March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.  

Accrued interest receivable from loans totaled $10.8 million and $10.7 million at  March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and is included in the line item “Other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

Loan Modifications. The Bank did not modify the terms of any loans for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the form of principal forgiveness, an interest reduction, an other-than-insignificant payment delay or a term extension during the previous twelve months. 

Risk Characteristics. Credit risk within the Bank’s loan portfolio primarily stems from factors such as changes in the borrower’s financial condition, credit concentrations, changes in collateral values, economic conditions, rent regulation and environmental contamination of properties securing mortgage loans. The Bank’s commercial loans, including those secured by real estate mortgages, are primarily made to small and medium-sized businesses. Such loans sometimes involve a higher degree of risk than those to larger companies because such businesses may have shorter operating histories, higher debt-to-equity ratios and may lack sophistication in internal record keeping and financial and operational controls. In addition, most of the Bank’s loans are made to businesses and consumers on Long Island and in the boroughs of New York City (“NYC”), and a large percentage of these loans are mortgage loans secured by properties located in those areas. The primary sources of repayment for residential and commercial mortgage loans include employment and other income of the borrowers, the businesses of the borrowers and cash flows from the underlying properties. In the case of multifamily mortgage loans, a substantial portion of the underlying properties are rent stabilized or rent controlled. These sources of repayment are dependent on the strength of the local economy.

Credit Quality Indicators. The Bank categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the borrower’s ability to service their debt including, but not limited to, current financial information for the borrower and any guarantors, payment experience, credit underwriting documentation, public records, due diligence checks and current economic trends. Management analyzes loans and classifies them using risk rating matrices consistent with regulatory guidance as follows.

Watch: The borrower’s cash flow has a high degree of variability and is subject to economic downturns. Liquidity is strained and the ability of the borrower to access traditional sources of credit is diminished.

Special Mention: The borrower has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the Bank’s credit position at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose the Bank to risk sufficient to warrant adverse classification.

Substandard: Loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or 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 have all the inherent weaknesses of those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, based on existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Risk ratings on commercial and industrial loans and commercial mortgages are initially assigned during the underwriting process and affirmed as part of the approval process. The ratings are periodically reviewed and evaluated based on borrower contact, credit department review or independent loan review.

The Bank's loan risk rating and review policy establishes requirements for the annual review of commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans. The requirements include details of the scope of coverage and selection process based on loan-type and risk rating. The Bank reviews at least 80% of its commercial real estate loan portfolio on an annual basis and uses a third-party review firm as part of its credit quality monitoring program. Lines of credit are also reviewed annually at each proposed reaffirmation. The frequency of the review of other loans is determined by minimum principal balance thresholds and the Bank’s ongoing assessments of the borrower’s condition.

Residential mortgage loans, revolving home equity lines and other consumer loans are initially evaluated utilizing the borrower’s credit score. A credit score is a tool used in the Bank’s loan approval process, and a minimum score of 680 is generally required for new loans. Credit scores for each borrower are updated at least annually. However, regardless of credit score, loans may be classified, criticized or placed on management’s watch list if relevant information comes to light.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans by class of loans, vintage and risk rating. Loans shown as Pass are all loans other than those risk rated Watch, Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful. Also presented are gross chargeoffs recorded in the current year-to-date period by year of origination.