v3.26.1
INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $128.3 million, compared to $127.6 million at December 31, 2025. In addition, the Company has estimated $2.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions.

The Company recorded income tax expense of $12.8 million and $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 19.0% and 19.1%, respectively. The effective tax rates differed from the statutory rate principally due to the effects of tax-exempt income, certain tax credits, and tax benefits related to restricted stock vesting.
Tax credit investments: The Company invests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. The Company accounts for these investments by amortizing the cost of tax credit investments over the life of the investment using a proportional amortization method and this tax credit investment amortization expense is a component of the provision for income taxes. The current balance of these tax credit investments is included in other assets, while the unfunded commitments are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The following table presents the balances of the Company’s tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
Tax Credit Investments:
Total commitments$205,902 $215,688 
Unfunded commitments104,459 118,471 

The following table presents other information related to the Company’s tax credit investments for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized$5,532 $4,245 
Tax credit amortization expense included in provision for income taxes4,086 3,510