UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025.

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 0-14703

NBT BANCORP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
16-1268674
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York 13815
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (607) 337-2265

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
NBTB
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the 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

As of April 30, 2025, there were 47,257,723 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share.



NBT BANCORP INC.
FORM 10-Q - Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
 

4

5

6

7

8

10
ITEM 2.
30
ITEM 3.
43
ITEM 4.
43


 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
44
ITEM 1A.
44
ITEM 2.
44
ITEM 3.
44
ITEM 4.
44
ITEM 5.
44
ITEM 6.
45


 

46

GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

When references to “NBT”, “we,” “our,” “us,” and “the Company” are made in this report, we mean NBT Bancorp Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, NBT Bancorp, Inc. When we refer to the “Bank” in this report, we mean our only bank subsidiary, NBT Bank, National Association, and its subsidiaries.

The acronyms and abbreviations identified below are used throughout this report, including the Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. You may find it helpful to refer to this page as you read this report.

AFS
available for sale
AIR
accrued interest receivable
AOCI
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
bp(s)
basis point(s)
C&I
commercial & industrial
CECL
current expected credit losses
CME
Chicago Mercantile Exchange Clearing House
CODM
chief operating decision maker
CRE
commercial real estate
EPS
earnings per share
Evans
Evans Bancorp, Inc.
Evans Bank
Evans Bank, National Association
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
FOMC
Federal Open Market Committee
FRB
Federal Reserve Board
FTE
fully taxable equivalent
GAAP
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
HTM
held to maturity
LGD
loss given default
MMDA
money market deposit accounts
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
NIM
net interest margin
NOW
negotiable order of withdrawal
OCC
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
OREO
other real estate owned
PCD
purchased credit deteriorated
PD
probability of default
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SOFR
Secured Overnight Financing Rate

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)  
2025
   
2024
 
Assets
           
Cash and due from banks
 
$
216,698
   
$
205,083
 
Short-term interest-bearing accounts
   
37,385
     
78,973
 
Equity securities, at fair value
   
41,561
     
42,372
 
Securities available for sale, at fair value
   
1,704,677
     
1,574,664
 
Securities held to maturity (fair value $756,404 and $749,945, respectively)
   
836,833
     
842,921
 
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
32,117
     
33,957
 
Loans held for sale
   
13,628
     
9,744
 
Loans
   
9,980,267
     
9,969,910
 
Less allowance for loan losses
   
117,000
     
116,000
 
Net loans
 
$
9,863,267
   
$
9,853,910
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
81,598
     
80,840
 
Goodwill
   
362,663
     
362,663
 
Intangible assets, net
   
34,249
     
36,360
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
271,723
     
272,657
 
Other assets
   
367,852
     
392,522
 
Total assets
 
$
13,864,251
   
$
13,786,666
 
Liabilities
               
Demand (noninterest bearing)
 
$
3,399,393
   
$
3,446,068
 
Savings, NOW and money market
   
6,858,372
     
6,658,188
 
Time
   
1,450,746
     
1,442,505
 
Total deposits
 
$
11,708,511
   
$
11,546,761
 
Short-term borrowings
   
85,597
     
162,942
 
Long-term debt
   
4,605
     
29,644
 
Subordinated debt, net
   
121,579
     
121,201
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
101,196
     
101,196
 
Other liabilities
   
276,988
     
298,781
 
Total liabilities
 
$
12,298,476
   
$
12,260,525
 
Stockholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 53,974,492 shares issued
   
540
     
540
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
740,865
     
742,810
 
Retained earnings
   
1,120,887
     
1,100,209
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(121,813
)
   
(142,098
)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 6,719,086 and 6,779,975 shares, respectively
   
(174,704
)
   
(175,320
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,565,775
   
$
1,526,141
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
13,864,251
   
$
13,786,666
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2025
   
2024
 
Interest, fee and dividend income
           
Interest and fees on loans
 
$
138,052
   
$
133,146
 
Securities available for sale
   
10,262
     
7,124
 
Securities held to maturity
   
4,914
     
5,303
 
Other
   
1,176
     
1,364
 
Total interest, fee and dividend income
 
$
154,404
   
$
146,937
 
Interest expense
               
Deposits
 
$
42,588
   
$
44,339
 
Short-term borrowings
   
866
     
3,421
 
Long-term debt
   
266
     
290
 
Subordinated debt
   
1,822
     
1,800
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
1,639
     
1,913
 
Total interest expense
 
$
47,181
   
$
51,763
 
Net interest income
 
$
107,223
   
$
95,174
 
Provision for loan losses
   
7,554
     
5,579
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
$
99,669
   
$
89,595
 
Noninterest income
               
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
4,243
   
$
4,117
 
Card services income
   
5,317
     
5,195
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
15,858
     
14,287
 
Wealth management
   
10,946
     
9,697
 
Insurance services
   
4,761
     
4,388
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
3,397
     
2,352
 
Net securities (losses) gains
   
(104
)
   
2,183
Other
   
3,034
     
3,173
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
47,452
   
$
45,392
 
Noninterest expense
               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
60,694
   
$
55,704
 
Technology and data services
    10,238       9,750  
Occupancy
   
9,027
     
8,098
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
4,952
     
4,853
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,942
     
1,865
 
FDIC assessment
   
1,694
     
1,735
 
Advertising
   
1,138
     
812
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
2,111
     
2,168
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
   
659
     
553
 
Acquisition expenses
    1,221       -  
Other
   
6,224
     
6,235
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
99,900
   
$
91,773
 
Income before income tax expense
 
$
47,221
   
$
43,214
 
Income tax expense
   
10,476
     
9,391
 
Net income
 
$
36,745
   
$
33,823
 
Earnings per share
               
Basic
 
$
0.78
   
$
0.72
 
Diluted
 
$
0.77
   
$
0.71
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)  
2025
   
2024
 
Net income
 
$
36,745
   
$
33,823
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
                 
Securities available for sale:
               
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, gross
 
$
26,648
   
$
(5,292
)
Tax effect
   
(6,662
)
   
1,323
 
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, net
 
$
19,986
   
$
(3,969
)
                 
Amortization of unrealized net gains for the reclassification of available for sale securities to held to maturity, gross
 
$
75
   
$
96
 
Tax effect
   
(19
)
   
(24
)
Amortization of unrealized net gains for the reclassification of available for sale securities to held to maturity, net
 
$
56
   
$
72
 
                 
Total securities available for sale, net
 
$
20,042
   
$
(3,897
)
                 
Pension and other benefits:
               
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses, gross
 
$
324
   
$
452
 
Tax effect
   
(81
)
   
(113
)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses, net
 
$
243
   
$
339
 
                 
Total pension and other benefits, net
 
$
243
   
$
339
 
                 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
20,285
   
$
(3,558
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
57,030
   
$
30,265
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)  
Common
Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
   
Common
Stock in
Treasury
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2024
 
$
540
   
$
742,810
   
$
1,100,209
   
$
(142,098
)
 
$
(175,320
)
 
$
1,526,141
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
36,745
     
-
     
-
     
36,745
 
Cash dividends - $0.34 per share
   
-
     
-
     
(16,067
)
   
-
     
-
     
(16,067
)
Net issuance of 60,889 shares to employee
and other stock plans
   
-
     
(4,119
)
   
-
     
-
     
616
     
(3,503
)
Stock-based compensation
   
-
     
2,174
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,174
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
20,285
     
-
     
20,285
 
Balance at March 31, 2025
 
$
540
   
$
740,865
   
$
1,120,887
   
$
(121,813
)
 
$
(174,704
)
 
$
1,565,775
 
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2023
 
$
540
   
$
740,943
   
$
1,021,831
   
$
(160,934
)
 
$
(176,689
)
 
$
1,425,691
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
33,823
     
-
     
-
     
33,823
 
Cash dividends - $0.32 per share
   
-
     
-
     
(15,091
)
   
-
     
-
     
(15,091
)
Purchase of 1,900 treasury shares
    -       -       -       -       (63 )     (63 )
Net issuance of 47,016 shares to employee
and other stock plans
   
-
     
(2,435
)
   
-
     
-
     
764
     
(1,671
)
Stock-based compensation
   
-
     
2,284
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,284
 
Other comprehensive (loss)     -       -       -       (3,558 )     -       (3,558 )
Balance at March 31, 2024
 
$
540
   
$
740,792
   
$
1,040,563
   
$
(164,492
)
 
$
(175,988
)
 
$
1,441,415
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)  
2025
   
2024
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
 
$
36,745
   
$
33,823
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Provision for loan losses
   
7,554
     
5,579
 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
   
2,958
     
2,855
 
Net amortization on securities
   
552
     
657
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
2,111
     
2,168
 
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets
   
1,957
     
1,867
 
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
   
(384
)
   
(116
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
2,174
     
2,284
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
(3,397
)
   
(2,352
)
Amortization of subordinated debt issuance costs
   
109
     
109
 
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
   
83,400
     
27,075
 
Originations of loans held for sale
   
(87,851
)
   
(26,662
)
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale
   
(141
)
   
(40
)
Net securities losses (gains)
   
104
     
(2,183
)
Net change in other assets and other liabilities
   
(3,886
)
   
(8,319
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
42,005
   
$
36,745
 
Investing activities
               
Net cash used in acquisitions
  $ (1,550 )   $ (743 )
Securities available for sale:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns
   
36,025
     
26,542
 
Proceeds from sales
    -       2,284  
Purchases
   
(139,534
)
   
(19,676
)
Securities held to maturity:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns
   
24,713
     
21,143
 
Purchases
   
(18,958
)
   
(7,071
)
Equity securities:
               
Purchases
    -       (7 )
Other:
               
Net increase in loans
   
(16,329
)
   
(42,308
)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank stock redemption
   
13,816
     
26,465
 
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock    
(11,976
)
   
(17,940
)
Proceeds from settlement of bank owned life insurance
   
4,331
     
608
 
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
   
(3,701
)
   
(2,425
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(113,163
)
 
$
(13,128
)
Financing activities
               
Net increase in deposits  
$
161,750
   
$
226,295
 
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
   
(77,345
)
   
(119,517
)
Repayments of long-term debt     (25,039 )     (37 )
Cash paid by employer for tax-withholding on stock issuance
   
(2,114
)
   
(1,301
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
(63
)
Cash dividends
   
(16,067
)
   
(15,091
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
$
41,185
   
$
90,286
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(29,973
)
 
$
113,903
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
284,056
     
205,189
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
254,083
   
$
319,092
 

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (continued)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2025
 
2024
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
       
Cash paid during the period for:
       
Interest expense
 
$
49,543
   
$
55,313
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
   
1,800
     
3,500
 
Noncash investing activities:
               
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
  $ 126     $
-  
Acquisitions:                
Fair value of assets acquired   $ -     $ 693  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2025

1.
Description of Business

NBT Bancorp Inc. is a registered financial holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1986, with its principal headquarters located in Norwich, New York. The principal assets of NBT Bancorp Inc. consist of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its subsidiaries, including: NBT Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (“NBT Financial”), NBT Holdings, Inc. (“NBT Holdings”), CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust II, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II (collectively, the “Trusts”). The principal sources of revenue for NBT Bancorp Inc. are the management fees and dividends it receives from the Bank, NBT Financial and NBT Holdings. Collectively, NBT Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as (the “Company”).

The Company’s business, primarily conducted through the Bank, consists of providing commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management services primarily to customers in its market area, which includes upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, Vermont, southern Maine and central and northwestern Connecticut. The Company has been, and intends to continue to be, a community-oriented financial institution offering a variety of financial services. The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a community bank with local decision-making, providing a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial and municipal customers. 

2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NBT Bancorp Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries mentioned above. In the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the instructions for the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure. Refer to Note 16 to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the subsequent event related to the Evans Bancorp, Inc. merger.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to the financial statements. Estimates associated with the allowance for credit losses are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term.

3.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Issued Not Yet Adopted


In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, in response to requests from investors, lenders, creditors and other allocators of capital for enhanced income tax disclosures to support capital allocation decisions. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures primarily related to existing rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information to help investors better assess how the Company’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect the Company’s tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. The ASU 2023-09 improves the transparency of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application and early adoption are permitted. Aside from complying with the new disclosure requirements, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, that addresses longstanding investor requests for more information regarding expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. The ASU will require a tabular disclosure that disaggregates certain income statement expenses including employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date, which revises the effective date of ASU 2024-03. The ASU will become effective in the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and early adoption is permitted. Aside from complying with the new disclosure requirements, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

4.
Acquisitions

Subsequent Period Acquisition of Evans Bancorp, Inc. (Unaudited)

On May 2, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Evans Bancorp, Inc. (“Evans”) through the merger of Evans with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger, with total consideration of approximately $222 million in stock. Evans, with assets of approximately $2.19 billion at December 31, 2024, was headquartered in Williamsville, New York. Its primary subsidiary, Evans Bank, National Association, was a federally-chartered national banking association operating 18 banking locations in Western New York. The acquisition of Evans is being accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), using the acquisition method of accounting. Due to the close proximity of the acquisition date and the Company’s filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete. Accordingly, the Company is unable to disclose the preliminary allocation of consideration or other information required by ASC 805 at this time. The Company will include relevant disclosures as required in the second quarter of 2025.

The Company incurred acquisition expenses related to the Merger of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Other Acquisitions

In November 2024, the Company, through its subsidiary, NBT Bank, National Association, completed its acquisition of certain assets of PACO, Inc, a third-party administration business based in West Des Moines, Iowa for a total consideration of $3.3 million. As part of the acquisition the Company recorded goodwill of $0.7 million and $2.9 million contingent considerations recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024.

In July 2024, the Company, through its subsidiary, NBT Insurance Agency, LLC, a full-service insurance agency, completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Karl W. Reynard, Inc. located in Stamford, NY for a total consideration of $1.2 million. Karl W. Reynard, Inc. was a long-established property and casualty agency offering personal and commercial lines. This strategic acquisition expands the presence of NBT Insurance Agency, LLC in the Catskills, where the agency and the Bank are well established. As part of the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $0.2 million and a $1.0 million contingent consideration recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024.

The operating results of the acquired companies are included in the consolidated results after the date of acquisition.


5.
Securities

The amortized cost, estimated fair value and unrealized gains (losses) of available for sale (“AFS”) securities are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
As of March 31, 2025
                       
U.S. treasury
  $ 108,965     $ 52     $ (4,790 )   $ 104,227  
Federal agency
   
248,339
     
-
     
(24,910
)
   
223,429
 
State & municipal
   
95,257
     
-
     
(6,555
)
   
88,702
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
449,327
     
338
     
(34,432
)
   
415,233
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
92,529
     
207
     
(4,892
)
   
87,844
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
603,719
     
821
     
(36,555
)
   
567,985
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
196,036
     
82
     
(24,645
)
   
171,473
 
Corporate
   
48,492
     
-
     
(2,708
)
   
45,784
 
Total AFS securities
 
$
1,842,664
   
$
1,500
   
$
(139,487
)
 
$
1,704,677
 
As of December 31, 2024
                               
U.S. treasury
  $ 108,838     $ 59     $ (6,107 )   $ 102,790  
Federal agency
   
248,348
     
-
     
(29,831
)
   
218,517
 
State & municipal
   
95,457
     
-
     
(7,967
)
   
87,490
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
435,825
     
2
     
(41,528
)
   
394,299
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
76,528
     
9
     
(6,471
)
   
70,066
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
546,685
     
142
     
(42,831
)
   
503,996
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
179,136
     
39
     
(26,683
)
   
152,492
 
Corporate
   
48,482
     
-
     
(3,468
)
   
45,014
 
Total AFS securities
 
$
1,739,299
   
$
251
   
$
(164,886
)
 
$
1,574,664
 

There was no allowance for credit losses on AFS securities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no gains or losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and into earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold an AFS corporate debt security from a subordinated debt investment issued by a financial institution that failed and was previously written-off and recognized a gain of $2.3 million into earnings in net securities (losses) gains in the unaudited interim consolidated statements of income.

The amortized cost, estimated fair value and unrealized gains (losses) of held to maturity (“HTM”) securities are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
As of March 31, 2025
                       
Federal agency
 
$
100,000
   
$
-
   
$
(14,304
)
 
$
85,696
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
204,020
     
-
     
(29,009
)
   
175,011
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
14,111
     
1
     
(173
)
   
13,939
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
163,514
     
57
     
(9,610
)
   
153,961
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
60,229
     
-
     
(10,327
)
   
49,902
 
State & municipal
   
294,959
     
2
     
(17,066
)
   
277,895
 
Total HTM securities
 
$
836,833
   
$
60
   
$
(80,489
)
 
$
756,404
 
As of December 31, 2024
                               
Federal agency
 
$
100,000
   
$
-
   
$
(16,656
)
 
$
83,344
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
208,579
     
-
     
(34,349
)
   
174,230
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
15,611
     
1
     
(516
)
   
15,096
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
168,018
     
-
     
(11,554
)
   
156,464
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
60,906
     
-
     
(11,245
)
   
49,661
 
State & municipal
   
289,807
     
41
     
(18,698
)
   
271,150
 
Total HTM securities
 
$
842,921
   
$
42
   
$
(93,018
)
 
$
749,945
 

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all of the mortgaged-backed HTM securities were comprised of U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprises securities. 

The Company recorded no gains from calls on HTM securities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

AFS and HTM securities with amortized costs totaling $1.77 billion at March 31, 2025 and $1.60 billion at December 31, 2024, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law. Additionally, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, AFS and HTM securities with an amortized cost of $223.0 million and $234.2 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for securities sold under repurchase agreements.

The following table sets forth information with regard to gains and (losses) on equity securities:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2025
   
2024
 
Net losses recognized on equity securities
 
$
(104
)
 
$
(101
)
Less: Net losses recognized on equity securities sold during the period
   
-
     
-
 
Unrealized losses recognized on equity securities still held
 
$
(104
)
 
$
(101
)

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the carrying value of equity securities without readily determinable fair values was $1.0 million. The Company performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether the investments were impaired and identified no areas of credit concern as of March 31, 2025 and 2024. There were no impairments, or downward or upward adjustments recognized for equity securities without readily determinable fair values during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

The following table sets forth information with regard to contractual maturities of debt securities at March 31, 2025:

(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
AFS debt securities:
           
Within one year
 
$
84,171
   
$
82,763
 
From one to five years
   
633,838
     
590,105
 
From five to ten years
   
246,641
     
230,740
 
After ten years
   
878,014
     
801,069
 
Total AFS debt securities
 
$
1,842,664
   
$
1,704,677
 
HTM debt securities:
               
Within one year
 
$
101,944
   
$
101,895
 
From one to five years
   
164,050
     
156,038
 
From five to ten years
   
193,621
     
171,658
 
After ten years
   
377,218
     
326,813
 
Total HTM debt securities
 
$
836,833
   
$
756,404
 

Maturities of mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities are stated based on their estimated average lives. Actual maturities may differ from estimated average lives or contractual maturities because, in certain cases, borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Except for U.S. government securities and government-sponsored enterprises securities, there were no holdings, when taken in the aggregate, of any single issuer that exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

The following table sets forth information with regard to investment securities with unrealized losses, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, segregated according to the length of time the securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Longer
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Number
of
Positions
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Number
of
Positions
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Number
of
Positions
 
As of March 31, 2025
                                                     
AFS securities:
                                                     
U.S. treasury
  $ -     $ -       -     $ 94,177     $ (4,790 )     5     $ 94,177     $ (4,790 )     5  
Federal agency
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
223,429
     
(24,910
)
   
16
     
223,429
     
(24,910
)
   
16
 
State & municipal
   
759
     
(3
)
   
1
     
87,943
     
(6,552
)
   
66
     
88,702
     
(6,555
)
   
67
 
Mortgage-backed
   
60,880
     
(455
)
   
10
     
358,323
     
(38,869
)
   
148
     
419,203
     
(39,324
)
   
158
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
104,059
     
(490
)
   
12
     
476,660
     
(60,710
)
   
114
     
580,719
     
(61,200
)
   
126
 
Corporate
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
45,784
     
(2,708
)
   
15
     
45,784
     
(2,708
)
   
15
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
165,698
   
$
(948
)
   
23
   
$
1,286,316
   
$
(138,539
)
   
364
   
$
1,452,014
   
$
(139,487
)
   
387
 
HTM securities:
                                                                       
Federal agency
 
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
85,696
   
$
(14,304
)
   
4
   
$
85,696
   
$
(14,304
)
   
4
 
Mortgage-backed
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
188,902
     
(29,182
)
   
34
     
188,902
     
(29,182
)
   
34
 
Collateralized mortgage obligation
    -       -       -       196,888       (19,937 )     52       196,888       (19,937 )     52  
State & municipal
   
11,651
     
(130
)
   
14
     
161,569
     
(16,936
)
   
176
     
173,220
     
(17,066
)
   
190
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
11,651
   
$
(130
)
   
14
   
$
633,055
   
$
(80,359
)
   
266
   
$
644,706
   
$
(80,489
)
   
280
 
As of December 31, 2024
                                                                       
AFS securities:
                                                                       
U.S. treasury
  $ -     $ -       -     $ 92,737     $ (6,107 )     5     $ 92,737     $ (6,107 )     5  
Federal agency
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
218,517
     
(29,831
)
   
16
     
218,517
     
(29,831
)
   
16
 
State & municipal
    759       (4 )     1       86,731       (7,963 )     66       87,490       (7,967 )     67  
Mortgage-backed
   
95,153
     
(1,374
)
   
16
     
368,589
     
(46,625
)
   
152
     
463,742
     
(47,999
)
   
168
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
98,494
     
(1,128
)
   
14
     
480,891
     
(68,386
)
   
116
     
579,385
     
(69,514
)
   
130
 
Corporate
    1,478       (9 )     1       43,536       (3,459 )     14       45,014       (3,468 )     15  
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
195,884
   
$
(2,515
)
   
32
   
$
1,291,001
   
$
(162,371
)
   
369
   
$
1,486,885
   
$
(164,886
)
   
401
 
HTM securities:
                                                                       
Federal agency
 
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
83,344
   
$
(16,656
)
   
4
   
$
83,344
   
$
(16,656
)
   
4
 
Mortgage-backed
    -       -       -       189,271       (34,865 )     34       189,271       (34,865 )     34  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    7,147       (7 )     1       198,978       (22,792 )     52       206,125       (22,799 )     53  
State & municipal
   
9,458
     
(107
)
   
12
     
168,945
     
(18,591
)
   
186
     
178,403
     
(18,698
)
   
198
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
16,605
   
$
(114
)
   
13
   
$
640,538
   
$
(92,904
)
   
276
   
$
657,143
   
$
(93,018
)
   
289
 

The Company does not believe the AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, which consisted of 387 and 401 individual securities, respectively, represented a credit loss impairment. AFS debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the majority of the AFS securities in an unrealized loss position consisted of debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises that carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, which are widely recognized as “risk-free” and have a long history of zero credit losses. Total gross unrealized losses were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, relative to when the investment securities were purchased, and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities. The Company does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity. The Company elected to exclude accrued interest receivable (“AIR”) from the amortized cost basis of debt securities. AIR on AFS debt securities totaled $4.5 million and $4.4 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses and reported in the other assets financial statement line.

None of the Bank’s HTM debt securities were past due or on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. There was no accrued interest reversed against interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 or the year ended December 31, 2024 as all securities remained in accrual status. In addition, there were no collateral-dependent HTM debt securities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. There was no allowance for credit losses on HTM securities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 65% and 66%, respectively, of the Company’s HTM debt securities were issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises with bond ratings of A to AAA. These securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, which are widely recognized as “risk-free” and have a long history of zero credit losses. Therefore, the Company did not record an allowance for credit losses for these securities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The remaining HTM debt securities at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were comprised of state and municipal obligations with bond ratings of A to AAA excluding the $99.4 million of local municipal bonds which are not rated. Based on the Company’s current expected credit losses (“CECL”) methodology, the expected credit loss on the HTM municipal bond portfolio was deemed immaterial, therefore no allowance for credit loss was recorded as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. AIR on HTM debt securities totaled $4.8 million at March 31, 2025 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2024 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses and reported in the other assets financial statement line.

6.
Loans


A summary of loans, net of deferred fees and origination costs, by category(1) is as follows:


(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
Commercial & industrial
 
$
1,436,990
   
$
1,426,482
 
Commercial real estate
   
3,890,115
     
3,876,698
 
Residential real estate
   
2,127,588
     
2,142,249
 
Home equity
   
331,400
     
334,268
 
Indirect auto
   
1,309,084
     
1,273,253
 
Residential solar
   
800,090
     
820,079
 
Other consumer
   
85,000
     
96,881
 
Total loans
 
$
9,980,267
   
$
9,969,910
 

(1)
 Loans are summarized by business line which does not align to how the Company assesses credit risk in the allowance for credit losses under CECL.



Included in the above loans are net deferred loan origination (fees) costs totaling $(57.8) million and $(64.7) million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

7.
Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality of Loans

The allowance for credit losses totaled $117.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $116.0 million at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans was 1.17% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.16% at December 31, 2024.

The allowance for credit losses calculation incorporated a 6-quarter forecast period to account for forecast economic conditions under each scenario utilized in the measurement. For periods beyond the 6-quarter forecast, the model reverts to long-term economic conditions over a 4-quarter reversion period on a straight-line basis. The Company considers a baseline, upside and downside economic forecast in measuring the allowance.



The quantitative model as of March 31, 2025 incorporated a baseline economic outlook along with an alternative downside scenario sourced from a reputable third-party to accommodate other potential economic conditions in the model. At March 31, 2025, the weightings were 75% and 25% for the baseline and downside economic forecasts, respectively. The baseline outlook reflected an economic environment where the unemployment rate increases from 4.1% to 4.4% during the forecast period. Northeast Gross Domestic Product (“GDP’s”) annualized growth (on a quarterly basis) is expected to start the second quarter of 2025 at approximately 5% and decrease to 3.9% before increasing to 4.1% by the end of the forecast period. Key assumptions in the baseline economic outlook included the Federal Reserve cutting rates with two 25 basis point cuts at the September and December meetings, the economy remaining at full employment and continued tapering of the Federal Reserve balance sheet. The alternative downside scenario assumed deteriorated economic conditions from the baseline outlook. Under this scenario, national unemployment rises from 4.1% in the first quarter of 2025 to a peak of 7.6% in the second quarter of 2026. These scenarios and their respective weightings are evaluated at each measurement date and reflect management’s expectations as of March 31, 2025. Additional qualitative adjustments were made for factors not incorporated in the forecasts or the model, such as loss rate expectations for certain loan pools and recent trends in asset value indices. Additional monitoring for industry concentrations, loan growth and policy exceptions was also conducted.


During the quarter, the Company performed an annual update to its econometric, probability of default (“PD”)/ loss given default (“LGD”) models. Segment specific, multi-variate regression model inputs and assumptions were updated and recent period observed losses and behavior were incorporated into the models (“model refreshment”). The incorporation of recent observations did not have a material impact on most loan class segments except for the Auto class segment which resulted in an improvement in PD/LGD outcomes. The total allowance decreased by approximately 3% as of March 31, 2025 due to the model refreshment.

The quantitative model as of December 31, 2024 incorporated a baseline economic outlook along with an alternative downside scenario sourced from a reputable third-party to accommodate other potential economic conditions in the model. At December 31, 2024, the weightings were 80% and 20% for the baseline and downside economic forecasts, respectively. The baseline outlook reflected a Northeast unemployment rate environment starting at 4.1% and increasing slightly during the forecast period to 4.2%. Northeast GDP’s annualized growth (on a quarterly basis) is expected to start the first quarter of 2025 at approximately 3.8% before decreasing to a low of 2.6% in the third quarter of 2025 and then increasing to 3.9% by the end of the forecast period. Key assumptions in the baseline economic outlook included two 25 basis point federal funds rate cuts in 2025, quantitative tightening ending in early 2025, a post-election fiscal outlook with lower spending, lower taxes, and higher tariffs, and the economy currently being near full employment. The alternative downside scenario assumed deteriorated economic conditions from the baseline outlook. Under this scenario, Northeast unemployment increases to a peak of 7.5% in the first quarter of 2026. These scenarios and their respective weightings are evaluated at each measurement date and reflect management’s expectations as of December 31, 2024. Additional qualitative adjustments were made for factors not incorporated in the forecasts or the model, such as loss rate expectations for certain loan pools, considerations for inflation and recent trends in asset value indices. Additional monitoring for industry concentrations, loan growth and policy exceptions was also conducted.



There were no loans purchased with credit deterioration during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company purchased $1.3 million of residential loans at a 6.6% premium with a $13 thousand allowance for credit losses recorded for these loans. During 2024, the Company purchased $3.0 million of residential loans at a 7.0% premium with a $31 thousand allowance for credit losses recorded for these loans.



The Company made a policy election to report AIR in the other assets line item on the consolidated balance sheets. AIR on loans totaled $34.8 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 and with no estimated allowance for credit losses related to AIR as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 as it is excluded from amortized cost.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by our portfolio segments:

(In thousands)
 
Commercial
Loans
   
Consumer
Loans
   
Residential
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2024
 
$
45,453
   
$
43,987
   
$
26,560
   
$
116,000
 
Charge-offs
   
(2,222
)
   
(5,876
)
   
(57
)
   
(8,155
)
Recoveries
   
107
     
1,406
     
88
     
1,601
 
Provision
   
5,392
     
2,179
     
(17
)
   
7,554
 
Ending Balance as of March 31, 2025
 
$
48,730
   
$
41,696
   
$
26,574
   
$
117,000
 
                                 
Balance as of December 31, 2023
 
$
45,903
   
$
46,427
   
$
22,070
   
$
114,400
 
Charge-offs
   
(985
)
   
(5,581
)
   
(114
)
   
(6,680
)
Recoveries
   
198
     
1,651
     
152
     
2,001
 
Provision
   
(644
)
   
4,922
     
1,301
     
5,579
 
Ending Balance as of March 31, 2024
 
$
44,472
   
$
47,419
   
$
23,409
   
$
115,300
 

The allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2025 increased compared to the allowance estimates as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024 primarily due to the deterioration in the economic forecast including the change in the forecast scenario and the change in forecast scenario weightings from 80% baseline and 20% downside to 75% baseline and 25% downside. The increases to the allowance for credit losses were partially offset by model refreshment and the shift in loan composition driven by other consumer and residential solar portfolios that are in a planned run-off status.

Individually Evaluated Loans

The threshold for evaluating classified, Commercial & Industrial (“C&I”) and Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) loans risk graded substandard or doubtful, and nonperforming loans specifically evaluated for individual credit loss is $1.0 million. As of March 31, 2025, three relationships were identified for individual credit loss evaluation which had an amortized cost basis of $26.7 million. These relationships were in nonaccrual status with no allowance for credit loss. As of December 31, 2024, the same three relationships were identified for individual credit loss evaluation, had an amortized cost basis of $28.8 million and were in nonaccrual status with no allowance for credit loss.

The decrease in the amortized cost basis on an individual relationship basis from December 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 was primarily due to a partial charge-off of $2.1 million on one of the relationships to the estimated fair value that resulted from a new appraisal received in the first quarter of 2025.
The following table sets forth information with regard to past due and nonperforming loans by loan segment:

(In thousands)
 
31-60 Days
Past Due
Accruing
   
61-90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
   
Greater
Than 90
Days Past
Due
Accruing
   
Total Past
Due
Accruing
   
Nonaccrual
   
Current
   
Recorded
Total Loans
 
As of March 31, 2025
                                         
Commercial loans:
                                         
C&I
 
$
1,015
   
$
145
   
$
-
   
$
1,160
   
$
2,261
   
$
1,434,275
   
$
1,437,696
 
CRE
   
4,194
     
322
     
690
     
5,206
     
28,325
     
3,670,612
     
3,704,143
 
Total commercial loans
 
$
5,209
   
$
467
   
$
690
   
$
6,366
   
$
30,586
   
$
5,104,887
   
$
5,141,839
 
Consumer loans:
                                                       
Auto
 
$
9,863
   
$
1,778
   
$
972
   
$
12,613
   
$
1,925
   
$
1,267,358
   
$
1,281,896
 
Residential solar
    3,780       1,735       553       6,068       127       793,895       800,090  
Other consumer
   
1,425
     
683
     
381
     
2,489
     
218
     
97,594
     
100,301
 
Total consumer loans
 
$
15,068
   
$
4,196
   
$
1,906
   
$
21,170
   
$
2,270
   
$
2,158,847
   
$
2,182,287
 
Residential
 
$
3,733
   
$
562
   
$
266
   
$
4,561
   
$
11,973
   
$
2,639,607
   
$
2,656,141
 
Total loans
 
$
24,010
   
$
5,225
   
$
2,862
   
$
32,097
   
$
44,829
   
$
9,903,341
   
$
9,980,267
 

(In thousands)
 
31-60 Days
Past Due
Accruing
   
61-90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
   
Greater
Than 90
Days Past
Due
Accruing
   
Total Past
Due
Accruing
   
Nonaccrual
   
Current
   
Recorded
Total Loans
 
As of December 31, 2024
                                         
Commercial loans:
                                         
C&I
 
$
398
   
$
452
   
$
-
   
$
850
   
$
2,116
   
$
1,427,247
   
$
1,430,213
 
CRE
   
698
     
191
     
-
     
889
     
30,028
     
3,665,223
     
3,696,140
 
Total commercial loans
 
$
1,096
   
$
643
   
$
-
   
$
1,739
   
$
32,144
   
$
5,092,470
   
$
5,126,353
 
Consumer loans:
                                                       
Auto
 
$
11,527
   
$
2,047
   
$
900
   
$
14,474
   
$
2,054
   
$
1,228,378
   
$
1,244,906
 
Residential solar
    4,066       1,991       1,599       7,656       212       812,211       820,079  
Other consumer
   
1,552
     
985
     
888
     
3,425
     
263
     
105,529
     
109,217
 
Total consumer loans
 
$
17,145
   
$
5,023
   
$
3,387
   
$
25,555
   
$
2,529
   
$
2,146,118
   
$
2,174,202
 
Residential
 
$
3,360
   
$
467
   
$
2,411
   
$
6,238
   
$
11,146
   
$
2,651,971
   
$
2,669,355
 
Total loans
 
$
21,601
   
$
6,133
   
$
5,798
   
$
33,532
   
$
45,819
   
$
9,890,559
   
$
9,969,910
 

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company has developed an internal loan grading system to evaluate and quantify the Company’s loan portfolio with respect to quality and risk, focusing on, among other things, borrower’s financial strength, experience and depth of borrower’s management, primary and secondary sources of repayment, payment history, nature of the business and industry outlook. The internal grading system enables the Company to monitor the quality of the entire loan portfolio on a consistent basis and provide management with an early warning system, which facilitates recognition and response to problem loans and potential problem loans.

Commercial Grading System

For C&I and CRE loans, the Company uses a grading system that relies on quantifiable and measurable characteristics when available. This includes comparison of financial strength to available industry averages, comparison of transaction factors (loan terms and conditions) to loan policy and comparison of credit history to stated repayment terms and industry averages. Some grading factors are necessarily more subjective such as economic and industry factors, regulatory environment and management. C&I and CRE loans are graded Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention and Pass.

Doubtful

A Doubtful loan has a high probability of total or substantial loss, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the asset, its classification as a loss is deferred. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity or capital and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. Pending events can include mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, capital injections, the perfection of liens on additional collateral, the valuation of collateral and refinancing. Generally, pending events should be resolved within a relatively short period and the ratings will be adjusted based on the new information. Nonaccrual treatment is required for Doubtful assets because of the high probability of loss.

Substandard

Substandard loans have a high probability of payment default or they have other well-defined weaknesses. They require more intensive supervision by bank management. Substandard loans are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. For some Substandard loans, the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt and those loans should be placed on nonaccrual. Although Substandard assets in the aggregate will have a distinct potential for loss, an individual asset’s loss potential does not have to be distinct for the asset to be rated Substandard.

Special Mention

Special Mention loans have potential weaknesses that may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date. These loans pose elevated risk, but their weakness does not yet justify a Substandard classification. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends (i.e., declining revenues or margins) or may be struggling with an ill-proportioned balance sheet (i.e., increasing inventory without an increase in sales, high leverage and/or tight liquidity). Adverse economic or market conditions, such as interest rate increases or the entry of a new competitor, may also support a Special Mention rating. Although a Special Mention loan has a higher PD than a Pass asset, its default is not imminent.

Pass

Loans graded as Pass encompass all loans not graded as Doubtful, Substandard or Special Mention. Pass loans are in compliance with loan covenants and payments are generally made as agreed. Pass loans range from superior quality to fair quality. Pass loans also include any portion of a government guaranteed loan, including Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Consumer and Residential Grading System

Consumer and Residential loans are graded as either Nonperforming or Performing.

Nonperforming

Nonperforming loans are loans that are (1) over 90 days past due and interest is still accruing or (2) on nonaccrual status.

Performing

All loans not meeting any of the above criteria are considered Performing.

The following tables illustrate the Company’s credit quality by loan class by vintage and includes gross charge-offs by loan class by vintage. Included in other consumer gross charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded $0.3 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2024 originations. Included in other consumer gross charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $0.2 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2023 originations and $0.7 million in overdrawn deposit accounts reported as 2024 originations.

(In thousands)
 
2025
   
2024
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
Prior
   
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
   
Revolving
Loans
Converted
to Term
   
Total
 
As of March 31, 2025
                                                     
C&I
                                                     
By internally assigned grade:
                                                     
Pass
 
$
55,246
   
$
231,494
   
$
153,167
   
$
167,191
   
$
163,502
   
$
203,561
   
$
393,135
   
$
4,780
   
$
1,372,076
 
Special mention
   
-
     
966
     
916
     
4,094
     
148
     
5,448
     
13,499
     
-
     
25,071
 
Substandard
   
330
     
4,247
     
4,032
     
3,354
     
1,359
     
4,217
     
22,572
     
358
     
40,469
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
67
     
2
     
9
     
2
     
-
     
-
     
80
 
Total C&I
 
$
55,576
   
$
236,707
   
$
158,182
   
$
174,641
   
$
165,018
   
$
213,228
   
$
429,206
   
$
5,138
   
$
1,437,696
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ (45 )   $ (5 )   $ -     $ (72 )   $ -     $ -     $ (122 )
CRE
                                                                       
By internally assigned grade:
                                                                       
Pass
 
$
67,722
   
$
402,959
   
$
365,237
   
$
550,145
   
$
515,537
   
$
1,273,081
   
$
293,804
   
$
40,029
   
$
3,508,514
 
Special mention
   
-
     
3,632
     
9,924
     
26,372
     
7,485
     
34,190
     
1,897
     
-
     
83,500
 
Substandard
   
657
     
2,671
     
6,051
     
19,130
     
18,007
     
63,798
     
1,519
     
296
     
112,129
 
Total CRE
 
$
68,379
   
$
409,262
   
$
381,212
   
$
595,647
   
$
541,029
   
$
1,371,069
   
$
297,220
   
$
40,325
   
$
3,704,143
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (2,100 )   $ -     $ -     $ (2,100 )
Auto
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
176,401
   
$
503,155
   
$
290,000
   
$
209,548
   
$
75,676
   
$
24,219
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,278,999
 
Nonperforming
   
57
     
898
     
830
     
621
     
360
     
131
     
-
     
-
     
2,897
 
Total auto
 
$
176,458
   
$
504,053
   
$
290,830
   
$
210,169
   
$
76,036
   
$
24,350
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,281,896
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ (311 )   $ (391 )   $ (540 )   $ (273 )   $ (89 )   $ -     $ -     $ (1,604 )
Residential solar
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
  $ 2,802     $ 2,435     $ 117,592     $ 390,848     $ 163,034     $ 122,699     $ -     $ -     $ 799,410  
Nonperforming
    -       -       68       392       150       70       -       -       680  
Total residential solar
  $ 2,802     $ 2,435     $ 117,660     $ 391,240     $ 163,184     $ 122,769     $ -     $ -     $ 800,090  
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ (245 )   $ (1,481 )   $ (481 )   $ (347 )   $ -     $ -     $ (2,554 )
Other consumer
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
5,761
   
$
12,078
   
$
5,837
   
$
9,212
   
$
22,565
   
$
22,409
   
$
21,819
   
$
21
   
$
99,702
 
Nonperforming
   
-
     
22
     
20
     
102
     
169
     
265
     
7
     
14
     
599
 
Total other consumer
 
$
5,761
   
$
12,100
   
$
5,857
   
$
9,314
   
$
22,734
   
$
22,674
   
$
21,826
   
$
35
   
$
100,301
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ (307 )   $ -     $ (376 )   $ (612 )   $ (423 )   $ -     $ -     $ (1,718 )
Residential
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
28,955
   
$
189,982
   
$
227,910
   
$
363,471
   
$
414,318
   
$
1,141,607
   
$
265,605
   
$
12,054
   
$
2,643,902
 
Nonperforming
   
-
     
606
     
764
     
539
     
2,237
     
7,699
     
-
     
394
     
12,239
 
Total residential
 
$
28,955
   
$
190,588
   
$
228,674
   
$
364,010
   
$
416,555
   
$
1,149,306
   
$
265,605
   
$
12,448
   
$
2,656,141
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ (16 )   $ (41 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (57 )
Total loans
 
$
337,931
   
$
1,355,145
   
$
1,182,415
   
$
1,745,021
   
$
1,384,556
   
$
2,903,396
   
$
1,013,857
   
$
57,946
   
$
9,980,267
 
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ (634 )   $ (722 )   $ (2,402 )   $ (1,366 )   $ (3,031 )   $ -     $ -     $ (8,155 )

(In thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
Prior
   
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
   
Revolving
Loans
Converted
to Term
   
Total
 
As of December 31, 2024
                                                     
C&I
                                                     
By internally assigned grade:
                                                     
Pass
 
$
255,824
   
$
166,780
   
$
180,095
   
$
177,839
   
$
118,826
   
$
101,755
   
$
349,443
   
$
3,588
   
$
1,354,150
 
Special mention
   
272
     
3,265
     
3,461
     
1,639
     
307
     
1,008
     
22,582
     
4,374
     
36,908
 
Substandard
   
2,419
     
3,895
     
2,183
     
1,555
     
173
     
3,878
     
23,231
     
1,751
     
39,085
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
67
     
2
     
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
70
 
Total C&I
 
$
258,515
   
$
174,007
   
$
185,741
   
$
181,034
   
$
119,306
   
$
106,641
   
$
395,256
   
$
9,713
   
$
1,430,213
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ -     $ (99 )   $ (1,063 )   $ (162 )   $ -     $ (1,352 )   $ -     $ -     $ (2,676 )
CRE
                                                                       
By internally assigned grade:
                                                                       
Pass
 
$
414,835
   
$
352,834
   
$
550,682
   
$
514,134
   
$
414,737
   
$
912,693
   
$
314,574
   
$
45,940
   
$
3,520,429
 
Special mention
   
2,573
     
14,406
     
23,747
     
7,440
     
4,310
     
16,888
     
2,044
     
1,222
     
72,630
 
Substandard
   
-
     
1,743
     
19,182
     
18,111
     
2,362
     
61,029
     
654
     
-
     
103,081
 
Total CRE
 
$
417,408
   
$
368,983
   
$
593,611
   
$
539,685
   
$
421,409
   
$
990,610
   
$
317,272
   
$
47,162
   
$
3,696,140
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (2,366 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (2,366 )
Auto
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
557,817
   
$
321,545
   
$
238,232
   
$
90,143
   
$
19,931
   
$
14,284
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,241,952
 
Nonperforming
   
594
     
983
     
710
     
459
     
107
     
101
     
-
     
-
     
2,954
 
Total auto
 
$
558,411
   
$
322,528
   
$
238,942
   
$
90,602
   
$
20,038
   
$
14,385
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,244,906
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ (141 )   $ (1,478 )   $ (1,610 )   $ (837 )   $ (116 )   $ (347 )   $ -     $ -     $ (4,529 )
Residential solar                                                                        
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
  $ 4,381     $ 121,755     $ 398,030     $ 166,018     $ 56,612     $ 71,472     $ -     $ -     $ 818,268  
Nonperforming
    -       213       869       488       80       161       -       -       1,811  
Total residential solar   $ 4,381     $ 121,968     $ 398,899     $ 166,506     $ 56,692     $ 71,633     $ -     $ -     $ 820,079  
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ -     $ (530 )   $ (4,441 )   $ (716 )   $ (201 )   $ (694 )   $ -     $ -     $ (6,582 )
Other consumer
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
16,426
   
$
6,685
   
$
11,792
   
$
27,045
   
$
10,718
   
$
15,881
   
$
19,507
   
$
12
   
$
108,066
 
Nonperforming
   
12
     
43
     
207
     
433
     
209
     
202
     
15
     
30
     
1,151
 
Total other consumer
 
$
16,438
   
$
6,728
   
$
11,999
   
$
27,478
   
$
10,927
   
$
16,083
   
$
19,522
   
$
42
   
$
109,217
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ (735 )   $ (330 )   $ (2,080 )   $ (4,271 )   $ (1,036 )   $ (912 )   $ -     $ -     $ (9,364 )
Residential
                                                                       
By payment activity:
                                                                       
Performing
 
$
188,657
   
$
222,593
   
$
369,473
   
$
419,053
   
$
246,867
   
$
924,869
   
$
265,351
   
$
18,935
   
$
2,655,798
 
Nonperforming
   
580
     
765
     
766
     
2,507
     
160
     
8,779
     
-
     
-
     
13,557
 
Total residential
 
$
189,237
   
$
223,358
   
$
370,239
   
$
421,560
   
$
247,027
   
$
933,648
   
$
265,351
   
$
18,935
   
$
2,669,355
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ -     $ (34 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (177 )   $ -     $ -     $ (211 )
Total loans
 
$
1,444,390
   
$
1,217,572
   
$
1,799,431
   
$
1,426,865
   
$
875,399
   
$
2,133,000
   
$
997,401
   
$
75,852
   
$
9,969,910
 
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ (876 )   $ (2,471 )   $ (9,194 )   $ (8,352 )   $ (1,353 )   $ (3,482 )   $ -     $ -     $ (25,728 )

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments totaled $4.5 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $4.4 million as of December 31, 2024. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $(0.5) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was recorded within other noninterest expense in the unaudited interim consolidated statements of income. 

Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulties



When the Company modifies a loan with financial difficulty, such modifications generally include one or a combination of the following: an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; a change in scheduled payment amount; or principal forgiveness.

The following table shows the amortized cost basis at the end of the reporting period of the loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of concession granted:



   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
 
   
Term Extension
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
% of Total Class of
Financing Receivables
 
Residential
 
$
789
     
0.030
%
Total
 
$
789
         

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
 
   
Term Extension
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
% of Total Class of
Financing Receivables
 
Residential
 
$
294
     
0.011
%
Total
 
$
294
         



The following table describes the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties:



 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Loan Type
Term Extension
Residential
Added a weighted-average 5.2 years to the life of loans, which reduced monthly payment amounts for the borrowers.


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Loan Type
Term Extension
Residential
Added a weighted-average 7.4 years to the life of loans, which reduced monthly payment amounts for the borrowers.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were $59 thousand in Residential financing receivables with term extension modifications that had payment defaults during the period, that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the twelve months prior to the default. There were no financing receivables that had payment defaults during the three months ended March 31, 2024, that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the prior twelve months.
The following table depicts the performance of loans that have been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified in the prior twelve months:


 
Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis)
 
(In thousands)
 
Current
   
31-60 Days
Past Due
   
61-90 Days
Past Due
   
Greater than 90
Days Past Due
 
As of March 31, 2025
                       
Residential
 
$
1,891
   
$
59
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Total
 
$
1,891
   
$
59
   
$
-
   
$
-


 
Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis)
 
(In thousands)
 
Current
   
31-60 Days
Past Due
   
61-90 Days
Past Due
   
Greater than 90
Days Past Due
 
As of March 31, 2024
                       
Residential
 
$
863
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
29
 
Total
 
$
863
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
29


8.
Short-Term Borrowings

In addition to the liquidity provided by balance sheet cash flows, liquidity must also be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines from correspondent banks as well as borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve Bank. Other funding alternatives may also be appropriate from time to time, including wholesale and retail repurchase agreements and brokered certificate of deposit accounts.

Information related to short-term borrowings is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
 
$
85,597
   
$
146,942
 
Other short-term borrowings
   
-
     
16,000
 
Total short-term borrowings
 
$
85,597
   
$
162,942
 

See Note 5 for additional information regarding securities pledged as collateral for securities sold under the repurchase agreements.

9.
Defined Benefit Post-Retirement Plans

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) covering substantially all of its employees at March 31, 2025. Benefits paid from the Plan are based on age, years of service, compensation and social security benefits and are determined in accordance with defined formulas. The Company’s policy is to fund the Plan in accordance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 standards. Assets of the Plan are invested in publicly traded stocks, bonds and mutual funds. In addition to the Plan, the Company provides supplemental employee retirement plans to certain current and former executives. These supplemental employee retirement plans and the Plan are collectively referred to herein as “Pension Benefits.”

In addition, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Benefits were accrued over the employees’ active service period. Only employees that were employed by the Company on or before January 1, 2000 are eligible to receive post-retirement health care benefits. These post-retirement benefits are referred to herein as “Other Benefits.”

Accounting standards require an employer to: (1) recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit post-retirement plans, which is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in its balance sheet; (2) recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income; and (3) measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.

The Company made no voluntary contributions to the Pension Benefits and Other Benefits plans during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

The components of expense for Pension Benefits and Other Benefits are set forth below:

 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2025
   
2024
   
2025
   
2024
 
Components of net periodic cost (benefit):
                       
Service cost
 
$
671
   
$
514
   
$
1
   
$
1
 
Interest cost
   
1,068
     
1,005
     
59
     
55
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(2,045
)
   
(1,983
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net amortization
   
325
     
453
     
(1
)
   
(1
)
Total net periodic cost (benefit)
 
$
19
   
$
(11
)
 
$
59
   
$
55
 

The service cost component of net periodic cost (benefit) is included in salaries and employee benefits and the interest cost, expected return on plan assets and net amortization components are included in other noninterest expense on the unaudited interim consolidated statements of income.

10.
Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as the Company’s dilutive restricted stock units and stock options).

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented in the unaudited interim consolidated statements of income:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2025
   
2024
 
Basic EPS:
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
47,244
     
47,148
 
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
36,745
   
$
33,823
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.78
   
$
0.72
 
Diluted EPS:
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
47,244
     
47,148
 
Dilutive effect of common stock options and restricted stock
   
233
     
222
 
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
   
47,477
     
47,370
 
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
36,745
   
$
33,823
 
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.77
   
$
0.71
 

There was a nominal number of weighted average stock options outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, that were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since the stock options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price during these periods.

11.
Reclassification Adjustments Out of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the reclassification adjustments out of AOCI:

Detail About AOCI Components
 
Amount Reclassified from AOCI
 
Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Three Months Ended
   
(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2025
   
March 31, 2024
   
AFS securities:
                         
Amortization of unrealized gains related to securities transfer
 
$
75
   
$
96
 
Interest income
Tax effect
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(24
)
Income tax (benefit)
Net of tax
 
$
56
   
$
72
   
Pension and other benefits:
                                       
Amortization of net losses
 
$
321
   
$
454
 
Other noninterest expense
Amortization of prior service costs
   
3
     
(2
)
Other noninterest expense
Tax effect
 
$
(81
)
 
$
(113
)
Income tax (benefit)
Net of tax
 
$
243
   
$
339
 
Total reclassifications, net of tax
 
$
299
   
$
411
   

12.
Derivative Instruments 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 risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative instruments. Specifically, the Company may enter 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 is determined by interest rates. Generally, the Company may use derivative financial instruments 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. Currently, the Company has interest rate derivatives resulting from a service provided to certain qualifying customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. The Company manages a matched book with respect to its derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs. These swaps are considered derivatives, but are not designated in hedging relationships. These instruments have interest rate and credit risk associated with them. To mitigate the interest rate risk, the Company enters into offsetting interest rate swaps with counterparties. The counterparty swaps are also considered derivatives and are also not designated in hedging relationships. Interest rate swaps are recorded within other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at their estimated fair value. Changes to the fair value of assets and liabilities arising from these derivatives are included, net, in other operating income in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company is subject to over-the-counter derivative clearing requirements, which require certain derivatives to be cleared through central clearing houses. Accordingly, the Company clears certain derivative transactions through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Clearing House (“CME”). The CME requires the Company to post initial and variation margin payments to mitigate the risk of non-payment, the latter of which is received or paid daily based on the net asset or liability position of the contracts. A daily settlement occurs through the CME for changes in the fair value of centrally cleared derivatives. Not all of the derivatives are required to be cleared through the daily clearing agent. As a result, the total fair values of loan level derivative assets and liabilities recognized on the Company’s financial statements are not equal and offsetting.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had twenty one and twenty risk participation agreements, respectively, with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to participated loans. Risk participation agreements provide credit protection to the financial institution that originated the swap transaction should the borrower fail to perform on its obligation. The Company enters into both risk participation agreements in which it purchases credit protection from other financial institutions and those in which it provides credit protection to other financial institutions.

The following table summarizes the derivatives outstanding:

(In thousands)
 
Notional
Amount
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
   
Notional
Amount
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
As of March 31, 2025
                           
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                           
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
1,401,787
 
Other assets
 
$
86,930
   
$
1,401,787
 
Other liabilities
 
$
86,823
 
Risk participation agreements
   
98,600
 
Other assets
   
88
     
13,071
 
Other liabilities
   
3
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                         
$
87,018
                           
$
86,826
 
Netting adjustments(1)
             
19,734
               
(84
)
Net derivatives in the balance sheet
                         
$
67,284
                           
$
86,910
 
Derivatives not offset on the balance sheet
                         
$
5,322
                           
$
5,322
 
Cash collateral(2)
             
-
               
-
 
Net derivative amounts
                         
$
61,962
                           
$
81,588
 
As of December 31, 2024
                                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                                   
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
1,374,800
 
Other assets
 
$
104,377
   
$
1,374,800
 
Other liabilities
 
$
104,371
 
Risk participation agreements
   
90,725
 
Other assets
   
62
     
18,811
 
Other liabilities
   
2
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                         
$
104,439
                           
$
104,373
 
Netting adjustments(1)
              23,592                 (26 )
Net derivatives in the balance sheet
                          $ 80,847                             $ 104,399  
Derivatives not offset on the balance sheet
                          $ 1,792                             $ 1,792  
Cash collateral(2)
             
-
               
-
 
Net derivative amounts
                         
$
79,055
                           
$
102,607
 

(1) Netting adjustments represent the amounts recorded to convert derivative assets and liabilities from a gross basis to a net basis in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance on the settle to market rules for cleared derivatives. The CME legally characterizes the variation margin posted between counterparties as settlements of the outstanding derivative contracts instead of cash collateral.

(2) Cash collateral represents the amount that cannot be used to offset our derivative assets and liabilities from a gross basis to a net basis in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. The other collateral consists of securities and is exchanged under bilateral collateral and master netting agreements that allow us to offset the net derivative position with the related collateral. The application of the other collateral cannot reduce the net derivative position below zero. Therefore, excess other collateral, if any, is not reflected above.

The following table indicates the gain or loss recognized in income on derivatives not designated as a hedging relationship:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2025
   
2024
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
           
Increase in other income
 
$
21
   
$
75

13.
Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy exists within GAAP that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities, many other sovereign government obligations, liquid mortgage products, active listed equities and most money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted prices for such instruments.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations or quotes from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, less liquid mortgage products, less liquid agency securities, less liquid listed equities, state, municipal and provincial obligations and certain physical commodities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices). Other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The prices for Level 2 instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Management reviews the methodologies used by its third-party providers in pricing the securities.

Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions. Valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate will be used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Subsequent to inception, management only changes Level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis that were accounted for at fair value. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:

(In thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
March 31, 2025
 
Assets:
                       
AFS securities:
                       
U.S. treasury
  $
104,227     $
-     $
-     $
104,227  
Federal agency
 

-
   

223,429
   

-
   

223,429
 
State & municipal
   
-
     
88,702
     
-
     
88,702
 
Mortgage-backed
   
-
     
503,077
     
-
     
503,077
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
739,458
     
-
     
739,458
 
Corporate
   
-
     
45,784
     
-
     
45,784
 
Total AFS securities
 
$
104,227
   
$
1,600,450
   
$
-
   
$
1,704,677
 
Equity securities
   
40,561
     
1,000
     
-
     
41,561
 
Derivatives
   
-
     
67,284
     
-
     
67,284
 
Total
 
$
144,788
   
$
1,668,734
   
$
-
   
$
1,813,522
 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
-
   
$
86,910
   
$
-
   
$
86,910
 
Total
 
$
-
   
$
86,910
   
$
-
   
$
86,910
 

(In thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
December 31, 2024
 
Assets:
                       
AFS securities:
                       
U.S. treasury
  $
102,790     $
-     $
-     $
102,790  
Federal agency
 

-
   

218,517
   

-
   

218,517
 
State & municipal
   
-
     
87,490
     
-
     
87,490
 
Mortgage-backed
   
-
     
464,365
     
-
     
464,365
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
656,488
     
-
     
656,488
 
Corporate
   
-
     
45,014
     
-
     
45,014
 
Total AFS securities
 
$
102,790
   
$
1,471,874
   
$
-
   
$
1,574,664
 
Equity securities
   
41,372
     
1,000
     
-
     
42,372
 
Derivatives
   
-
     
80,847
     
-
     
80,847
 
Total
 
$
144,162
   
$
1,553,721
   
$
-
   
$
1,697,883
 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
-
   
$
104,399
   
$
-
   
$
104,399
 
Total
 
$
-
   
$
104,399
   
$
-
   
$
104,399
 

GAAP requires disclosure of assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis such as goodwill, loans held for sale, other real estate owned, collateral-dependent loans individually evaluated for expected credit losses and HTM securities. Loans with fair value of $26.7 million as of March 31, 2025 were individually evaluated for expected credit losses where the amortized cost was adjusted to fair value. Loans with fair value of $28.8 million as of December 31, 2024 were individually evaluated for expected credit losses where the amortized cost was adjusted to fair value. The Company uses the fair value of underlying collateral, less costs to sell, to estimate the allowance for credit losses for individually evaluated collateral dependent loans. The appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses ranging from 10% to 50%. Based on the valuation techniques used, the fair value measurements for collateral dependent individually evaluated loans are classified as Level 3.

The following table sets forth information with regard to estimated fair values of financial instruments. This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value. Financial instruments for which the fair value approximates carrying value include cash and cash equivalents, AFS securities, equity securities, AIR, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings, accrued interest payable and derivatives.

       
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
                             
HTM securities
   
2
   
$
836,833
   
$
756,404
   
$
842,921
   
$
749,945
 
Net loans
   
3
     
9,876,895
     
9,567,818
     
9,863,654
     
9,458,786
 
Financial liabilities:
                                       
Time deposits
   
2
   
$
1,450,746
   
$
1,440,657
   
$
1,442,505
   
$
1,431,942
 
Long-term debt
   
2
     
4,605
     
4,444
     
29,644
     
29,439
 
Subordinated debt
   
1
     
121,669
     
118,994
     
121,401
     
118,693
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
2
     
101,196
     
104,031
     
101,196
     
105,763
 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, the Company has a substantial wealth operation that contributes net fee income annually. The wealth management operation is not considered a financial instrument and its value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates. Other significant assets and liabilities include the benefits resulting from the low-cost funding of deposit liabilities as compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimate of fair value.

HTM Securities

The fair value of the Company’s HTM securities is primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Net Loans

Net loans include portfolio loans and loans held for sale. Loans were first segregated by type and then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories. Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments, and those expected future cash flows also includes credit risk, illiquidity risk and other market factors to calculate the exit price fair value in accordance with ASC 820.

Time Deposits

The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. The fair values of the Company’s time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.

Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments.

Subordinated Debt

The fair value of subordinated debt has been measured using the observable market price as of the period reported.

Junior Subordinated Debt

The fair value of junior subordinated debt has been estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis.

14.
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit and certain agricultural real estate loans sold to investors with recourse, with the sold portion having a government guarantee that is assignable back to the Company upon repurchase of the loan in the event of default. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit and loans sold with recourse is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The credit risk associated with commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and is subject to normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. Commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit totaled $2.79 billion at March 31, 2025 and $2.84 billion at December 31, 2024.

Since many loan commitments, standby letters of credit and guarantees and indemnification contracts expire without being funded in whole or in part, the contract amounts are not necessarily indicative of future cash flows. The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit.

The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing standby letters of credit to third-parties. These standby letters of credit are generally issued in support of third-party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds and municipal securities. The risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers and letters of credit are subject to the same credit origination, portfolio maintenance and management procedures in effect to monitor other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have one year expirations with an option to renew upon annual review; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit totaled $56.2 million at March 31, 2025 and $50.8 million at December 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the fair value of the Company’s standby letters of credit was not significant.

In the normal course of business there are various outstanding legal proceedings. If legal costs are deemed material by management, the Company accrues for the estimated loss from a loss contingency if the information available indicates that it is probable that a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

15.
Segment Reporting

Historically, the Company has operated as a single reportable segment, providing a full range of banking services to retail and commercial customers. However, in accordance with ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, and as the Bank has grown, management reassessed its operating segment structure to enhance transparency in how financial performance is evaluated and resources are allocated by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The updated guidance enhances disclosures by requiring more detailed information on segment profitability and certain key performance metrics used by management. Segments are components of an enterprise that are regularly evaluated by the CODM to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer.

As a result of this reassessment, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has determined that it now operates through two reportable segments:

Banking – Provides commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management services primarily to customers in its market area, offering a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. Included in Banking are the revenue and expenses from the wealth management business and the parent holding company. The parent company’s principal activities include the direct and indirect ownership of banking and non-banking subsidiaries, as well as the issuance of debt and equity. The parent company’s principal sources of revenue are the management fees and dividends it receives from its subsidiaries. Banking also includes corporate shared service costs such as the majority of equity compensation expense, as well as other general and administrative shared services costs including pension, retirement plan and supplemental retirement plan costs. Currently there is no allocation of these costs to other operating segments.

Retirement Plan Administration – Includes retirement plan and health savings account recordkeeping and administration, investment management, third-party administration, and actuarial services.

Our CODM reviews actual net income versus budgeted net income to assess segment performance and to make decisions about allocating capital and personnel to the segments. The CODM regularly receives expense information at a level consistent with that disclosed in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Reported segments and their financial information are not necessarily comparable to similar information reported by other financial institutions. Additionally, due to interrelationships among the various segments, the information presented is not indicative of how the segments would perform as independent entities. Changes in management structure, allocation methodologies, or procedures may result in future revisions to previously reported segment financial data.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company only disclosed one reportable segment, as operations were assessed on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, prior year segment data has been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the current period presentation. The Company will continue to evaluate its segment disclosures in accordance with ASU 2023-07 and make necessary adjustments as business operations evolve.

Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of the information to the consolidated financial statements follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
 
(In thousands)
 
Banking
   
Retirement
Plan
Administration
   
All Other(1)
   
Consolidated
 
Net interest income
 
$
107,205
   
$
18
   
$
-
   
$
107,223
 
Provision for loan losses
   
7,554
     
-
     
-
     
7,554
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
$
99,651
   
$
18
   
$
-
   
$
99,669
 
Noninterest income
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
4,243
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
4,243
 
Card services income
   
5,317
     
-
     
-
     
5,317
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
-
     
16,256
     
(398
)
   
15,858
 
Wealth management
   
10,337
     
598
     
11
     
10,946
 
Insurance services
   
-
     
-
     
4,761
     
4,761
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
3,397
     
-
     
-
     
3,397
 
Net securities (losses) gains
   
(104
)
   
-
     
-
     
(104
)
Other
   
5,613
     
155
     
(2,734
)
   
3,034
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
28,803
   
$
17,009
   
$
1,640
   
$
47,452
 
Noninterest expense
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
49,548
   
$
8,454
   
$
2,692
   
$
60,694
 
Technology and data services
   
9,801
     
270
     
167
     
10,238
 
Occupancy
   
8,692
     
268
     
67
     
9,027
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
4,815
     
504
     
(367
)
   
4,952
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,881
     
47
     
14
     
1,942
 
FDIC assessment
   
1,694
     
-
     
-
     
1,694
 
Advertising
   
1,118
     
19
     
1
     
1,138
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,508
     
544
     
59
     
2,111
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
   
659
     
-
     
-
     
659
 
Acquisition expenses
   
1,221
     
-
     
-
     
1,221
 
Other
   
8,540
     
234
     
(2,550
)
   
6,224
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
89,477
   
$
10,340
   
$
83
   
$
99,900
 
Income before income tax expense
 
$
38,977
   
$
6,687
   
$
1,557
   
$
47,221
 
Income tax expense
   
9,051
     
1,425
     
-
     
10,476
 
Net income
 
$
29,926
   
$
5,262
   
$
1,557
   
$
36,745
 
Goodwill
 
$
324,250
   
$
23,877
   
$
14,536
   
$
362,663
 
Intangible assets, net
   
26,045
     
6,989
     
1,215
     
34,249
 
Total assets
   
15,591,557
     
54,925
     
(1,782,231
)
   
13,864,251
 

(1) Included in All Other is the revenue and expenses from certain other non-bank subsidiaries of the parent, including the insurance subsidiary, along with eliminating amounts that do not meet the definition of an operating segment.

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
 
(In thousands)
 
Banking
   
Retirement
Plan
Administration
   
All Other(1)
   
Consolidated
 
Net interest income
 
$
95,157
   
$
17
   
$
-
   
$
95,174
 
Provision for loan losses
   
5,579
     
-
     
-
     
5,579
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
$
89,578
   
$
17
   
$
-
   
$
89,595
 
Noninterest income
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
4,117
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
4,117
 
Card services income
   
5,195
     
-
     
-
     
5,195
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
-
     
14,656
     
(369
)
   
14,287
 
Wealth management
   
9,187
     
497
     
13
     
9,697
 
Insurance services
   
1
     
-
     
4,387
     
4,388
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
2,352
     
-
     
-
     
2,352
 
Net securities gains (losses)
   
2,183
     
-
     
-
     
2,183
 
Other
   
5,806
     
133
     
(2,766
)
   
3,173
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
28,841
   
$
15,286
   
$
1,265
   
$
45,392
 
Noninterest expense
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
45,125
   
$
7,893
   
$
2,686
   
$
55,704
 
Technology and data services
   
9,280
     
302
     
168
     
9,750
 
Occupancy
   
7,758
     
283
     
57
     
8,098
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
4,724
     
469
     
(340
)
   
4,853
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,758
     
92
     
15
     
1,865
 
FDIC assessment
   
1,735
     
-
     
-
     
1,735
 
Advertising
   
796
     
15
     
1
     
812
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,682
     
468
     
18
     
2,168
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
   
553
     
-
     
-
     
553
 
Acquisition expenses
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Other
   
8,526
     
278
     
(2,569
)
   
6,235
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
81,937
   
$
9,800
   
$
36
   
$
91,773
 
Income before income tax expense
 
$
36,482
   
$
5,503
   
$
1,229
   
$
43,214
 
Income tax expense
   
8,054
     
1,211
     
126
     
9,391
 
Net income
 
$
28,428
   
$
4,292
   
$
1,103
   
$
33,823
 
Goodwill
 
$
324,250
   
$
23,224
   
$
14,377
   
$
361,851
 
Intangible assets, net
   
32,290
     
6,339
     
339
     
38,968
 
Total assets
   
15,050,010
     
39,221
     
(1,650,032
)
   
13,439,199
 

(1) Included in All Other is the revenue and expenses from certain other non-bank subsidiaries of the parent, including the insurance subsidiary, along with eliminating amounts that do not  meet the definition of an operating segment.

16.
Subsequent Event

As noted in Note 4, on May 2, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Evans, with total consideration of approximately $222 million in stock. The acquisition of Evans is being accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, using the acquisition method of accounting. Due to the close proximity of the acquisition date and the Company’s filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete. Accordingly, the Company is unable to disclose the preliminary allocation of consideration or other information required by ASC 805 at this time. The Company will include relevant disclosures as required in the second quarter of 2025.
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to provide a concise description of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of NBT Bancorp Inc. (“NBT”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including NBT Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (“NBT Financial”) and NBT Holdings, Inc. (“NBT Holdings”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”). When references to “NBT,” “we,” “our,” “us,” and “the Company” are made in this report, we mean NBT Bancorp Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc. When we refer to the “Bank” in this report, we mean our only bank subsidiary, NBT Bank, National Association, and its subsidiaries. This discussion will focus on results of operations, financial condition, capital resources and asset/liability management. Reference should be made to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in this Form 10‑Q as well as to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for an understanding of the following discussion and analysis. Operating results for the three month period ending March 31, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results of the full year ending December 31, 2025 or any future period.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company with the SEC, in the Company’s press releases or other public or stockholder communications or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “will,” “can,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar terms. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) local, regional, national and international economic conditions, including actual or potential stress in the banking industry, and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers, and the Company’s assessment of that impact; (2) changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (3) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (4) the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the FRB and international trade disputes (including threatened or implemented tariffs imposed by the U.S. and threatened or implemented tariffs imposed by foreign countries in retaliation); (5) inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations; (6) political instability; (7) acts of war, including international military conflicts, or terrorism; (8) the timely development and acceptance of new products and services and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; (9) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits; (10) changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Company’s borrowers; (11) technological changes; (12) acquisition and integration of acquired businesses; (13) the possibility that NBT may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected timeframes or at all or to successfully integrate Evans operations and those of NBT; (14) the ability to increase market share and control expenses; (15) changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies; (16) the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply, including those under the Dodd-Frank Act, and the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018; (17) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the FASB and other accounting standard setters; (18) changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans; (19) the costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, including the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; (20) greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business; and (21) the Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and other factors discussed in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the SEC, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to, publicly release any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Non-GAAP Measures

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Where non-GAAP disclosures are used in this Form 10-Q, the comparable GAAP measure, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure, is provided in the accompanying tables. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information that is important to an understanding of the results of the Company’s core business as well as provide information standard in the financial institution industry. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP and investors should consider the Company’s performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation.

Critical Accounting Estimates

SEC guidance requires disclosure of “critical accounting estimates.” The SEC defines “critical accounting estimates” as those estimates made in accordance with GAAP that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the registrant. The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with GAAP. The more significant of these policies are summarized in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to Note 3 to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for recently adopted accounting standards. The allowance for credit losses and unfunded commitments policies are deemed to meet the SEC’s definition of a critical accounting estimate.

Allowance for Credit Losses and Unfunded Commitments

The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for credit losses and the allowance for losses on unfunded commitments. The measurement of CECL on financial instruments requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure (or pool of exposures). The estimate of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amounts. Historical loss experience is generally the starting point for estimating expected credit losses. The Company then considers whether the historical loss experience should be adjusted for asset-specific risk characteristics or current conditions at the reporting date that did not exist over the period from which historical experience was used. Finally, the Company considers forecasts about future economic conditions that are reasonable and supportable. The allowance for credit losses for loans, as reported in our consolidated statements of financial condition, is adjusted by an expense for credit losses, which is recognized in earnings, and reduced by the charge-off of loan amounts, net of recoveries. The allowance for losses on unfunded commitments represents the expected credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. However, a liability is not recognized for commitments unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for losses on unfunded commitments is determined by estimating future draws and applying the expected loss rates on those draws.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for credit losses to be a critical accounting estimate given the uncertainty in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then-existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods. While management’s current evaluation of the allowance for credit losses indicates that the allowance is appropriate, the allowance may need to be increased under adversely different conditions or assumptions. The impact of utilizing the CECL methodology to calculate the reserve for credit losses will be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our loan portfolio, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts utilized. Material changes to these and other relevant factors may result in greater volatility to the reserve for credit losses, and therefore, greater volatility to our reported earnings.

One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate expected credit losses over the forecast period. As of March 31, 2025, the quantitative model incorporated a baseline economic outlook along with an alternative downside scenario sourced from a reputable third-party to accommodate other potential economic conditions in the model. At March 31, 2025, the weightings were 75% and 25% for the baseline and downside economic forecasts, respectively. The baseline outlook reflected an economic environment where the unemployment rate increases from 4.1% to 4.4% during the forecast period. Northeast GDP’s annualized growth (on a quarterly basis) is expected to start the second quarter of 2025 at approximately 5% and decrease to 3.9% before increasing to 4.1% by the end of the forecast period. Key assumptions in the baseline economic outlook included the Federal Reserve cutting rates with two 25 basis point cuts at the September and December meetings, the economy remaining at full employment and continued tapering of the Federal Reserve balance sheet. The alternative downside scenario assumed deteriorated economic conditions from the baseline outlook. Under this scenario, national unemployment rises from 4.1% in the first quarter of 2025 to a peak of 7.6% in the second quarter of 2026. These scenarios and their respective weightings are evaluated at each measurement date and reflect management’s expectations as of March 31, 2025. Additional qualitative adjustments were made for factors not incorporated in the forecasts or the model, such as loss rate expectations for certain loan pools and recent trends in asset value indices. Additional monitoring for industry concentrations, loan growth and policy exceptions was also conducted.

To demonstrate the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses estimate to macroeconomic forecast weightings assumptions as of March 31, 2025, the Company attributed the change in scenario weightings to the change in the allowance for credit losses, with a 10% decrease to the downside scenario and a 10% increase to the baseline scenario causing a 4% decrease in the overall estimated allowance for credit losses. To further demonstrate the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses estimate to macroeconomic forecast weightings assumptions as of March 31, 2025, the Company increased the downside scenario to 100% which resulted in a 30% increase in the overall estimated allowance for credit losses.

The Company’s policies on the CECL methodology for allowance for credit losses are disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. All accounting policies are important and as such, the Company encourages the reader to review each of the policies included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K to obtain a better understanding of how the Company’s financial performance is reported. Refer to Note 3 to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for recently adopted accounting standards.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. Merger

On May 2, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Evans, through the merger of Evans with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger, with total consideration of approximately $222 million in stock. Evans, with assets of approximately $2.19 billion at December 31, 2024, was headquartered in Williamsville, New York. Its primary subsidiary, Evans Bank, was a federally-chartered national banking association operating 18 banking locations in Western New York. The acquisition of Evans is being accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), using the acquisition method of accounting. Due to the close proximity of the acquisition date and the Company’s filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete. Accordingly, the Company is unable to disclose the preliminary allocation of consideration or other information required by ASC 805 at this time. The Company will include relevant disclosures as required in the second quarter of 2025.

The Company incurred acquisition expenses related to the Merger of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Executive Summary

Significant factors management reviews to evaluate the Company’s operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to, net income and EPS, return on average assets and equity, NIM, noninterest income, operating expenses, asset quality indicators, loan and deposit growth, capital management, liquidity and interest rate sensitivity, enhancements to customer products and services, technology advancements, market share and peer comparisons.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $36.7 million, up $0.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2024 and up $2.9 million from the first quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share were $0.77 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, up $0.01 from the fourth quarter of 2024 and up $0.06 from the first quarter of 2024.

Operating net income(1), a non-GAAP measure, was $37.8 million, or $0.80 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $0.77 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $0.68 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2024.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Company sold an AFS corporate debt security from a subordinated debt investment issued by a financial institution that failed and was previously written-off and recognized a gain of $2.3 million.

The following information should be considered in connection with the Company’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2025:


Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $107.2 million, up $1.1 million, or 1.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2024 and up $12.0 million, or 12.7%, from the first quarter of 2024.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Excluding securities gains (losses), noninterest income represented 31% of total revenues and was $47.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, up $5.4 million, or 12.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2024 and up $4.3 million, or 10.1%, from the first quarter of 2024.

Noninterest expense, excluding acquisition expenses, was down $1.1 million, or 1.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2024 and was up $6.9 million, or 7.5%, from the first quarter of 2024.

Period end total loans were $9.98 billion, up $10.4 million, or 0.4% annualized, from December 31, 2024.

Credit quality metrics including net charge-offs to average loans were 0.27%, annualized, and allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.17%.

Period end total deposits were $11.71 billion, up $161.8 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2024. The loan to deposit ratio was 85.2% as of March 31, 2025 and 86.3% as of December 31, 2024.

(1)
Non-GAAP measure - Refer to non-GAAP reconciliation below.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain financial highlights:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
2025
   
December 31,
2024
   
March 31,
2024
 
Performance:
                 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.77
   
$
0.76
   
$
0.71
 
Return on average assets(2)
   
1.08
%
   
1.04
%
   
1.02
%
Return on average equity(2)
   
9.68
%
   
9.44
%
   
9.52
%
Return on average tangible common equity(1)(2)
   
13.63
%
   
13.36
%
   
13.87
%
Net interest margin, (FTE)(1)(2)
   
3.44
%
   
3.34
%
   
3.14
%
Capital:
                       
Equity to assets
   
11.29
%
   
11.07
%
   
10.73
%
Tangible equity ratio(1)
   
8.68
%
   
8.42
%
   
7.98
%
Book value per share
 
$
33.13
   
$
32.34
   
$
30.57
 
Tangible book value per share(1)
 
$
24.74
   
$
23.88
   
$
22.07
 
Leverage ratio
   
10.39
%
   
10.24
%
   
10.09
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
   
12.12
%
   
11.93
%
   
11.68
%
Tier 1 capital ratio
   
13.02
%
   
12.83
%
   
12.61
%
Total risk-based capital ratio
   
15.24
%
   
15.03
%
   
14.87
%

(1)
Non-GAAP measure - Refer to non-GAAP reconciliation below.
(2)
Annualized.

The following tables provide non-GAAP reconciliations:

   
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31,
2025
   
December 31,
2024
   
March 31,
2024
 
Return on average tangible common equity:
                 
Net income
 
$
36,745
   
$
36,005
   
$
33,823
 
Amortization of intangible assets (net of tax)
   
1,583
     
1,560
     
1,626
 
Net income, excluding intangible amortization
 
$
38,328
   
$
37,565
   
$
35,449
 
Average stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,538,798
   
$
1,517,788
   
$
1,429,602
 
Less: average goodwill and other intangibles
   
398,233
     
399,139
     
401,756
 
Average tangible common equity
 
$
1,140,565
   
$
1,118,649
   
$
1,027,846
 
Return on average tangible common equity(2)
   
13.63
%
   
13.36
%
   
13.87
%
Tangible equity ratio:
                       
Stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,565,775
   
$
1,526,141
   
$
1,441,415
 
Intangibles
   
396,912
     
399,023
     
400,819
 
Assets
 
$
13,864,251
   
$
13,786,666
   
$
13,439,199
 
Tangible equity ratio
   
8.68
%
   
8.42
%
   
7.98
%
Tangible book value per share:
                       
Stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,565,775
   
$
1,526,141
   
$
1,441,415
 
Intangibles
   
396,912
     
399,023
     
400,819
 
Tangible equity
 
$
1,168,863
   
$
1,127,118
   
$
1,040,596
 
Diluted common shares outstanding
   
47,255
     
47,195
     
47,155
 
Tangible book value per share
 
$
24.74
   
$
23.88
   
$
22.07
 
Operating net income:
                       
Net income
 
$
36,745
   
$
36,005
   
$
33,823
 
Acquisition expenses
   
1,221
     
988
     
-
 
Securities losses (gains)
   
104
     
(222
)
   
(2,183
)
Adjustments to net income
 
$
1,325
   
$
766
   
$
(2,183
)
Adjustments to net income (net of tax)
 
$
1,020
   
$
604
   
$
(1,703
)
Operating net income
 
$
37,765
   
$
36,609
   
$
32,120
 
Operating diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.80
   
$
0.77
   
$
0.68
 
FTE adjustment
 
                   
Net interest income
  $  107,223     $
 106,105     $
 95,174  
FTE adjustment
   
 636        619        658  
Net interest income (FTE)
  $  107,859     $
106,724     $
 95,832  
Average earnings assets
  $
 12,701,136     $
 12,704,655     $
 12,273,657  
Net interest margin (FTE)(2)
     3.44 %      3.34 %
     3.14 %

(2)
Annualized.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between the interest and dividend income earned on interest-earning assets, primarily loans and securities and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is affected by the interest rate spread, the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volumes of such assets and liabilities. Net interest income is one of the key determining factors in a financial institution’s performance as it is the principal source of earnings.

Net interest income was $107.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, up $1.1 million, or 1.1%, from the previous quarter. FTE NIM was 3.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 10 bps from the previous quarter. Interest income decreased $3.3 million, or 2.1%, as the yield on average interest-earning assets decreased 1 bp from the prior quarter to 4.95%, while average interest-earning assets of $12.70 billion decreased $3.5 million from the prior quarter. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower yields on loans and short-term interest-bearing accounts from the two 25 bps federal funds rate decreases in the fourth quarter of 2024, as well as two fewer days in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in interest income on securities due to higher average balances and yields. Interest expense decreased $4.5 million, or 8.6%, as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 17 bps to 2.23% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to a 17 bps decrease in interest-bearing deposit costs. Included in net interest income was $2.2 million of acquisition-related net accretion for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and $2.6 million of acquisition-related net accretion for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Net interest income was $107.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, up $12.0 million, or 12.7%, from the first quarter of 2024. FTE NIM was 3.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 30 bps from the first quarter of 2024. Interest income increased $7.4 million, or 5.0%, as the yield on average interest-earning assets increased 11 bps from the same period in 2024 to 4.95%, while average interest-earning assets increased $427.5 million, or 3.5%, from the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to organic loan growth and an increase in securities. Interest expense decreased $4.6 million, or 8.9%, as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 29 bps to 2.23% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to a 21 bps decrease in interest-bearing deposit costs, a $511.7 million increase in interest-bearing deposits and lower average balances of short-term borrowings. Included in net interest income was $2.2 million of acquisition-related net accretion for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and $2.5 million of acquisition-related net accretion for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

The following table includes the condensed consolidated average balance sheet, an analysis of interest income/expense and average yield/rate for each major category of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on a taxable equivalent basis.

Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
   
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rates
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rates
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rates
 
Assets:
                                                     
Short-term interest-bearing accounts
 
$
63,198
   
$
703
     
4.51
%
 
$
184,988
   
$
2,449
     
5.27
%
 
$
47,972
   
$
534
     
4.48
%
Securities taxable(1)
   
2,402,772
     
13,631
     
2.30
%
   
2,317,034
     
12,252
     
2.10
%
   
2,278,029
     
10,806
     
1.91
%
Securities tax-exempt(1) (3)
   
220,210
     
1,956
     
3.60
%
   
211,493
     
1,838
     
3.46
%
   
230,468
     
2,052
     
3.58
%
FRB and FHLB stock
   
33,469
     
473
     
5.73
%
   
33,261
     
481
     
5.75
%
   
42,296
     
830
     
7.89
%
Loans(2) (3)
   
9,981,487
     
138,277
     
5.62
%
   
9,957,879
     
141,336
     
5.65
%
   
9,674,892
     
133,373
     
5.54
%
Total interest-earning assets
 
$
12,701,136
   
$
155,040
     
4.95
%
 
$
12,704,655
   
$
158,356
     
4.96
%
 
$
12,273,657
   
$
147,595
     
4.84
%
Other assets
   
1,088,069
                     
1,093,419
                     
1,055,386
                 
Total assets
 
$
13,789,205
                   
$
13,798,074
                   
$
13,329,043
                 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
                                                                       
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
3,496,552
   
$
26,198
     
3.04
%
 
$
3,504,937
   
$
28,797
     
3.27
%
 
$
3,129,160
   
$
27,734
     
3.56
%
NOW deposit accounts
   
1,682,265
     
3,494
     
0.84
%
   
1,664,960
     
3,812
     
0.91
%
   
1,600,288
     
2,994
     
0.75
%
Savings deposits
   
1,571,673
     
187
     
0.05
%
   
1,561,703
     
193
     
0.05
%
   
1,607,659
     
171
     
0.04
%
Time deposits
   
1,450,846
     
12,709
     
3.55
%
   
1,446,798
     
14,013
     
3.85
%
   
1,352,559
     
13,440
     
4.00
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
 
$
8,201,336
   
$
42,588
     
2.11
%
 
$
8,178,398
   
$
46,815
     
2.28
%
 
$
7,689,666
   
$
44,339
     
2.32
%
Federal funds purchased
   
2,278
     
25
     
4.45
%
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
19,769
     
272
     
5.53
%
Repurchase agreements
   
107,496
     
761
     
2.87
%
   
116,408
     
916
     
3.13
%
   
82,419
     
317
     
1.55
%
Short-term borrowings
   
7,033
     
80
     
4.61
%
   
174
     
2
     
4.57
%
   
213,390
     
2,832
     
5.34
%
Long-term debt
   
27,674
     
266
     
3.90
%
   
29,657
     
293
     
3.93
%
   
29,772
     
290
     
3.92
%
Subordinated debt, net
   
121,331
     
1,822
     
6.09
%
   
120,967
     
1,816
     
5.97
%
   
119,873
     
1,800
     
6.04
%
Junior subordinated debt
   
101,196
     
1,639
     
6.57
%
   
101,196
     
1,790
     
7.04
%
   
101,196
     
1,913
     
7.60
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
$
8,568,344
   
$
47,181
     
2.23
%
 
$
8,546,800
   
$
51,632
     
2.40
%
 
$
8,256,085
   
$
51,763
     
2.52
%
Demand deposits
   
3,385,080
                     
3,438,194
                     
3,356,607
                 
Other liabilities
   
296,983
                     
295,292
                     
286,749
                 
Stockholders’ equity
   
1,538,798
                     
1,517,788
                     
1,429,602
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
13,789,205
                   
$
13,798,074
                   
$
13,329,043
                 
Net interest income (FTE)
         
$
107,859
                   
$
106,724
                   
$
95,832
         
Interest rate spread
                   
2.72
%
                   
2.56
%
                   
2.32
%
Net interest margin (FTE)
                   
3.44
%
                   
3.34
%
                   
3.14
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment
         
$
636
                   
$
619
                   
$
658
         
Net interest income
         
$
107,223
                   
$
106,105
                   
$
95,174
         

(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost.
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average loan balances outstanding.
(3) Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to an FTE basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21%.

The following table presents changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior year rate), changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume) and the net change in net interest income. The net change attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate has been allocated to each in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of change.

Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
2025 over 2024
 
(In thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Short-term interest-bearing accounts
 
$
165
   
$
4
   
$
169
 
Securities taxable
   
593
     
2,232
     
2,825
 
Securities tax-exempt
   
(106
)
   
10
     
(96
)
FRB and FHLB stock
   
(154
)
   
(203
)
   
(357
)
Loans
   
3,453
     
1,451
     
4,904
 
Total FTE interest income
 
$
3,951
   
$
3,494
   
$
7,445
 
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
2,916
   
$
(4,452
)
 
$
(1,536
)
NOW deposit accounts
   
150
     
350
     
500
 
Savings deposits
   
(4
)
   
20
     
16
 
Time deposits
   
882
     
(1,613
)
   
(731
)
Federal funds purchased
   
(202
)
   
(45
)
   
(247
)
Repurchase agreements
   
116
     
328
     
444
 
Short-term borrowings
   
(2,413
)
   
(339
)
   
(2,752
)
Long-term debt
   
(22
)
   
(2
)
   
(24
)
Subordinated debt, net
   
13
     
9
     
22
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
-
     
(274
)
   
(274
)
Total FTE interest expense
 
$
1,436
   
$
(6,018
)
 
$
(4,582
)
Change in FTE net interest income
 
$
2,515
   
$
9,512
   
$
12,027
 

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is a significant source of revenue for the Company and an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth information by category of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2025
   
December 31,
2024
   
March 31,
2024
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
4,243
   
$
4,411
   
$
4,117
 
Card services income
   
5,317
     
5,652
     
5,195
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
15,858
     
12,924
     
14,287
 
Wealth management
   
10,946
     
10,842
     
9,697
 
Insurance services
   
4,761
     
3,883
     
4,388
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
3,397
     
2,271
     
2,352
 
Net securities (losses) gains
   
(104
)
   
222
     
2,183
 
Other
   
3,034
     
2,221
     
3,173
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
47,452
   
$
42,426
   
$
45,392
 

Noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $47.5 million, up $5.0 million, or 11.8%, from the prior quarter and up $2.1 million, or 4.5%, from the first quarter of 2024. Excluding net securities gains (losses), noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $47.6 million, up $5.4 million, or 12.7%, from the prior quarter and up $4.3 million, or 10.1%, from the first quarter of 2024. The increase from the prior quarter was primarily driven by an increase in retirement plan administration fees, insurance services and bank owned life insurance income. The increase in retirement plan administration fees from the prior quarter was primarily due to higher seasonal activity-based fees in the first quarter, organic growth and the additional revenue from the acquisition of a small third party administrator (“TPA”) in the fourth quarter of 2024. Insurance services increased from the prior quarter due to organic growth, higher levels of policy renewals and first quarter seasonality. Bank owned life insurance income increased from the prior quarter due to a $1.3 million gain recognized from a claim. The increase from the first quarter of 2024 was driven by an increase in retirement plan administration fees, wealth management fees and bank owned life insurance income. The increase in retirement plan administration fees from the first quarter of 2024 was driven by the additional revenues from new customer plans, the TPA acquisition and higher market values of assets under administration. Wealth management fees increased from the first quarter of 2024 driven by performance and growth in new customer accounts. Bank owned life insurance income increased from the first quarter of 2024 due to a $1.3 million gain recognized from a claim.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expenses are also an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth the major components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2025
   
December 31,
2024
   
March 31,
2024
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
60,694
   
$
61,749
   
$
55,704
 
Technology and data services
   
10,238
     
10,220
     
9,750
 
Occupancy
   
9,027
     
7,786
     
8,098
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
4,952
     
4,843
     
4,853
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,942
     
2,100
     
1,865
 
FDIC assessment
   
1,694
     
1,548
     
1,735
 
Advertising
   
1,138
     
990
     
812
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
2,111
     
2,080
     
2,168
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
   
659
     
677
     
553
 
Acquisition expenses
   
1,221
     
988
     
-
 
Other
   
6,224
     
7,794
     
6,235
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
99,900
   
$
100,775
   
$
91,773
 

Noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $99.9 million, down $0.9 million, or 0.9%, from the prior quarter and up $8.1 million, or 8.9%, from the first quarter of 2024. Excluding acquisition expenses, noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $98.7 million, down $1.1 million, or 1.1%, from the prior quarter and up $6.9 million, or 7.5%, from the first quarter of 2024. The decrease from the prior quarter was driven by lower salaries and employee benefits due to lower medical and other benefit costs, lower levels of incentive compensation and lower salaries due to two fewer payroll days in the quarter, partially offset by seasonally higher payroll taxes and stock-based compensation expenses. In addition, other expenses decreased $1.6 million due primarily to timing of expenses and Company initiatives in the fourth quarter of 2024. These costs were partially offset by the increase in occupancy costs which was driven by seasonal maintenance and utilities costs. The increase from the first quarter of 2024 was driven by higher salaries and employee benefits driven by merit pay increases which were effective annually in March, an increase in employees supporting growth in our markets and higher medical and other benefit costs. In addition, occupancy costs increased $0.9 million primarily due to higher seasonal maintenance and utilities given the harsher winter and higher facilities costs related to new banking locations.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $10.5 million, up $0.9 million from the prior quarter and up $1.1 million from the first quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate was 22.2% for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 20.9% for the prior quarter and 21.7% for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate from the prior quarter and the first quarter of 2024 was due to a lower level of tax-exempt income as a percentage of total taxable income.

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Securities

Total securities increased $123.1 million, or 5.0%, from December 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025. The securities portfolio represented 18.6% of total assets as of March 31, 2025 as compared to 17.8% of total assets as of December 31, 2024.

The following table details the composition of securities AFS, securities HTM and equity securities for the periods indicated:

   
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
           
With maturities 15 years or less
   
13
%
   
14
%
With maturities greater than 15 years
   
8
%
   
8
%
Collateral mortgage obligations
   
40
%
   
39
%
Municipal securities
   
15
%
   
15
%
U.S. agency notes
   
20
%
   
20
%
Corporate
   
2
%
   
2
%
Equity securities
   
2
%
   
2
%
Total
   
100
%
   
100
%

The Company’s mortgage-backed securities, U.S. agency notes and collateralized mortgage obligations are all guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHLB, Federal Farm Credit Banks or Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”). GNMA securities are considered similar in credit quality to U.S. Treasury securities, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Currently, there are no subprime mortgages in our investment portfolio.

Loans

A summary of the loan portfolio by major categories(1), net of deferred fees and origination costs, for the periods indicated is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
Commercial & industrial
 
$
1,436,990
   
$
1,426,482
 
Commercial real estate
   
3,890,115
     
3,876,698
 
Residential real estate
   
2,127,588
     
2,142,249
 
Home equity
   
331,400
     
334,268
 
Indirect auto
   
1,309,084
     
1,273,253
 
Residential solar
   
800,090
     
820,079
 
Other consumer
   
85,000
     
96,881
 
Total loans
 
$
9,980,267
   
$
9,969,910
 

(1) Loans are summarized by business line which do not align to how the Company assesses credit risk in the allowance for credit losses under CECL.

Total loans were $9.98 billion and $9.97 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Excluding the other consumer and residential solar portfolios that are in a planned run-off status, period end loans increased $40.5 million, or 1.8% annualized. C&I loans increased $10.5 million to $1.44 billion; CRE loans increased $13.4 million to $3.89 billion; and total consumer loans decreased $13.6 million to $4.65 billion. Total loans represent approximately 72.0% of assets as of March 31, 2025, as compared to 72.3% as of December 31, 2024.

Loans in the C&I and CRE portfolios consist primarily of loans extended to small and medium-sized entities. The Company offers a variety of loan products tailored to meet the needs of commercial customers including term loans, time notes and lines of credit. Such loans are made available to businesses for working capital needs such as inventory and receivables, business expansion, equipment purchases, livestock purchases and seasonal crop expenses. These loans are typically collateralized by business assets such as equipment, accounts receivable and perishable agricultural products, which are inherently subject to industry price volatility. The Company extends CRE loans to support real estate transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings, expansions and property improvements to both commercial and agricultural properties. These loans are secured by liens on real estate assets, covering a spectrum of properties including apartments, commercial structures, healthcare facilities and others, whether occupied by owners or non-owners. Risks associated with the CRE portfolio pertain to the borrowers’ ability to meet interest and principal payments over the life of the loan, as well as their ability to secure financing upon the loan’s maturity. The Company has a risk management framework that includes rigorous underwriting standards, targeted portfolio stress testing, interest rate sensitivities on commercial borrowers and comprehensive credit risk monitoring mechanisms. The Company remains vigilant in monitoring market trends, economic indicators and regulatory developments to promptly adapt our risk management strategies as needed.

Within the CRE portfolio, approximately 81% comprises Non-Owner Occupied CRE, with the remaining 19% being Owner-Occupied CRE. Non-Owner Occupied CRE includes diverse sectors across the Company’s markets such as residential rental properties (43%) and office spaces (17%), along with retail, manufacturing, mixed use, hotels and others. Notably, office CRE loans account for 5% of the total outstanding loans, predominantly serving suburban medical and professional tenants across suburban and small urban markets. These loans carry an average size of $1.9 million, with 9% maturing over the next two years. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the total CRE construction and development loans amounted to $316.4 million and $314.8 million, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses, Provision for Loan Losses and Nonperforming Assets

Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for credit losses to be a critical estimate given the degree of judgment exercised in evaluating the level of the allowance required to estimate expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our loan portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the consolidated results of operations.

The CECL methodology requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of a loan (or pool of loans). The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from, or added to, the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net, lifetime amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes a loan balance is confirmed to be uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Required additions or reductions to the allowance for credit losses are made periodically by charges or credits to the provision for loan losses. These are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of the overall loss expected over the contractual life of the loan portfolio, adjusted for expected prepayments and curtailments. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions or reductions to the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another. These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management’s assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above. Management considers the allowance for credit losses to be appropriate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.

Management estimates the allowance for credit losses using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, related to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Company historical loss experience was supplemented with peer information when there was insufficient loss data for the Company. Significant management judgment is required at each point in the measurement process.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis, with both a quantitative and qualitative analysis that is applied on a quarterly basis, when similar risk characteristics exist. The respective quantitative allowance for each segment is measured using an econometric, discounted PD and LGD modeling methodology in which distinct, segment-specific multi-variate regression models are applied to multiple, probabilistically weighted external economic forecasts. Under the discounted cash flows methodology, expected credit losses are estimated over the effective life of the loans by measuring the difference between the net present value of modeled cash flows and amortized cost basis. After quantitative considerations, management applies additional qualitative adjustments so that the allowance for credit loss is reflective of the estimate of lifetime losses that exist in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.

Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Upon adoption of CECL, management revised the manner in which loans were pooled for similar risk characteristics. Management developed segments for estimating loss based on type of borrower and collateral which is generally based upon federal call report segmentation and have been combined or subsegmented as needed to ensure loans of similar risk profiles are appropriately pooled.

During the quarter, the Company performed an annual update to its econometric, PD/LGD models. Segment specific, multi-variate regression model inputs and assumptions were updated and recent period observed losses and behavior were incorporated into the models (“model refreshment”). The incorporation of recent observations did not have a material impact on most loan class segments except for the Auto class segment which resulted in an improvement in PD/LGD outcomes. The total allowance decreased by approximately 3% as of March 31, 2025 due to the model refreshment.

Additional information about our Allowance for Credit Losses is included in Note 7 to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company’s management considers the allowance for credit losses to be appropriate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses totaled $117.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $116.0 million at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans was 1.17% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.16% at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2025 increased compared to the allowance estimates as of December 31, 2024 primarily due to deterioration in the economic forecast including the change in the forecast scenario and the change in forecast scenario weightings from 80% baseline and 20% downside to 75% baseline and 25% downside. The increase to the allowance for credit losses were partially offset by model refreshment and the shift in loan composition driven by other consumer and residential solar portfolios that are in a planned run-off status.

The allowance for credit losses was 245.33% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025, compared to 224.73% at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses was 260.99% of nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2025, compared to 253.17% of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2024. The increase in the coverage of the allowance to nonperforming and nonaccrual loans from December 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 largely relates to the increase in allowance primarily due to deterioration in economic conditions during the quarter and the $2.1 million charge-off on a nonperforming relationship that is individually evaluated for purposes of the allowance for credit losses.

The provision for loan losses was $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2.2 million in the prior quarter and $5.6 million for the same period in the prior year. Provision expense increased from the prior quarter due to an increase in net charge-offs and an increase in the March 31, 2025 allowance due primarily to a deterioration in economic forecasts. The increase in provision expense from March 31, 2024, was driven largely due to higher net charge-offs and a deterioration in economic forecasts. Net charge-offs totaled $6.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $5.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2024 and $4.7 in the first quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs to average loans were 27 bps for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 23 bps for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 19 bps for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2025, the unfunded commitment reserve totaled $4.5 million, compared to $4.4 million as of December 31, 2024.

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, loans over 90 days past due and still accruing, troubled loans modifications, OREO and nonperforming securities. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual when principal or interest payments become 90 days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual when circumstances indicate that the borrower may be unable to meet the contractual principal or interest payments. The threshold for evaluating classified, commercial and CRE loans risk graded substandard or doubtful, and nonperforming loans individually evaluated for credit loss is $1.0 million. OREO represents property acquired through foreclosure and is valued at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less any estimated disposal costs.

   
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Nonaccrual loans:
                       
Commercial
 
$
30,586
     
68
%
 
$
32,144
     
70
%
Residential
   
10,919
     
24
%
   
10,464
     
23
%
Consumer
   
2,270
     
5
%
   
2,529
     
6
%
Troubled loan modifications
   
1,054
     
2
%
   
682
     
1
%
Total nonaccrual loans
 
$
44,829
     
99
%
 
$
45,819
     
100
%
Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing:
                               
Commercial
 
$
690
     
24
%
 
$
-
     
-
 
Residential
   
266
     
9
%
   
2,411
     
42
%
Consumer
   
1,906
     
67
%
   
3,387
     
58
%
Total loans over 90 days past due and still accruing
 
$
2,862
     
100
%
 
$
5,798
     
100
%
Total nonperforming loans
 
$
47,691
           
$
51,617
         
OREO
   
308
             
182
         
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
47,999
           
$
51,799
         
Total nonaccrual loans to total loans
   
0.45
%
           
0.46
%
       
Total nonperforming loans to total loans
   
0.48
%
           
0.52
%
       
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
   
0.35
%
           
0.38
%
       
Total allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans
   
245.33
%
           
224.73
%
       
Total allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
   
260.99
%
           
253.17
%
       

Total nonperforming assets were $48.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $51.8 million at December 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025 were $47.7 million or 0.48% of total loans, compared with $51.6 million or 0.52% of total loans at December 31, 2024. The decrease in nonperforming assets from December 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 was attributable to the previously mentioned $2.1 million charge-off in the first quarter of 2025 on an individually evaluated CRE relationship in which NBT is a participant. This relationship is being actively managed and its current carrying value is supported by recent appraised values. Total nonaccrual loans were $44.8 million or 0.45% of total loans at March 31, 2025, compared to $45.8 million or 0.46% of total loans at December 31, 2024. Past due loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.32% at March 31, 2025, down from 0.34% at December 31, 2024.

In addition to nonperforming loans discussed above, the Company has also identified approximately $125.2 million in potential problem loans at March 31, 2025 as compared to $116.1 million at December 31, 2024. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing, with a possibility of loss if weaknesses are not corrected. Such loans may need to be disclosed as nonperforming at some time in the future. Potential problem loans are classified by the Company’s loan rating system as “substandard.” Potential problem loans have increased to more normalized levels and the increase primarily relates to a few CRE relationships reflecting changing conditions in certain CRE markets including construction delays, rising costs and delays in leasing up spaces. The increase in potential problem loans from December 31, 2024, is primarily due to the net migration of $8.8 million in commercial loan balances to substandard. Management cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions may worsen or other factors, which may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become over 90 days past due, be placed on nonaccrual, become troubled loans modifications or require increased allowance coverage and provision for loan losses. To mitigate this risk the Company maintains a diversified loan portfolio, has no significant concentration in any particular industry and originates loans primarily within its footprint.

Deposits

Total deposits were $11.71 billion at March 31, 2025, up $161.8 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2025 there were $294.7 million of brokered time deposits, down from $295.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company continues to experience some incremental migration from noninterest bearing and low interest checking and savings accounts into higher cost money market and time deposit instruments. The increase in deposits was primarily due to the inflow of seasonal municipal deposits during the first quarter of 2025. The Company’s composition of total deposits is diverse and granular with over 561,000 accounts with an average per account balance of $20,834 as of March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 the estimated amounts of uninsured deposits based on the same methodologies and assumptions used for the bank regulatory reporting were $4.85 billion and $4.73 billion, respectively. Total average deposits increased $540.1 million, or 4.9%, from the same period last year.

Borrowed Funds

The Company’s borrowed funds consist of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Short-term borrowings totaled $85.6 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $162.9 million at December 31, 2024. Long-term debt was $4.6 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $29.6 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in long-term debt was due to a maturity of a $25.0 million borrowing that matured in the first quarter of 2025.

For more information about the Company’s borrowing capacity and liquidity position, see “Liquidity Risk” below.

Subordinated Debt

On June 23, 2020, the Company issued $100.0 million of 5.00% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2030. The subordinated notes, which qualify as Tier 2 capital, bear interest at an annual rate of 5.00%, payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on January 1, 2021, and a floating rate of interest equivalent to the three-month SOFR plus a spread of 4.85%, payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2025. The subordinated debt issuance cost of $2.2 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis into interest expense over five years. The Company repurchased $2.0 million of the subordinated notes in 2022 at a discount of $0.1 million.

Subordinated notes assumed in connection with the Salisbury acquisition included $25.0 million of 3.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. The subordinated notes, which qualify as Tier 2 capital, bear interest at an annual rate of 3.50%, payable quarterly in arrears commencing on June 30, 2021, and a floating rate of interest equivalent to the three-month SOFR plus a spread of 2.80%, payable quarterly in arrears commencing on June 30, 2026. As of the acquisition date, the fair value discount was $3.0 million, which is being amortized into interest expense over the expected call or maturity date.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 the subordinated debt net of unamortized issuance costs and fair value discount was $121.6 million and $121.2 million, respectively.

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity of $1.57 billion represented 11.29% of total assets at March 31, 2025 compared with $1.53 billion, or 11.07% of total assets, as of December 31, 2024. Stockholders’ equity increased $39.6 million from December 31, 2024 driven by net income of $36.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and a $20.3 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by dividends declared of $16.1 million.

The Company did not purchase shares of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2025. Under its share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time to mitigate the potential dilutive effects of stock-based incentive plans and other potential uses of common stock for corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2025, there were 1,992,400 shares available for repurchase under this program authorized on December 18, 2023, which is set to expire on December 31, 2025.

As the capital ratios in the following table indicate, the Company remained “well capitalized” at March 31, 2025 under applicable bank regulatory requirements. Capital measurements are well in excess of regulatory minimum guidelines and meet the requirements to be considered well capitalized for all periods presented. To be considered well capitalized, tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital and total risk-based capital ratios must be 5%, 6.5%, 8% and 10%, respectively.

Capital Measurements
 
March 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
Tier 1 leverage ratio
   
10.39
%
   
10.24
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
   
12.12
%
   
11.93
%
Tier 1 capital ratio
   
13.02
%
   
12.83
%
Total risk-based capital ratio
   
15.24
%
   
15.03
%
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income
   
43.73
%
   
44.27
%
Per common share:
               
Book value
 
$
33.13
   
$
32.34
 
Tangible book value(1)
 
$
24.74
   
$
23.88
 
Tangible equity ratio(2)
   
8.68
%
   
8.42
%

(1) Stockholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by common shares outstanding.
(2) Non-GAAP measure - Stockholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets.

In March 2020, the OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC announced an interim final rule to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. Under the modified CECL transition provision, the regulatory capital impact of the January 1, 2020 CECL adoption date adjustment to the allowance for credit losses (after-tax) has been deferred and will phase into regulatory capital at 25% per year commencing January 1, 2022. For the ongoing impact of CECL, the Company was allowed to defer the regulatory capital impact of the allowance for credit losses in an amount equal to 25% of the change in the allowance for credit losses (pre-tax) recognized through earnings for each period between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. The cumulative adjustment to the allowance for credit losses between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, will also phase into regulatory capital at 25% per year commencing January 1, 2022. The Company adopted the capital transition relief over the permissible five-year period.

Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

Market Risk

Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities or are immaterial to the results of operations.

Interest rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than earning assets. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.

To manage the Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company’s interest rate risk. Management’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) meets monthly to review the Company’s interest rate risk position and profitability and to recommend strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). Management also reviews loan and deposit pricing and the Company’s securities portfolio, formulates investment and funding strategies and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Board’s objectives in the most effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company’s interest rate risk management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.

In managing the Company’s asset/liability position, the Board and management aim to manage the Company’s interest rate risk while minimizing NIM compression. At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the Company’s interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its NIM. The Company’s results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the difference between long and short-term interest rates.

The primary tool utilized by the ALCO to manage interest rate risk is earnings at risk modeling (interest rate sensitivity analysis). Information, such as principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, cash flows, next repricing date (if needed) and current rates are uploaded into the model to create an ending balance sheet. In addition, the ALCO makes certain assumptions regarding prepayment speeds for loans and mortgage related investment securities along with any optionality within the deposits and borrowings. The model is first run under an assumption of a flat rate scenario (e.g., no change in current interest rates) with a static balance sheet. Six additional models are run in which gradual increases of 300 bps, 200 bps and 100 bps, and gradual decreases of 100 bps, 200 bps and 300 bps takes place over a 12-month period with a static balance sheet. Under these scenarios, assets subject to prepayments are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions. Any investment securities or borrowings that have callable options embedded in them are handled accordingly based on the interest rate scenario. The resulting changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario. The Company also runs other interest rate scenarios to highlight potential interest rate risk.

The Company’s Interest Rate Sensitivity has remained in a near neutral position. In the declining rate scenarios, net interest income is projected to modestly decrease when compared to the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario through the simulation period. The decrease in net interest income is a result of earning assets repricing and rolling over at lower yields at a faster pace than interest-bearing liabilities decline and/or reach their floors. In the rising rate scenarios, net interest income is near neutral, impacted by slowing prepayments speeds and increased deposit reactivity; the magnitude of potential impact on earnings may be affected by the ability to lag deposit repricing on NOW, savings, MMDA and time accounts. Net interest income for the next twelve months in the +300/+200/+100/-100/-200/-300 bps scenarios, as described above, is within the internal policy risk limits of not more than a 5.0% reduction in net interest income in the +100/-100 bps scenarios, of not more than a 7.5% reduction in net interest income in the +200/-200 bps scenarios and of not more than a 12.0% reduction in net interest income in the +300/-300 bps scenarios. The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income in the rising and declining rate scenarios over a 12-month period from the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario using the March 31, 2025 balance sheet position:

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
Change in interest rates
Percent change in
(in bps)
net interest income
+300
(0.60)%
+200
(0.02)%
+100
0.29%
-100
(0.29)%
-200
(0.10)%
-300
0.04%

The Company anticipates that the trajectory of net interest income will continue to depend significantly on the timing and path of short to mid-term interest rates which are heavily driven by inflationary pressures and FOMC monetary policy. Post-pandemic, inflationary pressures have resulted in a higher overall yield curve with federal funds increases of 425 bps in 2022 with an additional 100 bps of increases in 2023. However, the tightening cycle ended in September of 2024, when the FRB lowered the federal funds rate by 50 bps, followed by consecutive 25 bps reductions in November and December of 2024 for a total of 100 bps of federal funds rate reductions by the end of 2024. While deposit rates increased meaningfully in 2023 and continued to increase in early 2024 in conjunction with elevated short-term interest rates, the recent federal funds rate reductions have provided the catalyst for the Company to begin reducing deposit rates. The Company continues to focus on managing deposit expense in an environment of still elevated but declining short-term interest rates while allowing assets to reprice upward in relation to existing portfolio asset yields.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Company may not be able to satisfy current or future financial commitments or may become unduly reliant on alternate funding sources. The objective of liquidity management is to ensure the Company can fund balance sheet growth, meet the cash flow requirements of depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. ALCO is responsible for liquidity management and has developed guidelines, which cover all assets and liabilities, as well as off-balance sheet items that are potential sources or uses of liquidity. Liquidity policies must also provide the flexibility to implement appropriate strategies, along with regular monitoring of liquidity and testing of the contingent liquidity plan. Requirements change as loans grow, deposits and securities mature and payments on borrowings are made. Liquidity management includes a focus on interest rate sensitivity management with a goal of avoiding widely fluctuating net interest margins through periods of changing economic conditions. Loan repayments and maturing investment securities are a relatively predictable source of funds. However, deposit flows, calls of investment securities and prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities are strongly influenced by interest rates, the housing market, general and local economic conditions, and competition in the marketplace. Management continually monitors marketplace trends to identify patterns that might improve the predictability of the timing of deposit flows or asset prepayments.

The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called “Basic Surplus,” which captures the adequacy of its access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources, which can be accessed when necessary. At March 31, 2025, the Company’s Basic Surplus measurement was 16.9% of total assets, or $2.34 billion, as compared to the December 31, 2024 Basic Surplus of 17.0%, or $2.34 billion, and was above the Company’s minimum of 5% (calculated at $693.2 million and $689.3 million of period end total assets as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively) set forth in its liquidity policies.

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, FHLB advances outstanding totaled $4.6 million and $45.6 million, respectively. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Bank had $204.0 million and $199.0 million, respectively, of collateral encumbered by municipal letters of credit. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system and had additional borrowing capacity from the FHLB of approximately $1.70 billion at March 31, 2025 and $1.71 billion at December 31, 2024. In addition, unpledged securities could have been used to increase borrowing capacity at the FHLB by an additional $1.01 billion and $957.3 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, or used to collateralize other borrowings, such as repurchase agreements. The Company also has the ability to issue brokered time deposits and to borrow against established borrowing facilities with other banks (federal funds), which could provide additional liquidity of $2.02 billion at March 31, 2025 and $2.01 billion at December 31, 2024. In addition, the Bank has a “Borrower-in-Custody” program with the FRB with the addition of the ability to pledge automobile and residential solar loans as collateral. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Bank had the capacity to borrow $1.16 billion and $1.13 billion, respectively, from this program. The Company’s internal policies authorize borrowing up to 25% of assets. Under this policy, remaining available borrowing capacity totaled $3.44 billion at March 31, 2025 and $3.38 billion at December 31, 2024.

This Basic Surplus approach enables the Company to appropriately manage liquidity from both operational and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities, the Company is able to operate with a more fully invested and, therefore, higher interest income generating securities portfolio. The makeup and term structure of the securities portfolio is, in part, impacted by the overall interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet. Investment decisions and deposit pricing strategies are impacted by the liquidity position. The Company considers its Basic Surplus position to be strong. However, certain events may adversely impact the Company’s liquidity position in 2025. While short-term interest rates have declined, they remain elevated relative to recent history, which could result in deposit declines as depositors have alternative opportunities for yield on their excess funds. In the current economic environment, draws against lines of credit could drive asset growth higher. Disruptions in wholesale funding markets could spark increased competition for deposits. These scenarios could lead to a decrease in the Company’s Basic Surplus measure below the minimum policy level of 5%. Note, enhanced liquidity monitoring was put in place to quickly respond to the changing environment during the pandemic including increasing the frequency of monitoring and adding additional sources of liquidity. While the pandemic has come to an end, this enhanced monitoring continues as elevated interest rates and the bank failures of 2023 have led to a deposit decline in the banking system and increased volatility to liquidity risk.

At March 31, 2025, a portion of the Company’s loans and securities were pledged as collateral on borrowings. Therefore, once on-balance sheet liquidity is reduced, future growth of earning assets will depend upon the Company’s ability to obtain additional funding, through growth of core deposits and collateral management and may require further use of brokered time deposits or other higher cost borrowing arrangements.

The Company’s primary source of funds is dividends from its subsidiaries. Various laws and regulations restrict the ability of banks to pay dividends to their stockholders. Generally, the payment of dividends by the Company in the future as well as the payment of interest on the capital securities will require the generation of sufficient future earnings by its subsidiaries.

Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the OCC is required to pay dividends when a bank fails to meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards or when such dividends are in excess of a subsidiary bank’s earnings retained in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding two years as specified in applicable OCC regulations. At March 31, 2025, approximately $70.2 million of the total stockholders’ equity of the Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends also is subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements. Under the State of Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company may declare and pay dividends either out of accumulated net retained earnings or capital surplus.

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information called for by Item 3 is contained in the Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2025, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the risk factors as previously discussed in Part I, Item 1A. of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a)
Not applicable

(b)
Not applicable

(c)
None

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no Rule 10b5-1 plans or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements adopted, modified or terminated by any director or officer of the Company.

ITEM 6.
 EXHIBITS

3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 1, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on August 10, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of NBT Bancorp Inc. effective May 22, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on May 23, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on November 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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, this 9th day of May 2025.

 
NBT BANCORP INC.
 
     
By:
/s/ Annette L. Burns
 
 
Annette L. Burns
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 


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ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

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