10-K - DCOM - Equibles

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

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

Commission file number 001-34096

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York		11-2934195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. employer identification number)

898 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 560 , Hauppauge , NY		11788
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (631) 537-1000

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	DCOM	The Nasdaq Stock Market
Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share	DCOMP	The Nasdaq Stock Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES

☒ NO ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. YES ☐ NO ☒

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 twelve 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 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act): Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2022 was approximately $977.9 million based upon the $29.65 closing price on the NASDAQ National Market for a share of the registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2022.

The registrant had 38,530,072 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of February 22, 2023.

Table of Contents DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be distributed on behalf of the Board of Directors of Registrant in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and any adjournment thereof, are incorporated by reference in Part III.

Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	PART I
Item 1.	Business	5<br><br>
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	14
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	21
Item 2.	Properties	22
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	22
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	22
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	23
Item 6.	[Reserved]	24
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	44
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	98
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	98
Item 9B.	Other Information	98
Item 9C.	Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections	98
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	99
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	99
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	99
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	99
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	99
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	100
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	105
	Signatures	106

Table of Contents Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains statements relating to our future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are considered “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). Such forward-looking statements, in addition to historical information, which involve risk and uncertainties, are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our management. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “will,” “potential,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “estimated,” “assumes,” “likely,” and variations of such similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, possible or assumed estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, and results of operations and our business, including earnings growth; revenue growth in retail banking, lending and other areas; origination volume in the consumer, commercial and other lending businesses; current and future capital management programs; non-interest income levels, including fees from the title insurance subsidiary and banking services as well as product sales; tangible capital generation; market share; expense levels; and other business operations and strategies. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.

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

●	there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;
●	inflation and fluctuation in market interest rates may affect demand for our products, operating costs, interest margins and the fair value of financial instruments;
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●	our net interest margin is subject to material short-term fluctuation based upon market rates;
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●	changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may affect the business of Dime Community Bank (the “Bank”);
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●	changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause the Company’s financial condition to be perceived differently;
---	---
●	changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws or policies may adversely affect the Company’s business or financial condition or results of operations;
---	---
●	socio-economic conditions, including conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and any other public health emergency, international conflict, inflation, and recessionary pressures, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry, may be different than the Company currently anticipates and may adversely affect our customers, financials results and operations;
---	---
●	legislative, regulatory or policy changes may adversely affect the Company’s business or results of operations;
---	---
●	technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates;
---	---
●	the Company may experiences breaches or failures of its information technology security systems;
---	---
●	success or consummation of new business initiatives or the integration of any acquired entities may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates;
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●	litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than the Company anticipates; and
---	---
●	the Company may be subject to other risks, as enumerated under Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in quarterly and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

Table of Contents PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank was established in 1910 and is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York. The Holding Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1988 to serve as the holding company for the Bank. The Company functions primarily as the holder of all of the Bank’s common stock. Our bank operations include Dime Community Inc., a real estate investment trust subsidiary and Dime Abstract LLC (“Dime Abstract”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker of title insurance services.

For over a century, we have maintained our focus on building customer relationships in our market area. Our mission is to grow through the provision of exceptional service to our customers, our employees, and the community. We strive to achieve excellence in financial performance and build long-term shareholder value. We engage in providing full service commercial and consumer banking services, including accepting time, savings and demand deposits from the businesses, consumers, and local municipalities in our market area. These deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, are invested primarily in: (1) commercial real estate loans; (2) multi-family mortgage loans; (3) residential mortgage loans; (4) secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans; (5) home equity loans; (6) construction and land loans; (7) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other asset backed securities; (8) U.S. Treasury securities; (9) New York State and local municipal obligations; (10) U.S. government-sponsored enterprise (“U.S. GSE”) securities; and (11) corporate bonds. We also offer the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) programs, providing multi-millions of dollars of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance on deposits to our customers. In addition, we offer merchant credit and debit card processing, automated teller machines, cash management services, lockbox processing, online banking services, remote deposit capture, safe deposit boxes, and individual retirement accounts as well as investment services through Dime Financial Services LLC, which offers a full range of investment products and services through a third-party broker dealer. Through its title insurance subsidiary, the Bank acts as a broker for title insurance services. Our customer base is comprised principally of small and medium sized businesses, municipal relationships and consumer relationships.

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

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

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

As of December 31, 2022, we operated 59 branch locations throughout Long Island and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Human Capital Resources

Demographics and Culture

As of December 31, 2022, we employed 823 full-time equivalent employees. Our employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Our culture in the workplace encourages employees to care about each other, the 5

Table of Contents communities they serve, and the work they do. We believe strong community ties, customer focus, accountability, and development of the communities in which we operate will have a favorable long-term impact on our business performance. Our employees are passionate and empowered to build relationships and provide customized banking solutions to the communities we serve. We believe in hiring well-qualified people from a wide range of backgrounds who align to values like integrity, innovation, and teamwork. As an equal opportunity employer, our decisions to select and promote employees are unbiased as we seek to build a diverse and inclusive team of employees.

Labor Policies and Benefits

We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that will support, maintain, and protect their physical, mental, and financial health. We sponsor various wellness programs that promote the health and wellness of our employees. In March 2020, the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented a challenge of maintaining the health and safety of our employees. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, we pivoted the schedules of corporate staff to ensure their safety while still providing support to our customers. Our branch network remained operational with minimal disruption throughout the pandemic.

Training, Development and Retention

We are committed to retaining employees by being competitive in providing cash and non-cash rewards, benefits, recognition, and professional development opportunities. We offered an 8-week summer internship program through local colleges that provided students with valuable experience in the professional fields they are considering career paths. It also provides a post-graduation pipeline of future employees. In addition, we maintain equity incentive plans under which we may issue shares of our common stock. Refer to Note 20. “Stock-Based Compensation” of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details of our equity incentive plans. We promote career development and continuing education by offering internal training programs and tuition reimbursement for programs that develop skills related to our business.

Competition and Principal Market Areas

All phases of our business are highly competitive. We face direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions operating in our market area, many with a statewide or regional presence, and in some cases, a national presence. There is also competition for banking business from competitors outside of our market areas. Most of these competitors are significantly larger than us, and therefore have greater financial and marketing resources and lending limits than us. The fixed cost of regulatory compliance remains high for community banks as compared to their larger competitors that are able to achieve economies of scale. We consider our major competition to be local commercial banks as well as other commercial banks with branches in our market area. Other competitors include savings banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers and other financial services firms, such as investment and insurance companies. Increased competition within our market areas may limit growth and profitability. The title insurance subsidiary also faces competition from other title insurance brokers as well as directly from the companies that underwrite title insurance. In New York State, title insurance is obtained on most transfers of real estate and mortgage transactions.

Our principal market area is Greater Long Island, which includes the counties of Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk, and Manhattan. Industries represented across the principal market areas include retail establishments; construction and trades; restaurants and bars; lodging and recreation; professional entities; real estate; health services; passenger transportation; high-tech manufacturing; and agricultural and related businesses. Given its proximity, Long Island’s economy is closely linked with New York City’s and major employers in the area include municipalities, school districts, hospitals, and financial institutions.

Taxation

The Holding Company, the Bank and its subsidiaries, with the exception of the real estate investment trust, which files its own federal and state income tax returns, report their income on a consolidated basis using the accrual method of accounting and are subject to federal taxation as well as income tax of the State, City of New York and the State of New Jersey. In general, banks are subject to federal income tax in the same manner as other corporations. However, gains and 6

Table of Contents losses realized by banks from the sale of available-for-sale securities are generally treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gains or losses. The taxation of net income is similar to federal taxable income subject to certain modifications.

Regulation and Supervision

Dime Community Bank

The Bank is a New York State-chartered trust company and a member of the Federal Reserve System (a “member bank”). The lending, investment, and other business operations of the Bank are governed by New York and federal laws and regulations. The Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYSDFS”) and, as a member bank, by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC under its Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) and the FDIC has certain regulatory authority as deposit insurer. A summary of the primary laws and regulations that govern the Bank’s operations are set forth below.

Loans and Investments

The powers of a New York commercial bank are established by New York law and applicable federal law. New York commercial banks have authority to originate and purchase any type of loan, including commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgages or consumer loans. Aggregate loans by a state commercial bank to any single borrower or group of related borrowers are generally limited to 15% of the Bank’s capital and surplus, plus an additional 10% if secured by specified readily marketable collateral.

Federal and state law and regulations limit the Bank’s investment authority. Generally, a state member bank is prohibited from investing in corporate equity securities for its own account other than the equity securities of companies through which the bank conducts its business. Under federal and state regulations, a New York state member bank may invest in investment securities for its own account up to a specified limit depending upon the type of security. “Investment Securities” are generally defined as marketable obligations that are investment grade and not predominantly speculative in nature. Applicable regulations classify investment securities into five different types and, depending on its type, a state member bank may have the authority to deal in and underwrite the security. New York-chartered state member banks may also purchase certain non-investment securities that can be reclassified and underwritten as loans.

Lending Standards

The federal banking agencies adopted uniform regulations prescribing standards for extensions of credit that are secured by liens on interests in real estate or made for the purpose of financing the construction of a building or other improvements to real estate. Under these regulations, all insured depository institutions, like the Bank, adopted and maintain written policies that establish appropriate limits and standards for extensions of credit that are secured by liens or interests in real estate or are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. These policies must establish loan portfolio diversification standards, prudent underwriting standards (including loan-to-value limits) that are clear and measurable, loan administration procedures, and documentation, approval and reporting requirements. The real estate lending policies must reflect consideration of the Interagency Guidelines for Real Estate Lending Policies that have been adopted by the federal bank regulators.

Federal Deposit Insurance

The Bank is a member of the DIF, which is administered by the FDIC. Our deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC. Effective July 22, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) permanently raised the deposit insurance available on all deposit accounts to $250,000 with a retroactive effective date of January 1, 2008.

The FDIC assesses insured depository institutions to maintain the DIF. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, institutions deemed less risky pay lower assessments. Assessments for institutions with $10 billion or more of assets are primarily based on a scorecard approach by the FDIC, including factors such as examination ratings, financial measures, and modeling measuring the institution’s ability to withstand asset-related and funding-related stress and potential loss to 7

Table of Contents the DIF in the event of the institution’s failure. The assessment range (inclusive of possible adjustments specified by the regulations) for institutions with total assets of more than $10 billion was 1.5 to 40 basis points effective through December 31, 2022. The FDIC has the authority to increase insurance assessments and adopted a final rule in October 2022 to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rates beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. As a result, effective January 1, 2023, assessment rates for institutions of the Bank’s size will range from 3.5 to 42 basis points.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. The Company does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

Capitalization

Federal regulations require FDIC insured depository institutions, including state member banks, to meet several minimum capital standards: a common equity tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 4.5%, a tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 6.0%, a total capital to risk-based assets ratio of 8.0%, and a tier 1 capital to total assets leverage ratio of 4.0%. The existing capital requirements were effective January 1, 2015 and are the result of a final rule implementing regulatory amendments based on recommendations of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Common equity tier 1 capital is generally defined as common stockholders’ equity and retained earnings. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common equity tier 1 and additional tier 1 capital. Additional tier 1 capital generally includes certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Total capital includes tier 1 capital (common equity tier 1 capital plus additional tier 1 capital) and tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital is comprised of capital instruments and related surplus meeting specified requirements, and may include cumulative preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, and subordinated debt. Also included in tier 2 capital is the allowance for credit losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions that have exercised an opt-out election regarding the treatment of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Institutions that have not exercised the AOCI opt-out, (Dime has exercised), have AOCI incorporated into common equity tier 1 capital (including unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities). Calculation of all types of regulatory capital is subject to deductions and adjustments specified in the regulations.

In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (e.g., recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk. For example, a risk weight of 0% is assigned to cash and U.S. government securities, a risk weight of 50% is generally assigned to prudently underwritten first lien one-to-four family residential mortgages, a risk weight of 100% is assigned to commercial and consumer loans, a risk weight of 150% is assigned to certain past due loans and a risk weight of between 0% to 600% is assigned to permissible equity interests, depending on certain specified factors.

In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements.

Safety and Soundness Standards

Each federal banking agency, including the FRB, has adopted guidelines establishing general standards relating to internal controls, information and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, fees, and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive 8

Table of Contents when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal shareholder.

On April 26, 2016, the federal regulatory agencies approved a second proposed joint rulemaking to implement Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits incentive-based compensation that encourages inappropriate risk taking. In addition, the NYSDFS issued guidance applicable to incentive compensation in October 2016.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action

Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the statute establishes five capital tiers: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized.

The FRB may order member banks which have insufficient capital to take corrective actions. For example, a bank, which is categorized as “undercapitalized” would be subject to other growth limitations, would be required to submit a capital restoration plan, and a holding company that controls such a bank would be required to guarantee that the bank complies with the restoration plan. A “significantly undercapitalized” bank would be subject to additional restrictions. Member banks deemed by the FRB to be “critically undercapitalized” would be subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

The final rule that increased regulatory capital standards adjusted the prompt corrective action tiers as of January 1, 2015. The various categories were revised to incorporate the new common equity tier 1 capital requirement, the increase in the tier 1 to risk-based assets requirement and other changes. Under the revised prompt corrective action requirements, insured depository institutions are required to meet the following in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (1) a common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5% (new standard); (2) a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% (increased from 6.0%); (3) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% (unchanged); and (4) a tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.0% (unchanged).

Dividends

Under federal law and applicable regulations, a New York member bank may generally declare a dividend, without prior regulatory approval, in an amount equal to its year-to-date retained net income plus the prior two years’ retained net income that is still available for dividend. Dividends exceeding those amounts require application to and approval by the NYSDFS and FRB. In addition, a member bank may be limited in paying cash dividends if it does not maintain the capital conservation buffer described previously under “Capitalization.”

Liquidity

Pursuant to FDIC regulations*,* the Bank is required to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation.

Branching

Subject to certain limitations, NYS and federal law permit NYS-chartered banks to establish branches in any state of the United States. In general, federal law allows the FDIC, and the NYBL allows the Superintendent, to approve an application by a state banking institution to acquire interstate branches by merger. The NYBL authorizes NYS-chartered banks to open and occupy de novo branches outside the State of New York. Pursuant to the Reform Act, the FDIC is authorized to approve the establishment by a state bank of a de novo interstate branch if the intended host state allows de novo branching within that state by banks chartered by that state.

Acquisitions

Under the Federal Bank Merger Act, prior approval of the FDIC is required for the Bank to merge with or purchase the assets or assume the deposits of another insured depository institution. In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the FDIC will consider, among other factors, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the capital position of the combined organization, the risks to the stability of the U.S. banking or 9

Table of Contents financial system, the applicant’s performance record under the CRA (see “Community Reinvestment”) and its compliance with fair housing and other consumer protection laws and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.

Privacy and Security Protection

The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations for consumer privacy protection that require financial institutions to adopt procedures to protect customers and their “non-public personal information.” The regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares “non-public personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship, and annually thereafter if there are changes to its policy. In addition, the Bank is required to provide its customers the ability to “opt-out” of: (1) the sharing of their personal information with unaffiliated third parties if the sharing of such information does not satisfy any of the permitted exceptions; and (2) the receipt of marketing solicitations from Bank affiliates.

The Bank is additionally subject to regulatory guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding customer information. The guidelines describe the federal banking agencies’ expectations for the creation, implementation and maintenance of an information security program, including administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity of the institution and the nature and scope of its activities. The standards set forth in the guidelines are intended to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, and protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that could result in substantial customer harm or inconvenience.

Federal law additionally permits each state to enact legislation that is more protective of consumers’ personal information. There are periodically privacy bills considered by the New York legislature. Management of the Company cannot predict the impact, if any, of these bills if enacted.

Cybersecurity more broadly has become a focus of federal and state regulators. In March 2015, federal regulators issued two statements regarding cybersecurity to reiterate regulatory expectations regarding cyberattacks compromising credentials and business continuity planning to ensure the rapid recovery of an institution’s operations after a cyberattack involving destructive malware. In October 2016, federal regulators jointly issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on enhanced cyber risk management standards that are intended to increase the operational resilience of large and interconnected entities under their supervision. Once established, the enhanced cyber risk management standards would help to reduce the potential impact of a cyber-attack or other cyber-related failure on the financial system. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking addressed five categories of cyber standards: (1) cyber risk governance; (2) cyber risk management; (3) internal dependency management; (4) external dependency management; and (5) incident response, cyber resilience, and situational awareness. In March 2017, the NYSDFS made effective regulations that require financial institutions regulated by the NYSDFS, including the Bank, to, among other things, (i) establish and maintain a cyber security program designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information systems; (ii) implement and maintain a written cyber security policy setting forth policies and procedures for the protection of their information systems and nonpublic information; and (iii) designate a Chief Information Security Officer. In January 2020, the FDIC issued a “Statement on Heightened Cybersecurity Risk” to remind regulated institutions of sound cybersecurity risk management principles. In addition, in November 2021, the federal banking agencies published a final rule that, among other things, requires banking organizations to notify their primary federal regulator as soon as possible and no later than 36 hours after the discovery of a “computer-security incident” that rises to the level of a “notification incident” within the meaning attributed to those terms by the final rule. The Company will continue to monitor any developments related to these proposed rulemakings as part of its ongoing cyber risk management. See “Item 1A - Risk Factors” for a further discussion of cybersecurity risks.

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders

Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act govern transactions between a member bank and its affiliates, which includes the Company. The FRB has adopted Regulation W, which comprehensively implements and interprets Sections 23A and 23B, in part by codifying prior FRB interpretations under Sections 23A and 23B.

An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. A subsidiary of a bank that is not also a depository institution or a “financial subsidiary” under federal law is not treated 10

Table of Contents as an affiliate of the bank for the purposes of Sections 23A and 23B; however, the FRB has the discretion to treat subsidiaries of a bank as affiliates on a case-by-case basis. Sections 23A and 23B limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such bank’s capital stock and surplus, and limit all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus. The statutory sections also require that all such transactions be on terms that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of guarantees and other similar types of transactions. Further, most loans by a bank to any of its affiliates must be secured by collateral in amounts ranging from 100 to 130 percent of the loan amounts. In addition, any covered transaction by an association with an affiliate and any purchase of assets or services by an association from an affiliate must be on terms that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the bank as those that would be provided to a non-affiliate.

A bank’s loans to its executive officers, directors, any owner of more than 10% of its stock (each, an insider) and any of certain entities affiliated with any such person (an insider’s related interest) are subject to the conditions and limitations imposed by Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and the FRB’s Regulation O thereunder. Under these restrictions, the aggregate amount of the loans to any insider and the insider’s related interests may not exceed the loans-to-one-borrower limit applicable to national banks. All loans by a bank to all insiders and insiders’ related interests in the aggregate may not exceed the bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. With certain exceptions, loans to an executive officer, other than loans for the education of the officer’s children and certain loans secured by the officer’s residence, may not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 2.5% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, but in no event more than $100,000. Regulation O also requires that any proposed loan to an insider or a related interest of that insider be approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the bank, with any interested director not participating in the voting, if such loan, when aggregated with any existing loans to that insider and the insider’s related interests, would exceed either $500,000 or the greater of $25,000 or 5% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Generally, such loans must be made on substantially the same terms as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are no less stringent than, those that are prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and must not present more than a normal risk of collectability. An exception is made for extensions of credit made pursuant to a benefit or compensation plan of a bank that is widely available to employees of the bank and that does not give any preference to insiders of the bank over other employees of the bank.

Examinations and Assessments

The Bank is required to file periodic reports with and is subject to periodic examination by the NYSDFS and the FRB. Applicable laws and regulations generally require periodic on-site examinations and annual audits by independent public accountants for all insured institutions. The Bank is required to pay an annual assessment to the NYSDFS to fund its supervision.

Federal law provides that institutions with more than $10 billion in total assets, such as the Bank, are examined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), rather than its primary federal bank regulator, as to compliance with certain federal consumer protection and fair lending laws and regulations.

Community Reinvestment Act

Under the federal Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the FRB, in connection with its examination of the Bank, to assess its record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take that record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by the Bank. For example, the regulations specify that a bank’s CRA performance will be considered in its expansion (e.g., branching or mergers) proposals and may be the basis for approving, denying or conditioning the approval of an application. On May 5, 2022, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation released a notice of propose rulemaking to strengthen and modernize the CRA regulations and framework. As of the date 11

Table of Contents of its most recent CRA examination, which was conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the NYSDFS, the Bank’s CRA performance was rated “Outstanding”.

New York law imposes a similar obligation on the Bank to serve the credit needs of its community. New York law contains its own CRA provisions, which are substantially similar to federal law.

USA PATRIOT Act

The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 gave the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing and broadened anti-money laundering requirements. The USA PATRIOT Act also required the federal banking agencies to take into consideration the effectiveness of controls designed to combat money-laundering activities in determining whether to approve a merger or other acquisition application of a member institution. Accordingly, if the Bank engages in a merger or other acquisition, the Bank’s controls designed to combat money laundering would be considered as part of the application process. The Bank has established policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations.

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

The Holding Company, as a bank holding company controlling the Bank, is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and the rules and regulations of the FRB under the BHCA applicable to bank holding companies. We are required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of the FRB.

The FRB previously adopted consolidated capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies structured similarly, but not identically, to those applicable to the Bank. The Dodd-Frank Act directed the FRB to issue consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. The FRB subsequently issued regulations amending its regulatory capital requirements to implement the Dodd-Frank Act as to bank holding company capital standards. Consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to the subsidiary banks applied to bank holding companies as of January 1, 2015. As is the case with institutions themselves, the capital conservation buffer was phased-in between 2016 and 2019. We met all capital adequacy requirements under the FRB’s capital rules on December 31, 2022.

The policy of the FRB is that a bank holding company must serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks by providing capital and other support in times of distress. The Dodd-Frank Act codified the source of strength policy.

Under the prompt corrective action provisions of federal law, a bank holding company parent of an undercapitalized subsidiary bank is required to guarantee, within specified limits, the capital restoration plan that is required of an undercapitalized bank. If an undercapitalized bank fails to file an acceptable capital restoration plan or fails to implement an accepted plan, the FRB may prohibit the bank holding company parent of the undercapitalized bank from paying dividends or making any other capital distribution.

As a bank holding company, we are required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB to acquire more than 5% of a class of voting securities of any additional bank or bank holding company or to acquire all, or substantially all, the assets of any additional bank or bank holding company. In addition, the bank holding companies may generally only engage in activities that are closely related to banking as determined by the FRB. Bank holding companies that meet certain criteria may opt to become a financial holding company and thereby engage in a broader array of financial activities.

FRB policy is that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income is sufficient to fund the dividends and the prospective rate of earnings retention is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, FRB guidance sets forth the supervisory expectation that bank holding companies will inform and consult with FRB staff in advance of issuing a dividend that exceeds earnings for the quarter and should inform the FRB and should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce dividends if (i) net income available to stockholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends, (ii) prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition, or (iii) the bank holding company will not meet, or 12

Table of Contents is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, the guidance indicates that a bank holding company should notify the FRB in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the organization’s capital structure. FRB guidance also provides for consultation and nonobjection for material increases in the amount of a bank holding company’s common stock dividend.

Current FRB regulations provide that a bank holding company that is not well capitalized or well managed, as such terms are defined in the regulations, or that is subject to any unresolved supervisory issues, is required to give the FRB prior written notice of any repurchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for repurchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such repurchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, will be equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove such a repurchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice or violate a law or regulation. FRB guidance generally provides for bank holding company consultation with FRB staff prior to engaging in a repurchase or redemption of a bank holding company’s stock, even if a formal written notice is not required. The guidance provides that the purpose of such consultation is to allow the FRB to review the proposed repurchases or redemption from a supervisory perspective and possibly object.

The NYSDFS and FRB have extensive enforcement authority over the institutions and holding companies that they regulate to prohibit or correct activities that violate law, regulation or a regulatory agreement or which are deemed to be unsafe or unsound banking practices. Enforcement actions may include: the appointment of a conservator or receiver for an institution; the issuance of a cease and desist order; the termination of deposit insurance; the imposition of civil money penalties on the institution, its directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties; the issuance of directives to increase capital; the issuance of formal and informal agreements; the removal of or restrictions on directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties; and the enforcement of any such mechanisms through restraining orders or other court actions. Any change in applicable New York or federal laws and regulations could have a material adverse impact on us and our operations and stockholders.

We file certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the federal securities laws. Our operations are also subject to extensive regulation by other federal, state and local governmental authorities and it is subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of its operations. We believe that we are in substantial compliance, in all material respects, with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to it are subject to regular modification and change. There can be no assurance that these proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, will not be adopted in the future, which could make compliance more difficult or expensive or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or prospects.

Other Information

Through a link on the Investor Relations section of our website of www.dime.com, copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) for 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC. Copies of such reports and other information also are available at no charge to any person who requests them or at www.sec.gov. Such requests may be directed to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., Investor Relations, 898 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 560, Hauppauge, NY 11788, (631) 537-1000. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference and is not a part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Table of Contents Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risks Related to our Loan Portfolio

The concentration of our loan portfolio in loans secured by commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located in Greater Long Island and Manhattan could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations if general economic conditions or real estate values in this area decline.

Unlike larger banks that are more geographically diversified, our loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans secured by commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located in Greater Long Island and Manhattan. The local economic conditions in Greater Long Island and Manhattan have a significant impact on the volume of loan originations and the quality of loans, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans, and the value of collateral securing these loans. A considerable decline in the general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment or other factors beyond our control would impact these local economic conditions and could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, decreases in tenant occupancy may also have a negative effect on the ability of borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which would have an adverse impact on our earnings.

If our regulators impose limitations on our commercial real estate lending activities, earnings could be adversely affected.

In 2006, the federal bank regulatory agencies (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure may receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. The Consolidated Company’s non-owner occupied commercial real estate level equaled 554% of total risk-based capital at December 31, 2022. Including owner-occupied commercial real estate, the Consolidated Company’s ratio of commercial real estate loans to total risk-based capital ratio would be 636% at December 31, 2022.

If our regulators were to impose restrictions on the amount of commercial real estate loans we can hold in our portfolio, or require higher capital ratios as a result of the level of commercial real estate loans held, our earnings would be adversely affected.

The performance of our multi-family real estate loans could be adversely impacted by regulation.

Multi-family real estate loans generally involve a greater risk than residential real estate loans because of legislation and government regulations involving rent control and rent stabilization, which are outside the control of the borrower or the Bank, and could impair the value of the security for the loan or the future cash flow of such properties. For example, on June 14, 2019, the State of New York enacted legislation increasing the restrictions on rent increases in a rent-regulated apartment building, including, among other provisions, (i) repealing the vacancy bonus and longevity bonus, which allowed a property owner to raise rents as much as 20% each time a rental unit became vacant, (ii) eliminating high rent vacancy deregulation and high-income deregulation, which allowed a rental unit to be removed from rent stabilization once it crossed a statutory high-rent threshold and became vacant, or the tenant’s income exceeded the statutory amount in the preceding two years, and (iii) eliminating an exception that allowed a property owner who offered preferential rents to tenants to raise the rent to the full legal rent upon renewal. The legislation still permits a property owner to charge up to the full legal rent once the tenant vacates. As a result of this legislation as well as previously existing laws and regulations, it is possible that rental income might not rise sufficiently over time to satisfy increases in the loan rate at repricing or increases in overhead expenses (e.g., utilities, taxes, etc.). In addition, if the cash flow from a collateral property is reduced (e.g., if leases are not obtained or renewed), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the value of the security for the loan may be impaired.

Table of Contents Increases to the allowance for credit losses may cause our earnings to decrease.

Customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral securing the payment of those loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance. Hence, we may experience significant credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Since the first quarter of 2021, we have been required to determine periodic estimates of lifetime expected credit losses on loans and recognize the expected credit losses as allowances for credit losses. This method of loan loss accounting represents a change from the previous method of providing allowances for loan losses that are probable, and greatly increased the types of data we need to collect and review to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, we rely on loan quality reviews, our past loss experience and that of our peer group, and an evaluation of economic conditions, among other factors. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover expected losses in the loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the allowance for credit losses. Material additions to the allowance for credit losses through charges to earnings would materially decrease our net income.

Additionally, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require us to increase our provision for credit losses or loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for credit losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and/or financial condition.

We are subject to the CRA and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.

The CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. With respect to the Bank, the NYSDFS, FRB, CFPB, the United States Department of Justice and other federal and state agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the CRA or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity and restrictions on expansion. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.

A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, the Company may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, the Company may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the Company to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the Company’s ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase the Company’s exposure to environmental liability. Environmental reviews of real property before initiating foreclosure may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Interest Rates

Changes in interest rates could affect our profitability.

Our ability to earn a profit, like most financial institutions, depends primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income that we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest 15

Table of Contents expense that we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Our profitability depends on our ability to manage our assets and liabilities during periods of changing market interest rates.

During 2022, in response to accelerated inflation, the Federal Reserve implemented monetary tightening policies, resulting in significantly increased interest rates. In a period of rising interest rates, the interest income earned on our assets may not increase as rapidly as the interest paid on our liabilities.

A sustained decrease in market interest rates could also adversely affect our earnings. When interest rates decline, borrowers tend to refinance higher-rate, fixed-rate loans at lower rates. Under those circumstances, we may not be able to reinvest those prepayments in assets earning interest rates as high as the rates on those prepaid loans or in investment securities.

Changes in interest rates also affect the fair value of the securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2022, the securities portfolio totaled $1.54 billion.

Management is unable to predict fluctuations of market interest rates, which are affected by many factors, including inflation, recession, unemployment, monetary policy, domestic and international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets, and investor and consumer demand.

We are required to transition from the use of LIBOR.

We have material contracts that are indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In 2017, the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulated LIBOR, announced that the publication of LIBOR would not be guaranteed after 2021. LIBOR will be discontinued after June 2023.

There have been ongoing efforts to establish an alternative reference rate to LIBOR. Regulators, industry groups and certain committees (e.g. the Alternative Reference Rates Committee) have published recommended fallback language for LIBOR-linked financial instruments, identified recommended alternatives for LIBOR (e.g. the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or “SOFR”), and proposed implementations of the recommended alternatives in floating-rate financial instruments. The March 2022 enactment of the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act and the Federal Reserve’s proposed regulations addressed the discontinuation of LIBOR and established a replacement benchmark rate, based on SOFR, that will automatically apply to agreements that rely on LIBOR and do not have an alternative contractual fallback benchmark. These SOFR-based replacement benchmarks may also apply automatically to contracts with fallback provisions that authorize a particular person to determine the replacement benchmark. We have analyzed our LIBOR-indexed contracts, the significant majority of which already provided for a fallback rate. Where the fallback rate is not specified or is no longer considered an economic equivalent to the LIBOR-derived rate previously used, we are working with counterparties to agree upon a replacement rate and have generally selected the rate recommended by the Federal Reserve.

While the LIBOR Act and implementing regulations will help to transition legacy LIBOR contracts to a new benchmark rate, the substitution of SOFR for LIBOR may have economic impacts on parties to affected contracts. When LIBOR rates are no longer available and we are required to implement substitute indices for the calculation of interest rates, we may incur expenses in effecting the transition, and may be subject to disputes or litigation with customers over the appropriateness or comparability to LIBOR of the substitute indices, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Additionally, since alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. There may be changes in the rules or methodologies used to calculate SOFR or other benchmark rates, which may have an adverse effect on the value of or return on financial assets and liabilities that are based on or are linked to those rates.

Risks Related to Regulation

We operate in a highly regulated environment, Federal and state regulators periodically examine our business, and we may be required to remediate adverse examination findings.

The FRB and the NYSDFS periodically examine our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations. If, as a result of an examination, a federal banking agency were to determine that our financial condition, capital resources, asset 16

Table of Contents quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that we were in violation of any law or regulation, we may take a number of different remedial actions as we deem appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place it into receivership or conservatorship. If we become subject to any regulatory actions, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects.

Additionally, the CFPB has the authority to issue consumer finance regulations and is authorized, individually or jointly with bank regulatory agencies, to conduct investigations to determine whether any person is, or has, engaged in conduct that violates new and existing consumer financial laws or regulations. Banks with assets in excess of $10 billion are subject to requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act and its implemented regulations, including the examination authority of the CFPB to assess our compliance with federal consumer financial laws, imposition of higher FDIC premiums, reduced debit card interchange fees, and enhanced risk management frameworks, all of which increase operating costs and reduce earnings. In addition, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into between the CFPB and U.S. Department of Justice, the two agencies have agreed to coordinate efforts related to enforcing the fair lending laws, which includes information sharing and conducting joint investigations, and have done so on a number of occasions.

We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the federal Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”) and other anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing statutes and regulations.

The BSA, the USA PATRIOT Act and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among others, to institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering compliance program and to file reports such as suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports. Our products and services, including our debit card issuing business, are subject to an increasingly strict set of legal and regulatory requirements intended to protect consumers and to help detect and prevent money laundering, terrorist financing and other illicit activities. We are required to comply with these and other anti-money laundering requirements. The federal banking agencies and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network are authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and have recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts against banks and other financial services providers with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service. We are also subject to increased scrutiny of compliance with the regulations administered and enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. If we violate these laws and regulations, or our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including acquisitions.

Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

Risks Related to our Debt Securities

The subordinated debentures that we issued have rights that are senior to those of our common shareholders.

In 2015, the Company issued $40.0 million of 5.75% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2030. In 2022, the Company issued $160.0 million of 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2032. Because these subordinated debentures rank senior to our common stock, if we fail to make timely principal and interest payments on the subordinated debentures, we may not pay any dividends on our common stock. Further, if we declare bankruptcy, dissolve 17

Table of Contents or liquidate, we must satisfy all of our subordinated debenture obligations before we may pay any distributions on our common stock.

Strategic Risks

Expansion of our branch network may adversely affect our financial results.

We cannot be certain that the opening of new branches will be accretive to earnings or that it will be accretive to earnings within a reasonable period of time. Numerous factors contribute to the performance of a new branch, such as suitable location, qualified personnel, and an effective marketing strategy. Additionally, it takes time for a new branch to gather sufficient loans and deposits to generate income sufficient to cover its operating expenses. Difficulties we experience in opening new branches may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Mergers and acquisitions involve numerous risks and uncertainties.

The Company has in the past and may in the future pursue mergers and acquisitions opportunities. Mergers and acquisitions involve a number of risks and challenges, including the expenses involved; potential diversion of management’s attention from other strategic matters; integration of branches and operations acquired; outflow of customers from the acquired branches; retention of personnel from acquired companies or branches; competing effectively in geographic areas not previously served; managing growth resulting from the transaction; and dilution in the acquirer's book and tangible book value per share.

Our growth or future losses may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed or the cost of that capital may be very high.

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. While we anticipate that our capital resources will satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future, we may at some point need to raise additional capital to support our operations or continued growth, both internally and through acquisitions. Any capital we obtain may result in the dilution of the interests of existing holders of our common stock, or otherwise adversely affect your investment.

Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we cannot make assurances of our ability to raise additional capital if needed, or if the terms will be acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired and our financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.

Operational Risk Factors

Our business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally.

A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, declines in housing and real estate valuations, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; geopolitical conflicts; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

The Company's performance could be negatively affected to the extent there is deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, an inverted yield curve, rising prices, and supply chain issues or labor shortages, which have direct or indirect material adverse impacts on us, our customers, and our counterparties. Recessionary conditions may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the financial condition of our borrowers, the value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. Declines in real estate values and sales volumes and increased unemployment levels may result in higher than expected loan delinquencies, increases in our 18

Table of Contents levels of nonperforming and classified assets and a decline in demand for our products and services. Such events may cause us to incur losses and may adversely affect our capital, liquidity, and financial condition.

Strong competition within our market area may limit our growth and profitability.

Our primary market area is located in Greater Long Island and Manhattan. Competition in the banking and financial services industry remains intense. Our profitability depends on the continued ability to successfully compete. We compete with commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits than us and may offer certain services that we do not provide. In addition, competitors may offer deposits at higher rates and loans with lower fixed rates, more attractive terms and less stringent credit structures than we have been willing to offer.

Our future success depends on the success and growth of Dime Community Bank.

Our primary business activity for the foreseeable future will be to act as the holding company of the Bank. Therefore, our future profitability will depend on the success and growth of this subsidiary. The continued and successful implementation of our growth strategy will require, among other things that we increase our market share by attracting new customers that currently bank at other financial institutions in our market area. In addition, our ability to successfully grow will depend on several factors, including favorable market conditions, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market area, and our ability to maintain good asset quality. While we believe we have the management resources, market opportunities and internal systems in place to obtain and successfully manage future growth, growth opportunities may not be available, and we may not be successful in continuing our growth strategy. In addition, continued growth requires that we incur additional expenses, including salaries, data processing and occupancy expense related to new branches and related support staff. Many of these increased expenses are considered fixed expenses. Unless we can successfully continue our growth, our results of operations could be negatively affected by these increased costs.

The loss of key personnel could impair our future success.

Our future success depends in part on the continued service of our executive officers, other key management, and staff, as well as our ability to continue to attract, motivate, and retain additional highly qualified employees. The loss of services of one or more of our key personnel or our inability to timely recruit replacements for such personnel, or to otherwise attract, motivate, or retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our business may be adversely affected by fraud and other financial crimes.

Our loans to businesses and individuals and our deposit relationships and related transactions are subject to exposure to the risk of loss due to fraud and other financial crimes. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent such losses, losses may still occur. In the past, we have experienced losses due to fraud.

Risks associated with system failures, interruptions, or breaches of security could negatively affect our operations and earnings.

Information technology systems are critical to our business. We collect, process and store sensitive customer data by utilizing computer systems and telecommunications networks operated by us and third-party service providers. We have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of system failures, interruptions, and security breaches, but such events may still occur or may not be adequately addressed if they do occur. In addition, any compromise of our systems could deter customers from using our products and services. Although we take numerous protective measures and otherwise endeavor to protect and maintain the privacy and security of confidential data, these systems may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, other malicious code, cyberattacks, including distributed denial of service attacks, cyber-theft and other events that could have a security impact. If one or more of such events were to occur, this 19

Table of Contents potentially could jeopardize confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our systems or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or our customers' operations.

In addition, we maintain interfaces with certain third-party service providers. If these third-party service providers encounter difficulties, or if we have difficulty communicating with them, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our business operations could be adversely affected. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel.

The occurrence of any system failures, interruption, or breach of security could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers and business, thereby subjecting us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could expose us to litigation and possible financial liability. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are not fully covered by our insurance. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are exposed to cyber-security risks, including denial of service, hacking, and identity theft.

There have been well-publicized distributed denials of service attacks on large financial services companies. Distributed denial of service attacks are designed to saturate the targeted online network with excessive amounts of network traffic, resulting in slow response times, or in some cases, causing the site to be temporarily unavailable. Hacking and identity theft risks, in particular, could cause serious reputational harm. Cyber threats are rapidly evolving, and we may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks. We may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize these risks and could be held liable for any security breach or loss.

Public health emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak may have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant economic dislocation in the United States. Certain industries were particularly hard-hit, including the travel and hospitality industry, the restaurant industry and the retail industry. Additionally, the spread of COVID-19 temporarily caused us to modify our business practices, including placing restrictions on employee travel and implementing remote work practices. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health emergency, and related governmental responses to any outbreak, we may be subject to the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations: demand for our products and services may decline; if consumer and business activities are restricted, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income; collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could increase loan losses; our allowance for credit losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties; a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could affect our ability to pay cash dividends; cyber security risks may be increased as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely; critical services provided by third-party vendors may become unavailable; and the Company may experience unanticipated unavailability or loss of key employees, harming our ability to execute our business strategy.

Severe weather, acts of terrorism and other external events could impact our ability to conduct business.

Weather-related events have adversely impacted our market area in recent years, especially areas located near coastal waters and flood prone areas. Such events that may cause significant flooding and other storm-related damage may become more common events in the future. Financial institutions have been, and continue to be, targets of terrorist threats aimed at compromising operating and communication systems and the metropolitan New York area remains a central target for potential acts of terrorism. Such events could cause significant damage, impact the stability of our facilities and result in additional expenses, impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans, reduce the value of collateral securing repayment of loans, and result in the loss of revenue. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

Additionally, global markets may be adversely affected by natural disasters, the emergence of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, cyberattacks or campaigns, military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events. Global market fluctuations may affect our business liquidity. Also, any sudden or prolonged market downturn in the U.S. or 20

Table of Contents abroad, as a result of the above factors or otherwise could result in a decline in revenue and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, including capital and liquidity levels.

Damage to the Company’s reputation could adversely impact our business.

The Company's reputation is important to our success. Our ability to attract and retain customers, investors, employees and advisors may depend upon external perceptions of the Company. Damage to the Company's reputation could cause significant harm to our business and prospects and may arise from numerous sources, including litigation or regulatory actions, compliance failures, customer services failures, or unethical behavior or misconduct of employees, advisors and counterparties. Adverse developments with respect to the financial services industry may also, by association, negatively impact the Company's reputation or result in greater regulatory or legislative scrutiny of or litigation against the Company.

Furthermore, shareholders and other stakeholders have begun to consider how corporations are addressing environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues. Governments, investors, customers and the general public are increasingly focused on ESG practices and disclosures, and views about ESG are diverse and rapidly changing. These shifts in investing priorities may result in adverse effects on the trading price of the Company’s common stock if investors determine that the Company has not made sufficient progress on ESG matters. The Company could also face potential negative ESG-related publicity in traditional media or social media if shareholders or other stakeholders determine that we have not adequately considered or addressed ESG matters. If the Company, or our relationships with certain customers, vendors or suppliers became the subject of negative publicity, our ability to attract and retain customers and employees, and our financial condition and results of operations, could be adversely impacted.

Accounting-Related Risks

Changes in our accounting policies or in accounting standards could materially affect how we report our financial results.

Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial results and condition. Some of these policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. Some of our accounting policies are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. If such estimates or assumptions underlying our financial statements are incorrect, we may experience material losses.

From time to time, the FASB and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards or the interpretation of those standards that govern the preparation of our external financial statements. These changes are beyond our control, can be hard to predict and could materially impact how we report our results of operations and financial condition. We could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in our restating prior period financial statements in material amounts.

If we determine our goodwill or other intangible assets to be impaired, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations would be negatively affected.

When the Company completes a business combination, a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. The amount of the purchase price which is allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets is determined by the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired. At least annually (or more frequently if indicators arise), the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment. If the Company determines goodwill or other intangible assets are impaired, the Company will be required to write down these assets. Any write-down would have a negative effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Table of Contents

Item 2. Properties

The Company’s corporate headquarters is located at 898 Veterans Highway in Hauppauge, New York. The Bank’s main office is located at 2200 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, New York.

As of December 31, 2022, we operated 59 branch locations throughout Greater Long Island and Manhattan, of which 43 were leased and 16 were owned.

For additional information on our premises and equipment, see Note 7. “Premises and Fixed Assets, net and Premises Held for Sale” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Holding Company and the Bank are routinely named as a defendant in or party to various pending or threatened legal actions or proceedings. Certain of these matters may seek substantial monetary damages against the Holding Company or the Bank. In the opinion of management, as of December 31, 2022, neither the Holding Company nor the Bank were involved in any actions or proceedings that were likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Table of Contents PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ® Stock Market under the symbol “DCOM”. Prior to the Merger, our common shares were traded under the symbol “BDGE”. At February 16, 2023, we had approximately 1,112 shareholders of record, not including the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or the street name through various banks and brokers.

DCOM Performance Graph

Pursuant to the regulations of the SEC, the graph below compares our performance with that of the total return for the NASDAQ® Composite Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Banks Index from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The graph assumes the reinvestment of dividends in additional shares of the same class of equity securities as those listed below. The following performance graph reflects the performance of BDGE prior to the Merger.


	****	Year Ended December 31,
Index	****	2017	****	2018	****	2019	****	2020	****	2021	****	2022
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.		100.00		74.83		101.57		76.70		114.50		106.72
S&P SmallCap 600 Banks Index		100.00		89.71		110.21		98.34		132.01		118.97
NASDAQ Composite Index		100.00		97.16		132.81		192.47		235.15		158.65

Table of Contents Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information regarding purchases of common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2022:


		Total					Total Number of		Maximum Number
		Number		Average			Shares Purchased		of Shares that May
		of Shares		Price Paid			as Part of Publicly		Yet be Purchased
Period	****	Purchased	****	Per Share		****	Announced Programs	****	Under the Programs ^(1)^
October 2022		4,846		$	31.09		4,846		1,607,160
November 2022		1,400			34.26		1,400		1,605,760
December 2022		2,000			32.64		2,000		1,603,760
(1)	In May 2022, we announced the adoption of a new stock repurchase program of up to 1,948,314 shares, upon the completion of our existing authorized stock repurchase program. The stock repurchase program may be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time for any reason, and has no termination date. As of December 31, 2022, there were 1,603,760 shares remaining to be purchased in the program.
---	---

Item 6. [Reserved]

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless otherwise mentioned, the terms the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank (the “Bank”). We use the term “Holding Company” to refer solely to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and not to our consolidated subsidiary.

Overview

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

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Following the March 2020 passage of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the SBA, the Company participated in assisting its customers with applications for resources through the program. Since the inception of the program, the consolidated PPP originations for the Company through December 31, 2021, including originations by both Legacy Dime and Bridge, exceeded $1.90 billion. Following the completion of the PPP, the Company sold its 2021 PPP loan originations in order to re-deploy funds into ongoing loan portfolio growth. The Company believes that the remainder of its SBA PPP loans will ultimately be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had SBA PPP loans totaling $5.8 million, net of deferred fees. It is the Company’s expectation that loans funded through the PPP are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government.

We continue to monitor unfunded commitments, including commercial and home equity lines of credit, for evidence of increased credit exposure as borrowers utilize these lines for liquidity purposes. 24

Table of Contents It is possible that there will be continued material, adverse impacts to significant estimates, asset valuations, and business operations, including intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, and derivative counter party risk, changes in consumer behavior, and supply chain interruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future government actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination mandates, may also affect our workforce, human capital resources, and infrastructure.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statement for the year ended December 31, 2022 contains a summary of significant accounting policies. These accounting policies may require various levels of subjectivity, estimates or judgement by management. Policies with respect to the methodologies it uses to determine the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment and fair value of loans acquired in a business combinations are critical accounting policies because they are important to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting estimates involve a significant degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often necessitate assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. The use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could result in material variations in the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Management has reviewed the following critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with its Audit Committee.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans Held for Investment

Methods and Assumptions Underlying the Estimate

On January 1, 2021, we adopted the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) Standard, which requires that loans held for investment be accounted for under the current expected credit losses model. The allowance for credit losses is established and maintained through a provision for credit losses based on expected losses inherent in our loan portfolio. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis, and additions to the allowance are charged to expense and realized losses, net of recoveries, are charged against the allowance.

Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. In determining the allowance for credit losses for loans that share similar risk characteristics, the Company utilizes a model which compares the amortized cost basis of the loan to the net present value of expected cash flows to be collected. Expected credit losses are determined by aggregating the individual cash flows and calculating a loss percentage by loan segment, or pool, for loans that share similar risk characteristics. For a loan that does not share risk characteristics with other loans, the Company will evaluate the loan on an individual basis. Within the model, assumptions are made in the determination of probability of default, loss given default, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, prepayment rate, curtailment rate, and recovery lag periods. Management assesses the sensitivity of key assumptions at least annually by stressing the assumptions to understand the impact on the model.

Statistical regression is utilized to relate historical macro-economic variables to historical credit loss experience of a peer group of banks that operate in and around Dime’s footprint. These models are then utilized to forecast future expected loan losses based on expected future behavior of the same macro-economic variables. Adjustments to the quantitative results are made using qualitative factors. These factors include: (1) lending policies and procedures; (2) international, national, regional and local economic business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various markets; (3) the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; (4) the experience, ability, and depth of the lending management and other relevant staff; (5) the volume and severity of past due loans; (6) the quality of our loan review system; (7) the value of underlying collateral for collateralized loans; (8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (9) the effect of external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the existing portfolio.

For loans that do not share risk characteristics, the Company evaluates these loans on an individual basis based on various factors. Factors that may be considered are borrower delinquency trends and non-accrual status, probability of foreclosure or note sale, changes in the borrower’s circumstances or cash collections, borrower’s industry, or other facts and circumstances of the loan or collateral. The expected credit loss is measured based on net realizable value, that is, the 25

Table of Contents difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For collateral dependent loans, expected credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell.

Uncertainties Regarding the Estimate

Estimating the timing and amounts of future losses is subject to significant management judgment as these projected cash flows rely upon the estimates discussed above and factors that are reflective of current or future expected conditions. These estimates depend on the duration of current overall economic conditions, industry, borrower, or portfolio specific conditions. Volatility in certain credit metrics and differences between expected and actual outcomes are to be expected.

Customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral securing the payment of those loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance. Bank regulators periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require us to increase our provision for credit losses or loan charge-offs.

Impact on Financial Condition and Results of Operations

If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover expected losses in the loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the allowance. Future additions or reductions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance through charges to earnings would materially decrease our net income.

We may experience significant credit losses if borrowers experience financial difficulties, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the examination process, periodically review the allowance for credit losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of the information available to them at the time of their examination.

Fair value of loans acquired in a business combination

Methods and Assumptions Underlying the Estimate

On February 1, 2021, the Company completed a merger of equals business combination accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting. As a part of accounting for the Merger, fair value estimates were calculated with a combination of assumptions by management and by using a third party. The fair value often involved third-party estimates utilizing input assumptions by management which may be complex or uncertain. The fair value of acquired loans was based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors such as type of loan and related collateral, and requires management’s judgment on estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events.

For purchased financial loans with credit deterioration (“PCD”), an estimate of expected credit losses was made for loans with similar risk characteristics and was added to the purchase price to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to non-credit factors and resulted in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans.

Uncertainties Regarding the Estimate

Management relied on economic forecasts, internal valuations, or other relevant factors which were available at the time of the Merger in the determination of the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the acquired loans. The estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events were subjective and may differ from estimates. 26

Table of Contents Impact on Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The estimate of fair values on acquired loans contributed to the recorded goodwill from the Merger. In future income statement periods, interest income on loans will include the amortization and accretion of any premiums and discounts resulting from the fair value of acquired loans. Additionally, the provision for credit losses on acquired individually analyzed PCD loans may be impacted due to changes in the assumptions used to calculate expected cash flows.

Comparison of Operating Results Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

The Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 include income for the eleven months following the Merger and the results of Legacy Dime for the month ended January 31, 2021. The Company’s historical operating results as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, as presented and discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, only include the historical results of Legacy Dime. Accordingly, the Company’s historical operating results as of and for periods before February 1, 2021, including the year ended December 31, 2020, as presented and discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, do not include the historical results of Bridge.

General. Net income was $152.6 million in 2022, compared to $104.0 million in 2021, and $42.3 million in 2020. During 2022, net interest income increased by $22.3 million, provision for credit losses decreased by $0.8 million, and non-interest expense decreased by $44.6 million. These items were partially offset by a non-interest income decrease of $3.9 million and an income tax expense increase of $15.2 million. During 2021, net interest income increased by $179.9 million, provision for credit losses decreased by $20.0 million, and non-interest income increased by $20.8 million. These items were partially offset by a non-interest expense increase of $127.5 million and an income tax expense increase of $31.5 million.

The discussion of net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the following tables, which set forth certain information related to the consolidated statements of income for those periods, and which also present the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated. The average yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of their related assets or liabilities during the periods represented. Average balances were derived from average daily balances. No tax-equivalent adjustments have been made for interest income exempt from Federal, state, and local taxation. The yields include loan fees consisting of amortization of loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct and indirect origination costs, prepayment fees, and late charges that are considered adjustments to yields. Loan fees included in interest income were $3.1 million in 2022, $12.5 million in 2021, and $7.5 million in 2020. There are no out-of-period adjustments included in the rate/volume analysis in the following table.

Table of Contents Average Balance Sheets


		Year Ended December 31,
		2022									2021								2020
	****			****			****		Average	****			****			****	Average	****			****			****	Average	****
		Average							Yield/		Average						Yield/		Average						Yield/	****
	****	Balance		****	Interest		****		Cost	****	Balance		****	Interest		****	Cost	****	Balance		****	Interest		****	Cost
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Real estate loans ^(1)^		$	8,798,852		$	354,418	****		4.03	%	$	7,969,344		$	298,682		3.75	%	$	4,916,204		$	196,144		3.99	%
Commercial and industrial loans ^(1)^		****	937,542		****	51,556	****		5.50			1,494,970			58,909		3.94			535,002			20,372		3.81
Other loans ^(1)^		****	11,493		****	627	****		5.46			19,891			1,425		7.16			958			50		5.22
Securities		****	1,687,835		****	29,224	****		1.73			1,295,439			22,634		1.75			520,279			14,159		2.72
Other short-term investments		****	248,779		****	3,400	****		1.37			574,467			2,976		0.52			150,200			3,282		2.19
Total interest-earning assets		****	11,684,501			439,225	****		3.76			11,354,111			384,626		3.39			6,122,643			234,007		3.82
Non-interest earning assets		****	782,261		****		****					758,689								301,608
Total assets		$	12,466,762								$	12,112,800							$	6,424,251

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:		****	****		****	****		****	****
Interest-bearing liabilities:		****	****		****	****		****	****
Interest-bearing checking		$	851,931		$	3,115		****	0.37	%	$	924,122		$	1,655		0.18	%	$	220,693		$	627		0.28	%
Money market		****	2,971,312		****	10,879		****	0.37			3,491,870			6,521		0.19			1,653,452			9,223		0.56
Savings		****	1,815,198		****	15,906		****	0.88			1,142,111			697		0.06			400,530			983		0.25
Certificates of deposit		****	926,837		****	8,533		****	0.92			1,247,425			7,654		0.61			1,463,613			22,205		1.52
Total interest-bearing deposits		****	6,565,278		****	38,433		****	0.59			6,805,528			16,527		0.24			3,738,288			33,038		0.88
FHLBNY advances		****	252,838			7,062		****	2.79			259,203			1,963		0.76			1,065,356			17,898		1.68
Subordinated debt, net			217,753			10,616			4.88			190,128			8,523		4.48			113,974			5,322		4.67
Other short-term borrowings			56,030			1,439			2.57			6,282			4		0.06			5,582			45		0.81
Total borrowings			526,621			19,117			3.63			455,613			10,490		2.30			1,184,912			23,265		1.96
Derivative cash collateral			97,225			1,812			1.86			1,982			—		—			—			—		—
Total interest-bearing liabilities			7,189,124			59,362			0.83			7,263,123			27,017		0.37			4,923,200			56,303		1.14
Non-interest-bearing checking			3,890,642									3,513,354								691,561
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			218,194									175,075								137,860
Total liabilities		****	11,297,960		****			****				10,951,552								5,752,621
Stockholders' equity		****	1,168,802		****			****				1,161,248								671,630
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	12,466,762		****			****			$	12,112,800							$	6,424,251
Net interest income		****			$	379,863		****						$	357,609							$	177,704
Net interest spread ^(2)^									2.93	%							3.02	%							2.68	%
Net interest-earning assets		$	4,495,377								$	4,090,988							$	1,199,443
Net interest margin ^(3)^		****			****			****	3.25	%							3.15	%							2.90	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities									162.53	%							156.33	%							124.36	%
Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts)		$	10,455,920		$	38,433		****	0.37	%	$	10,318,882		$	16,527		0.16	%	$	4,429,849		$	33,038		0.75	%

(1) Amounts are net of deferred origination costs/ (fees) and allowance for credit losses, and include loans held for sale.

(2) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average-interest earning assets.

Table of Contents Rate/Volume Analysis


	Years Ended December 31,
	2022 over 2021									2021 over 2020
	Increase/(Decrease) Due to									Increase/(Decrease) Due to
	Volume		****	Rate		****	Total		****	Volume		****	Rate		****	Total

Interest-earning assets:	(In thousands)
Real estate loans ^(1)^	$	32,265		$	23,471		$	55,736		$	118,075		$	(15,537)		$	102,538
Commercial and industrial ^(1)^		(26,319)			18,966			(7,353)			36,090			2,447			38,537
Other loans ^(1)^		(531)			(267)			(798)			1,172			203			1,375
Securities		6,858			(268)			6,590			17,309			(8,834)			8,475
Other short-term investments		(3,077)			3,501			424			5,737			(6,043)			(306)
Total interest-earning assets		9,196			45,403			54,599			178,383			(27,764)			150,619
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking		(213)			1,673			1,460			1,624			(596)			1,028
Money market		(1,458)			5,816			4,358			6,836			(9,538)			(2,702)
Savings		3,124			12,085			15,209			1,148			(1,434)			(286)
Certificates of deposit		(2,472)			3,351			879			(2,256)			(12,295)			(14,551)
FHLBNY advances		(106)			5,205			5,099			(9,839)			(6,096)			(15,935)
Subordinated debt, net		1,285			808			2,093			3,487			(286)			3,201
Other short-term borrowings		654			781			1,435			4			(45)			(41)
Derivative cash collateral		888			924			1,812			—			—			—
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,702			30,643			32,345			1,004			(30,290)			(29,286)
Net change in net interest income	$	7,494		$	14,760		$	22,254		$	177,379		$	2,526		$	179,905

(1) Amounts are net of deferred origination costs/ (fees) and allowance for credit losses, and include loans held for sale.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $379.9 million in 2022, $357.6 million in 2021, and $177.7 million in 2020. Average interest-earning assets were $11.68 billion in 2022, $11.35 billion in 2021 and $6.12 billion in 2020. Net interest margin was 3.25% in 2022, 3.15% in 2021, and 2.90% in 2020.

Interest Income. Interest income was $439.2 million in 2022, $384.6 million in 2021, and $234.0 million in 2020. During 2022, interest income increased $54.6 million from 2021, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $55.7 million on real estate loans, and $6.6 million on securities. The increased interest income on real estate loans was primarily due to growth of $829.5 million in the average balances, and a 28-basis point increase in yield during the period due to the rising interest rate environment. The increased interest income from securities was primarily due to the increase in the average balances of $392.4 million, offset in part by a 2-basis point decrease in the yield. During 2021, interest income increased $150.6 million from 2020, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $102.5 million on real estate loans, $38.5 million on commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, $8.5 million on securities, and $1.4 million on other loans. The increased interest income on real estate loans was due to an increase of $3.05 billion in the average balance of such loans in the period, offset in part by a 24-basis point decrease in the yield. The increased interest income on C&I loans was primarily due to growth of $960.0 million in the average balances, and a 13-basis point increase in yield during the period. The increased interest income from securities was primarily due to the increase in the average balances of $775.2 million, offset in part by a 97-basis point decrease in the yield. The increased average balances in 2021 versus 2020 were related primarily to the Merger transaction.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $59.4 million in 2022, $27.0 million in 2021, and $56.3 million in 2020. During 2022, interest expense increased $32.3 million from 2021, primarily reflecting increases in interest expense of $15.2 million on savings accounts, $5.1 million on FHLBNY advances and $4.4 million on money market accounts. The increase in interest expense on savings accounts was primarily due to increased rates offered on savings accounts and, an increase of $673.1 million in the average balances of such accounts. The increase in interest expense on FHLB advances was primarily due to the increased cost of wholesale borrowings. The increase in interest expense on money market accounts was primarily due to increased rates offered on money market accounts. During 2021, interest expense decreased $29.3 million from 2020, primarily reflecting decreases in interest expense of $15.9 million on FHLBNY advances, and $14.6 million on CDs. The decrease in interest expense on CDs was primarily due to decreased rates offered on CD accounts and, a decrease of $216.2 million in the average balances of such accounts. The decrease in interest expense on FHLBNY advances was primarily due to a decrease of $806.2 million in the average balances of FHLBNY advances, and a decrease of 92 basis points in the cost of such borrowings. 29

Table of Contents

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $5.4 million in 2022, $6.2 million in 2021 and $26.2 million in 2020. The $5.4 million provision for credit losses recognized in 2022 was associated with growth in the loan portfolio and a deterioration of forecasted macroeconomic conditions, offset by a reduction in reserves on individually analyzed loans and unfunded commitments. The $6.2 million provision for credit losses recognized in 2021 included a provision recorded on acquired non-PCD loans for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger, offset by improvements in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, and releases of reserves on individually analyzed loans. The $26.2 million provision for credit losses recognized in 2020 resulted mainly from an increase in the general reserve allowance for credit losses due to an adjustment of qualitative factors to account for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption, and additional specific reserves on non-performing loans. The provision for credit losses recognized in 2022 and 2021 was calculated in accordance with the CECL Standard adopted by the Company on January 1, 2021. The provision for credit losses recognized in 2020 was calculated in accordance with prior GAAP, in accordance with ASC 310.

Non-Interest Income. **** Non-interest income was $38.2 million in 2022, $42.1 million in 2021, and $21.3 million in 2020. During 2022, non-interest income decreased $3.9 million from 2021, due primarily to a decrease in gains on the sales of SBA PPP loans, and a decrease in gain on sale of residential loans and other non-interest income of $1.3 million each. Offsetting these declines was an increase in BOLI income of $3.3 million and no loss on termination of derivatives in 2022 (versus a $16.5 million loss on termination of derivatives in 2021). During 2021, non-interest income increased $20.8 million from 2020, due primarily to a gain on the sale of SBA PPP loans of $20.7 million, an increase in service charges and other fees of $10.4 million, and an increase in other non-interest income of $3.0 million, partially offset by an increase in loss on termination of derivatives of $9.9 million, a decrease in loan level derivative income of $6.0 million, and a decrease in net gain on sale of securities and other assets of $2.9 million.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $200.7 million in 2022, $245.3 million in 2021, and $117.8 million in 2020. During 2022, non-interest expense decreased $44.6 million from 2021, primarily due to not recognizing any merger expenses and transaction costs and branch restructuring costs in 2022 (versus $44.8 million in merger expenses and transaction costs and $5.1 million of branch restructuring costs in 2021). These declines were offset by an increase of $11.8 million in salaries and employee benefits expenses. During 2021, non-interest expense increased $127.5 million from 2020, reflecting an increase of $47.6 million in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase of $29.6 million in merger expenses and transaction costs, an increase of $14.5 million in occupancy and equipment expense, an increase of $8.3 million in data processing costs, an increase of $7.2 million in other expenses, and an increase of $5.9 million in professional services expenses, all of which increased primarily due to the Merger. We also incurred branch restructuring costs of $5.1 million during the 2021 period.

Non-interest expense was 1.61%, 2.03%, and 1.83% of average assets during 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to merger expenses and transaction costs.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $59.4 million in 2022, $44.2 million in 2021, and $12.7 million in 2020. Income tax expense increased $15.2 million during 2022 compared to 2021, primarily as a result of $63.7 million of higher pre-tax income during 2022. Income tax expense increased $31.5 million during 2021 compared to 2020, primarily as a result of $93.2 million of higher pre-tax income during 2021.

The Company’s consolidated tax rate was 28.0%, 29.8% and 23.0% in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2022 and 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from Legacy Dime’s REITs as the Company’s total assets exceeded $8 billion, and non-deductible expenses during 2021.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Assets. Assets totaled $13.19 billion at December 31, 2022, $1.13 billion above their level at December 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in the loan portfolio of $1.32 billion, partially offset by a decrease in cash and due from banks of $224.4 million, and a decrease in total securities of $206.6 million.

Total net loans held for investment increased $1.32 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, to $10.48 billion at period end. During the period, the Bank had originations of $2.83 billion. 30

Table of Contents Total securities decreased $206.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, to $1.54 billion at period end, primarily due to proceeds from principal payments and calls of $195.3 million and an increase in unrealized losses of $109.7 million, offset in part by purchases of $102.4 million. We transferred $372.2 million of securities available-for-sale to securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Liabilities. Total liabilities increased $1.15 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, to $12.02 billion at period end, primarily due to an increase of $1.11 billion in FHLBNY advances, and an increase of $148.5 million in derivative cash collateral. We maintained a higher level of borrowings to support loan growth and offset a $204.6 million decline in deposits.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not terminate any derivatives. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company terminated 34 derivatives with notional values totaling $785.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $16.5 million which was recognized in loss on termination of derivatives in non-interest income.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity decreased $23.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 to $1.17 billion at period end, primarily due to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $88.2 million, repurchases of shares of common stock of $46.8 million, common stock dividends of $37.2 million and preferred stock dividends of $7.3 million, offset in part by net income for the period of $152.6 million.

Loan Portfolio Composition

The following table presents an analysis of outstanding loans by loan type, excluding loans held for sale, net of unearned discounts and premiums and deferred origination fees and costs, at the dates presented:



(In thousands)	December 31, 2022						December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
One-to-four family, including condominium and cooperative apartment	$	773,321		7.3	%	$	669,282	7.2	%	$	184,989	3.3	%
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use	****	4,026,826	****	38.1			3,356,346	36.3			2,758,743	49.1
Commercial real estate ("CRE")	****	4,457,630	****	42.2			3,945,948	42.7			1,878,167	33.4
Acquisition, development, and construction ("ADC")	****	229,663	****	2.2			322,628	3.5			156,296	2.8
Total real estate loans	****	9,487,440	****	89.8			8,294,204	89.7			4,978,195	88.6
C&I loans	****	1,071,712	****	10.1			933,559	10.1			641,533	11.4
Other loans	****	7,679	****	0.1			16,898	0.2			2,316	-
Total	****	10,566,831	****	100.0	%		9,244,661	100.0	%		5,622,044	100.0	%
Allowance for credit losses	****	(83,507)	****				(83,853)				(41,461)
Loans held for investment, net	$	10,483,324	****			$	9,160,808			$	5,580,583

During the year ended December 31, 2022, our real estate loans and C&I loans increased $1.19 billion and $138.2 million, respectively.

Loan Purchases, Sales and Servicing

In the event that the Bank were to sell loans in the secondary market or through securitization, it generally retains servicing rights on the loans sold. Servicing fees are typically derived based upon the difference between the actual origination rate and contractual pass-through rate of the loans at the time of sale. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Bank had recorded servicing right assets ("SRAs") of $3.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively, associated with the sale of loans to third-party institutions in which the Bank retained the servicing of the loan. The Bank outsources the servicing of a portion of our one-to-four family mortgage loan portfolio to an unrelated third-party under a sub-servicing agreement. Fees paid under the sub-servicing agreement are reported as a component of other non-interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Loan Maturity and Repricing

As of December 31, 2022, $8.21 billion, or 77.7% of the loan portfolio was scheduled to mature or reprice within five years. 31

Table of Contents The following table distributes our loans held for investment portfolio at December 31, 2022 by the earlier of the maturity or next repricing date. ARMs are included in the period during which their interest rates are next scheduled to adjust. The table does not include scheduled principal amortization.


	Less than 1 year		1 to 5 years		5 to 15 years		Over 15 years			Total
	Amount		Amount		Amount		Amount			Amount
(In thousands)
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	114,698	$	241,877	$	336,124	$	80,622	$	773,321
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		664,833		2,535,954		823,705		2,334		4,026,826
CRE		1,358,497		2,069,795		1,025,122		4,216		4,457,630
ADC		225,983		3,680		—		—		229,663
Total real estate loans		2,364,011		4,851,306		2,184,951		87,172		9,487,440
C&I		799,962		189,049		82,700		1		1,071,712
Other loans		4,896		976		224		1,583		7,679
Total	$	3,168,869	$	5,041,331	$	2,267,875	$	88,756	$	10,566,831

The following table presents our loans held for investment with maturity or next repricing due after December 31, 2023:


	Due after December 31, 2023
	Fixed			Adjustable	Total
(In thousands)
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	142,934	$	515,689	$	658,623
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use	****	952,391		2,409,602		3,361,993
CRE		1,443,193		1,655,940		3,099,133
ADC		-		3,680		3,680
Total real estate loans		2,538,518		4,584,911		7,123,429
C&I		206,802		64,948		271,750
Other loans		2,533		250		2,783
Total	$	2,747,853	$	4,650,109	$	7,397,962

Asset Quality

General

We do not originate or purchase loans, either whole loans or loans underlying mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which would have been considered subprime loans at origination, i.e., real estate loans advanced to borrowers who did not qualify for market interest rates because of problems with their income or credit history. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of evaluation for impaired securities.

Monitoring and Collection of Delinquent Loans

Our management reviews delinquent loans on a monthly basis and reports to our Board of Directors at each regularly scheduled Board meeting regarding the status of all non-performing and otherwise delinquent loans in our loan portfolio.

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

Accrual of interest is generally discontinued on a loan that meets any of the following three criteria: (i) full payment of principal or interest is not expected; (ii) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more (unless the loan is both deemed to be well secured and in the process of collection); or (iii) an election has otherwise been made to maintain the loan on a cash basis due to deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. Such non-accrual determination practices are applied consistently to all loans regardless of their internal classification or designation. Upon entering non-accrual status, we reverse all outstanding accrued interest receivable. 32

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

The C&I portfolio is actively managed by our lenders and underwriters. Most credit facilities typically require an annual review of the exposure and borrowers are required to submit annual financial reporting and loans are structured with financial covenants to indicate expected performance levels. Smaller C&I loans are monitored based on performance and the ability to draw against a credit line is curtailed if there are any indications of credit deterioration. Guarantors are also required to update their financial reporting. All exposures are risk rated and those entering adverse ratings due to financial performance concerns of the borrower or material delinquency of any payments or financial reporting are subjected to added management scrutiny. Measures taken typically include amendments to the amount of the available credit facility, requirements for increased collateral, additional guarantor support or a material enhancement to the frequency and quality of financial reporting. Loans determined to reach adverse risk rating standards are monitored closely by Credit Administration to identify any potential credit losses. When warranted, loans reaching a Substandard rating could be reassigned to the Workout Group for direct handling.

Non-accrual Loans

Within our held-for-investment loan portfolio, non-accrual loans totaled $34.2 million at December 31, 2022 and $40.3 million at December 31, 2021.

TDRs

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

●	A reduction of interest rate has been made for the remaining term of the loan
●	The maturity date of the loan has been extended with a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk
---	---
●	The outstanding principal amount and/or accrued interest have been reduced
---	---

In instances in which the interest rate has been reduced, management would not deem the modification a TDR in the event that the reduction in interest rate reflected either a general decline in market interest rates or an effort to maintain a relationship with a borrower who could readily obtain funds from other sources at the current market interest rate, and the terms of the restructured loan are comparable to the terms offered by the Bank to non-troubled debtors.

We modified twelve loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2022. We modified four loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Accrual status for TDRs is determined separately for each TDR in accordance with our policies for determining accrual or non-accrual status. At the time an agreement is entered into between the Bank and the borrower that results in our determination that a TDR has been created, the loan can be on either accrual or non-accrual status. If a loan is on non-accrual status at the time it is restructured, it continues to be classified as non-accrual until the borrower has demonstrated compliance with the modified loan terms for a period of at least six months. Conversely, if at the time of restructuring the 33

Table of Contents loan is performing (and accruing) it will remain accruing throughout its restructured period, unless the loan subsequently meets any of the criteria for non-accrual status under our policy and agency regulations. Within the allowance for credit losses, losses are estimated for TDRs on accrual status as well as TDRs on non-accrual status that are one-to-four family loans or consumer loans, on a pooled basis with loans that share similar risk characteristics. TDRs on non-accrual status excluding one-to-four family and consumer loans are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses. For collateral-dependent TDRs where we have determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and we expect repayment of the loan to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is measured based on the difference between the fair value of collateral, less the estimated costs to sell, and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For non-collateral-dependent loans, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date.

Please refer to Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of TDRs.

OREO

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

There was no carrying value of OREO properties on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. We did not recognize any provisions for losses on OREO properties during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 or 2020.

Past Due Loans

Loans Delinquent 30 to 59 Days

At December 31, 2022, we had loans totaling $23.5 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. At December 31, 2021, we had loans totaling $61.2 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. The 30 to 59-day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Loans Delinquent 60 to 89 Days

At December 31, 2022, we had loans totaling $0.7 million that were past due between 60 and 89 days. At December 31, 2021, we had loans totaling $12.1 million that were past due between 60 and 89 days. The 60 to 89-day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due

At December 31, 2022, there were no accruing loans 90 days or more past due. At December 31, 2021, we had nine loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.0 million, all of which were 90 days or more past due. These loans were either well secured, awaiting a forbearance extension or formal payment deferral, or will likely be forgiven through the PPP or repurchased by the SBA, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets.

Reserve for Loan Commitments

We maintain a reserve, recorded in other liabilities, associated with unfunded loan commitments accepted by the borrower. The amount of reserve was $2.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2021. This reserve is 34

Table of Contents determined based upon the outstanding volume of loan commitments at each period end. Any increases or reductions in this reserve are recognized in provision for credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses

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

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

A provision of $5.4 million and $6.2 million were recorded during the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The $5.4 million provision for credit losses recognized in 2022 was associated with growth in the loan portfolio and a deterioration of forecased economic conditions, offset by a reduction in reserves on individually analyzed loans and unfunded commitments. The $6.2 million provision for credit losses recognized in 2021 included a provision recorded on acquired non-PCD loans for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger offset by improvements in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, and release of reserves on individually analyzed loans.

For further discussion of the allowance for credit losses and related activity during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, please see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents our allowance for credit losses allocated by loan type and the percent of each to total loans at the dates indicated.


	December 31, 2022					December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
				Percent				Percent				Percent
				of Loans				of Loans				of Loans
				in Each				in Each				in Each
				Category				Category				Category
	Allocated			to Total		Allocated		to Total		Allocated		to Total
	Amount			Loans		Amount		Loans		Amount		Loans
(Dollars in thousands)
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	5,969		7.32	%	$	5,932	7.24	%	$	644	3.29	%
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use	****	8,360		38.11			7,816	36.31			17,016	49.07
CRE	****	27,329		42.19			29,166	42.68			9,059	33.41
Acquisition, development, and construction	****	1,723		2.17			4,857	3.49			1,993	2.78
C&I	****	39,853		10.14			35,331	10.10			12,737	11.41
Other loans	****	273		0.07			751	0.18			12	0.04
Total	$	83,507	****	100.00	%	$	83,853	100.00	%	$	41,461	100.00	%

Table of Contents The following table sets forth information about our allowance for credit losses at or for the dates indicated:



		2022			2021			2020
		(Dollars in thousands)
Total loans outstanding at end of period ^(1)^		$	10,566,831		$	9,244,661		$	5,622,044
Average total loans outstanding during the period^(2)^			9,747,887			9,484,205			5,452,164
Allowance for credit losses balance at end of period			83,507			83,853			41,461
Allowance for credit losses to total loans at end of period			0.79	%		0.91	%		0.74	%
Non-performing loans to total loans at end of period			0.32			0.44			0.37
Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans at end of period			243.91			208.04			231.26

Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period:
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment			—	%		(0.01)	%		0.01	%
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use			—			0.01			0.10
CRE			—			0.09			—
Acquisition, development, and construction			—			—			—
C&I			0.77			0.33			1.95
Other loans			0.42			3.89			0.44
Total			0.07			0.10			0.24
(1)	Total loans represent gross loans (excluding loans held for sale), inclusive of deferred fees/costs and premiums/discounts.
---	---
(2)	Total average loans represent gross loans (including loans held for sale), inclusive of deferred loan fees/costs and premiums/discounts.
---	---

Investment Activities

Securities available-for-sale

Our consolidated investment in securities available-for-sale totaled $950.6 million at December 31, 2022. The average duration of these securities was 3.5 years as of December 31, 2022.

The following table presents the amortized cost, fair value and weighted average yield of our securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2022, categorized by remaining period to contractual maturity:


	****			****			****	Weighted	****
		Amortized			Fair			Average	****
	****	Cost		****	Value		****	Yield	****
		(Dollars in Thousands)
Due within 1 year		$	6,355		$	6,253		1.10	%
Due after 1 year but within 5 years			352,610			326,218		1.06
Due after 5 years but within 10 years			319,984			289,401		3.14
Due after ten years			392,909			328,715		1.48
Total		$	1,071,858		$	950,587		1.83	%

The entire carrying amount of each security at December 31, 2022 is reflected in the above table in the maturity period that includes the final security payment date and, accordingly, no effect has been given to periodic repayments or possible prepayments. The weighted average duration of our securities available-for-sale approximated 3.5 years as of December 31, 2022 when giving consideration to anticipated repayments or possible prepayments, which is significantly less than their weighted average maturity. 36

Table of Contents The following table presents the weighted average contractual maturity of our securities available-for-sale:


		December 31,
		2022
Weighted average contractual maturity (years) - Available-for-sale:
Treasury securities		2.33
Corporate securities		7.88
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMOs		17.35
State and municipal obligations		4.21

Securities held-to-maturity

Our investment in securities held-to-maturity totaled $585.8 million at December 31, 2022. The average duration of these securities was 6.1 years as of December 31, 2022.

The following table presents the amortized cost, fair value and weighted average yield of our securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2022, categorized by remaining period to contractual maturity:


	****			****			****	Weighted	****
		Amortized			Fair			Average	****
	****	Cost		****	Value		****	Yield	****
		(Dollars in Thousands)
Due within 1 year		$	—		$	—		—	%
Due after 1 year but within 5 years			12,432			11,523		2.41
Due after 5 years but within 10 years			166,697			142,785		2.42
Due after ten years			406,669			351,451		2.60
Total		$	585,798		$	505,759		2.54	%

The entire carrying amount of each security at December 31, 2022 is reflected in the above table in the maturity period that includes the final security payment date and, accordingly, no effect has been given to periodic repayments or possible prepayments. The weighted average duration of our securities held-to-maturity approximated 6.1 years as of December 31, 2022 when giving consideration to anticipated repayments or possible prepayments, which is significantly less than their weighted average maturity.

The following table presents the weighted average contractual maturity of our securities held-to-maturity:


		December 31,
		2022
Weighted average contractual maturity (years) - Held-to-maturity:
Agency notes		7.26
Corporate securities		9.59
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMOs		22.16

Table of Contents Sources of Funds

Deposits

The following table presents our deposit accounts and the related weighted average interest rates at the dates indicated:


		December 31, 2022							December 31, 2021							December 31, 2020
					Percent			****				Percent						Percent			****
					of		Weighted					Of		Weighted				Of		Weighted	****
					Total		Average					Total		Average				Total		Average	****
	****	Amount		****	Deposits	****	Rate	****	Amount		****	Deposits	****	Rate	****	Amount		Deposits		Rate	****
	****	(Dollars in Thousands)
Savings accounts		$	2,260,101	****	22.0	%	2.24	%	$	1,158,040		11.1	%	0.03	%	$	414,809	9.2	%	0.12	%
CDs		****	1,115,364	****	10.9	****	2.25			853,242		8.2		0.58			1,322,638	29.2		0.84
Money market accounts		****	2,532,270	****	24.7	****	1.50			3,621,552		34.6		0.07			1,716,624	37.9		0.24
Interest-bearing checking accounts		****	827,454	****	8.1	****	1.01			905,717		8.7		0.18			290,300	6.4		0.10
Non-interest-bearing checking accounts		****	3,519,218	****	34.3	****	—			3,920,423		37.5		—			780,751	17.3		—
Totals		$	10,254,407	****	100.00	%	1.19	%	$	10,458,974		100.00	%	0.09	%	$	4,525,122	100.00	%	0.36	%

The weighted average maturity of our CDs at December 31, 2022 was 7.6 months, compared to 7.7 months at December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the portion of deposit accounts in excess of the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit was $5.73 billion and $5.83 billion, respectively.

The following table sets forth the amount of time deposits in uninsured accounts by maturity, all of which are CDs:


(In thousands)	December 31, 2022
Maturity Period
Three months or less	$	132,925
Over three through six months		241,143
Over six through twelve months		125,971
Over twelve months		41,901
Total	$	541,940

As of December 31, 2022, the portion of uninsured time deposits in excess of the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit was $420.4 million.

Our Board of Directors authorized the Bank to accept brokered deposits up to an aggregate limit of 10.0% of total assets. At December 31, 2022, brokered deposits totaled $538.9 million, which included purchased CDs from the CDARS program, purchased MMAs from the ICS program and purchased CDs through a broker. At December 31, 2021, brokered deposits totaled $200.0 million, which included purchased MMAs from the ICS program. At December 31, 2020, brokered deposits totaled $343.0 million, which included purchased CDs from the CDARS program, purchased MMAs from the ICS program and purchased CDs through a broker.

Borrowings

The Bank’s total borrowing line with FHLBNY equaled $4.13 billion at December 31, 2022. The Bank had $1.13 billion of FHLBNY advances outstanding at December 31, 2022, and $25.0 million at December 31, 2021. The Bank maintained sufficient collateral, as defined by the FHLBNY (principally in the form of real estate loans), to secure such advances.

The Company had $1.4 million outstanding of securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) at December 31, 2022. The Company had $1.9 million outstanding of securities sold under agreements to repurchase at December 31, 2021. 38

Table of Contents Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and management of the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by ALCO. On a daily basis, appropriate senior management receives a current cash position report and one-week forecast to ensure that all short-term obligations are timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund future activities. Reports detailing the Bank’s liquidity reserves are presented to appropriate senior management on a monthly basis, and the Board of Directors at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to ALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity concerns. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming 12 months is presented to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Liquidity is primarily needed to meet customer borrowing commitments and deposit withdrawals, either on demand or on contractual maturity, to repay borrowings as they mature, to fund current and planned expenditures and to make new loans and investments as opportunities arise. The Bank’s primary sources of funding for its lending and investment activities include deposits, loan and MBS payments, investment security principal and interest payments and advances from the FHLBNY. The Bank may also sell or securitize selected multifamily residential, mixed-use or one-to-four family residential real estate loans to private sector secondary market purchasers, and has in the past sold such loans to FNMA and FHLMC. The Company may additionally issue debt or equity under appropriate circumstances. Although maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and investments are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and prepayments on real estate loans and MBS are influenced by interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

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

The Bank utilizes repurchase agreements as part of its borrowing policy to add liquidity. Repurchase agreements represent funds received from customers, generally on an overnight basis, which are collateralized by investment securities. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank’s repurchase agreements totaled $1.4 million, included in other short-term borrowings on the consolidated balance sheets.

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

Total deposits decreased $204.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to an increase of $5.93 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in total deposits during the 2021 period was primarily due to the acquisition of deposits in the Merger. Within deposits, core deposits (i.e., non-CDs) decreased $466.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and increased $6.40 billion during the year ended December 31. 2021. CDs increased $262.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to a decrease of $469.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in CDs during the current period was primarily due to a $294.1 million increase in brokered CDs.

The Bank increased its outstanding FHLBNY advances by $1.11 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a $1.18 billion decrease during the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 13. “Federal Home Loan Bank Advances” to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

Subordinated debentures totaled $200.3 million at December 31, 2022 and $197.1 million at December 31, 2021. See Note 14. “Subordinated Debentures” to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

In the event that the Bank should require funds beyond its ability or desire to generate them internally, an additional source of funds is available through its borrowing line at the FHLBNY or borrowing capacity through AFX and lines of credit 39

Table of Contents with unaffiliated correspondent banks. At December 31, 2022, the Bank had an additional unused borrowing capacity of $1.57 billion through the FHLBNY, subject to customary minimum FHLBNY common stock ownership requirements (i.e., 4.5% of the Bank’s outstanding FHLBNY borrowings).

During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, real estate loan originations totaled $2.67 billion and $1.67 billion, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, C&I loan originations totaled $160.1 million and $647.6 million, respectively. Included in the 2021 period was PPP loan originations of $579.9 million. The PPP program ended on May 31, 2021.

The Bank did not have proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale during the year ended December 31, 2022. Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $138.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Purchases of available-for-sale securities totaled $39.2 million and $1.10 billion during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Proceeds from pay downs and calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities were $165.1 million and $411.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Bank did not have proceeds from sales of held-to-maturity securities during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Purchases of held-to-maturity securities totaled $63.2 million and $40.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Proceeds from pay downs and calls and maturities of held-to-maturity securities were $31.7 million and $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company and the Bank are subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements imposed by its primary federal regulator. As a general matter, these capital requirements are based on the amount and composition of an institution’s assets. At December 31, 2022, each of the Company and the Bank were in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements and the Bank was considered "well capitalized" for all regulatory purposes.

The Holding Company repurchased 1,431,241 shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Holding Company repurchased 1,755,061 shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, up to 1,603,760 shares remained available for purchase under the authorized share repurchase programs. See "Part II - Item 5. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" for additional information about repurchases of common stock.

The Holding Company paid $7.3 million in cash dividends on its preferred stock during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Holding Company paid $36.8 million and $39.4 million in cash dividends on its common stock during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

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

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of its loan origination business, the Bank generally has outstanding commitments to extend credit to borrowers, which are originated pursuant to its regular underwriting standards. Available lines of credit may not be drawn on or may expire prior to funding, in whole or in part, and amounts are not estimates of future cash flows. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $271.6 million of firm loan commitments that were accepted by the borrowers.

Additionally, in connection with a loan securitization transaction that was completed in 2017, the Bank executed a reimbursement agreement with FHLMC that obligates the Company to reimburse FHLMC for any contractual principal and interest payments on defaulted loans, not to exceed 10% of the original principal amount of the loans comprising the aggregate balance of the loan pool at securitization. The maximum exposure under this reimbursement obligation is $28.0 million. The Bank has pledged $28.0 million of pass-through MBS issued by GSEs as collateral. 40

Table of Contents Recently Issued Accounting Standards

For a discussion of the impact of recently issued accounting standards, please see Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

General

The Company’s largest component of market risk remains interest rate risk. The Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we conducted zero transactions involving derivative instruments requiring bifurcation in order to hedge interest rate or market risk.

Asset/Liability Management

Management considers interest rate risk to be the most significant market risk for the Company. Market risk is the risk of losses from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in net income as a result of changes in interest rates.

The Company’s primary earnings source is net interest income, which is affected by changes in the level of interest rates, the relationship between rates, the impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments, the level and composition of deposits and liabilities, and the credit quality of earning assets. Our asset and liability management objectives are to maintain a strong, stable net interest margin, to utilize its capital effectively without taking undue risks, to maintain adequate liquidity, and to reduce vulnerability of our operations to changes in interest rates.

Our Asset and Liability Committee evaluates periodically, but no less than four times annually, the impact of changes in market interest rates on assets and liabilities, net interest margin, capital and liquidity. Risk assessments are governed by policies and limits established by senior management, which are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors at least annually. The economic environment continually presents uncertainties as to future interest rate trends. The Asset and Liability Committee regularly utilizes a model that projects net interest income based on increasing or decreasing interest rates, in order to be better able to respond to changes in interest rates.

At December 31, 2022, $1.31 billion, or 85.2%, of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities had fixed interest rates. At December 31, 2022, $7.70 billion, or 72.9%, of our loan portfolio had adjustable or floating interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect the value of interest-earning assets and, in particular, the securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates could result in decreases in the market value of interest-earning assets, which could adversely affect stockholders’ equity and the results of operations if sold. The Company is also subject to reinvestment risk associated with changes in interest rates. Changes in market interest rates also could affect the type (fixed-rate or adjustable-rate) and amount of loans originated and the average life of loans and securities, which can impact the yields earned on loans and securities. In periods of decreasing interest rates, the average life of loans and securities held may be shortened to the extent increased prepayment activity occurs during such periods which, in turn, may result in the investment of funds from such prepayments in lower yielding assets. Under these circumstances, the Company is subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that management is unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may result in decreasing loan prepayments with respect to fixed rate loans (and, therefore, an increase in the average life of such loans), may result in a decrease in loan demand, and may make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans. In addition, increases in interest rates may result in the extensions of the average life of securities which may result in lower cash flows to the Bank.

Interest Rate Risk Exposure Analysis

Economic Value of Equity ("EVE") Analysis. In accordance with agency regulatory guidelines, the Company simulates the impact of interest rate volatility upon EVE using several interest rate scenarios. EVE is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the value of any off-balance sheet items, such as derivatives, if applicable. 41

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

In order to measure the Company’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates, EVE is calculated under market interest rates prevailing at a given quarter-end ("Pre-Shock Scenario"), and under various other interest rate scenarios ("Rate Shock Scenarios") representing immediate, permanent, parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates from the actual term structure observed in the Pre-Shock Scenario. An increase in the EVE is considered favorable, while a decline is considered unfavorable. The changes in EVE between the Pre-Shock Scenario and various Rate Shock Scenarios due to fluctuations in interest rates reflect the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items that are included in the EVE. Management reports the EVE results to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The report compares the Company’s estimated Pre-Shock Scenario EVE to the estimated EVE calculated under the various Rate Shock Scenarios.

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

The analysis that follows presents, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the estimated EVE at both the Pre-Shock Scenario and the +100 Basis Point Rate and +200 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenarios.


		December 31, 2022							December 31, 2021
	****			Dollar			Percentage	****			Dollar		Percentage	****
(Dollars in thousands)		EVE		Change			Change		EVE		Change		Change	****
Rate Shock Scenarios
+ 200 Basis Points		$	1,717,562	$	78,373		4.8%		$	1,413,179	$	194,959	16.0%
+ 100 Basis Points			1,703,131		63,942	****	3.9%			1,334,981		116,761	9.6%
Pre-Shock Scenario		****	1,639,189	****	—	****	—			1,218,220		—	—

The Company’s Pre-Shock Scenario EVE increased from $1.22 billion at December 31, 2021 to $1.64 billion at December 31, 2022. The primary factor contributing to the increase in EVE at December 31, 2022, was the increase in value of the Bank’s low-cost deposit base relative to the current rate environment. Throughout 2022, market interest rates utilized in the calculation of economic value increased materially across all yield curve points. However, the Bank continued to maintain a relatively low-cost funding base during this time even as market rates have risen measurably, resulting in additional economic value.

The Company’s EVE in the +100 Basis Point Rate and +200 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenarios increased from $1.33 billion and $1.41 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2021, to $1.70 billion and $1.72 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2022. 42

Table of Contents Income Simulation Analysis. As of the end of each quarterly period, the Company also monitors the impact of interest rate changes through a net interest income simulation model. This model estimates the impact of interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest income over forward-looking periods typically not exceeding 36 months (a considerably shorter period than measured through the EVE analysis). Management reports the net interest income simulation results to the Company’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The following table discloses the estimated changes to the Company’s net interest income in various time periods assuming gradual changes in interest rates over a 12-month period beginning December 31, 2022, for the given rate scenarios:


	Percentage Change in Net Interest Income
Gradual Change in Interest rates of:	Year-One	Year-Two
+ 200 Basis Points	(1.9)%	1.4%
+ 100 Basis Points	(0.9)%	1.2%
- 100 Basis Points	0.0%	(3.4)%

Management also examines the potential impact to net interest income by simulating the impact of instantaneous changes to interest rates. The following table discloses the estimated changes to the Company’s net interest income in various time periods associated with the given interest rate shock scenarios:


	Percentage Change in Net Interest Income
Instantaneous Rate Shock Scenarios	Year-One	Year-Two
+ 200 Basis Points	(2.2)%	3.4%
+ 100 Basis Points	(0.9)%	2.3%
- 100 Basis Points	(1.2)%	(4.9)%

Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

For the Company’s consolidated financial statements with the notes thereto, see pages hereafter.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)


		December 31,
	****	2022		****	2021
Assets:
Cash and due from banks		$	169,297		$	393,722
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value			950,587			1,563,711
Securities held-to-maturity			585,798			179,309
Loans held for sale		****	—			5,493
Loans held for investment, net of fees and costs			10,566,831			9,244,661
Allowance for credit losses		****	(83,507)			(83,853)
Total loans held for investment, net		****	10,483,324			9,160,808
Premises and fixed assets, net		****	46,749			50,368
Premises held for sale			—			556
Restricted stock		****	88,745			37,732
Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI")		****	333,292			295,789
Goodwill		****	155,797			155,797
Other intangible assets			6,484			8,362
Operating lease assets		****	57,857			64,258
Derivative assets			154,485			45,086
Accrued interest receivable			48,561			40,149
Other assets		****	108,945			65,224
Total assets		$	13,189,921		$	12,066,364

Liabilities:		****	****
Interest-bearing deposits		$	6,735,189		$	6,538,551
Non-interest-bearing deposits		****	3,519,218			3,920,423
Total deposits		****	10,254,407			10,458,974
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") advances		****	1,131,000			25,000
Other short-term borrowings			1,360			1,862
Subordinated debt, net		****	200,283			197,096
Derivative cash collateral			153,040			4,550
Operating lease liabilities		****	60,340			66,103
Derivative liabilities			137,335			40,728
Other liabilities		****	82,573			79,431
Total liabilities		****	12,020,338			10,873,744
		****	****
Commitments and contingencies		****	****

Stockholders' equity:		****	****
Preferred stock, Series A ($0.01 par, $25.00 liquidation value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and 5,299,200 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021)		****	116,569			116,569
Common stock ($0.01 par, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 41,621,772 shares and 41,610,939 shares issued at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and 38,573,000 shares and 39,877,833 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)		****	416			416
Additional paid-in capital		****	495,410			494,125
Retained earnings		****	762,762			654,726
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes		****	(94,379)			(6,181)
Unearned equity awards		****	(8,078)			(7,842)
Treasury stock, at cost (3,048,772 shares and 1,733,106 shares at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)		****	(103,117)			(59,193)
Total stockholders' equity		****	1,169,583			1,192,620
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	13,189,921		$	12,066,364

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 44

Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)



		Year Ended December 31,
	****	2022		****	2021		****	2020
Interest income:
Loans		$	406,601		$	359,016		$	216,566
Securities			29,224			22,634			14,159
Other short-term investments		****	3,400			2,976			3,282
Total interest income		****	439,225			384,626			234,007
Interest expense:		****	****
Deposits and escrow		****	38,433			16,527			33,038
Borrowed funds		****	19,117			10,490			23,265
Derivative cash collateral			1,812			—			—
Total interest expense		****	59,362			27,017			56,303
Net interest income		****	379,863			357,609			177,704
Provision for credit losses		****	5,374			6,212			26,165
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		****	374,489			351,397			151,539

Non-interest income:		****	****
Service charges and other fees		****	16,206			15,998			5,571
Title fees			2,031			2,338			—
Loan level derivative income			3,637			2,909			8,872
BOLI income			10,346			7,071			4,859
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans			1,797			23,033			1,118
Gain on sale of residential loans			448			1,758			1,884
Net gain on equity securities			—			131			361
Net gain on sale of securities and other assets			1,397			1,705			4,592
Loss on termination of derivatives			—			(16,505)			(6,596)
Other		****	2,294			3,630			612
Total non-interest income		****	38,156			42,068			21,273
Non-interest expense:		****	****
Salaries and employee benefits		****	120,108			108,331			60,756
Severance			2,198			1,875			4,000
Occupancy and equipment		****	30,220			30,697			16,177
Data processing costs		****	15,175			16,638			8,329
Marketing		****	5,900			4,661			1,458
Professional services			8,069			9,284			3,394
Federal deposit insurance premiums		****	3,900			4,077			2,257
Loss from extinguishment of debt for FHLB advances and subordinated debt			740			1,751			1,104
Curtailment loss (gain)			—			1,543			(1,651)
Merger expenses and transaction costs			—			44,824			15,256
Branch restructuring costs			—			5,059			—
Amortization of other intangible assets			1,878			2,622			—
Other		****	12,542			13,937			6,748
Total non-interest expense		****	200,730			245,299			117,828
Income before income taxes		****	211,915			148,166			54,984
Income tax expense		****	59,359			44,170			12,666
Net income			152,556			103,996			42,318
Preferred stock dividends			7,286			7,286			4,783
Net income available to common stockholders		$	145,270		$	96,710		$	37,535
Earnings per common share:		****	****
Basic		$	3.73		$	2.45		$	1.74
Diluted		$	3.73		$	2.45		$	1.74

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)



		Year Ended December 31,
	****	2022		****	2021		****	2020
Net income		$	152,556		$	103,996		$	42,318
Other comprehensive income (loss):		****	****
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities:
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) during the period		****	(138,630)			(28,865)			16,432
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on sale of securities and other assets			—			(1,207)			(4,592)
Accretion of net unrealized loss on securities transferred to held-to-maturity			2,953			—			—
Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense		****	(3,715)			(1,092)			(1,272)
Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss			—			1,543			(1,651)
Change in the net actuarial gain			(2,062)			6,563			2,817
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) during the period		****	14,412			5,277			(24,449)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives			—			16,505			6,596
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense			(1,621)			940			6,127
Other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes		****	(128,663)			(336)			8
Deferred tax benefit		****	(40,465)			(79)			(8)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		****	(88,198)			(257)			16
Total comprehensive income		$	64,358		$	103,739		$	42,334

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)


										Accumulated				Common Stock
										Other				Held by
										Comprehensive				Benefit
	Number of					Additional				Loss,		Unearned		Maintenance		Treasury		Total
	Shares of	Preferred		Common		Paid-in		Retained		Net of Deferred		Equity		Plan		Stock,		Stockholders’
	Common Stock	Stock		Stock		Capital		Earnings		Taxes		Awards		("BMP")		at cost		Equity
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2020	22,780,208	$	—	$	348	$	279,511	$	581,817	$	(5,940)	$	(6,731)	$	(1,496)	$	(250,751)	$	596,758

Net income	—		—		—		—		42,318		—		—		—		—		42,318
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		16		—		—		—		16
Exercise of stock options, net	1,972		—		—		38		—		—		—		—		—		38
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	52,894		—		—		(1,254)		—		—		(492)		—		1,830		84
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		7,223		—		—		7,223
Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net	—		116,569		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		116,569
Shares received related to tax withholding	(125,061)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(3,060)		(3,060)
Cash dividends declared and paid to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(4,783)		—		—		—		—		(4,783)
Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(18,711)		—		—		—		—		(18,711)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,477,029)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(35,356)		(35,356)
Ending balance as of December 31, 2020	21,232,984		116,569		348		278,295		600,641		(5,924)		—		(1,496)		(287,337)		701,096

Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 1)	—		—		—		—		1,686		—		—		—		—		1,686
Adjusted balance on January 1, 2021	21,232,984		116,569		348		278,295		602,327		(5,924)		—		(1,496)		(287,337)		702,782

Net income	—		—		—		—		103,996		—		—		—		—		103,996
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		(257)		—		—		—		(257)
Reverse merger with Bridge Bancorp Inc.	19,992,284		—		65		206,641		—		—		(2,603)		—		287,107		491,210
Exercise of stock options, net	20,629		—		—		258		—		—		—		—		173		431
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	431,440		—		3		10,411		—		—		(10,646)		—		1,385		1,153
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		5,407		—		—		5,407
Shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits	(41,101)		—		—		(1,359)		—		—		—		1,496		(1,130)		(993)
Shares received related to tax withholding	(3,342)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(111)		(111)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(7,286)		—		—		—		—		(7,286)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(44,311)		—		—		—		—		(44,311)
Redemption of real estate investment trust ("REIT") preferred stock	—		—		—		(121)		—		—		—		—		—		(121)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,755,061)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(59,280)		(59,280)
Ending balance as of December 31, 2021	39,877,833		116,569		416		494,125		654,726		(6,181)		(7,842)		—		(59,193)		1,192,620

Net income	—		—		—		—		152,556		—		—		—		—		152,556
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		—		(88,198)		—		—		—		(88,198)
Release of shares, net of forfeitures	171,838		—		—		1,287		—		—		(4,514)		—		4,394		1,167
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		—		—		4,278		—		—		4,278
Shares received related to tax withholding	(45,430)		—		—		(2)		—		—		—		—		(1,556)		(1,558)
Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders	—		—		—		—		(7,286)		—		—		—		—		(7,286)
Cash dividends declared to common stockholders	—		—		—		—		(37,234)		—		—		—		—		(37,234)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,431,241)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(46,762)		(46,762)
Ending balance as of December 31, 2022	38,573,000	$	116,569	$	416	$	495,410	$	762,762	$	(94,379)	$	(8,078)	$	—	$	(103,117)	$	1,169,583

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	152,556	$	103,996	$	42,318
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	****	****
Net gain on sales of securities available-for-sale and other assets	****	(1,397)		(1,705)		(4,592)
Net gain on equity securities	****	—		(131)		(361)
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale	****	(2,245)		(24,791)		(3,002)
Loss on termination of derivatives		—		16,505		6,596
Net depreciation, amortization and accretion	****	8,314		7,805		5,069
Amortization of other intangible assets		1,878		2,622		—
Loss on extinguishment of debt		740		1,751		1,104
Stock-based compensation	****	4,278		5,407		7,223
Provision for credit losses	****	5,374		6,212		26,165
Originations of loans held for sale	****	(20,709)		(48,610)		(50,359)
Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale	****	46,474		77,184		62,383
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI	****	(8,190)		(6,721)		(3,725)
Gain from death benefits from BOLI		(2,156)		(350)		(1,134)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	****	(35,170)		125,486		(16,175)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	****	145,425		(118,333)		(11,578)
Net cash provided by operating activities	****	295,172		146,327		59,932
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	****	****
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	****	—		138,077		94,252
Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities	****	—		6,101		546
Purchases of securities available-for-sale	****	(39,232)		(1,095,028)		(219,621)
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity		(63,210)		(40,249)		—
Acquisition of marketable equity securities		—		—		(261)
Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale	****	165,097		411,031		153,119
Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities held-to-maturity		31,736		1,360		—
Purchase of BOLI	****	(30,000)		(40,000)		(40,000)
Proceeds received from cash surrender value of BOLI		2,843		1,464		3,020
Loans purchased	****	—		(9,855)		(29,892)
Proceeds from the sale of portfolio loans transferred to held for sale	****	13,201		684,898		47,830
Net (increase) decrease in loans	****	(1,359,782)		282,683		(327,736)
(Purchases) sales of fixed assets, net	****	(3,745)		14		(954)
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets and premises held for sale		1,914		—		—
(Purchases) redemptions of restricted stock, net	****	(51,013)		46,337		(4,688)
Net cash received in business combination		—		715,988		—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	****	(1,332,191)		1,102,821		(324,385)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	****	****
(Decrease) increase in deposits	****	(204,233)		518,682		176,027
Proceeds (repayments) from FHLBNY advances, short-term, net	****	1,070,000		(1,228,865)		127,500
Repayments of FHLBNY advances, long-term		—		(190,150)		(113,190)
Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, long-term		36,000		25,000		97,450
(Repayments) proceeds of other short-term borrowings, net	****	(502)		(118,138)		10,000
Proceeds from subordinated debentures issuance, net		157,559		—		—
Redemption of subordinated debentures		(155,000)		—		—
Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net		—		—		116,569
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	****	—		431		38
Release of stock for benefit plan awards	****	1,167		1,153		84
Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards	****	(1,558)		(111)		(3,060)
BMP Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits	****	—		(993)		—
Purchase of treasury stock	****	(46,762)		(59,280)		(35,356)
Redemption of REIT preferred stock	****	—		(121)		—
Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders		(7,286)		(7,286)		(4,783)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	****	(36,791)		(39,351)		(18,711)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	****	812,594		(1,099,029)		352,568
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	****	(224,425)		150,119		88,115
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	****	393,722		243,603		155,488
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	169,297		393,722		243,603
	****	****
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	****	****
Cash paid for income taxes	$	43,518		34,771		15,755
Cash paid for interest	****	54,910		28,460		59,138
Securities available-for-sale transferred to held-to-maturity		372,154		140,399		—
Loans transferred to held for sale	****	34,997		692,751		62,243
Loans transferred to held for investment		4,051		—		—
Premises transferred to (from) held for sale		—		2,799		(514)
Operating lease assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities		5,098		9,769		1,524
Cumulative change due to Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") Standard adoption	****	—		1,686		—
Net non-cash liabilities assumed in Merger (See Note 2)	****	—		324,937		—

Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars In Thousands except for share amounts)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation

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

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

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

As of December 31, 2022, we operated 59 branch locations throughout Long Island and New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx.

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

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the financial institution industry. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the Bank and its subsidiaries. Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The following is a description of the significant accounting policies that the Company follows in preparing its consolidated financial statements. 49

Table of Contents Use of Estimates

To prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes judgments, estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ.

Risks and Uncertainties

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

In March 2020, the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 has materially, adversely impacted labor supply, supply chains, and certain industries in which our customers and vendors operate, and could continue to materially impair their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. Further additional outbreaks of COVID-19 variants could lead to economic recession and other severe disruptions in the U.S. economy, may disrupt banking and other financial activity in the areas in which we operate, and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for us. Future government actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination mandates, may also affect our workforce, human capital resources, and infrastructure.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The CARES Act was intended to provide relief and lessen a severe economic downturn. The stimulus package included direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also included extensive emergency funding for hospitals and healthcare providers. Subsequently, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was enacted to provide supplemental relief.

It is possible that there will be continued material, adverse impacts to significant estimates, asset valuations, and business operations, including intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, derivative counterparty risk, changes in consumer behavior, and supply chain interruptions.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash and deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, and interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions.

Securities - Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting in observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and report accrued interest separately in accrued interest receivable in the consolidated balance sheet. A debt security is placed on non-accrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. There were no non-accrual debt securities at December 31, 2022 and 2021, and there was no accrued interest related to debt securities reversed against interest income for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Restricted Stock – Restricted stock represents Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB” or “FHLBNY”) capital stock, Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) capital stock, and Bankers’ Bank capital stock, which are reported at cost. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a particular amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The Bank is a member of the FRB. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FRB capital stock. The Bank has a relationship with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”). The relationship requires the purchase of shares of ACBB capital stock. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. 50

Table of Contents

Loans Held for Sale - Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market, as well as identified problem loans which are subject to an executed note sale agreement, are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or net realizable proceeds. Loans originated and intended for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. Certain loans in which the borrower does not adhere to all of the terms and conditions of the legal contract were best resolved through the sale of the asset rather than through litigation through our workout department. These loans were reclassified.

Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of partial charge-offs, deferred origination costs and fees and purchase premiums and discounts. Loan origination, commitment fees and certain direct and indirect costs incurred in connection with loan originations are deferred and amortized to income over the life of the related loans as adjustments to yield. When a loan prepays, the remaining unamortized net deferred origination fees or costs are recognized in the current year. Interest on loans is credited to income based on the principal outstanding during the period. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of loans and report accrued interest separately from the related loan balance in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Loans that are 90 days past due are automatically placed on non-accrual and previously accrued interest is reversed and charged against interest income. However, if the loan is in the process of collection and the Bank has reasonable assurance that the loan will be fully collectable based upon an individual loan evaluation assessing such factors as collateral and collectability, accrued interest will be recognized as earned. If a payment is received when a loan is non-accrual or is a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), the payment is applied to the principal balance. A TDR loan performing in accordance with its modified terms is maintained on accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Unless otherwise noted, the above policy is applied consistently to all loan segments.

Allowance for Credit Losses - On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the CECL Standard, which requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets at amortized cost, such as loans receivable, securities, and off-balance sheet credit exposures, held as of the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts to cover lifetime expected credit losses. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses is established and maintained through a provision for credit losses based on expected losses inherent within the financial asset holdings. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis, and additions to the allowance are charged to expense and realized losses, net of recoveries, are charged against the allowance.

Allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities – Management classifies its held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs, Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, Agency Notes and Corporate Securities. The majority of the securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio are issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities or agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. To the extent that debt securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio share common risk characteristics, expected credit losses are calculated by pools of such debt securities. The historical lifetime probability of default and severity of loss in the event of default is derived or obtained from external sources and adjusted for the expected effects of reasonable and supportable forecasts over the expected lifetime of the securities.

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

With respect to certain classes of debt securities, primarily U.S. Treasuries and securities issued by Government Sponsored Entities or agencies, the Company considers the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero, even if the U.S. government were to technically default. Therefore, for those securities, the Company does not record expected credit losses.

Allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities - Management evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent of the unrealized loss, and the near-term prospects of the issuer. Impairment may result from credit deterioration of the issuer or collateral underlying the security. In performing an assessment of whether any decline in fair value is due to a credit loss, all relevant information is considered at the individual security level. For asset-backed securities performance indicators considered related to the underlying assets include default rates, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing assets, debt-to-collateral ratios, third party guarantees, 51

Table of Contents current levels of subordination, vintage, geographic concentration, analyst reports and forecasts, credit ratings and other market data. In assessing whether a credit loss exists, we compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount the fair value is less than amortized cost basis. Declines in fair value that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses, such as declines due to changes in market interest rates, are excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Management also assesses whether it intends to sell or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings.

Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment – The Company utilizes a model which compares the amortized cost basis of the loan to the net present value of expected cash flows to be collected. Expected credit losses are determined by aggregating the individual cash flows and calculating a loss percentage by loan segment, or pool, for loans that share similar risk characteristics. For a loan that does not share risk characteristics with other loans, the Company will evaluate the loan on an individual basis. The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment is considered a critical accounting policy by management given the judgement required for determining assumptions used, uncertainty of economic forecasts, and subjectivity of any qualitative factors considered.

The Company evaluates its loan pooling methodology at least annually. The Company has identified the following loan pools used to measure the allowance for credit losses as follows:

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

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

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

Acquisition, development, and construction loans - Loans in this classification consist of loans to purchase land intended for further development, including single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial income properties. In general, the maximum loan-to-value ratio for a land acquisition loan is 50% of the appraised value of the 52

Table of Contents property. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices.

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

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

Troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) – As allowed by ASC 326, the Company elected to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were TDRs as of the date of adoption. A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except when the value of a concession cannot be measured using a method other than the discounted cash flow method. When the value of a concession is measured using the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit loss is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the original interest rate of the loan. The allowance for credit losses on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring.

Management estimates the allowance for credit losses on each loan pool using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historically observed credit loss experience of peer banks within our geography provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses on similar loan pools. Within the model, assumptions are made in the determination of probability of default, loss given default, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, prepayment rate, curtailment rate, and recovery lag periods. Statistical regression is utilized to relate historical macro-economic variables to historical credit loss experience of the peer group. These models are then utilized to forecast future expected loan losses based on expected future behavior of the same macro-economic variables. Adjustments to the quantitative results are adjusted using qualitative factors. These factors include: (1) lending policies and procedures; (2) international, national, regional and local economic business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various markets; (3) the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; (4) the experience, ability, and depth of the lending management and other relevant staff; (5) the volume and severity of past due loans; (6) the quality of our loan review system; (7) the value of underlying collateral for collateralized loans; (8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (9) the effect of external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the existing portfolio. Collectively evaluated loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $10.52 billion and $57.1 million at December 31, 2022, respectively.

Individually evaluated loans – Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis based on various factors, and are not included in the collective pool evaluation. Factors that may be considered are borrower delinquency trends and non-accrual status, probability of foreclosure or note sale, changes in the borrower’s circumstances or cash collections, borrower’s industry, or other facts and circumstances of the loan or collateral. For a loan that does not share risk characteristics with other loans, expected credit loss is measured based on net realizable value, that is, the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For these loans, the Company recognizes expected credit loss equal to the amount by which the net realizable value of the loan is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan (which is net of previous charge-offs), except when the loan is collateral dependent, that is, when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. In these cases, expected credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral. The fair value of the collateral is adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the collateral if repayment or satisfaction of a loan is dependent on the sale (rather than only on the operation) of the collateral. 53

Table of Contents Individually evaluated loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $47.6 million and $26.4 million at December 31, 2022, respectively.

The fair value of real estate collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. Appraisals are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Appraisals undergo a second review process to ensure that the methodology employed and the values derived are reasonable. Generally, collateral values for real estate loans for which measurement of expected losses is dependent on collateral values are updated every twelve months. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation and management’s expertise and knowledge of the borrower and its business. Once the expected credit loss amount is determined, an allowance is provided for equal to the calculated expected credit loss and included in the allowance for credit losses. Pursuant to the Company’s policy, credit losses must be charged-off in the period the loans, or portions thereof, are deemed uncollectable.

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

For further discussion of our loan accounting and acquisitions, see Note 2 – Merger and Note 5 – Loans.

Derivatives – The Company may engage in two types of derivatives depending on the Company’s intentions and belief as to the likely effectiveness as a hedge. These two types are (1) a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”) or (2) an instrument with no hedging designation (“freestanding derivatives”). For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings as non-interest income.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an on-going basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transaction will affect earnings.

The Company is exposed to losses if a counterparty fails to make its payments under a contract in which the Company is in the net receiving position. The Company anticipates that the counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under the agreements. All the contracts to which the Company is a party settle monthly. In addition, the Company obtains collateral above certain thresholds of the fair value of its hedges from each counterparty based upon their credit standing and the Company has netting agreements with the dealers with which it does business.

Other Real Estate Owned (‘OREO”) - Properties acquired as a result of foreclosure on a real estate loan or a deed in lieu of foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of residential real estate collateralizing a one-to-four family residential loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value 54

Table of Contents less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the recorded balance subsequent to acquisition by the Company are recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Premises and Fixed Assets, Net - Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives generally ranging from forty to fifty years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives generally ranging from three to ten years.

Leases - On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 2016-02 "Leases (ASC Topic 842)" and subsequent amendments thereto, which requires the Company to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the standard under a modified retrospective approach as of the date of adoption and elected to apply several of the available practical expedients, including:

●	Carryover of historical lease determination and lease classification conclusions
●	Carryover of historical initial direct cost balances for existing leases
---	---
●	Accounting for lease and non-lease components in contracts in which the Company is a lessee as a single lease component
---	---

Adoption of the leasing standard resulted in the recognition of operating right-of-use assets, and operating lease liabilities. These amounts were determined based on the present value of remaining minimum lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as of the date of adoption. There was no material impact to the timing of expense or income recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Disclosures about the Company’s leasing activities are presented in Note 8.

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

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of the asset may be impaired. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of every year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstance indicate the asset might be impaired.

Other intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives of ten years.

Servicing Right Assets ("SRA") – When real estate or C&I loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. SRAs are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, anticipated net servicing income. All separately recognized SRAs are required to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. The estimated fair value of loan servicing assets is determined by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates derived based upon actual historical results for the Bank, or, in the absence of such data, from historical results for the Bank’s peers. Capitalized loan servicing assets are stratified based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans (i.e., collateral, interest rate, servicing spread and maturity) for the purpose of evaluating impairment. A valuation allowance is then established in the event the recorded value of an individual stratum exceeds its fair value. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds, default rates, and losses.

Transfers of Financial Assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been legally isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or 55

Table of Contents exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

BOLI – BOLI is carried at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. Increases in the contract value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income and insurance proceeds received are recorded as a reduction of the contract value.

Income Taxes– Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount deemed more likely than not to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not satisfying the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no unrecognized tax positions at December 31, 2022 or 2021.

Employee Benefits – The Bank maintains two noncontributory pension plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (“Employee Retirement Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan, covering all eligible employees. As the sponsor of a single employer defined benefit plan, the Company must do the following for the Employee Retirement Plan and BNB Bank Pension Plan: (1) recognize the funded status of the benefit plans in its statements of financial condition, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value (with limited exceptions) and the benefit obligation. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation; (2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit or cost. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; (3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statements of financial condition (with limited exceptions); and (4) disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) and Outside Director Retirement Plan, were terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors. The effective date of the Dime terminations was February 1, 2021, the Merger Date.

The Company provides a 401(k) plan, which covers substantially all current employees. Newly hired employees are automatically enrolled in the plan on the 60^th^ day of employment, unless they elect not to participate.

The Holding Company and Bank maintain the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”), the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”), and the 2012 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (the “2012 Equity Incentive Plan”), (collectively the “Stock Plans”); which are discussed more fully in Note 20 Stock-Based Compensation. Under the Stock Plans, compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees based on the fair value of the awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Holding Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Basic and Diluted EPS - Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock, and prior to 2021, if all likely aggregate Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") performance-based share awards (“PSA”) were issued. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested restricted stock award ("RSA") shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA and PSA shares are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. 56

Table of Contents Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, and changes in the funded status of the pension plan, which are also recognized as separate components of equity. Comprehensive and accumulated comprehensive income are summarized in Note 3.

Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information- The Company has one reportable segment, "Community Banking." All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on the manner in which it supports the other activities of the Company. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the Bank to fund itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, there was no customer that accounted for more than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue.

Reclassifications – There have been no material reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to their current presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Standards Adopted in 2021

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

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

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

Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted

ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)

ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. ASU 2020-04 also provides numerous optional expedients for derivative accounting. ASU 2020-04 is effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Once optional expedients are elected, the amendments in this ASU must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic within the Codification. We are evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 and expect the LIBOR transition will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope

ASU 2021-01 clarifies that all derivative instruments affected by changes to the interest rates used for discounting, margining, or contract price alignment due to reference rate reform are in the scope of ASC 848. Entities may apply certain optional expedients in ASC 848 to derivative instruments that do not reference LIBOR or another rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform if there is a change to the interest rate used for discounting, margining or contract price alignment. ASU 2020-01 is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2022-01, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Fair Value Hedging-Portfolio Layer Method 57

Table of Contents ASU 2022-01 clarifies the accounting for and promotes consistency in the reporting of hedge basis adjustments applicable to both a single hedged layer and multiple layers. The amendments in ASU 2022-01 apply to all entities that elect to apply the portfolio layer method of hedge accounting in accordance with Topic 815. For public business entities, ASU 2022-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. If an entity adopts ASU 2022-01 in an interim period, the effect of adopting the amendments related to basis adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption (that is, the initial application date). The adoption of ASU 2022-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures

ASU 2022-02 eliminates troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, requires that an entity evaluate whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. ASU 2022-02 enhances existing disclosure requirements and introduces new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. For entities that have adopted the amendments of ASU 2016-13, the amendments in ASU 2022-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2022-02 on its effective date using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

MERGER

As described in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, on February 1, 2021, we completed our Merger with Legacy Dime.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

All values are in US Dollars.

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


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

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


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

The following table provides the purchase price allocation as of the Merger Date and the Bridge assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of the Merger Date as recorded by Dime Community Bancshares. We recorded the estimate of fair value based on initial valuations available at the Merger Date. We finalized all valuations and recorded final adjustments during the fourth quarter of 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, we obtained additional information and evidence that resulted in a subsequent adjustment to decrease the estimated fair value of our acquired BNB Bank Pension Plan assets, which resulted in an increase to goodwill resulting from the Merger of $458 thousand, net of tax. The subsequent adjustment to assets acquired was recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.


(In thousands)
Purchase price consideration	$	491,210

Fair value of assets acquired:
Cash and due from banks		715,988
Securities available-for-sale		651,997
Loans held for sale		10,000
Loans held for investment		4,531,640
Premises and fixed assets		37,881
Restricted stock		23,362
BOLI		94,085
Other intangible assets		10,984
Operating lease assets		45,603
Other assets		117,016
Total assets acquired		6,238,556
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
Deposits		5,405,575
Other short-term borrowings		216,298
Subordinated debt		83,200
Operating lease liabilities		45,285
Other liabilities		97,147
Total liabilities assumed		5,847,505
Fair value of net identifiable assets		391,051
Goodwill resulting from Merger	$	100,159

As a result of the Merger, we recorded $100.2 million of goodwill. The goodwill recorded is not deductible for income tax purposes. 59

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


(In thousands)
PCD loans:
Unpaid principal balance	$	295,306
Non-credit discount at acquisition		(9,050)
Unpaid principal balance, net		286,256

Allowance for credit losses at acquisition		(52,284)
Fair value at acquisition		233,972

Non-PCD loans:
Unpaid principal balance		4,289,236
Premium at acquisition		8,432
Fair value at acquisition		4,297,668

Total fair value at acquisition	$	4,531,640

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to investing and financing activities regarding the Merger are as follows for the year ended December 31, 2021:


(In thousands)
Business combination:
Fair value of tangible assets acquired	$	6,227,572
Goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible assets acquired		111,143
Liabilities assumed		5,847,505
Purchase price consideration		491,210

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

Table of Contents

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

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


	****			****			****			****	Total
											Accumulated
		Securities			Defined						Other
		Available-			Benefit						Comprehensive
	****	for-Sale		****	Plans		****	Derivatives		****	Loss
Balance as of January 1, 2021		$	12,694		$	(6,086)		$	(12,532)		$	(5,924)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(19,733)			5,520			14,883			670
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(825)			(740)			638			(927)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income during the period			(20,558)			4,780			15,521			(257)
Balance as of December 31, 2021		$	(7,864)		$	(1,306)		$	2,989		$	(6,181)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(95,030)			(1,413)			9,879			(86,564)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			2,024			(2,547)			(1,111)			(1,634)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income during the period			(93,006)			(3,960)			8,768			(88,198)
Balance as of December 31, 2022		$	(100,870)		$	(5,266)		$	11,757		$	(94,379)

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



	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities:	****	****
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) during the period	$	(138,630)	$	(28,865)	$	16,432
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on sale of securities and other assets	****	—		(1,207)		(4,592)
Accretion of net unrealized loss on securities transferred to held-to-maturity		2,953		—		—
Net change	****	(135,677)		(30,072)		11,840
Tax benefit	****	(42,671)		(9,514)		3,767
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of reclassification adjustments and tax	****	(93,006)		(20,558)		8,073
Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:	****	****
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense	****	(3,715)		(1,092)		(1,272)
Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss		—		1,543		(1,651)
Change in the net actuarial gain	****	(2,062)		6,563		2,817
Net change	****	(5,777)		7,014		(106)
Tax expense	****	(1,817)		2,234		(44)
Net change in pension and other postretirement obligations	****	(3,960)		4,780		(62)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:	****	****
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) during the period	****	14,412		5,277		(24,449)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives		—		16,505		6,596
Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense	****	(1,621)		940		6,127
Net change	****	12,791		22,722		(11,726)
Tax expense	****	4,023		7,201		(3,731)
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of reclassification adjustments and tax	****	8,768		15,521		(7,995)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$	(88,198)	$	(257)	$	16

Table of Contents

SECURITIES

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


		December 31, 2022
				Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	****	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities available-for-sale:
Treasury securities		$	246,899	$	—	$	(19,643)	$	227,256
Corporate securities		****	183,791	****	57	****	(17,075)	****	166,773
Pass-through mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") issued by government sponsored entities ("GSEs")		****	272,774	****	—	****	(31,534)	****	241,240
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs")		****	331,394	****	2	****	(50,057)	****	281,339
State and municipal obligations			37,000		—		(3,021)		33,979
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,071,858	$	59	$	(121,330)	$	950,587

		December 31, 2022
				Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrecognized		Unrecognized		Fair
(In thousands)	****	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities held-to-maturity:
Agency notes		$	89,157	$	—	$	(14,095)	$	75,062
Corporate securities			9,000		—		(553)		8,447
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs			278,281		—		(40,960)		237,321
Agency CMOs		****	209,360	****	—	****	(24,431)	****	184,929
Total securities held-to-maturity		$	585,798	$	—	$	(80,039)	$	505,759


		December 31, 2021
				Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	****	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes		$	82,476	$	—	$	(2,222)	$	80,254
Treasury securities			247,916		—		(3,147)		244,769
Corporate securities			148,430		4,354		(754)		152,030
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs			528,749		4,271		(6,566)		526,454
Agency CMOs			527,348		2,705		(8,795)		521,258
State and municipal obligations			39,175		73		(302)		38,946
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,574,094	$	11,403	$	(21,786)	$	1,563,711

		December 31, 2021
				Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrecognized		Unrecognized		Fair
(In thousands)	****	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Securities held-to-maturity:
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		$	118,382	$	59	$	(1,141)	$	117,300
Agency CMOs		****	60,927		—		(873)		60,054
Total securities held-to-maturity		$	179,309	$	59	$	(2,014)	$	177,354

The Company reassessed classification of certain investments and transferred securities with a book value of $372.2 million from available-for-sale to securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2022. The related unrealized losses of $27.7 million were converted to a discount that is being accreted through interest income on a level-yield method over the term of the securities, while the unrealized losses recorded in other comprehensive income are amortized out of other comprehensive income through interest income on a level-yield method over the remaining term of securities, with no net change to interest income. No gain or loss was recorded at the time of transfer. There were no transfers from securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2022. There were $140.4 million transferred from securities available-for-sale to securities held-to-maturity during year ended December 31, 2021. There were no transfers from securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no transfers to or from securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The carrying amount of securities pledged at December 31, 2022 and

2021

was $631.4 million and $726.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity. 62

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


	December 31, 2022
	Amortized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Value
Available-for-sale
Within one year	$	6,355	$	6,253
One to five years		277,570		255,798
Five to ten years		178,620		161,398
Beyond ten years		5,145		4,559
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO		604,168		522,579
Total	$	1,071,858	$	950,587

Held-to-maturity
Within one year	$	—	$	—
One to five years		10,000		9,314
Five to ten years		88,157		74,195
Beyond ten years		—		—
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO		487,641		422,250
Total	$	585,798	$	505,759

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


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020
Securities available-for-sale
Proceeds	$	—	$	138,077	$	94,252
Gross gains		—		1,327		4,592
Tax expense on gains		—		421		1,444
Gross losses		—		120		—
Tax benefit on losses		—		38		—

Marketable equity securities were fully liquidated in connection with the termination of the BMP. Prior to termination, the Company held marketable equity securities as the underlying mutual fund investments of the BMP, held in a rabbi trust.

A summary of the sales of marketable equity securities is listed below for the periods indicated:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		2021		2020
Proceeds:
Marketable equity securities		$	—	$	6,101	$	546

The remaining gain or loss on securities shown in the consolidated statements of income was due to market valuation changes. Net gains on marketable equity securities of $131 thousand and $361 thousand were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

There were no sales of securities held-to-maturity during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time the securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:


		December 31, 2022
		Less than 12						12 Consecutive
		Consecutive Months						Months or Longer						Total
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
(In thousands)	****	Value		****	Losses		****	Value		****	Losses		****	Value		****	Losses
Securities available-for-sale:
Treasury securities		$	—		$	—		$	227,256		$	19,643		$	227,256		$	19,643
Corporate securities			110,707			8,494			50,116			8,581			160,823			17,075
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs			50,813			2,010			190,427			29,524			241,240			31,534
Agency CMOs			55,924			3,454			220,413			46,603			276,337			50,057
State and municipal obligations		****	10,848		****	174		****	22,681		****	2,847			33,529			3,021

Table of Contents


		December 31, 2021
		Less than 12						12 Consecutive
		Consecutive Months						Months or Longer						Total
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
(In thousands)	****	Value		****	Losses		****	Value		****	Losses		****	Value		****	Losses
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes		$	58,607		$	1,369		$	21,647		$	853		$	80,254		$	2,222
Treasury securities			244,769			3,147			—			—			244,769			3,147
Corporate securities			37,620			754			—			—			37,620			754
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs			422,634			6,333			4,748			233			427,382			6,566
Agency CMOs			349,879			8,672			3,182			123			353,061			8,795
State and municipal obligations			18,887			302			—			—			18,887			302

As of December 31, 2022, none of the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities were in an unrealized loss position due to credit and therefore no allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities was required. Additionally, given the high-quality composition of the Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio, the Company did not record an allowance for credit losses on the held-to-maturity portfolio. With respect to certain classes of debt securities, primarily U.S. Treasuries and securities issued by Government Sponsored Entities, the Company considers the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero, even if the U.S. government were to technically default. Accrued interest receivable on securities totaling $5.4 million and $4.4 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet and excluded from the amortized cost and estimated fair value totals in the table above.

Management evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions to determine whether the impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Consideration is given to (1) the extent to which the fair value is less than amortized cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

At December 31, 2022, substantially all of the securities in an unrealized loss position had a fixed interest rate and the cause of the temporary impairment was directly related to changes in interest rates. The Company generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience. The following major security types held by the Company are all issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and therefore either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government: Agency Notes, Treasury Securities, Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs, Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. Substantially all of the corporate bonds within the portfolio have maintained an investment grade rating by either Kroll, Egan-Jones, Fitch, Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. None of the unrealized losses are related to credit losses. Substantially all of the state and municipal obligations within the portfolio have all maintained an investment grade rating by either Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the debt. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT, NET

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


(In thousands)	****	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment		$	773,321	$	669,282
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		****	4,026,826		3,356,346
Commercial real estate ("CRE")		****	4,457,630		3,945,948
Acquisition, development, and construction		****	229,663		322,628
Total real estate loans		****	9,487,440		8,294,204
Commercial and industrial ("C&I")		****	1,071,712		933,559
Other loans		****	7,679		16,898
Total		****	10,566,831		9,244,661
Allowance for credit losses		****	(83,507)		(83,853)
Loans held for investment, net		$	10,483,324	$	9,160,808

Included in C&I loans was Small Business Administration (“SBA”) PPP loans totaling $5.8 million and $66.0 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. SBA PPP loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA. The Company may hold an allowance for credit losses as a result of individual loan analysis. In June 2021, the Company sold $596.2 million of SBA PPP loans and recorded a gain of $20.7 million in gain on sale of SBA loans in the consolidated statements of income. 64

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


		Real Estate Loans
		One-to-Four
		Family		Multifamily
		Residential and		Residential
		Cooperative/		and
		Condominium		Residential						Total Real				Other
(In thousands)		Apartment		Mixed-Use		CRE		ADC		Estate		C&I		Loans		Total
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2020		$	269	$	10,142	$	3,900	$	1,244	$	15,555	$	12,870	$	16	$	28,441
Provision for credit losses			386		9,934		5,165		749		16,234		9,928		3		26,165
Charge-offs			(11)		(3,190)		(6)		—		(3,207)		(10,095)		(7)		(13,309)
Recoveries	****		—		130		—		—		130		34		—		164
Ending balance as of December 31, 2020		$	644	$	17,016	$	9,059	$	1,993	$	28,712	$	12,737	$	12	$	41,461

Impact of adopting CECL as of January 1, 2021			1,048		(8,254)		4,849		381		(1,976)		(1,935)		(8)		(3,919)
Adjusted beginning balance as of January 1, 2021			1,692		8,762		13,908		2,374		26,736		10,802		4		37,542
Day 1 acquired PCD loans			2,220		3,292		23,124		117		28,753		23,374		157		52,284
Provision (credit) for credit losses			1,975		(3,921)		(4,497)		2,366		(4,077)		6,016		1,364		3,303
Charge-offs			(20)		(391)		(3,406)		—		(3,817)		(4,984)		(777)		(9,578)
Recoveries			65		74		37		—		176		123		3		302
Ending balance as of December 31, 2021		$	5,932	$	7,816	$	29,166	$	4,857	$	47,771	$	35,331	$	751	$	83,853

Provision (credit) for credit losses			37		542		(1,891)		(3,134)	****	(4,446)	****	11,786		(430)	****	6,910
Charge-offs			—		—		—		—	****	—	****	(11,401)		(53)	****	(11,454)
Recoveries			—		2		54		—	****	56	****	4,137		5	****	4,198
Ending balance as of December 31, 2022		$	5,969	$	8,360	$	27,329	$	1,723	$	43,381	$	39,853	$	273	$	83,507

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


		December 31, 2022
		Non-accrual with		Non-accrual with
(In thousands)	****	No Allowance	Allowance		****	Reserve
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	$	-	$	3,203	$	181
CRE	****	4,915	****	3,417		1,424
Acquisition, development, and construction		657		-		-
C&I		503		21,443		20,685
Other		-		99		99
Total	$	6,075	$	28,162	$	22,389

The Company did not recognize interest income on non-accrual loans held for investment during the year ended December 31, 2022.

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


		December 31, 2022
						Loans 90
						Days or				Total
		30 to 59		60 to 89		More Past Due				Past Due
		Days		Days		and Still				and				Total
(In thousands)	****	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing Interest		Non-accrual		Non-accrual		Current		Loans
Real estate:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment		$	686	$	—	$	—	$	3,203	$	3,889	$	769,432	$	773,321
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		****	4,817	****	—	****	—	****	—	****	4,817	****	4,022,009	****	4,026,826
CRE		****	14,189	****	—	****	—	****	8,332	****	22,521	****	4,435,109	****	4,457,630
Acquisition, development, and construction		****	—	****	—	****	—	****	657	****	657	****	229,006	****	229,663
Total real estate		****	19,692	****	—	****	—	****	12,192	****	31,884	****	9,455,556	****	9,487,440
C&I		****	3,561		741		—		21,946	****	26,248	****	1,045,464	****	1,071,712
Other			264		1		—		99		364		7,315		7,679
Total		$	23,517	$	742	$	—	$	34,237	$	58,496	$	10,508,335	$	10,566,831

Table of Contents


		December 31, 2021
						Loans 90
						Days or				Total
		30 to 59		60 to 89		More Past Due				Past Due
		Days		Days		and Still				and				Total
(In thousands)	****	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing Interest		Non-accrual		Non-accrual		Current		Loans
Real estate:
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment		$	3,294	$	877	$	1,945	$	7,623	$	13,739	$	655,543	$	669,282
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use			30,983		3,339		—		—		34,322		3,322,024		3,356,346
CRE			23,108		887		—		5,053		29,048		3,916,900		3,945,948
Acquisition, development, and construction			—		—		—		—		—		322,628		322,628
Total real estate			57,385		5,103		1,945		12,676		77,109		8,217,095		8,294,204
C&I			3,753		7,040		1,056		27,266		39,115		894,444		933,559
Other			104		3		—		365		472		16,426		16,898
Total		$	61,242	$	12,146	$	3,001	$	40,307	$	116,696	$	9,127,965	$	9,244,661

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due:

The Company continued accruing interest on loans with an outstanding balance of $3.0 million at December 31, 2021, all of which were 90 days or more past due. These loans were either well secured, awaiting a forbearance extension or formal payment deferral, or will likely be forgiven through the PPP or repurchased by the SBA, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above.

Collateral Dependent Loans:

At December 31, 2022, the Company had collateral dependent loans which were individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses.


	December 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
	Real Estate		Associated Allowance		Real Estate		Associated Allowance
(In thousands)	Collateral Dependent		for Credit Losses		Collateral Dependent		for Credit Losses
CRE	$	7,391	$	1,297	$	3,837	$	600
Acquisition, development, and construction		657		-		-		-
C&I		949		-		348		-
Total	$	8,997	$	1,297	$	4,185	$	600

Related Party Loans

Certain directors, executive officers, and their related parties, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, were loan customers of the Bank during 2022.

The following table sets forth selected information about related party loans for the year ended December 31, 2022:


	Year Ended
	December 31,
(In thousands)	2022
Beginning balance	$	6,229
New loans		1
Effect of changes in composition of related parties		496
Repayments		(1,770)
Balance at end of period	$	4,956

TDRs

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had TDRs totaling $22.1 million. The Company has allocated $9.1 million of allowance for those loans at December 31, 2022, with no commitments to lend additional amounts. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had TDRs totaling $942 thousand. The Company has allocated $483 thousand of allowance for those loans at December 31, 2021, with no commitments to lend additional amounts.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, TDR modifications included reduction of outstanding principal, extensions of maturity dates, or favorable interest rates and loan terms than the prevailing market interest rates and loan terms. 66

Table of Contents During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company modified one CRE loan as a TDR, and one Acquistion, Development, and Construction loan, which subsequently paid off during the year. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company modified one CRE loan as a TDR, which subsequently paid off during the year.

The following table presents the loans by category modified as TDRs that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2022:


	Modifications During the Year Ended December 31,
	2022					2021
			Pre-		Post-			Pre-		Post-
			Modification		Modification			Modification		Modification
			Outstanding		Outstanding			Outstanding		Outstanding
	Number of		Recorded		Recorded	Number of		Recorded		Recorded
(Dollars in thousands)	Loans		Investment		Investment	Loans		Investment		Investment
One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment	2	$	762	$	762	2	$	467	$	467
CRE	1		991		991	1		10,000		10,000
Acquisition, development, and construction	1		13,500		13,500	-		-		-
C&I	7		21,934		21,938	1		456		488
Other	1		276		276	-		-		-
Total	12	$	37,463	$	37,467	4	$	10,923	$	10,955

There were no loans modified in a manner that met the criteria of a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2020.

There were no TDR charge-offs during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit structure, loan documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying them as to credit risk. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

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

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

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of then existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. 67

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


	December 31, 2022
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020		2019		2018		2017 and Prior		Revolving		Revolving-Term		Total
One-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment:
Pass	$	225,031	$	108,185	$	72,732	$	65,515	$	66,038	$	164,338	$	41,172	$	12,563	$	755,574
Special mention		—		—		—		—		735		1,175		579		726		3,215
Substandard		—		—		1,026		1,227		407		10,779		—		1,093		14,532
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total one-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment		225,031		108,185		73,758		66,742		67,180		176,292		41,751		14,382		773,321

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use:
Pass		1,386,549		582,393		316,424		395,933		127,074		1,107,281		12,584		—		3,928,238
Special mention		—		—		—		11,183		—		14,168		—		—		25,351
Substandard		—		—		12,294		7,001		20,311		33,631		—		—		73,237
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		1,386,549		582,393		328,718		414,117		147,385		1,155,080		12,584		—		4,026,826

CRE:
Pass		1,021,622		854,240		753,552		510,332		308,265		868,099		34,362		24,767		4,375,239
Special mention		2,864		—		19,655		4,653		14,372		15,478		—		—		57,022
Substandard		—		151		4,550		7,947		1,131		11,590		—		—		25,369
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total CRE		1,024,486		854,391		777,757		522,932		323,768		895,167		34,362		24,767		4,457,630

Acquisition, development, and construction:
Pass		36,877		152,543		11,242		15,943		—		2,087		10,033		281		229,006
Special mention		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard		—		657		—		—		—		—		—		—		657
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total acquisition, development, and construction:		36,877		153,200		11,242		15,943		—		2,087		10,033		281		229,663

C&I:
Pass		175,347		36,511		42,103		37,030		20,628		33,343		628,560		22,239		995,761
Special mention		3,770		—		894		1,529		1,521		843		9,062		478		18,097
Substandard		5,242		1,244		5,364		2,968		970		10,232		11,290		9,412		46,722
Doubtful		—		—		—		8,332		752		2,048		—		—		11,132
Total C&I		184,359		37,755		48,361		49,859		23,871		46,466		648,912		32,129		1,071,712

Total:
Pass		2,845,426		1,733,872		1,196,053		1,024,753		522,005		2,175,148		726,711		59,850		10,283,818
Special mention		6,634		—		20,549		17,365		16,628		31,664		9,641		1,204		103,685
Substandard		5,242		2,052		23,234		19,143		22,819		66,232		11,290		10,505		160,517
Doubtful		—		—		—		8,332		752		2,048		—		—		11,132
Total Loans	$	2,857,302	$	1,735,924	$	1,239,836	$	1,069,593	$	562,204	$	2,275,092	$	747,642	$	71,559	$	10,559,152

Table of Contents


	December 31, 2021
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2019		2018		2017		2016 and Prior		Revolving		Revolving-Term		Total
One-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment:
Pass	$	129,679	$	86,028	$	80,195	$	75,354	$	77,829	$	129,276	$	49,878	$	12,537	$	640,776
Special mention		—		1,124		335		752		334		2,158		846		747		6,296
Substandard		—		1,944		2,038		597		2,202		14,512		—		894		22,187
Doubtful		—		—		—		23		—		—		—		—		23
Total one-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment		129,679		89,096		82,568		76,726		80,365		145,946		50,724		14,178		669,282

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use:
Pass		590,462		341,206		455,277		151,226		332,749		1,145,609		12,277		825		3,029,631
Special mention		—		11,040		14,486		—		11,817		26,252		—		—		63,595
Substandard		—		1,501		35,326		32,390		54,238		137,387		2,278		—		263,120
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		590,462		353,747		505,089		183,616		398,804		1,309,248		14,555		825		3,356,346

CRE:
Pass		872,049		848,694		529,182		306,360		298,904		815,239		43,183		6,188		3,719,799
Special mention		6,003		1,024		39,305		18,983		11,039		17,438		—		—		93,792
Substandard		4,431		1,732		7,082		45,496		31,747		41,763		—		—		132,251
Doubtful		—		—		106		—		—		—		—		—		106
Total CRE		882,483		851,450		575,675		370,839		341,690		874,440		43,183		6,188		3,945,948

Acquisition, development, and construction:
Pass		142,123		76,259		56,885		23,456		6,809		774		1,066		588		307,960
Special mention		—		1,078		—		—		—		—		—		—		1,078
Substandard		—		90		—		13,500		—		—		—		—		13,590
Doubtful		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total acquisition, development, and construction:		142,123		77,427		56,885		36,956		6,809		774		1,066		588		322,628

C&I:
Pass		93,802		121,291		53,116		49,634		36,238		23,615		446,134		9,764		833,594
Special mention		—		1,625		239		2,191		585		52		3,225		1,286		9,203
Substandard		402		5,744		5,789		6,011		2,832		2,844		28,545		13,597		65,764
Doubtful		550		1,621		9,968		752		11,107		—		1,000		—		24,998
Total C&I		94,754		130,281		69,112		58,588		50,762		26,511		478,904		24,647		933,559

Total:
Pass		1,828,115		1,473,478		1,174,655		606,030		752,529		2,114,513		552,538		29,902		8,531,760
Special mention		6,003		15,891		54,365		21,926		23,775		45,900		4,071		2,033		173,964
Substandard		4,833		11,011		50,235		97,994		91,019		196,506		30,823		14,491		496,912
Doubtful		550		1,621		10,074		775		11,107		—		1,000		—		25,127
Total Loans	$	1,839,501	$	1,502,001	$	1,289,329	$	726,725	$	878,430	$	2,356,919	$	588,432	$	46,426	$	9,227,763

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


(In thousands)	****	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Performing		$	7,580	$	16,533
Non-accrual		****	99		365
Total		$	7,679	$	16,898

LOAN SERVICING ACTIVITIES

The Bank services real estate and C&I loans for others having principal balances outstanding of approximately $347.9 million and $471.9 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting loan payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors, paying taxes and insurance and processing foreclosures. In connection with loans serviced for others, the Bank held borrowers’ escrow balances of $1.3 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 69

Table of Contents There are no restrictions on the Company’s consolidated assets or liabilities related to loans sold with servicing rights retained. Upon sale of these loans, the Company recorded an SRA in other assets, and has elected to account for the SRA under the "amortization method" prescribed under GAAP. The activity for SRAs for the periods indicated are as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		2021		2020
Servicing right assets:
Beginning of year		$	3,856	$	1,710	$	1,459
Acquired in the Merger			—		2,070		—
Additions		****	659		885		703
Amortized to expense			(907)		(809)		(452)
Sold			(259)		—		—
End of year			3,349		3,856		1,710

Valuation allowance:
Beginning of year			(80)		—		—
Additions expensed		****	(121)		(80)		—
End of year			(201)		(80)		—
Servicing right assets, net		$	3,148	$	3,776	$	1,710

The fair value of SRAs was $3.5 million and $3.9 million, at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The fair value at December 31, 2022 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.5% to 12.0%, prepayment speeds ranging from 6.7% to 16.0%, depending on the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a weighted average default rate of 0.67%. The fair value at December 31, 2021 was determined using discount rates ranging from 7.8% to 12.0%, prepayment speeds ranging from 5% to 38%, depending on the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a weighted average default rate of 1.24%.

PREMISES AND FIXED ASSETS, NET AND PREMISES HELD FOR SALE

Premises and Fixed Assets, Net

The following is a summary of premises and fixed assets, net:


		December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		****	2021
Land		$	10,824		$	10,824
Buildings		****	21,688			21,323
Leasehold improvements		****	26,862			26,120
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		****	25,750			25,110
Premises and fixed assets, gross		$	85,124		$	83,377
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		****	(38,375)			(33,009)
Premises and fixed assets, net		$	46,749		$	50,368

Depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $7.4 million, $6.5 million and $4.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Premises Held for Sale

There were no premises held for sale as of December 31, 2022. The aggregate recorded balance of the Company’s premises held for sale was $556 thousand at December 31, 2021

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company transferred two real estate properties utilized as retail branches to premises held for sale totaling $2.8 million.

During each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company sold one real estate property utilized as a retail branch totaling $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The Company recorded a gain of $1.4 million and $550 thousand in gain on sale of securities and other assets in the consolidated statements of income.

Table of Contents 8. LEASES

Maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2022 are as follows:


		Rent to be
(In thousands)	****	Capitalized
2023		$	11,724
2024			11,641
2025			11,434
2026			10,741
2027			8,754
Thereafter			9,964
Total undiscounted lease payments			64,258
Less amounts representing interest			(3,918)
Operating lease liabilities		$	60,340

Other information related to our operating leases was as follows:


	****	Year Ended
		December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		****	2021		2020
Operating lease cost		$	11,428		$	14,341	$	6,522
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities			10,574			13,975		7,030


		December 31,	****	December 31,	****
	****	2022	****	2021	****
Weighted average remaining lease term		5.9	years	6.6	years
Weighted average discount rate		2.03	%	1.79	%

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill was $155.8 million.

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of every year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstance indicate the asset might be impaired. It was determined during the annual impairment testing that no impairment was needed for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 as the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit was determined to exceed the carrying amount of the reporting unit.

The following table presents the change in Goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2022	****		2021	****		2020
Beginning of year		$	155,797		$	55,638		$	55,638
Acquired goodwill^1^			-			100,159			-
Impairment			-			-			-
End of year		$	155,797		$	155,797		$	55,638
(1)	See Note 2. Merger for additional information regarding the acquired goodwill
---	---

Other Intangible Assets

The following table presents the carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets that are amortizable.


	December 31, 2022								December 31, 2021
		Core Deposit			Non-compete					Core Deposit			Non-compete
(In thousands)		Intangibles	****		Agreement	****		Total		Intangibles	****		Agreement	****		Total
Gross carrying value	$	10,204		$	780		$	10,984	$	10,204		$	780		$	10,984
Accumulated amortization	****	(3,720)			(780)			(4,500)		(1,962)			(660)			(2,622)
Net carrying amount	$	6,484		$	-		$	6,484	$	8,242		$	120		$	8,362

Table of Contents Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $1.9 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for 2023 through 2027 and thereafter is as follows:


(In thousands)		Total
2023		1,425
2024		1,163
2025		958
2026		795
2027		664
Thereafter		1,479
Total	$	6,484

RESTRICTED STOCK

The following is a summary of restricted stock:


(In thousands)	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
FHLBNY capital stock	$	63,627	$	12,819
FRB capital stock	****	24,953		24,748
Bankers' Bank capital stock	****	165		165
Restricted stock	$	88,745	$	37,732

FHLBNY Capital Stock

The Bank is a member of the FHLBNY. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FHLBNY capital stock at $100 per share. Members are required to own a particular amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. The Bank increased its outstanding FHLBNY advances by $1.11 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting in an increase of required FHLBNY stock. The Bank owned 636,274 shares and 128,184 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Bank recorded dividend income on the FHLBNY capital stock of $0.9 million, $1.9 million and $3.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

FRB Capital Stock

The Bank is a member of the FRB. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FRB capital stock at $50 per share. The Bank owned 499,052 shares at December 31, 2022 and 494,965 shares at December 31, 2021. The Bank recorded dividend income on the FRB capital stock of $828 thousand and $442 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and no dividend income for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Bankers’ Bank Capital Stock

The Bank has a relationship with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank. The relationship requires the purchase of shares of ACBB capital stock between $2,500 and $3,250 per share. The Bank owned 60 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Bank recorded dividend income on the ACBB capital stock of $1 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and no dividend income during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Table of Contents 11. DEPOSITS

Deposits are summarized as follows:


		December 31, 2022					December 31, 2021
		Weighted					Weighted
		Average					Average
(Dollars in thousands)	****	Rate	****	Liability		****	Rate	****	Liability
Savings		2.24	%	$	2,260,101		0.03	%	$	1,158,040
Certificates of deposit ("CDs")		2.25		****	1,115,364		0.58			853,242
Money market		1.50		****	2,532,270		0.07			3,621,552
Interest-bearing checking		1.01		****	827,454		0.18			905,717
Non-interest-bearing checking		—		****	3,519,218		—			3,920,423
Total		1.19	%	$	10,254,407		0.09	%	$	10,458,974

The following table presents a summary of scheduled maturities of CDs outstanding at December 31, 2022:


	Maturing		Weighted Average	****
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		Interest Rate	****
2023	$	929,791	2.33	%
2024		131,969	2.22
2025		31,444	1.33
2026		13,366	0.30
2027		8,793	0.25
2028 and beyond		1	0.01
Total	$	1,115,364	2.25	%

CDs that met or exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit of $250 thousand were $420.4 million and $200.1 million December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

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

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

Cash Flow Hedges

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

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $6.4 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.

Table of Contents 31, 2020, the Company terminated two derivatives with notional values totaling $30.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $175 thousand, which was expected to be recognized in interest expense over the remaining term of the original derivative. Due to the terminations during the year ended December 31, 2021, the remaining termination value was recognized as part of the loss on terminations during the year ended December 31, 2021.

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated statements of financial condition as of the periods indicated.


		December 31, 2022								December 31, 2021
			Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value				Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	****	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities		****	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances		4	$	150,000	$	17,150	$	—		4	$	150,000	$	4,358	$	—

The table below presents the effect of the cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$	14,412	$	5,277	$	(24,449)
Gain recognized on termination of derivatives		—		16,505		6,596
Gain (loss) reclassified from other comprehensive income into interest expense	****	1,621		(940)		(6,127)

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

The cash flow hedges involve derivative agreements with third-party counterparties that contain provisions requiring the Bank to post cash collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Bank did not post collateral to the third-party counterparties. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company received $17.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, in collateral from its third-party counterparties under the agreements in a net asset position.

Freestanding Derivatives

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


	December 31, 2022
		Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(In thousands)	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	3	$	53,311	$	1,524	$
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	185		1,214,736		—		126,751
Loan level interest rate floors with borrower	40		326,309		—		9,060
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	3	****	53,311	****	—	****	1,524
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	185		1,214,736		126,751		—
Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties	40	****	326,309	****	9,060	****	—

Table of Contents


	December 31, 2021
		Notional		Fair Value		Fair Value
(In thousands)	Count	Amount		Assets		Liabilities
Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	98	$	599,003	$	27,440	$	—
Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower	87		612,610		—		(12,620)
Loan level interest rate floors with borrower	33		291,990		615		—
Loan level interest rate floors with borrower	12		100,774		—		(53)
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	98		599,003		—		(27,440)
Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties	87		612,610		12,620		—
Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties	33		291,990		—		(615)
Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties	12		100,774		53		—

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



	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020
Loan level derivative income	$	3,637	$	2,909	$	8,872

The interest rate swap product with the borrower is cross collateralized with the underlying loan and, therefore, there is no posted collateral. Certain interest rate swap agreements with third-party counterparties contain provisions that require the Company to post collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount and receive collateral for agreements in a net asset position. As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not post collateral to its third-party counterparties. As of December 31, 2021, posted collateral was $14.0 million. As of December 31, 2022, the Company received $135.3 million in collateral from its third-party counterparties under the agreements in a net asset position. As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not receive collateral from its third-party counterparties.

Risk Participation Agreements

The Company enters into risk participation agreements to manage economic risks but does not designate the instruments in hedge relationships. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the notional amounts of risk participation agreements for derivative liabilities were $71.1 million and $25.6 million, respectively. The related fair values of the Company’s risk participation agreements were immaterial as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features

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

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

As of December 31, 2022, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $137.3 million for those related to loan level derivatives. If the Company had breached any of the above provisions at December 31, 2022, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value with the respective counterparty. There were no provisions breached for the year ended December 31, 2022.

FHLBNY ADVANCES

The Bank had borrowings from the FHLBNY (“Advances”) totaling $1.13 billion and $25.0 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, all of which were fixed rate. The average interest rate on outstanding FHLBNY Advances was 4.55% and 0.35% at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In accordance with its Advances, Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement with the FHLBNY, the Bank was eligible to borrow up to $4.13 billion as of December 31, 2022 and $4.19 billion as of December 31, 2021, and maintained sufficient qualifying collateral, as defined by the FHLBNY. At December 31, 2022 there were no callable Advances. 75

Table of Contents During the years ended December 2022, 2021, and 2020, the Company’s prepayment penalty expense was recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt. The following table is a summary of FHLBNY extinguishments for the periods presented:


	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2022	****		2021	****		2020
FHLBNY advances extinguished	$	-		$	209,010		$	70,750
Weighted average rate		-	%		1.31	%		1.15	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$	-		$	1,751		$	1,104

The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLBNY advances for each of the next five years. There were no FHLBNY advances with an overnight contractual maturity at December 31, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2022, there were $1.10 billion of FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities during 2023 and $36.0 million of FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities after 2023. As of December 31, 2021, there were $25.0 million of FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities during 2022 and no FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities after 2023:


		December 31, 2022				****
(Dollars in thousands)					Weighted	****
Contractual Maturity	****	Amount		****	Average ** Rate**	****
2023, fixed rate at rates from 3.85% to 4.75%		$	1,095,000		4.56
2027, fixed rate at 4.25%			36,000	****	4.25
Total FHLBNY advances		$	1,131,000	****	4.55	%


		December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)				Weighted
Contractual Maturity	****	Amount		Average Rate
2022, fixed rate at 0.35%		$	25,000	0.35	%
Total FHLBNY advances		$	25,000	0.35	%

SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

On May 6, 2022, the Company issued $160.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032 (“the Notes”). The Notes are callable at par after five years, have a stated maturity of May 15, 2032 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.00% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2022. The last interest payment for the fixed rate period will be May 15, 2027. From and including May 15, 2027 to, but excluding the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the benchmark rate (which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR) plus 218 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2027.

The Company used the net proceeds of the offering for the repayment of $115.0 million of the Company’s 4.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2027 on June 15, 2022, and $40.0 million of the Company’s 5.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures due 2025 on June 30, 2022. The repayment of the subordinated notes due 2027 resulted in a pre-tax write-off of debt issuance costs of $740 thousand, which was recognized in loss on extinguishment of debt in non-interest expense.

The subordinated debentures totaled $200.3 million at December 31, 2022 and $197.1 million at December 31, 2021. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $10.6 million, $8.5 million and $5.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The subordinated debentures are included in tier 2 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

OTHER SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The following is a summary of other short-term borrowings:


(In thousands)	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Repurchase agreements	$	1,360	$	1,862
Other short-term borrowings	$	1,360	$	1,862

Table of Contents Repurchase Agreements

The Bank utilizes securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) as part of its borrowing policy to add liquidity. Repurchase agreements represent funds received from customers, generally on an overnight basis, which are collateralized by investment securities, of which 100% were pass-through MBS issued by GSEs with a carrying amount of $1.4 million at December 31, 2022.

Repurchase agreements are financing arrangements with $1.4 million maturing during the first quarter of 2023. At maturity, the securities underlying the agreements are returned to the Bank. The primary risk associated with these secured borrowings is the requirement to pledge a market value-based balance of collateral in excess of the borrowed amount. The excess collateral pledged represents an unsecured exposure to the lending counterparty. As the market value of the collateral changes, both through changes in discount rates and spreads as well as related cash flows, additional collateral may need to be pledged. In accordance with the Bank’s policies, eligible counterparties are defined and monitored to minimize exposure.

Interest expense on repurchase agreements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $1 thousand and $1 thousand, respectively. There was no interest expense on repurchase agreements for the years ended December 31, 2020.

AFX

The Bank is a member of AFX, through which it may either borrow or lend funds on an overnight or short-term basis with other member institutions. The availability of funds changes daily. Interest expense on AFX borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $1.4 million, $1 thousand, and $45 thousand, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s consolidated Federal, State and City income tax provisions were comprised of the following:


	Year Ended December 31, 2022						Year Ended December 31, 2021						Year Ended December 31, 2020
			State						State						State
(In thousands)	Federal		and City		Total		Federal		and City		Total		Federal		and City		Total
Current	$	39,492	$	17,205	$	56,697	$	23,759	$	11,815	$	35,574	$	13,107	$	1,524	$	14,631
Deferred	****	840	****	1,822	****	2,662		5,490		3,106		8,596		(1,181)		(784)		(1,965)
Total	$	40,332	$	19,027	$	59,359	$	29,249	$	14,921	$	44,170	$	11,926	$	740	$	12,666

The preceding table excludes tax effects recorded directly to stockholders’ equity in connection with unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale (including losses on such securities upon their transfer to held-to-maturity), interest rate derivatives, and adjustments to other comprehensive income relating to the minimum pension liability, unrecognized gains of pension and other postretirement obligations and changes in the non-credit component of OTTI. These tax effects are disclosed as part of the presentation of the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. 77

Table of Contents The provision for income taxes differed from that computed at the Federal statutory rate as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022			2021			2020
Tax at federal statutory rate	$	44,502		$	31,115		$	11,546
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	****	13,699			11,601			567
Benefit plan differences	****	(127)			(107)			(240)
Adjustments for prior period returns and tax items	****	1,812			(238)			125
Investment in BOLI	****	(2,173)			(1,485)			(1,020)
Equity based compensation	****	(141)			(301)			96
Salaries deduction limitation	****	2,054			3,419			1,428
Transaction costs		—			181			256
Other, net	****	(267)			(15)			(92)
Total	$	59,359		$	44,170		$	12,666
Effective tax rate	****	28.01	%		29.81	%		23.04	%

The increase in the effective tax rate in 2022 and 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REIT due to the increase in the Company’s total assets, and non-deductible expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The components of Federal, State and City deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


	December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for credit losses and other contingent liabilities	$	28,175	$	29,777
Tax effect of other components of income on securities available-for-sale		38,140		3,265
Tax effect of other components of income on securities held-to-maturity		8,138		343
Operating lease liability	****	19,256		20,532
Other	****	2,074		1,976
Total deferred tax assets	****	95,783		55,893
Deferred tax liabilities:	****	****
Tax effect of other components of income on derivatives		5,394		1,371
Employee benefit plans		976		2,803
Tax effect of purchase accounting fair value adjustments		2,352		3,945
Difference in book and tax carrying value of fixed assets	****	4,261		3,950
Difference in book and tax basis of unearned loan fees	****	2,431		2,413
Operating lease asset	****	18,414		19,871
States taxes		2,801		(189)
Other	****	1,002		1,330
Total deferred tax liabilities	****	37,631		35,494
Net deferred tax asset (recorded in other assets)	$	58,152	$	20,399

The Company and its subsidiary are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the State, City of New York and the State of New Jersey.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, the Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be recovered or settled.

No valuation allowances were recognized on deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021, since, at each period end, it was deemed more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be fully realized.

In connection with the Merger, the Company acquired a federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company recorded a deferred tax asset that it expects to realize within the carryforward period. At December 31, 2022, the remaining federal NOL carryforward was $2.4 million. At December 31, 2022, the Company had New York State NOL carryforward of $1.1 million, and recorded a deferred tax asset that it expects to recover within the carryforward period. At December 31, 2022, the Company had New York City NOL carryforward of zero. The New York State NOLs at December 31, 2021 included NOLs acquired in connection with the Merger.

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Bank had accumulated bad debt reserves totaling $15.1 million for which no provision for income tax was required to be recorded. These bad debt reserves could be subject to recapture into taxable income under certain 78

Table of Contents circumstances, including a distribution of the bad debt benefits to the Holding Company or the failure of the Bank to qualify as a bank for federal income tax purposes. Should the reserves as of December 31, 2022 be fully recaptured, the Bank would recognize $4.8 million in additional income tax expense. The Company expects to take no action in the foreseeable future that would require the establishment of a tax liability associated with these bad debt reserves.

The Company is subject to regular examination by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which it conducts significant business operations. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional examinations in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from ongoing assessments.

Under current accounting rules, all tax positions adopted are subjected to two levels of evaluation. Initially, a determination is made, based on the technical merits of the position, as to whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. In conducting this evaluation, management is required to presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority possessing full knowledge of all relevant information. The second level of evaluation is the measurement of a tax position that satisfies the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. This measurement is performed in order to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2022 or 2021. The Company does not anticipate any material change to unrecognized tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2022, the tax years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, remained subject to examination by all of the Company's relevant tax jurisdictions. The Company is currently not under audit in any taxing jurisdictions.

MERGER RELATED EXPENSES

Merger-related expenses were recorded in the consolidated statements of income as a component of non-interest expense and include costs relating to the Merger, as described in Note 2. Merger. These charges represent one-time costs associated with merger activities and do not represent ongoing costs of the fully integrated combined organization. Accounting guidance requires that merger-related transactional and restructuring costs incurred by the Company be charged to expense as incurred. There were no costs associated with merger expenses and transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2022. Costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the Merger totaled $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs expense in the consolidated statements of income. Transaction costs (inclusive of costs to terminate leases) in connection with the Merger totaled $28.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income.

BRANCH RESTRUCTURING COSTS

On June 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Bank planned to combine five branch locations into other existing branches. The combinations took place in October 2021. Costs associated with early lease terminations and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets totaled $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and were recorded in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income. There were no branch restructuring costs for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2020.

RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The Bank maintains two noncontributory pension plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (“Employee Retirement Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan, covering all eligible employees. Bank of America, N.A. (“BANA”) was the Trustee for the Employee Retirement Plan and BNB Bank Pension Plan assets as of December 31, 2021. Pentegra Retirement Trust was the trustee for the Employee Retirement Plan prior to the transfer to BANA during the year ended December 31, 2021. The assets of both plans are overseen by the Retirement Committee (“Committee”), comprised of management, who meet quarterly and set investment policy guidelines. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (MLPF&S) and Blackrock are the investment managers of the assets of both plans. The Committee meets with representatives of MLPF&S and reviews the performance of the plan assets. Pension plan assets include cash and cash equivalents, equities and fixed income securities.

Employee Retirement Plan

The Bank sponsors the Employee Retirement Plan, a tax-qualified, noncontributory, defined-benefit retirement plan. Prior to April 1, 2000, substantially all full-time employees of at least 21 years of age were eligible for participation after one year of 79

Table of Contents service. Effective April 1, 2000, the Bank froze all participant benefits under the Employee Retirement Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for the Employee Retirement Plan.

The funded status of the Employee Retirement Plan was as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation:	****	****
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	24,961	$	26,891
Interest cost	****	622		562
Actuarial (gain) loss	****	(5,004)		(903)
Benefit payments	****	(1,558)		(1,589)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	****	19,021		24,961
	****	****
Plan assets at fair value (investments in trust funds managed by trustee)	****	****
Balance at beginning of year	****	28,693		27,142
Return on plan assets	****	(4,542)		3,140
Benefit payments	****	(1,558)		(1,589)
Balance at end of year	****	22,593		28,693
Funded status at end of year	$	3,572	$	3,732

The net periodic cost for the Employee Retirement Plan included the following components:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021		2020
Interest cost	$	622	$	562	$	732
Expected return on plan assets	****	(1,949)		(1,846)		(1,713)
Amortization of unrealized loss	****	261		824		914
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(1,066)	$	(460)	$	(67)

The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the Employee Retirement Plan is summarized as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	(4,097)	$	(7,119)
Amortization of unrealized loss	****	261		825
Gain (loss) recognized during the year	****	(1,487)		2,197
Balance at the end of the period	$	(5,323)	$	(4,097)
Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	3,649	$	2,808

Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost of the Employee Retirement Plan benefit obligations were as follows:


	At or for the Year Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2020
Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost	2.55	%	2.15	%	2.97	%
Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end	4.90	****	2.55		2.15
Expected long-term return on plan assets used for net periodic benefit cost	7.00	****	7.00		7.00
Expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine benefit obligation at period end	7.00	****	7.00		7.00

Plan Assets

The Employee Retirement Plan’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 97% of investments for long‐term growth and 3% for near‐term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers. Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term investment funds. Equity securities primarily include investments in common stock, mutual funds, depository receipts and exchange traded funds. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds, government issues, mortgage-backed securities, high yield securities and mutual funds.

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on current trends in Employee Retirement Plan assets, as well as projected future rates of return on those assets and reasonable actuarial assumptions based on the guidance provided by Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 27 for the real and nominal rate of investment return for a specific mix of asset classes. The long-term rate of return considers historical returns for the S&P 500 index and corporate bonds representing cumulative returns 80

Table of Contents of approximately 9.0% and 5.0%, respectively. These returns were considered along with the target allocations of asset categories. When these overall return expectations were applied to the Employee Retirement Plan’s target allocation, the expected annual rate of return was determined to be 7.00% at both December 31, 2022 and 2021.

The Bank did not make any contributions to the Employee Retirement Plan during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Bank does not expect to make contributions to the Employee Retirement Plan during the year ending December 31, 2023.

The weighted-average allocation by asset category of the assets of the Employee Retirement Plan was summarized as follows:


		December 31,
	****	2022	****	2021	****
Asset category
Equity securities		51	%	54	%
Debt securities (bond mutual funds)		47	****	42
Cash equivalents		2	****	4
Total		100	%	100	%

The allocation percentages in the above table were consistent with future planned allocation percentages as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following tables present a summary of the Employee Retirement Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated. (See Note 24 for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy).


		December 31, 2022
		Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Quoted
		Prices in		Significant
		Active Markets for		Other		Significant
		Identical		Observable		Unobservable
(In thousands)	****	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Description:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—	$	541	$	—	$	541
Equities:		****
U.S. large cap		****	8,398		—		—		8,398
U.S. mid cap/small cap		****	2,348		—		—		2,348
International		****	2,718		—		—		2,718
Equities blend		****	192		—		—		192
Fixed income securities:
Corporate			—		1,305		—		1,305
Government			2,527		—		—		2,527
Mortgage-backed		****	—		586		—		586
High yield bonds and bond funds		****	—		3,978		—		3,978
Total Plan Assets		$	16,183	$	6,410	$	—	$	22,593

Table of Contents


		December 31, 2021
		Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Quoted
		Prices in			Significant
		Active Markets for			Other			Significant
		Identical			Observable			Unobservable
(In thousands)	****	Assets (Level 1)		****	Inputs (Level 2)		****	Inputs (Level 3)		****	Total
Description:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—		$	1,001		$	—		$	1,001
Equities:
U.S. large cap			8,579			—			—			8,579
U.S. mid cap/small cap			2,896			—			—			2,896
International			3,560			—			—			3,560
Equities blend			479			—			—			479
Fixed income securities:
Corporate			—			1,288			—			1,288
Government			1,406			—			—			1,406
Mortgage-backed			—			1,858			—			1,858
High yield bonds and bond funds			—			7,626			—			7,626
Total Plan Assets		$	16,920		$	11,773		$	—		$	28,693

Benefit payments are anticipated to be made as follows:


Year Ended December 31,	Amount
2023	$	1,526
2024		1,521
2025		1,498
2026		1,452
2027		1,403
2028 to 2032		6,674

BNB Bank Pension Plan

During 2012, Bridge amended the BNB Bank Pension Plan by revising the formula for determining benefits effective January 1, 2013, except for certain grandfathered Bridge employees. Additionally, new Bridge employees hired on or after October 1, 2012 were not eligible for the BNB Bank Pension Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for the BNB Bank Pension Plan.

The funded status of the BNB Bank Pension Plan was as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation:	****	****
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	34,495	$	—
Acquired in the Merger		—		33,897
Service cost	****	807	****	893
Interest cost	****	793	****	609
Actuarial gain		(7,111)		(304)
Benefit payments	****	(1,064)	****	(600)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	****	27,920	****	34,495
	****	****	****	****
Plan assets at fair value (investments in trust funds managed by trustee)	****	****	****	****
Balance at beginning of year	****	47,857	****	—
Acquired in the Merger		—		43,685
Return on plan assets	****	(8,221)	****	4,772
Benefit payments	****	(1,064)	****	(600)
Balance at end of year	****	38,572	****	47,857
Funded status at end of year	$	10,652	$	13,362

Table of Contents The net periodic cost for the BNB Bank Pension Plan included the following components:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Service cost	$	807	$	893
Interest cost		793		609
Expected return on plan assets	****	(3,441)	****	(2,883)
Net periodic benefit credit	$	(1,841)	$	(1,381)

The change in accumulated other comprehensive income that resulted from the BNB Bank Pension Plan is summarized as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,193	$	—
Gain recognized during the year	****	(2,358)	****	2,193
Balance at the end of the period	$	(165)	$	2,193
Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$	113	$	(1,503)

Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost of the BNB Bank Pension Plan benefit obligations were as follows:


	At or for the Year Ended December 31,
	2022		2021
Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost	2.69	%	2.33	%
Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end	4.98	****	2.69
Expected long-term return on plan assets used for net periodic benefit cost	7.25	****	7.25
Expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine benefit obligation at period end	7.25	****	7.25

Plan Assets

The BNB Bank Pension Plan’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 97% of investments for long‐term growth and 3% for near‐term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers. Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term investment funds. Equity securities primarily include investments in common stock, mutual funds, depository receipts and exchange traded funds. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds, government issues, mortgage-backed securities, high yield securities and mutual funds.

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on current trends in BNB Bank Pension Plan assets, as well as projected future rates of return on those assets and reasonable actuarial assumptions based on the guidance provided by Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 27 for the real and nominal rate of investment return for a specific mix of asset classes. The long-term rate of return considers historical returns for the S&P 500 index and corporate bonds representing cumulative returns of approximately 9.0% and 5.0%, respectively. These returns were considered along with the target allocations of asset categories. When these overall return expectations were applied to the BNB Bank Pension Plan’s target allocation, the expected annual rate of return was determined to be 7.25% at December 31, 2022.

The Bank did not make any contributions to the BNB Bank Pension Plan during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Bank does not expect to make contributions to the BNB Bank Pension Plan during the year ending December 31, 2023.

The weighted-average allocation by asset category of the assets of the BNB Bank Pension Plan was summarized as follows:


		December 31,		December 31,
	****	2022	****	2021	****
Asset category
Equity securities		51	%	60	%
Debt securities (bond mutual funds)		46	****	37	****
Cash equivalents		3	****	3	****
Total		100	%	100	%

Table of Contents The following tables present a summary of the BNB Bank Pension Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated. (See Note 24 for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy).


		December 31, 2022
		Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Quoted
		Prices in		Significant
		Active Markets for		Other		Significant
		Identical		Observable		Unobservable
(In thousands)	****	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Description:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—	$	1,001	$	—	$	1,001
Equities:		****
U.S. large cap		****	14,310		—		—		14,310
U.S. mid cap/small cap		****	4,094		—		—		4,094
International		****	4,658		—		—		4,658
Equities blend		****	308		—		—		308
Fixed income securities:
Corporate			—		2,203		—		2,203
Government			4,275		—		—		4,275
Mortgage-backed		****	—		979		—		979
High yield bonds and bond funds		****	—		6,744		—		6,744
Total Plan Assets		$	27,645	$	10,927	$	—	$	38,572


		Fair Value Measurements
		at December 31, 2021
		Quoted
		Prices in			Significant
		Active Markets for			Other			Significant
		Identical			Observable			Unobservable
(In thousands)	****	Assets (Level 1)		****	Inputs (Level 2)		****	Inputs (Level 3)		****	Total
Description:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—		$	1,581		$	—		$	1,581
Equities:
U.S. large cap			13,623			—			—			13,623
U.S. mid cap/small cap			5,669			—			—			5,669
International			8,332			—			—			8,332
Equities blend			900			—			—			900
Fixed income securities:
Corporate			—			1,696			—			1,696
Government			1,700			—			—			1,700
Mortgage-backed			—			2,549			—			2,549
High yield bonds and bond funds			—			11,807			—			11,807
Total Plan Assets			30,224		$	17,633		$	—		$	47,857

Benefit payments are anticipated to be made as follows:


Year Ended December 31,	Amount
2023	$	1,337
2024		1,365
2025		1,456
2026		1,694
2027		1,688
2028 to 2032		10,505

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) that existed before the Merger. The 401(k) Plan covers substantially all current employees. Newly hired employees are automatically enrolled in the plan on the first day of the month following the 60^th^ day of employment, unless they elect not to participate. Participants may contribute a portion of their pre-tax base salary, generally not to exceed $20,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. Under the provisions of the 401(k) plan, employee contributions are partially matched by the Bank as follows: 100% of each employee’s contributions up to 1% of each 84

Table of Contents employee’s compensation plus 50% of each employee’s contributions over 1% but not in excess of 6% of each employee’s compensation for a maximum contribution of 3.5% of a participating employee’s compensation. Participants can invest their account balances into several investment alternatives. The 401(k) plan does not allow for investment in the Company’s common stock. Legacy Dime employees were allowed to rollover Company common stock shares in-kind held in the former Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) and hold in the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) held Company common stock within the accounts of participants totaling $7.8 million at December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, total expense recognized as a component of salaries and employee benefits expense for the 401(k) Plan was $2.3 million.

Dime KSOP Plan

The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) was terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors. The effective date of the Dime KSOP Plan termination was February 1, 2021, the date of the Merger. As such, all participants were required to transfer their assets out of the Dime KSOP Plan. The KSOP held Legacy Dime common stock within the accounts of participants totaling $40 thousand and $33.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, total expense recognized as a component of salaries and employee benefits expense for the Dime KSOP Plan was $0.3 million, $1.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

BMP and Outside Director Retirement Plan

The Holding Company and Bank maintained the BMP, which existed in order to compensate executive officers for any curtailments in benefits due to statutory limitations on benefit plans. As of December 31, 2020, the BMP had investments, held in a rabbi trust, in the Common Stock of $2.2 million. Benefit accruals under the defined benefit portion of the BMP were suspended on April 1, 2000, when they were suspended under the Employee Retirement Plan.

Effective July 1, 1996, the Company established the Outside Director Retirement Plan to provide benefits to each eligible outside director commencing upon the earlier of termination of Board service or at age 75. The Outside Director Retirement Plan was frozen on March 31, 2005, and only outside directors serving prior to that date are eligible for benefits.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for both the BMP and Outside Director Retirement Plan.

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

The combined funded status of the defined benefit portions of the BMP and the Director Retirement Plan was as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2021		****	2020
Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation:		****	****
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	9,328		$	9,360
Interest cost		****	12			234
Benefit payments		****	(9,063)			(771)
Actuarial (gain) loss		****	(277)			505
Projected benefit obligation at end of year		****	—			9,328
Plan assets at fair value:		****	****
Balance at beginning of year		****	—			—
Contributions		****	9,063			771
Benefit payments		****	(9,063)			(771)
Balance at end of period		****	—			—
Funded status at end of year		$	—		$	(9,328)

The combined net periodic cost for the defined benefit portions of the BMP and the Director Retirement Plan included the following components:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2021		****	2020
Interest cost		$	12		$	234
Curtailment loss			1,543			—
Amortization of unrealized loss		****	—			179
Net periodic benefit cost		$	1,555		$	413

Table of Contents

The combined change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the BMP and Director Retirement Plan is summarized as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2021		****	2020
Balance at beginning of year		$	(1,820)		$	(1,494)
Amortization of unrealized loss		****	—			179
Gain (loss) recognized during the year		****	277			(505)
Curtailment credit			1,543			—
Balance at the end of year		$	—		$	(1,820)
Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		$	—		$	1,228

Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost and benefit obligations for both the BMP and Director Retirement Plan were as follows:


		At or For the Year Ended December 31,
	****	2020
Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost – BMP		2.60	%
Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost – Director Retirement Plan		2.68
Discount rate used to determine BMP benefit obligation at year end		1.55
Discount rate used to determine Director Retirement Plan benefit obligation at year end		1.69

Postretirement Benefit Plan

The Bank offered the Postretirement Benefit Plan to its retired employees who provided at least five consecutive years of credited service and were active employees prior to April 1, 1991. Postretirement Benefit Plan benefits were available only to full-time employees who commence or commenced collecting retirement benefits from the Retirement Plan immediately upon termination of service from the Bank. The Postretirement Benefit Plan was amended effective March 31, 2015 to eliminate plan participation for post-amendment retirees.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime approved the termination of the Postretirement Benefit Plan in anticipation of the Merger. As a result of the decision to terminate the plan, no additional benefits will be paid after January 31, 2021, and a curtailment gain of $1.6 million was recognized through net periodic cost during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The funded status of the Postretirement Benefit Plan was as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****		2021	****		2020
Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation:		****	****
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	13		$	1,608
Interest cost		****	—			42
Actuarial loss		****	—			105
Curtailment gain			—			(1,577)
Benefit payments		****	(13)			(165)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year		****	—			13
Plan assets at fair value:		****	****
Balance at beginning of year		****	—			—
Contributions		****	13			165
Benefit payments		****	(13)			(165)
Balance at end of period		****	—			—
Funded status at end of year		$	—		$	(13)

The Postretirement Benefit Plan net periodic cost included the following components:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2020
Interest cost		$	42
Curtailment gain			1,651
Amortization of unrealized loss		****	(9)
Net periodic benefit cost		$	1,684

Table of Contents The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the Postretirement Benefit Plan is summarized as follows:


			Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2020
Balance at beginning of period		$	188
Amortization of unrealized loss			(9)
Recognition of prior service cost			(74)
Loss recognized during the year			(105)
Balance at the end of the period		$	—
Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		$	—

Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost were as follows:


		At or For the Year Ended December 31,
	****	2020	****
Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost		2.69	%
Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end		0.29

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

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

In May 2021, the Company’s shareholders approved the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”) to provide the Company with sufficient equity compensation to meet the objectives of appropriately incentivizing its officers, other employees, and directors to execute our strategic plan to build shareholder value, while providing appropriate shareholder protections. The Company no longer makes grants under the Legacy Stock Plans. Awards outstanding under the Legacy Stock Plans will continue to remain outstanding and subject to the terms and conditions of the Legacy Stock Plans. At December 31, 2022, there were 961,122 shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

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

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

Stock Option Activity

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


			****			****	Weighted-	****
							Average		Aggregate
				Weighted-			Remaining		Intrinsic
		Number of		Average Exercise			Contractual		Value
	****	Options	****	Price		****	Years	****	(In thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2022		121,253		$	35.39
Options exercised		—			35.39
Options forfeited		(29,116)			35.39
Options outstanding at December 31, 2022		92,137		$	35.39		6.2		$	—
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2022		92,137		$	35.39		6.2		$	—

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


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		****	2021		****	2020
Cash received for option exercise cost		$	—		$	431		$	38
Income tax (expense) benefit recognized on stock option exercises		****	—			(15)			—
Intrinsic value of options exercised		****	—			171			8

The range of exercise prices and weighted-average remaining contractual lives of both outstanding and vested options (by option exercise cost) as of December 31, 2022 were as follows:


	Outstanding Options				Vested Options
			Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average
			Contractual				Contractual
			Years				Years
	Amount	****	Remaining	****	Amount	****	Remaining
Exercise Prices:
34.87	35,671		7.1		35,671		7.1
35.35	32,079		6.1		32,079		6.1
36.19	24,387		5.1		24,387		5.1
Total	92,137		6.2		92,137		6.2

All values are in US Dollars.

Restricted Stock Awards

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

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain RSAs to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $2.5 million.

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


			****	Weighted-
				Average
		Number of		Grant-Date
	****	Shares	****	Fair Value
Unvested allocated shares outstanding at January 1, 2022		446,923		$	26.45
Shares granted		113,113			33.84
Shares vested		(173,447)			26.67
Shares forfeited		(35,831)			27.37
Unvested allocated shares outstanding at December 31, 2022		350,758		$	28.63

Information related to RSAs during each period is as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	****		2022	****		2021	****		2020
Compensation expense recognized		$	3,516		$	5,253		$	4,217
Income tax (expense) benefit recognized on vesting of RSAs		****	(10)			27			(211)

As of December 31, 2022, there was $6.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

Performance-Based Share Awards

The Company maintains a LTIP for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each award, threshold (50% of target), target (100% of target) and stretch (150% of target) opportunities are eligible to be earned over a three-year performance period based on the Company’s relative performance on certain goals that were established at the onset of the performance period and cannot be altered subsequently. Shares of common stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. Shares are issued at the stretch opportunity in order to ensure that an 88

Table of Contents adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period. Compensation expense on PSAs is based upon the fair value of the shares on the date of the grant for the expected aggregate share payout as of the period end.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain PSAs to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $1.7 million. There were no outstanding PSAs at December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, 60,755 shares and 38,948 shares have been granted, respectively.

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


			****	Weighted-
				Average
		Number of		Grant-Date
	****	Shares	****	Fair Value
Maximum aggregate share payout at January 1, 2022		38,948		$	31.40
Shares granted		60,755			29.63
Shares forfeited		(3,872)			29.63
Maximum aggregate share payout at December 31, 2022		95,831		$	30.35
Minimum aggregate share payout		—			—
Expected aggregate share payout		77,449		$	29.45

Information related to PSAs during each period is as follows:


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	****	2022		****	2021		****	2020
Compensation expense recognized		$	760		$	154		$	2,279
Income tax benefit recognized on vesting of PSAs		****	193			—			60

As of December 31, 2022, there was $2.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSAs based on the expected aggregate share payout to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Sales Incentive Awards

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

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain performance-based share awards to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total compensation expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $341 thousand. There were no outstanding sales incentive share awards at December 31, 2020. Total compensation expenses of $727 thousand and $171 thousand were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. There was no sales incentive awards compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

There was no activity related to sales incentive awards during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock, and prior to 2021, if all likely aggregate PSAs were issued. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested RSA shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA and PSA shares not yet awarded are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. 89

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



		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)	****	2022		2021		2020

Net income available to common stockholders		$	145,270	$	96,710	$	37,535
Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities		****	(1,688)		(1,215)		(149)
Income attributable to common stock		$	143,582	$	95,495	$	37,386
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, including participating securities		****	38,985,314		39,327,959		21,729,484
Less: weighted-average participating securities		****	(446,480)		(425,533)		(191,536)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		****	38,538,834		38,902,426		21,537,948
Basic EPS		$	3.73	$	2.45	$	1.74
		****	****
Income attributable to common stock		$	143,582	$	95,495	$	37,386
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		****	38,538,834		38,902,426		21,537,948
Weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding		****	—		611		500
Weighted-average common and equivalent shares outstanding		****	38,538,834		38,903,037		21,538,448
Diluted EPS		$	3.73	$	2.45	$	1.74

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

There were 134,447, 167,053 and 15,498 weighted-average stock options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since their exercise prices exceeded the average market price during the period.

PREFERRED STOCK

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

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

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

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit

The contractual amounts of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at year-end were as follows:


	2022				2021
(In thousands)	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate		Fixed Rate		Variable Rate
Available lines of credit	$	73,929	$	996,029	$	69,333	$	981,726
Other loan commitments	****	150,663	****	120,899		89,537		136,553
Stand-by letters of credit	****	27,020	****	355		34,852		689

Table of Contents

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Bank had outstanding firm loan commitments that were accepted by borrowers that aggregated to $271.6 million and $226.1 million, respectively. Substantially all of the Bank’s commitments expire within three months of their acceptance by the prospective borrowers. The credit risk associated with these commitments is based on the loan type which is comprised of multifamily residential, residential mixed-use, commercial real estate, commercial mixed-use, C&I, and one-to-four family residential loans.

At December 31, 2022, the Bank had an available line of credit with the FHLBNY equal to its excess borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2022, this amount approximated $1.57 billion.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Bank completed a securitization of $280.2 million of its multifamily loans through a Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) sponsored “Q-deal” securitization completed in December 2017. With respect to the securitization transaction, the Company also has continuing involvement through a reimbursement agreement executed with Freddie Mac. To the extent the ultimate resolution of defaulted loans results in contractual principal and interest payments that are deficient, the Company is obligated to reimburse FHLMC for such amounts, not to exceed 10% of the original principal amount of the loans comprising the securitization pool at the closing date.

Litigation

The Company is subject to certain pending and threatened legal actions which arise out of the normal course of business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in proceedings where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or which are in their early stages. The Company cannot predict with certainty the actual loss or range of loss related to such legal proceedings, the manner in which they will be resolved, the timing of final resolution or the ultimate settlement. Consequently, the Company cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses related to such legal matters, even in instances where it is reasonably possible that a loss will be incurred. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, the resolution of all ongoing legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The Company accounts for potential losses related to litigation in accordance with GAAP.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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

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

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Securities

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, which were determined utilizing prices obtained from independent parties. The valuations obtained are based upon market data, and often utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (obtained only from market makers or 91

Table of Contents broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. For certain securities, additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Prioritization of inputs may vary on any given day based on market conditions.

All MBS, CMOs, treasury securities, and agency notes are guaranteed either implicitly or explicitly by GSEs as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate securities are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. Obtaining market values as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 for these securities utilizing significant observable inputs was not difficult due to their liquid nature.

Derivatives

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

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


			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2022 Using
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Total		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
Financial Assets:
Securities available-for-sale:
Treasury securities	$	227,256	$	—	$	227,256	$	—
Corporate securities		166,773	****	—	****	166,773	****	—
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		241,240	****	—	****	241,240	****	—
Agency CMOs		281,339	****	—	****	281,339	****	—
State and municipal obligations		33,979		—		33,979		—
Derivative – cash flow hedges		17,150	****	—	****	17,150	****	—
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		137,335	****	—	****	137,335	****	—
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		137,335	****	—	****	137,335	****	—


			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2021 Using
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Total		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
Financial Assets:
Securities available-for-sale:
Agency notes	$	80,254	$	—	$	80,254	$	—
Treasury securities		244,769		—		244,769		—
Corporate securities		152,030		—		152,030		—
Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs		526,454		—		526,454		—
Agency CMOs		521,258		—		521,258		—
State and municipal obligations		38,946		—		38,946		—
Derivative – cash flow hedges		4,358		—		4,358		—
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		40,728		—		40,728		—
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net		40,728		—		40,728		—

Table of Contents

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

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


	December 31, 2022
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices					****
			In Active			Significant		****
			Markets for			Other		Significant
			Identical			Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Assets			Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Individually evaluated loans	$	1,179	$	—	$	—	****	$	1,179


		December 31, 2021
						Fair Value Measurements Using:
		****				Quoted Prices				****
						In Active		Significant
						Markets for		Other		Significant
						Identical		Observable		Unobservable
		Carrying				Assets		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	****	Value		****		(Level 1)	****	(Level 2)	****	(Level 3)
Individually evaluated loans		$	1,900		$	—	$	—		$	1,900

Individually evaluated loans with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2022 had a carrying amount of $1.2 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $2.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $1.3 million. Collateral dependent individually analyzed loans as of December 31, 2022 resulted in a credit loss provision of $0.7 million, which is included in the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Individually evaluated loans with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021 had a carrying amount of $1.9 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $2.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $600 thousand.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

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


			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2022 Using
	Carrying		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Amount		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	169,297	$	169,297	$	—	$	—	$	169,297
Securities held-to-maturity		585,798	****	—	****	505,759	****	—	****	505,759
Loans held for investment, net	****	10,482,145	****	—	****	—	****	10,005,121	****	10,005,121
Accrued interest receivable	****	48,561	****	—	****	6,105	****	42,456	****	48,561
Financial Liabilities:	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****
Savings, money market and checking accounts	****	9,139,043	****	9,139,043	****	—	****	—	****	9,139,043
Certificates of Deposits ("CDs")	****	1,115,364	****	—	****	1,096,808	****	—	****	1,096,808
FHLBNY advances	****	1,131,000	****	—	****	1,131,217	****	—	****	1,131,217
Subordinated debt, net	****	200,283	****	—	****	180,583	****	—	****	180,583
Other short-term borrowings	****	1,360	****	1,360	****	—	****	—	****	1,360
Accrued interest payable	****	5,323	****	—	****	5,323	****	—	****	5,323

Table of Contents


			Fair Value Measurements
			at December 31, 2021 Using
	Carrying		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(In thousands)	Amount		Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	393,722	$	393,722	$	—	$	—	$	393,722
Securities held-to-maturity		179,309		—		177,354		—		177,354
Loans held for investment, net		9,158,908		—		—		9,169,872		9,169,872
Accrued interest receivable		40,149		—		4,481		35,668		40,149
Financial Liabilities:
Savings, money market and checking accounts		9,605,731		9,605,731		—		—		9,605,731
CDs		853,242		—		857,342		—		857,342
FHLBNY advances		25,000		—		25,014		—		25,014
Subordinated debt, net		197,096		—		202,334		—		202,334
Other short-term borrowings		1,862		1,862		—		—		1,862
Accrued interest payable		870		—		870		—		870

REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classifications also are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total, tier 1, and common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of tier 1 capital to average assets. Tier 1 capital, risk-weighted assets and average assets are as defined by regulation. The required minimums for the Company and Bank are set forth in the tables that follow. The Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements at December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Under the Basel III Capital Rules the Company and the Bank are subject to the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: a) 4.5% based on common equity tier 1 capital ("CET1"); b) 6.0% based on tier 1 capital; and c) 8.0% based on total regulatory capital. A minimum leverage ratio (tier 1 capital as a percentage of total average assets) of 4.0% is also required under the Basel III Capital Rules. The Basel III Capital Rules additionally require institutions to retain a capital conservation buffer, composed of CET1, of 2.5% above these required minimum capital ratio levels. Including the capital conservation buffer, the Company and the Bank effectively have the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: a) 7.0% based on CET1; b) 8.5% based on tier 1 capital; and c) 10.5% based on total regulatory capital.

The Company and the Bank made the one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss items included in stockholders’ equity for the purposes of determining the regulatory capital ratios.

As of December 31, 2022, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, common equity tier 1 risk-based, and tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below. Since that notification, there are no conditions or events that management believes have changed the institution’s category. 94

Table of Contents The following tables present actual capital levels and minimum required levels for the Company and the Bank under Basel III rules at December 31, 2022 and 2021:


							For Capital					To Be Categorized
(Dollars in thousands)		Actual					Adequacy Purposes^(1)^					as “Well Capitalized”^(1)^
										Minimum					Minimum
December 31, 2022		Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio		Amount			Ratio
Tier 1 capital / % of average total assets
Bank		$	1,286,656	****	10.0	%	$	517,606	****	4.0	%	$	647,008	****	5.0	%
Consolidated Company		****	1,103,498	****	8.5		****	517,914	****	4.0		****	N/A	****	N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets		****	****	****	****		****		****	****		****	****	****	****
Bank		****	1,286,656	****	11.9		****	485,062	****	4.5		****	700,645	****	6.5
Consolidated Company		****	986,928	****	9.2		****	485,243	****	4.5		****	N/A	****	N/A
Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets		****	****	****	****		****		****	****		****	****	****	****
Bank		****	1,286,656	****	11.9		****	646,749	****	6.0		****	862,332	****	8.0
Consolidated Company		****	1,103,498	****	10.2		****	646,990	****	6.0		****	N/A	****	N/A
Total capital / % of risk-weighted assets		****	****	****	****		****		****	****		****	****	****	****
Bank		****	1,373,431	****	12.7		****	862,332	****	8.0		****	1,077,915	****	10.0
Consolidated Company		****	1,390,272	****	12.9		****	862,654	****	8.0		****	N/A	****	N/A
(1)	In accordance with the Basel III rules.
---	---


						For Capital				To Be Categorized
(Dollars in thousands)		Actual				Adequacy Purposes^(1)^				as “Well Capitalized”^(1)^
								Minimum				Minimum
December 31, 2021		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
Tier 1 capital / % of average total assets
Bank		$	1,215,586	10.0	%	$	488,506	4.0	%	$	610,633	5.0
Consolidated Company			1,037,235	8.5			490,420	4.0			N/A	N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets
Bank			1,215,586	12.5			436,539	4.5			630,557	6.5
Consolidated Company			920,666	9.5			436,700	4.5			N/A	N/A
Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets
Bank			1,215,586	12.5			582,052	6.0			776,070	8.0
Consolidated Company			1,037,235	10.7			582,267	6.0			N/A	N/A
Total capital / % of risk-weighted assets
Bank			1,304,242	13.4			776,070	8.0			970,087	10.0
Consolidated Company			1,304,891	13.4			776,356	8.0			N/A	N/A
(1)	In accordance with the Basel III rules.
---	---

Table of Contents 26. CONDENSED HOLDING COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following statements of condition as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, reflect the Holding Company’s investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, using, as deemed appropriate, the equity method of accounting:

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION


	December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks	$	25,009	$	27,364
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		2,489		3,068
Marketable equity securities, at fair value	****	—		—
Investment in subsidiaries	****	1,348,962		1,366,796
Other assets	****	4,389		4,285
Total assets	$	1,380,849	$	1,401,513

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:	****	****
Subordinated debt, net	$	200,283	$	197,096
Other liabilities	****	10,983		11,797
Stockholders’ equity	****	1,169,583		1,192,620
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,380,849	$	1,401,513

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME^(1)^


		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2022		2021		2020
Net interest loss		$	(10,394)	$	(8,427)	$	(5,147)
Dividends received from Bank		****	95,000		20,000		30,000
Non-interest income		****	—		136		361
Non-interest expense		****	(1,720)		(4,361)		(1,176)
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries		****	82,886		7,348		24,038
Income tax credit		****	4,001		4,051		1,819
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries		****	86,887		11,399		25,857
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		****	65,669		92,597		16,461
Net income		$	152,556	$	103,996	$	42,318
(1)	Other comprehensive income for the Holding Company approximated other comprehensive income for the consolidated Company during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
---	---

Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


		Year Ended December 31,
	****	2022		****	2021		****	2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	152,556		$	103,996		$	42,318
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:		****
Equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries		****	(65,669)			(92,597)			(16,461)
Net gain on marketable equity securities		****	—			(131)			(361)
Net accretion		****	(111)			(157)			146
Loss on extinguishment of debt			740			—			—
(Increase) decrease in other assets		****	(104)			761			(502)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		****	(1,096)			269			214
Net cash provided by operating activities		****	86,316			12,141			25,354

Cash flows from investing activities:		****	****
Proceeds sales of marketable equity securities		****	—			6,101			546
Purchases of securities available-for-sale and marketable equity securities		****	—			(3,000)			(261)
Reimbursement from subsidiary, including purchases of securities available-for-sale		****	—			—			2
Net cash received in business combination			—			11,545			—
Net cash provided by investing activities		****	—			14,646			287

Cash flows from financing activities:		****	****
Proceeds from subordinated debentures issuance, net			157,559			—			—
Redemption of subordinated debentures			(155,000)			—			—
Redemption of preferred stock		****	—			—			(3)
Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net			—			—			116,569
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		****	—			431			38
Release of stock for benefit plan awards		****	1,167			1,153			84
Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards		****	(1,558)			(111)			(3,060)
BMP ESOP shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits		****	—			(993)			—
Treasury shares repurchased		****	(46,762)			(59,280)			(35,356)
Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders		****	(7,286)			(7,286)			(4,783)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders		****	(36,791)			(39,351)			(18,696)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		****	(88,671)			(105,437)			54,793

Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks		****	(2,355)			(78,650)			80,434
Cash and due from banks, beginning of period		****	27,364			106,014			25,580
Cash and due from banks, end of period		$	25,009		$	27,364		$	106,014

Table of Contents

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2022. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by the annual report.

Report by Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2022, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements that are included in this annual report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The attestation report of Crowe LLP appears on page 104.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2022, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

None.

Table of Contents PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information regarding Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance will be set forth in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information regarding Executive Compensation will be set forth in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information regarding Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters will be set forth in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Set forth below is certain information as of December 31, 2022, regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans that have been approved by stockholders. The Company does not have any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by stockholders.


	Number of securities to	Weighted average
Equity compensation	be issued upon exercise	exercise price with	Number of securities
plan approved by	of outstanding options	respect to outstanding	remaining available for
stockholders	and awards	stock options	issuance under the plan
2012 Equity Incentive Plan	56,466	$ 35.71	—
2019 Equity Incentive Plan	35,671	34.87	—
2021 Equity Incentive Plan	—	-	961,122
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	—	-	957,153
Total	92,137	$ 35.39	1,918,275

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information regarding Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence will be set forth in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information regarding the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s fees and services will be set forth in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 25, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Table of Contents

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) The following consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, and financial schedules of the Company, required in response to this item are included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”


		Page No.
1.	Financial Statements

	Consolidated Balance Sheets	44
	Consolidated Statements of Income	45
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	46
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	47
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	48
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	49
	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 173)	101

2.	Financial Statement Schedules

Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

3.		Exhibits

		See Exhibit Index on page 103

100

Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Stockholders and the Board of Directors

of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries Hauppauge, New York

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report by Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 101

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Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans – Qualitative Factors

As described in Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements, the Company estimates expected credit losses for its financial assets carried at amortized cost utilizing the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. At December 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses (the “ACL”) on the overall loan portfolio was $83.5 million.

In determining the ACL related to loans that are collectively evaluated, expected credit losses are determined by calculating a loss percentage by loan segment, or pool. Management estimates the allowance for credit losses on each loan pool using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historically observed credit loss experience of peer banks within the Company’s geography, adjusted for prepayment and curtailment assumptions as well as macro-economic variables, provide the basis for the estimation of quantitatively modeled expected credit losses on similar loan pools.

The quantitative results of the modeling are then adjusted using qualitative factors. These factors include: (1) lending policies and procedures; (2) international, national, regional and local economic business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various markets; (3) the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; (4) the experience, ability, and depth of the lending management and other relevant staff; (5) the volume and severity of past due loans; (6) the quality of our loan review system; (7) the value of underlying collateral for collateralized loans; (8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (9) the effect of external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the existing portfolio. A significant amount of judgment is required to assess the reasonableness of the qualitative factors. Further, changes to these factors could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.

The qualitative factors contribute significantly to the determination of the ACL related to loans that share similar risk characteristics. We identified the assessment of qualitative factors as a critical audit matter because auditing management’s estimate required especially subjective auditor judgment.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included testing the effectiveness of controls over the evaluation of the qualitative factors and substantively testing management’s process related to the assessment of qualitative factors. The testing of the effectiveness of controls over the evaluation of qualitative factors involved controls addressing management’s review and approval of the qualitative factors, including significant assumptions and judgments made and the relevance and reliability of data used as the basis for those judgments. The substantive testing of management’s process related to the assessment of qualitative factors, including evaluating management’s judgments and significant assumptions used in the assessment of qualitative factors, involved evaluation of the reasonableness of management’s judgments related to qualitative factors to determine if they are calculated to conform with management’s policies.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.<br><br><br><br>	<br><br>
	<br><br>
	Crowe LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.

New York, New York

February 28, 2023

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Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit

<br><br><br><br>
3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2021 (SEC File No. 001-34096))<br><br>

3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2021 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

4.1		Description of the Registrant’s Securities

4.2		Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2015, by and between the Registrant, as Issuer, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on September 21, 2015 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

4.3		First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2015, by and between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, including the form of the 5.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures due 2025 attached as Exhibit A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed September 21, 2015 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

4.4		Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2015, by and between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, including the form of the 5.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures due 2030 attached as Exhibit A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed September 21, 2015 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

4.5		Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2017, by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., as Issuer, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on June 13, 2017 (SEC File No. 000-27782))

4.6		First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2017, by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., as Issuer, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, including the form of the 4.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures due 2027 attached as Exhibit A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on June 13, 2017 (SEC File No. 000-27782))

4.7		Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2021 (SEC File No. 000-27782))

4.8		Indenture, dated May 6, 2022, between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed May 6, 2022 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

4.9		First Supplemental Indenture, May 6, 2022, between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust National Association, as Trustee, including the form of 5.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed May 6, 2022 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

10.1		Form of Employment Agreement entered into with Kevin M. O’Connor, Stuart H. Lubow, Avinash Reddy and Conrad J. Gunther (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed October 15, 2020 (File No. 333-248787))

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10.3	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement entered into with Stuart H. Lubow (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))

10.4	Change in Control Employment Agreement between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Patricia M. Schaubeck

10.5	Amendments One and Two to the Change in Control Employment Agreement between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Patricia M. Schaubeck

10.6	Form of Retention and Award Agreement entered into with Kevin M. O’Connor, Stuart H. Lubow, Avinash Reddy and Conrad J. Gunther (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed October 15, 2020 (File No. 333-248787))

10.7	Form of Defense of Tax Position Agreement entered into with Kevin M. O’Connor, Kenneth J. Mahon, Stuart H. Lubow, Avinash Reddy and Conrad J. Gunther (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed October 15, 2020 (File No. 333-248787))

10.8	Executive Chairman and Separation Agreement entered into with Kenneth J. Mahon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed October 15, 2020 (File No. 333-248787))

10.9	Dime Community Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 2, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))

10.10	Amendment One to the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan

10.11	Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, File No. 001-34096, filed April 16, 2021)

10.12	Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, File No. 001-34096, filed April 1, 2019)

10.13	2012 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, File No. 001-34096, filed April 2, 2012)

10.14	Bridge Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed April 2, 2018 (SEC File No. 001-34096))

21.1	Subsidiaries of Registrant

23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
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101.INS		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.LAB		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document

104		Cover page to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


		DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
		Registrant

February 28, 2023		/s/ Kevin M. O’Connor
		Kevin M. O’Connor
		Chief Executive Officer

February 28, 2023		/s/ Avinash Reddy
		Avinash Reddy
		Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

February 28, 2023	/s/ Kenneth J. Mahon	Director
	Kenneth J. Mahon

February 28, 2023	/s/ Marcia Z. Hefter	Director
	Marcia Z. Hefter

February 28, 2023	/s/ Rosemarie Chen	Director
	Rosemarie Chen

February 28, 2023	/s/ Michael P. Devine	Director
	Michael P. Devine

February 28, 2023	/s/ Matthew A. Lindenbaum	Director
	Matthew A. Lindenbaum

February 28, 2023	/s/ Albert E. McCoy, Jr.	Director
	Albert E. McCoy, Jr.

February 28, 2023	/s/ Raymond A. Nielsen	Director
	Raymond A. Nielsen

February 28, 2023	/s/ Kevin M. O’Connor	Director
	Kevin M. O’Connor

February 28, 2023	/s/ Paul M. Aguggia	Director
	Paul M. Aguggia

February 28, 2023	/s/ Joseph J. Perry	Director
	Joseph J. Perry

February 28, 2023	/s/ Kevin Stein	Director
	Kevin Stein

February 28, 2023	/s/ Dennis A. Suskind	Director
	Dennis A. Suskind	<br><br>

106

Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K - WITH PREFERRED STOCK (2022) (00379822.DOCX;1)

Exhibit 4.1

Description of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. Securities

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Dime Community Bancshares,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

Description of Common Stock

We are authorized to issue 90,000,000 shares of capital stock, 80,000,000 of which are shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 of which are shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects to, each other share of common stock. All of our shares of common stock are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.

Dividends

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive and share equally in such dividends, if any, declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Under the New York Business Corporation Law, we may pay dividends on our outstanding shares except when the Company is insolvent or would be made insolvent by the dividend. In addition, we may pay dividends and other distributions either (1) out of surplus, so that our net assets remaining after such payment or distribution shall at least equal the amount of our stated capital, or (2) if we have no such surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year; provided, that, if our capital is less than the aggregate amount of the stated capital represented by the issued and outstanding shares of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets, we may not pay dividends out of such net profits until the deficiency in the amount of stated capital represented by the issued and outstanding shares of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets shall have been repaired. Under the terms of the Company’s 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, unless full dividends for the most recently completed preferred stock dividend period on all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been declared and paid in full or declared or a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside, dividends may not be paid to the holders of our common stock (except for stock dividends and a dividend in connection with a stockholders’ rights plan).

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are generally entitled to one vote per share.

Board of Directors

Our bylaws provide that the Board of Directors must consist of not less than five nor more than 25 directors, the exact number to be determined by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Directors are elected on an annual basis. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders present at the annual shareholders’ meeting, or if the annual meeting is not held, at a special meeting called for the purpose of the election of directors. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all our debts and liabilities and the holders of any preferred stock, all of our assets available for distribution.

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No Preemptive or Redemption Rights

Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Certain Provisions in Our Certificate of Incorporation, Our Bylaws, and Applicable Laws and Regulations

Our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, and applicable federal and New York laws and regulations contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and rights of shareholders that might have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. Such provisions are listed below.

Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. Our shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Restrictions on Call of Special Meetings*.* Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called by the Board of Directors.

Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation provides that certain provisions may only be amended by the approval of 75% of the shares entitled to vote on such amendment, unless such amendment has been approved by an affirmative vote of 75% of directors then in office.

Business Combinations Involving Interested Shareholders*.* Our certificate of incorporation provides that an “interested shareholder” (a person who owns or an affiliate or associate of the Company who has owned in the previous two-year period more than 5% of the Company’s common stock) may engage in a business combination with the Company (i) if approved by the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders or (ii) (a) if approved by 75% or more of the continuing directors and (b) the per share value of the consideration for the transaction is equal to the higher of the highest per share price paid by the interested shareholder in acquiring Company common stock in the preceding two years and the fair market value per share of common stock on the date on which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder.

Evaluation of Offers. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the Board of Directors may, in the context of opposing a tender offer, take into account (i) the social and economic effects of the offer or transaction on the employees, depositors, loan and other customers, creditors, shareholders and other elements of the communities in which we operate or are located, (ii) the reputation and business practices of the offeror and its management and affiliates, and (iii) the business and financial condition and earnings prospects of the offer or, including the possible effect of such conditions on the other elements of the communities in which we operate or are located.

Federal Laws and Regulations

The Bank Holding Company Act generally would prohibit any company that is not engaged in financial activities and activities that are permissible for a bank holding company or a financial holding company from acquiring control of us. “Control” is generally defined as ownership of 25% or more of the voting stock or other exercise of a controlling influence. In addition, any existing bank holding company would need the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring 5% or more of our voting stock. The Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring control of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as us, could constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company.

New York Business Corporation Law

The business combination provisions of the New York Business Corporation Law could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeovers or change in control attempts with respect to the Company and, accordingly, may {Clients/1057/00379822.DOCX/ }

discourage attempts to acquire the Company. In general such provisions prohibit an “interested shareholder” (i.e., a person who owns 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock) from engaging in various business combination transactions with our company, unless (a) the business combination transaction, or the transaction in which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder, was approved by the Board of Directors prior to the interested shareholder's stock acquisition date, (b) the business combination transaction was approved by the disinterested shareholders at a meeting called no earlier than five years after the interested shareholder's stock acquisition date, or (c) if the business combination transaction takes place no earlier than five years after the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date, the price paid to all the stockholders under such transaction meets statutory criteria.

Description of Series A Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors, without further stockholder action, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of such series and any qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, without further vote or action by the Company’s stockholders. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock, without a vote of the holders of the preferred stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation. The Company has issued shares of its 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (which we refer to below as the “preferred stock”).

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets legally available for payment of dividends under New York law, non-cumulative cash dividends based on the liquidation preference of the preferred stock at a rate equal to 5.50% per annum for each “Dividend Period,” which is the period from and including a dividend payment date to but excluding the next dividend payment date. Dividends payable on the preferred stock will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dollar amounts resulting from that calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. If declared by the Board of Directors, the Company will pay dividends on the preferred stock quarterly, in arrears, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, or the next business day thereafter. No dividends on the preferred stock will be declared, paid or set aside to the extent such act would cause us to fail to comply with any applicable laws and regulations, including applicable capital adequacy rules of any appropriate federal banking regulator or agency.

Dividends on the preferred stock are not cumulative. If the Board of Directors does not declare a dividend on the preferred stock in respect of a Dividend Period, then no dividend will be deemed to have accrued for such Dividend Period, be payable on the applicable dividend payment date, or be cumulative, and the Company will have no obligation to pay any dividend for that Dividend Period, whether or not the Board of Directors declares a dividend on the preferred stock for any future Dividend Period.

So long as any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, unless, in each case, the full dividends for the most recently completed Dividend Period on all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been declared and paid in full or declared or a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside:

1.	no dividend shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Stock (as defined below) (other than (i) a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock, or (ii) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under any such plan),

2.	no shares of Junior Stock shall be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by us, directly or indirectly (other than (i) as a result of a reclassification of Junior Stock for or into other

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Junior Stock, (ii) the exchange or conversion of one share of Junior Stock for or into another share of Junior Stock, (iii) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock, (iv) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Junior Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants, (v) purchases of shares of Junior Stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Stock existing prior to the preceding Dividend Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan, or (vi) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such stock or the security being converted or exchanged) nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company; and

no shares of Parity Stock (as defined below) shall be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by us, directly or indirectly (other than (i) pursuant to offers to purchase all or a pro rata portion of the preferred stock and such Parity Stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock, (iii) the exchange or conversion of one share of Parity Stock for or into another share of Parity Stock or Junior Stock, (iv) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Parity Stock, (v) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Parity Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants, (vi) purchases of shares of Parity Stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Parity Stock existing prior to the preceding Dividend Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan, or (vii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Parity Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such stock or the security being converted or exchanged) nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company.

When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the preferred stock and any Parity Stock, if any, all dividends declared upon shares of the preferred stock and any Parity Stock, if any, will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the then-current per share on the preferred stock, and accrued dividends, including any accumulations, on any Parity Stock, bear to each other. No interest shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the preferred stock that may be in arrears.

As used in this description of the preferred stock, “Junior Stock” means the Company’s common stock and any other class or series of stock hereafter authorized over which the preferred stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends and/or in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. “Parity Stock” means any other class or series of Company stock that ranks equally with the preferred stock in the payment of dividends and/or in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. “Senior Stock” means any other class or series of Company stock ranking senior to the preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

Subject to the considerations described above, dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) may be declared and paid on the Company’s common stock and any other stock ranking equally with or junior to the preferred stock, from time to time out of any assets legally available for such payment, and the holders of the preferred stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.

Preemptive Rights

The holders of the preferred stock do not have any preemptive rights with respect to any shares of the Company’s capital stock or any of its other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase any such capital stock.

Conversion Rights

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The preferred stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other of the Company’s property, interests or any other class or series of securities.

Redemption

The preferred stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. The Company may redeem the preferred stock at our option, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 15, 2025, subject to approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at a redemption price equal to $25 per share, plus declared and unpaid dividends for prior Dividend Periods and any accrued but unpaid (whether or not declared) dividends for the then current Dividend Period to, but excluding, the redemption date. The holders of preferred stock do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the preferred stock.

The Company may also redeem shares of the preferred stock at any time within 90 days following a “Regulatory Capital Treatment Event” (as defined below), in whole but not part, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at a redemption price equal to $25 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends for prior Dividend Periods and any accrued but unpaid (whether or not declared) dividends for the then-current Dividend Period to but excluding the redemption date. A “Regulatory Capital Treatment Event” means the Company’s good faith determination that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in (including any announced prospective change), the laws or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the initial issuance of the preferred stock; (ii) any proposed change in those laws or regulations that is announced after the initial issuance of the preferred stock; or (iii) final official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws or regulations that is made, adopted, approved, announced or becomes effective after the initial issuance of the preferred stock, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat the full liquidation value of the shares of preferred stock then outstanding as “additional tier 1 capital” (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of Federal Reserve Regulation Y (or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy guidelines or regulations of any successor appropriate federal banking agency), as then in effect and applicable, for as long as any preferred stock is outstanding.

Our certificate of incorporation set forth the procedures for redemption. Subject to the provisions therein, the Board of Directors may prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of preferred stock are redeemed from time to time.

Any redemption of the preferred stock is subject to receipt of any required prior approval of the Federal Reserve and to the satisfaction of any conditions set forth in the capital guidelines or regulations of the Federal Reserve applicable to redemption of the preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of the preferred stock would be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution of $25 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors and subject to the rights of holders of any securities ranking senior to the preferred stock but before the Company makes any distribution of assets to the holders of the Company’s common stock or any other class or series of shares ranking junior to the preferred stock. If the Company’s assets are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences plus declared and unpaid dividends in full to all holders of the preferred stock and all holders of Parity Stock, the amounts paid to the holders of preferred stock and any Parity Stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidating distribution owed to those holders. Holders of the preferred stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from the Company after they have received their full liquidating distribution (including declared and unpaid dividends). Claims of holders of the preferred stock would be subordinate to all of the Company’s indebtedness, including any subordinated debt securities, and to other non-equity claims on the Company and its assets, including any interests held by the United States government. {Clients/1057/00379822.DOCX/ }

The merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity or by another entity with or into the Company will not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. If the Company enters into any merger or consolidation transaction with or into any other entity and the Company is not the surviving entity in such transaction, the preferred stock may be converted into shares of the surviving or successor corporation, or its parent company, with terms that are substantially similar to the terms of the Company’s preferred stock.

Voting Rights

Except as provided below, the holders of the preferred stock have no voting rights.

Right to Elect Two Directors Upon Nonpayment. If the Company fails to pay, or declare and set apart for payment, dividends on outstanding shares of the preferred stock or any other series of our preferred stock for six quarterly Dividend Periods, whether or not consecutive, the holders of shares of the preferred stock will have the right, voting as a class with holders of any other voting Parity Stock, to vote for the election of two additional members of the board of directors of the Company to hold office for a term of one year (the “Preferred Directors”) at a special meeting called at the request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the aggregate voting power of the preferred stock or any other series of Parity Stock (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the Company’s next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or if no such request is made, in either event such election shall be held at such next annual or special meeting of the stockholders). Upon payment, or declaration and setting apart for payment, in full, the terms of the two Preferred Directors will terminate, and the number of the Company’s directors will be reduced by two, and the voting right of the holders of the preferred stock (and holders of any other equally ranked series of our preferred stock that have similar voting rights) will cease, subject to increase in the number of directors as described above and to revesting of such voting right in the event of each and every additional failure in the payment of dividends for six quarterly Dividend Periods, or their equivalent, whether or not consecutive, as described above.

Any Preferred Director may be removed and replaced at any time, with cause as provided by law or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of the preferred stock voting together as a class with the holders of voting Parity Stock, to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. Any vacancy created by removal with or without cause may be filled only as described in the preceding sentence. If the office of any Preferred Director becomes vacant for any reason other than removal, the remaining Preferred Director may choose a successor who will hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. In addition, if and when the rights of holders of the preferred stock terminate for any reason, including under circumstances described above under “—Redemption,” such voting rights will terminate along with the other rights (except, if applicable, the right to receive the redemption price plus any declared and unpaid dividends), and the terms of any Preferred Directors will terminate automatically and the number of directors will be reduced by two, assuming that the rights of holders of voting Parity Stock have similarly terminated.

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve, if the holders of any series of preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series will be deemed a class of voting securities. A company holding 25% or more of the series, or 10% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over the Company, will be subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at the time the series is deemed a class of voting securities, any other bank holding company will be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act to acquire or retain more than 5% of that series. Any other person (other than a bank holding company) will be required to obtain the non-objection of the Federal Reserve under the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, to acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.

Other Voting Rights. So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the {Clients/1057/00379822.DOCX/ }

preferred stock and any voting Parity Stock, voting together as a single class of the Company’s capital stock, will be required to authorize or increase the authorized amount of, or issue or create shares of, any class or series of Senior Stock, or reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of Senior Stock, or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of Senior Stock.

So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting together as a separate class of the Company’s capital stock, will also be required to:

●

amend, alter or repeal any provision of our certificate of incorporation, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the preferred stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued preferred stock or common stock, or the creation and issuance or an increase or decrease in the authorized or issued amount of any other series of capital stock ranking equally with or junior to the preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, will not be deemed to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the preferred stock; or

●

consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the preferred stock, or a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, unless (i) the shares of preferred stock remain outstanding or are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the new surviving entity, and (ii) the shares of the remaining preferred stock or new preferred securities have terms that are substantially similar to the terms of the preferred stock.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of preferred stock been redeemed. In exercising the voting rights described above or when otherwise granted voting rights by operation of law or by the Company, each share of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote.

If the Company redeems or calls for redemption all outstanding shares of preferred stock and irrevocably deposits in trust sufficient funds to effect such redemption, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required or upon which the holders of the preferred stock will be entitled to vote will be effected, the voting provisions described above will not apply.

Voting Rights under New York Law. New York law provides that, notwithstanding any provision in the certificate of incorporation, the holders of preferred stock have the right to vote separately as a class on any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation that would reduce the par value of the preferred shares, change the authorized preferred shares into a different number of shares of the same class or into one or more classes or series, or to fix, change or abolish the designation of or any of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares, including any provisions in respect of any undeclared dividends, whether or not cumulative or accrued, or the redemption of any shares, or any sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of any shares, or any preemptive right to acquire shares or other securities.

Other Preferred Stock

The Company’s authorized capital stock includes 10,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Our Board of Directors is authorized without further stockholder action to cause the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock, in addition to the 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. Any additional preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, each with preferences, limitations, designations, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, dividend rights, redemption provisions, voluntary and involuntary liquidation rights and other rights as the Board of Directors may determine at the time of issuance. {Clients/1057/00379822.DOCX/ }

Amendment to 2021 Equity Plan - Full Vesting of Performance Awards Upon CIC (00398965.DOCX;1)

EXHIBIT 10.4

CHANGE IN CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into, as of February 1, 2019, by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Ms. Patricia Schaubeck (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, the Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change in Control and to encourage Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change in Control, and to provide Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change in Control that ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of Executive will be satisfied and that are competitive with those of other corporations.

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to accomplish the foregoing objectives and in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

1.	Certain Definitions.

(a)“Affiliate” shall mean an entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with another entity.

(b)“Change in Control” shall mean.

(i)The occurrence of any event (other than an event satisfying the conditions of Section 1(b)(iii)(A)(I) and (II)) upon which any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto (the “Exchange Act”)) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities issued by the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company's then outstanding securities, other than an acquisition by (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of employees of the Company; (B) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (C) any group constituting a person in which employees of the Company are substantial members.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(ii)the occurrence of any event upon which the individuals who, on the date of this Agreement, are members of the Board, together with individuals whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board then in office who were either members of the Board on the date of this Agreement or whose nomination or election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of directors of the Company;

(iii) (A) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation following which both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(I)either (x) the members of the Board immediately prior to such merger or consolidation constitute at least a majority of the members of the governing body of the institution resulting from such merger or consolidation; or (y) the stockholders of the Company own securities of the institution resulting from such merger or consolidation representing 80% or more of the combined voting power of all such securities of the resulting institution then outstanding in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of voting securities of the Company immediately before such merger or consolidation; and

(II)if the entity which results from such merger or consolidation is not the Company, such entity expressly agrees in writing to assume and perform the Company's obligations under the Plan; or

(B)The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(C)Any event that would be described in section 1 (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) if “The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, a New York state chartered savings bank (and any successor thereto)” were substituted for the “Company” therein.

(c)“Change in Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless previously terminated, the Change in Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to Executive that the Change in Control Period shall not be so extended.

(d)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(e)“Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change in Control Period on which a Change in Control occurs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company, (ii) the Date of Termination is prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs, and (iii) it is reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such termination in employment (A) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement, the “Effective Date” means the date immediately prior to such Date of Termination.

2.Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue Executive in its employ, and Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”). The Employment Period shall terminate upon Executive’s termination of employment for any reason.

3.Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During the Employment Period, (A) Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned to Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 25 miles from such location.

(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which Executive is entitled, Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to Executive hereunder, to use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(b)Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), that shall be paid at an annual rate, at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary that has been earned but deferred, to Executive by the Company and its Affiliates in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. The Annual Base Salary shall be paid at such intervals as the Company pays executive salaries generally. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be periodically reviewed and increased in the same manner and proportion as the base salaries of other senior executives of the Company and Affiliates, but in no event shall such review and adjustment be more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.

(ii)Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in cash at least equal to the greater of (A) Executive’s target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (or (x) if no target annual bonus has been set for such fiscal year, the target annual bonus for the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (y) if Executive has no such target annual bonus, an amount equal to at least 35% of Annual Base Salary) and (B) the average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to Executive in respect of the last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (or, if Executive was first employed by the Company after the beginning of the earliest of such three fiscal years, the average of the bonuses paid or payable under such plan(s) in respect of the fiscal years ending before the Effective Date during which Executive was employed by the Company), in each case, with any bonus that was prorated for a partial fiscal year being annualized (the “Recent Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than two and a half months after the end of the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus pursuant to an arrangement that meets the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(iii)Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its Affiliates for Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(iv)Welfare and Insurance Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive and/or Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare and insurance benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its Affiliates (including medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) (“Company Welfare Benefit Plans”) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates, but if the Company Welfare Benefit Plans provide Executive with benefits that are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date (the “Former Company Welfare Benefit Plans”), the Company shall provide Executive with supplemental arrangements (such as individual insurance coverage purchased by the Company for Executive) such that the Company Welfare Benefit Plans together with such supplemental arrangements provide Executive with benefits that are at least as favorable, in the aggregate, as those provided by the Former Company Welfare Benefit Plans.

(v)Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates.

(vi)Fringe Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its Affiliates in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates.

(vii)Office and Support Staff. **** During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to Executive by the Company and its Affiliates at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(viii)Vacation . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation, in each case in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its Affiliates as in effect for Executive at any time during the 365-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates.

4.Termination of Employment.(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to Executive written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of Executive from Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days (or for 180 business days in any consecutive 365 days) as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(b)Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

(i)the willful and continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its Affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or following Executive’s delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer of the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties, or

(ii)the willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct that is materially and demonstrated injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, or if the Company is not the ultimate parent entity of the Company and is not publicly traded, the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the ultimate parent of the Company (the “Applicable Board”) or

EXHIBIT 10.4

upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or a senior officer of the Company and its Affiliates or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company and its Affiliates shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates. The cessation of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Applicable Board (excluding Executive if Executive is a member of the Applicable Board) at a meeting of the Applicable Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel for Executive, to be heard before the Applicable Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Applicable Board, Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(c)Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the Employment Period by Executive for Good Reason or by Executive voluntarily without Good Reason. “Good Reason” means actions taken by the Company resulting in a material negative change in the employment relationship. For these purposes, a “material negative change in the employment relationship” shall include:

(i)the assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 3(a), or a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities or a material diminution in the budget over which Executive retains authority;

(ii)a material diminution in the authorities, duties or responsibilities of the person to whom Executive is required to report, including a requirement that Executive report to an officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Applicable Board;

(iii)a material reduction of (A) any element of the compensation and benefits required to be provided to Executive in accordance with any of the provisions of Section 3(b); (B) Executive’s aggregate annual cash compensation, that for this purpose shall include Base Salary and Annual Bonus; or (C) the benefits, in the aggregate, required to be provided to Executive in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;

(iv)the Company’s requiring Executive (A) to be based at any office or location other than as provided in Section 3(a)(i)(B) resulting in a material increase in Executive’s commute to and from Executive’s primary residence (for this purpose an increase in Executive’s commute by 25 miles or more shall be deemed material); or (B) to be based at a location other than the principal executive offices of the Company if Executive was employed at such location immediately preceding the Effective Date; or

EXHIBIT 10.4

(v)any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement, including any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 10(c).

In order to invoke a termination for Good Reason, Executive shall provide written notice to the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions described in clauses (i) through (v) within 90 days following Executive’s knowledge of the initial existence of such condition or conditions, specifying in reasonable detail the conditions constituting Good Reason, and the Company shall have 30 days following receipt of such written notice (the “Cure Period”) during which it may remedy the condition. In the event that the Company fails to remedy the condition constituting Good Reason during the applicable Cure Period, Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must occur, if at all, within two years following the initial existence of such condition or conditions in order for such termination as a result of such condition to constitute a termination for Good Reason. The Executive’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (i) through (v) shall not affect Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason and Executive’s death following delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall not affect Executive’s estate’s entitlement to severance payments benefits provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for Good Reason.

(d) **** Incapacity. The Executive’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 4(c) shall not affect Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason and Executive’s death following delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall not affect the entitlement of the estate of Executive to severance payments or benefits provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for Good Reason.

(e)Notice of Termination. Any termination of employment by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Date of Termination (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice) (subject to the Company’s right to cure in the case of a resignation for Good Reason). The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

(f)Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified

EXHIBIT 10.4

therein, as the case may be, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the date on which the Company notifies Executive of such termination, (iii) if Executive resigns without Good Reason, the date on which Executive notifies the Company of such termination and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

5.Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) By Executive for Good Reason; By the Company Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Death or Disability or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:

(a) subject to Section 11(l), the Company shall pay to Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

(i)the sum of (1) Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) Executive’s business expenses that are reimbursable pursuant to Section 3(b)(v) but have not been reimbursed by the Company as of the Date of Termination; (3) Executive’s Annual Bonus for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, if such bonus has been determined but not paid as of the Date of Termination; (4) any accrued vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in subclauses (1), (2), (3) and (4), the “Accrued Obligations”); and (5) an amount equal to the product of (x) the Recent Bonus and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro Rate Bonus”); provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive has made an irrevocable election under any deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A of the Code to defer any portion of the Annual Base Salary or the Annual Bonus described in clauses (1) or (3) above, then for all purposes of this Section 5 (including Sections 5(b) through 5(d)), such deferral election, and the terms of the applicable arrangement shall apply to the same portion of the amount described in such clause (1) or clause (3), and such portion shall not be considered as part of the “Accrued Obligations” but shall instead be an “Other Benefit” (as defined below); and

(ii)the amount equal to the product of (1) two and (2) the sum of (x) Executive’s Annual Base Salary and (y) the Recent Bonus;

(iii)an amount equal to Company and its Affiliates contributions under the tax-qualified defined contribution plan and any excess or supplemental defined contribution plans sponsored by the Company or its Affiliates, in which Executive participates as of immediately prior to the Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to Executive, the plans as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date) (collectively, the “Savings Plans”) that Executive would receive

EXHIBIT 10.4

if Executive’s employment continued for the two-year period following the Date of Termination (the “Benefits Period”), assuming for this purpose that (A) Executive is fully vested in the right to receive employer contributions under such plans; (B) Executive’s compensation during each year of the Benefits Period is equal to the Annual Base Salary and the Recent Bonus, and such amounts are paid in equal installments ratably over each year of the Benefits Period; (C) Executive received an Annual Bonus with respect to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs equal to the Pro Rata Bonus, only if a contribution in respect of the compensation described in this clause (C) has not already been credited to Executive under the Savings Plans; (D) the amount of any such employer contributions is equal to the maximum amount that could be provided under the terms of the applicable Savings Plans for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs (or, if more favorable to Executive, or in the event that as of the Date of Termination the amount of any such contributions for such year is not determinable, the amount of contribution that could be provided under the Savings Plans for the plan year ending immediately prior to the Effective Date) for a participant whose compensation is as provided in clauses (B) and (C) above; and (E) to the extent that the employer contributions are determined based on the contributions or deferrals of Executive, disregarding Executive’s actual contributions or deferral elections as of the Date of Termination and assuming that Executive had elected to participate in the Savings Plans and to defer that percentage of Annual Base Salary and/or Annual Bonus under the Savings Plans that would result in the maximum possible employer contribution

(iv)an amount equal to the product of (A) the sum of (x) 150% of the monthly premiums for coverage under the Company’s or and its Affiliates health care plans for purposes of continuation coverage under Section 4980B of the Code with respect to the maximum level of coverage in effect for Executive and his or her spouse and dependents as of immediately prior to the Date of Termination, and (y) 150% of the monthly premium for coverage (based on the rate paid by the Company and its Affiliates for active employees) under the life insurance plans of the Company and its Affiliates, in each case, based on the plans and at the levels of participation in which Executive participates as of immediately prior to the Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to Executive, the plans as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date), and (B) the number of months in the Benefits Period;

(b) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Company prior to the Effective Date; provided, further, that such outplacement benefits shall end not later than the last day of the second calendar year that begins after the Date of Termination; and

(c) except as otherwise set forth in the last sentence of Section 6, to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or that Executive is

EXHIBIT 10.4

eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its Affiliates (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”) in accordance with the terms of the underlying plans or agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to all rights and benefits set forth in the plans and agreements governing Executive’s outstanding equity awards.

(b) Death. If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death during the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive’s estate or beneficiaries with the Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Agreement. The Accrued Obligations (subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(A) to the extent applicable) and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 5(b) shall include and Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and its Affiliates to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such Affiliates under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive’s estate and/or Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of Executive’s death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates and their beneficiaries.

(c)Disability. If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations and Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms of the underlying plans or agreements, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Agreement. The Accrued Obligations (subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(A) to the extent applicable) and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 5(c) shall include, and Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, without limitation, disability and other benefits (either pursuant to a plan, program, practice or policy or an individual arrangement) at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its Affiliates to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive and/or Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its Affiliates and their families.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(d)Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with Executive’s Annual Base Salary (subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(A) to the extent applicable) through the Date of Termination, and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Agreement. If Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, the Company shall provide to Executive the Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits and shall have no other severance obligations under this Agreement. In such case, all the Accrued Obligations (subject to the proviso set forth in Section 5(a)(i)(A) to the extent applicable) and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

6.Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its Affiliates and for which Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 11(h), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Executive may have under any other contract or agreement with the Company or its Affiliates. Amounts that are vested benefits or that Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its Affiliates at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive’s resignation under this Agreement with or without Good Reason, shall in no way affect Executive’s ability to terminate employment by reason of Executive’s “retirement” under any compensation and benefits plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or its Affiliates, including any retirement or pension plans or arrangements or to be eligible to receive benefits under any compensation or benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or any of its Affiliates, including any retirement or pension plan or arrangement of the Company or any of its Affiliates or substitute plans adopted by the Company or its successors, and any termination that otherwise qualifies as Good Reason shall be treated as such even if it is also a “retirement” for purposes of any such plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive receives payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Agreement, Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy of the Company and its Affiliates, unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific reference to this Agreement.

7.Full Settlement: Legal Fees. (a) Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(b) Legal Fees. The Company agrees to pay as incurred (within 10 days following the Company’s receipt of an invoice from Executive), at any time from the Effective Date through Executive’s remaining lifetime (or, if longer, through the 20th anniversary of the Effective Date) to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof whether such contest is between the Company and Executive or between either of them and any third party, and (including as a result of any contest by Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code (“Interest”) determined as of the date such legal fees and expenses were incurred.

8.	Treatment of Certain Payments.

(a) Anything in the Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Accounting Firm (as defined below) shall determine that receipt of all Payments (as defined below) would subject Executive to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to the Agreement (the “Agreement Payments”) so that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below). The Agreement Payments shall be so reduced only if the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would have a greater Net After- Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced. If the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced, Executive shall receive all Agreement Payments to which Executive is entitled hereunder.

(b) If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, the Company shall promptly give Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 8 shall be binding upon the Company and Executive and shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 15 days following the date of Termination of Employment. For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under the Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the payments and benefits under the following sections in the following order: (i) cash payments that may not be valued under Treas. Reg. § 1.280G-1, Q&A-24(c) (“24(c)”), (ii) equity-based payments that may not be valued under 24(c), (iii) cash payments that may be valued under 24(c), (iii) cash payments that may be valued under 24(c), (iv) equity -based payments that may be valued under 24(c) and (v) other types of benefits. With respect to each category of the foregoing, such reduction shall occur first with

EXHIBIT 10.4

respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and next with respect to payments that are deferred compensation, in each case, beginning with payments or benefits that are to be paid the farthest in time from the Accounting Firm’s determination. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.

(c) To the extent requested by Executive, the Company shall cooperate with Executive in good faith in valuing, and the Accounting Firm shall take into account the value of, services provided or to be provided by Executive (including Executive’s agreeing to refrain from performing services pursuant to a covenant not to compete or similar covenant, before, on or after the date of a change in ownership or control of the Company (within the meaning of Q&A-2(b) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code), such that payments in respect of such services may be considered reasonable compensation within the meaning of Q&A-9 and Q&A-40 to Q&A-44 of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code and/or exempt from the definition of the term “parachute payment” within the meaning of Q&A-2(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code in accordance with Q&A-5(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code.

(d) The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 8:

(i)“Accounting Firm” shall mean a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm or other professional organization that is a certified public accounting firm recognized as an expert in determinations and calculations for purposes of Section 280G of the Code that is selected by the Company prior to a Change in Control for purposes of making the applicable determinations hereunder and is reasonably acceptable to Executive, which firm shall not, without Executive’s consent, be a firm serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control.

(ii)“Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to Executive’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Accounting Firm determines to be likely to apply to Executive in the relevant tax year (s).

(iii)“Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code will apply to such Payment.

EXHIBIT 10.4

(iv)“Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise.

(v)“Safe Harbor Amount” shall mean 2.99 times Executive’s “base amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.

(e)	The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the expiration of the Agreement.

9.Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by Executive or representatives of Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those persons designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to Executive under this Agreement, but the Company otherwise shall be entitled to all other remedies that may be available to it at law or equity.

10.Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

(b) The Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section 10(c), without the prior written consent of Executive, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company.

(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

11.	Miscellaneous

EXHIBIT 10.4

(a)Governing Law and Dispute Resolution. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in or for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York or any New York State court sitting in Kings County, New York with respect to any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each party irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute or proceeding. Each party agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTER CLAIM BROUGHT OR ASSERTED BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTERS WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

(b)Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to Executive:

Ms. Patricia Schaubeck

7380 North Bayview Road

P.O. Box 604

Southold, NY 11971

If to the Company:

300 Cadman Plaza West, 8^th^ Floor

Brooklyn, New York 11201

Attention: General Counsel

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

(c)Invalidity. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(d)Survivorship. Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement or

EXHIBIT 10.4

Executive’s employment, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

(e)Section Headings: Construction. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”

(f)Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(g)Amendments: Wavier. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing duly executed by the parties hereto. The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including the right of Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c)(i)-(v), shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

(h)At-Will Employment. The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between Executive and the Company, the employment of Executive by the Company is “at will” and, subject to Section 1(e) of this Agreement, prior to the Effective Date, Executive’s employment may be terminated by either Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date, except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall supersede any other employment agreement between the parties. For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the Effective Date, any other employment agreement between the parties shall continue to govern the relationship between the parties.

(i)Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates, including his severance entitlements, and, as of the Effective Date, supersedes and cancels in their entirety all prior understandings, agreements and commitments, whether written or oral, relating to the terms and conditions of employment between Executive, on the one hand, and the Company or its Affiliates, on the other hand. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not limit the terms of any benefit plans (including equity award agreements) of the Company or its Affiliates that are applicable Executive, except to the extent that the terms of this Agreement are more favorable to Executive. From and after the Effective Date, the obligations of Executive under Section 9 shall be the exclusive restrictive covenant to which Executive is bound and any other restrictive covenants, including noncompetition and non-solicitation restrictions, set forth in any agreement between Executive and the Company

EXHIBIT 10.4

or its Affiliates, including any equity award agreement, shall be void and of no force and effect.

(j)Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(k)Section 409A.

(i)General. It is intended that payments and benefits made or provided under this Agreement shall not result in penalty taxes or accelerated taxation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. Any payments that qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception, the separation pay exception or another exception under Section 409A of the Code shall be paid under the applicable exception. For purposes of the limitations on nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, each payment of compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary in order to avoid the imposition of penalty taxes on Executive pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement, and to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, any payment that may be paid in more than one taxable year shall be paid in the later taxable year.

(ii) Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that are subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (A) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (C) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (D) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(iii) Delay of Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is considered a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company and its Affiliates as in effect on the Termination Date), any payment that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that is otherwise due to Executive under this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following Executive’s separation from service on account of Executive’s separation from service shall instead be paid, with

EXHIBIT 10.4

Interest (based on the rate in effect for the month in which the Executive’s separation from service occurs), on the first business day of the seventh month following his separation from service (the “Delayed Payment Date”), to the extent necessary to prevent the imposition of tax penalties on Executive under Section 409A of the Code. If Executive dies during the postponement period, the amounts and entitlements delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of his estate on the first to occur of the Delayed Payment Date or 30 calendar days after the date of Executive’s death.

(l)Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive and hold him harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the charter and bylaws of the Company (including the advancement of expenses) against, and with respect to, any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney fees), losses and damages resulting from Executive’s good faith performance of his duties and obligations with the Company and its Affiliates.

(m)Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, payments and benefits to Executive hereunder shall be paid or provided, to the extent applicable, in compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has hereunto set Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

By:	Name: Kenneth J. Mahon

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Patricia Schaubeck:

Amendment to 2021 Equity Plan - Full Vesting of Performance Awards Upon CIC (00398965.DOCX;1)

EXHIBIT 10.5

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CHANGE IN CONTROL

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

First Amendment, dated as of April 30, 2021 (the "Amendment"), to the Change in Control Employment Agreement, dated as of February l, 2019 (as amended, the "Agreement"), by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company") and Patricia Schaubeck ("Executive"). Capitalized terms which are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Agreement.

WITNESS ETH:

WHEREAS, Section 4(c) of the Agreement provides, in part, that during the Employment Period (which commenced February 1, 2021) the Executive may voluntarily terminate employment for Good Reason by first providing written notice to the Company within 90 days following Executive's knowledge of the initial existence of such condition and the Company shall have 30 days to remedy the condition; and

WHEREAS, the Agreement further provides that if the Company fails to timely remedy the condition constituting Good Reason, the Executive may terminate employment within two years following the initial existence of such condition or conditions and receive the amounts and benefits specified in Section S(a) of the Agreement (the "Severance"), by providing written Notice of Termination; and

WHEREAS, the Company hereby confirms that the Executive has timely provided written notice of a condition or conditions that constitutes Good Reason as the result of the merger of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Bridge Bancorp, Inc., which was effective February 1, 2021 (the "Merger"), and hereby agrees that the Executive has a right to voluntarily terminate her employment for Good Reason and to receive the Severance; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have agreed to amend the Agreement such that Executive must provide written Notice of Termination of employment to the Company on or before June 30, 2021 in order to be entitled to receive the Severance as the result of the material negative changes in her employment relationship that occurred as the result of the Merger.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements herein set forth and such other consideration the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

Section 1.Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive provides written Notice of Termination of employment on or before June 30, 2021 and separates from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) within thirty days thereafter (or such earlier date as requested by the Company), the Company will pay the Executive the Severance as provided under Sections 5(a)(i), 5(a)(ii) and 5(a)(iii) of the Agreement.

Section 2. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive does not provide written Notice of Termination of employment to the Company on or before June

EXHIBIT 10.5

30, 2021, and thereby elects to remain employed with the Company on and after July I, 2021, 1he Executive hereby agrees that there has not been a material negative change in her employment relationship as a result of the Merger, and that the definition of Good Reason will be automatically and hereby an1ended by reference to the Executive's compensation, title, authority, responsibilities, duties, location, and the authorities, duties or responsibilities of the person to whom Executive is required to report, as of July 1, 2021.

Section 3. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall be deemed effective as of the date first above written, as if executed on such date. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or o1herwise alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect and shall be otherwise unaffected. Capitalized terms in the Amendment not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

Section 4. Governing Law. This Amendment and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deen1ed an original, and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 6. Compliance with Section 409A. This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first written above.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

Kevin M. O'Connor

Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE

EXHIBIT 10.5

SECOND AMENDMENT TO CHANGE IN CONTROL

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Second Amendment, dated as of June 28, 2021 (the "Amendment"), to the Change in Control Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2019, as amended by Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., dated as of April 30, 2021 together, (the "Agreement"), by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company") and Patricia M. Schaubeck ("Executive"). Capitalized terms which are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Agreement.

WITNESS ETH:

WHEREAS, Section 5 of the Agreement sets forth the amounts and benefits payable (the "Severance") to the Executive if, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive's employment other than for Cause, Death or Disability or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have agreed to amend the Agreement such that the Severance described in (a) Section 5(a)(i)(B)(l) shall be increased to three times and (b) Section 5(a)(i)(C) shall be increased to three years.

Section 1.(a) Section 5(a)(i)(B)(l) of the Agreement is amended by deleting "two" and inserting "three" in lieu thereof, and (b) Section 5(a)(i)(C) of the Agreement is amended by deleting "two-year period" and inserting "three-year period" in lieu thereof.

Section 2. Section 11 of the Agreement is amended by inserting the following paragraph:

"(n) Non-Solicitation, Non-Disparagement. In exchange for increasing the Severance, which the Executive hereby acknowledges constitutes valid consideration, the Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, for a period of one year following his or her termination of employment with the Bank, he or she shall not, without the written consent of the Bank, either directly or indirectly:

(i)solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any officer or employee of Dime Community Bank (the " Bank") , the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity whatsoever to, any business whatsoever that competes with the business of the Bank or the Company or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates or has headquarters or offices within the counties in which the Bank or the Company has business operations or has filed an application for

EXHIBIT 10.5

regulatory approval to establish an office; provided, however, that this subsection (i) shall not prohibit general solicitations in any medium not specifically directed at officers or employees of the Bank, the Company or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates; or

(ii)solicit, provide any information, advice or recommendation or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any customer of the Bank or the Company located within a seventy-five (75) mile radius of Times Square, New York to terminate an existing business or commercial relationship with the Bank or the Company; or

(iii)following any termination of employment other than as a result of a Change in Control, without the written consent of the Bank and Company, either directly or indirectly: become an officer, employee, consultant, director, independent contractor, agent, sole proprietor, joint venture, greater than 5% equity-owner or stockholder, partner or trustee of any savings bank, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, credit union, bank or bank holding company, insurance company or agency, any mortgage or loan broker or any other entity that has its headquarters in the New York counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, and Queens.

Executive agrees not to disparage or defame in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, the Company, the Bank, or their affiliates, officers, directors, owners, representatives, employees, products or services, and the Company and the Bank agree not to disparage or defame in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, the Executive, in each case at any time during the Employment Period or at any time following termination of employment.

The parties hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the Bank and the Company, their business and property in the event of the Executive's breach of this Section ll(n), agree that, in the event of any such breach by the Executive, the Bank and/or the Company will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by the Executive and all persons acting for or with the Executive. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank and the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to them for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from the Executive."

Section 4. Governing Law. This Amendment and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

EXHIBIT 10.5

Section 6. Compliance with Section 409A. This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first written above.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

Kevin M. O’Connor

Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE

Amendment to 2021 Equity Plan - Full Vesting of Performance Awards Upon CIC (00398965.DOCX;1)

EXHIBIT 10.10

AMENDMENT ONE

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

WHEREAS, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) maintains the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“the “Plan”); and

WHEREAS, Section 4.1(c) of the Plan provides generally that upon an Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control, a prorated portion of Performance Awards will vest; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) desires to amend the Plan to specify that all Performance Awards will fully vest upon an Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control; and

WHEREAS, Section 6.1 of the Plan provides generally that the Board may amend the Plan at any time, and may amend any Award Agreement, provided, however, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without approval of the stockholders of the Company if such amendment may materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, materially increase the aggregate number of securities which may be issued under the Plan, or materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Company’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “NASDAQ”); and

WHEREAS, NASDAQ Rule 5635(c) generally requires stockholder approval when an equity plan is established or materially amended; and

WHEREAS, NASDAQ Rule 5635(c) provides that a material amendment would include, but is not limited to, any material increase in benefits to participants; and

WHEREAS, NASDAQ guidance provides that a change to the vesting terms of an equity award is not a material amendment provided that the change does not result in either an extension in the term of an equity award beyond the maximum allowable term under the equity plan or in an addition to the aggregate shares available under the equity plan; and

WHEREAS, the Code does not require shareholder approval of this Amendment One.

NOW THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

Section 1.Section 4.1(c) of the Plan. Section 4.1(c) of the Plan is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

“In the event of an Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control, all Performance Awards will vest as to all shares subject to an outstanding Performance Award as of the date of such Involuntary Termination: (i) based on actual performance measured as of the most recent completed

EXHIBIT 10.10

fiscal quarter, and (ii) if actual performance cannot be determined, all Performance Awards will vest as to all shares subject to an outstanding Performance Award at the target performance level.”

Section 2. Effectiveness. This Amendment One shall be deemed effective as of February 24, 2022. In addition, the Plan Award Agreements entered into between the Company and a Participant prior to February 24, 2022 shall be automatically amended to incorporate the terms of this Amendment One.

Section 3. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms which are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Plan.

Section 4. Governing Law. This Amendment One and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 5. Counterparts. This Amendment One may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 6. Compliance with Section 409A. This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board has adopted this Amendment One on the date set forth below.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

February 28, 2023________________By:/s/Kevin M. O’Connor____________

Date Its: Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Subsidiary of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.:


Name	Incorporation	Percent Owned
Dime Community Bank	New York	100%

Subsidiaries of Dime Community Bank:


Name	Incorporation	Percent Owned
195 Havemeyer Corp.	New York	100%
Boulevard Funding Corporation	New York	100%
Dime Abstract LLC	New York	100%
Dime Equipment Corp.	New York	100%
Dime Land Corp.	New York	100%
Dime Financial Services, Inc.	New York	100%
Dime Community, Inc.	New York	100%
Dime Insurance Agency Inc. (f/k/a Havemeyer Investments, Inc.)	New York	100%
Dime Reinvestment Corporation	Delaware	100%
DSB Holdings NY, LLC	New York	100%

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-264390 and 333-199123) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-187262, 333-225221, 333-233406, 333-257220 and 333-253391) of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated February 28, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which report appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022.



	Crowe LLP

New York, New York February 28, 2023

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)

I, Kevin M. O’Connor, certify that:

1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.;

2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2023


/s/ Kevin M. O’Connor
Kevin M. O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)

I, Avinash Reddy, certify that:

1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.;

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 28, 2023


/s/ Avinash Reddy
Avinash Reddy
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

This certification is being furnished as required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(B) 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

As adopted pursuant to

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023, (the “Report”), we, Kevin M. O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and, Avinash Reddy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date: February 28, 2023		/s/ Kevin M. O’Connor
		Kevin M. O’Connor
		Chief Executive Officer

		/s/ Avinash Reddy
		Avinash Reddy
		Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and will be retained by Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.