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8-K

ECB Bancorp, Inc. /MD/ (ECBK)

8-K 2026-04-23 For: 2026-04-23
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Added on April 23, 2026
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  April 23, 2026

ECB BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland 001-41456 88-1502079
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) File Number) Identification No.)

419 Broadway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(617) 387-1110

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ECBK The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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. ☐


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 23, 2026, ECB Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank, issued a press release announcing its financial results at and for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

A copy of the press release announcing the results is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press release dated April 23, 2026
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104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ECB BANCORP, INC.
Date:  April 23, 2026 By: /s/Brandon N. Lavertu
Brandon N. Lavertu
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

ex_908182.htm

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

Date: April 23, 2026

Contact: Richard J. ONeil, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 617-387-1110
Email: rjoneil@everettbank.com

ECB Bancorp, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results

EVERETT, MA, April 23, 2026 - ECB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank (the “Bank”), a state-chartered co-operative bank headquartered in Everett, Massachusetts, today reported net income of $3.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $2.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share for the prior quarter.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(dollars in thousands, except share data) Q1 2026 Q4 2025 Q1 2025
Net interest and dividend income $ 9,834 $ 9,152 $ 6,648
Net income $ 3,122 $ 2,597 $ 1,297
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.38 $ 0.31 $ 0.16
Return on average assets 0.79 % 0.66 % 0.37 %
Return on average equity 7.25 % 6.01 % 3.11 %
Net interest margin 2.49 % 2.32 % 1.89 %
Efficiency ratio ^(1)^ 56.54 % 60.80 % 75.27 %
Book value per common share $ 20.05 $ 19.55 $ 18.63
Total non-performing assets to total assets 0.07 % 0.07 % 0.09 %
Total assets $ 1,650,295 $ 1,605,653 $ 1,452,191
Total loans $ 1,391,489 $ 1,371,819 $ 1,177,543
Total deposits $ 1,199,395 $ 1,132,344 $ 1,036,620

(1) Noninterest expense divided by net interest and dividend income + noninterest income (non-GAAP).

CEO COMMENTARY

Richard J. O’Neil, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Building on the positive momentum of 2025, our first quarter 2026 results reinforce our belief that a focus on core banking fundamentals—disciplined loan growth, strong deposit relationships, and prudent expense management—drives sustained success. We look forward to expanding our presence in neighboring communities as we advance the buildout of our newest branch in Medford, Massachusetts. We remain confident that thoughtful expansion of our branch network, combined with a commitment to innovative banking products and exceptional, personalized service, will support long-term growth and enhance shareholder value."

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets were $1.65 billion at March 31, 2026, as compared to $1.61 billion at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $44.6 million, or 2.8%.

Cash and cash equivalents were $111.3 million at March 31, 2026, as compared to $86.9 million at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $24.4 million, or 28.0%. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was driven by strong deposit growth that outpaced our loan growth for the quarter.

Interest bearing time deposits were $11.5 million at March 31, 2026, as compared to $8.0 million at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $3.5 million, or 43.7%. This increase was due to purchases of new short term interest bearing time deposits.

Investments in securities available for sale were $37.1 million at March 31, 2026, as compared to $34.3 million at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $2.7 million, or 8.0%. This increase was due to purchases of new securities.

Investments in securities held to maturity were $51.6 million at March 31, 2026, as compared to $55.8 million at December 31, 2025, or a decrease of $4.1 million, or 7.4%. This decrease was due to maturities and principal paydowns of securities.


Total gross loans were $1.40 billion at March 31, 2026, as compared to $1.38 billion at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $19.8 million, or 1.4%.

One to four family residential real estate loans increased $18.1 million, or 3.8%, to $491.5 million at March 31, 2026, from $473.4 million at December 31, 2025.
Construction loans increased $5.6 million, or 6.3%, to $94.5 million at March 31, 2026 from $89.0 million at December 31, 2025.
Home equity lines of credit increased $2.3 million, or 4.6%, to $52.2 million at March 31, 2026, from $49.9 million at December 31, 2025.
Commercial loans decreased $77,000, or 1.0%, to $7.86 million at March 31, 2026 from $7.94 million at December 31, 2025.
Consumer loans decreased $704,000, or 81.0%, to $165,000 at March 31, 2026, from $869,000 at December 31, 2025.
Commercial real estate loans decreased $1.0 million, or 0.3%, to $335.4 million at March 31, 2026 from $336.4 million at December 31, 2025.
Multi-family real estate loans decreased $4.3 million, or 1.0%, to $421.1 million at March 31, 2026 from $425.4 million at December 31, 2025.

Total deposits were $1.20 billion at March 31, 2026, as compared to $1.13 billion at December 31, 2025, or an increase of $67.1 million, or 5.9%.

Certificates of deposit increased $67.3 million, or 9.2%, to $795.6 million at March 31, 2026 from $728.3 million at December 31, 2025.
Interest bearing checking accounts increased $6.4 million, or 32.8%, to $25.7 million at March 31, 2026 from $19.4 million at December 31, 2025.
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Money market deposit accounts increased $1.8 million, or 0.8%, to $213.5 million at March 31, 2026 from $211.8 million at December 31, 2025.
Demand deposit accounts decreased $1.3 million, or 1.6%, to $80.2 million at March 31, 2026 from $81.5 million at December 31, 2025.
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Savings accounts decreased $7.1 million, or 7.8%, to $84.3 million at March 31, 2026 from $91.4 million at December 31, 2025.
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FHLB advances were $260.8 million at March 31, 2026, as compared to $284.8 million at December 31, 2025, or a decrease of $24.0 million, or $8.4%.

Total shareholders' equity was $175.9 million as of March 31, 2026, as compared to $171.9 million as of December 31, 2025, or an increase of $4.0 million, or 2.3%. This increase is primarily the result of earnings of $3.1 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") of $752,000. The decrease in AOCL was driven by an increase in the fair value of cash flow hedges. Our book value per share increased by $0.50 to $20.05 at March 31, 2026 from $19.55 at December 31, 2025.

NET INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses was $9.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $9.2 million for the prior quarter, representing an increase of $682,000, or 7.5%. The increase was primarily driven by higher average loan balances and yields, increased loan prepayment fee income, and a decline in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The resulting net interest margin expanded 17 basis points to 2.49% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as compared to 2.32% for the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses was $153,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $241,000 for the prior quarter. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was driven by greater loan growth in the prior quarter than in the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The combination of these items resulted in net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses of $9.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $8.9 million for the prior quarter, or an increase of $770,000, or 8.6%.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income was $327,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $360,000 for the prior quarter, or a decrease of $33,000, or 9.2%.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expense was $5.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $5.8 million for the prior quarter, or a decrease of $38,000, or 0.7%.

INCOME TAXES

We recorded a provision for income tax expense of $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to a provision for income tax expense of $891,000 for the prior quarter, reflecting effective tax rates of 26.8% and 25.5%, respectively.

ASSET QUALITY

Asset quality remains strong. The allowance for credit losses in total and as a percentage of total loans as of March 31, 2026 was $10.4 million and 0.74%, respectively, as compared to $10.3 million and 0.74%, respectively, as of December 31, 2025. For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company recorded $0 in net charge offs, as compared to $2,000 for the prior quarter. Total non-performing assets were $1.2 million, or 0.07%, of total assets as of March 31, 2026, as compared to $1.1 million, or 0.07%, of total assets as of December 31, 2025.


Company Profile

ECB Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered in Everett, Massachusetts and is the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank. The Bank provides financial services to individuals, families, municipalities and businesses through its three full-service branch offices located in Everett, Lynnfield, and Woburn, Massachusetts. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "ECBK." For more information, visit the Company's website at www.everettbank.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management, as well as the assumptions made using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a result, actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, the Company's ability to continue to increase loans and deposit growth, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the businesses in which the Company is engaged and changes in the securities market. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.


ECB Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except share data)

March 31, 2026 Change From
December 31, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2025 March 31, 2025
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks 3,043 $ 4,121 $ 4,431 $ (1,078 ) -26.2 % $ (1,388 ) -31.3 %
Short-term investments 108,248 82,801 143,677 25,447 30.7 % (35,429 ) -24.7 %
Total cash and cash equivalents 111,291 86,922 148,108 24,369 28.0 % (36,817 ) -24.9 %
Interest-bearing time deposits 11,497 7,998 100 3,499 43.7 % 11,397 11397.0 %
Investments in available-for-sale securities (at fair value) 37,066 34,317 13,950 2,749 8.0 % 23,116 165.7 %
Investments in held-to-maturity securities, at cost (fair values of 48,044 as of March 31, 2026, 52,326 at December 31, 2025 and 63,355 at March 31, 2025) 51,624 55,764 68,081 (4,140 ) -7.4 % (16,457 ) -24.2 %
Loans held-for-sale 357 83 (357 ) -100.0 % (83 ) -100.0 %
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of 10,412 at March 31, 2026, 10,255 at December 31, 2025 and 8,808 at March 31, 2025 1,391,489 1,371,819 1,177,543 19,670 1.4 % 213,946 18.2 %
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 11,142 11,852 10,000 (710 ) -6.0 % 1,142 11.4 %
Premises and equipment, net 3,358 3,429 3,455 (71 ) -2.1 % (97 ) -2.8 %
Accrued interest receivable 5,329 5,214 4,343 115 2.2 % 986 22.7 %
Deferred tax asset, net 5,048 5,667 4,920 (619 ) -10.9 % 128 2.6 %
Bank-owned life insurance 15,537 15,420 15,061 117 0.8 % 476 3.2 %
Other assets 6,914 6,894 6,547 20 0.3 % 367 5.6 %
Total assets 1,650,295 $ 1,605,653 $ 1,452,191 $ 44,642 2.8 % $ 198,104 13.6 %
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing 80,233 $ 81,497 $ 79,853 $ (1,264 ) -1.6 % $ 380 0.5 %
Interest-bearing 1,119,162 1,050,847 956,767 68,315 6.5 % 162,395 17.0 %
Total deposits 1,199,395 1,132,344 1,036,620 67,051 5.9 % 162,775 15.7 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 260,815 284,815 234,000 (24,000 ) -8.4 % 26,815 11.5 %
Other liabilities 14,158 16,560 12,993 (2,402 ) -14.5 % 1,165 9.0 %
Total liabilities 1,474,368 1,433,719 1,283,613 40,649 2.8 % 190,755 14.9 %
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, par value 0.01; Authorized: 1,000,000 shares; No shares issued 0.0 % 0.0 %
Common Stock, par value 0.01; Authorized: 30,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 8,773,025 shares, 8,792,719 shares and 9,049,790 at March 31, 2026, December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively 88 88 90 0.0 % (2 ) -2.2 %
Additional paid-in capital 83,026 82,997 85,879 29 0.0 % (2,853 ) -3.3 %
Retained earnings 98,739 95,617 89,142 3,122 3.3 % 9,597 10.8 %
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (144 ) (896 ) (385 ) 752 -83.9 % 241 -62.6 %
Unearned compensation - ESOP (5,782 ) (5,872 ) (6,148 ) 90 -1.5 % 366 -6.0 %
Total shareholders' equity 175,927 171,934 168,578 3,993 2.3 % 7,349 4.4 %
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 1,650,295 $ 1,605,653 $ 1,452,191 $ 44,642 2.8 % $ 198,104 13.6 %
Book value per common share 20.05 $ 19.55 $ 18.63 $ 0.50 2.6 % $ 1.42 7.6 %
Regulatory Capital Ratios (Everett Co-operative Bank) **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
Total capital to risk weighted assets 14.55 % 14.29 % 16.23 % 0.26 % -1.68 %
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 13.60 % 13.34 % 15.25 % 0.26 % -1.65 %
Tier 1 capital to average assets 9.83 % 9.86 % 10.31 % -0.03 % -0.48 %

All values are in US Dollars.


ECB Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands except share data)

For the Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Change From Three Months Ended
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2025 March 31, 2025
Interest and dividend income:
Interest and fees on loans $ 19,577 $ 18,928 $ 15,142 $ 649 3.4 % $ 4,435 29.3 %
Interest and dividends on securities 1,130 1,129 853 1 0.1 % 277 32.5 %
Interest on short term investments 814 896 1,625 (82 ) -9.2 % (811 ) -49.9 %
Interest on interest-bearing time deposits 93 87 1 6 6.9 % 92 9200.0 %
Total interest and dividend income 21,614 21,040 17,621 574 2.7 % 3,993 22.7 %
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits 9,198 9,532 8,859 (334 ) -3.5 % 339 3.8 %
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances 2,582 2,356 2,114 226 9.6 % 468 22.1 %
Total interest expense 11,780 11,888 10,973 (108 ) -0.9 % 807 7.4 %
Net interest and dividend income 9,834 9,152 6,648 682 7.5 % 3,186 47.9 %
Provision (benefit) for credit losses 153 241 (10 ) (88 ) -36.5 % 163 -1630.0 %
Net interest and dividend income after provision (benefit) for credit losses 9,681 8,911 6,658 770 8.6 % 3,023 45.4 %
Noninterest income:
Customer service fees 155 157 140 (2 ) -1.3 % 15 10.7 %
Income from bank-owned life insurance 117 121 116 (4 ) -3.3 % 1 0.9 %
Net gain on sales of loans 36 34 2 5.9 % 36 100.0 %
Other income 19 48 15 (29 ) -60.4 % 4 26.7 %
Total noninterest income 327 360 271 (33 ) -9.2 % 56 20.7 %
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits 3,460 3,543 3,260 (83 ) -2.3 % 200 6.1 %
Director compensation 199 205 216 (6 ) -2.9 % (17 ) -7.9 %
Occupancy and equipment 314 306 281 8 2.6 % 33 11.7 %
Data processing 335 341 311 (6 ) -1.8 % 24 7.7 %
Computer software and licensing 121 111 109 10 9.0 % 12 11.0 %
Advertising and promotions 198 146 132 52 35.6 % 66 50.0 %
Professional fees 447 496 310 (49 ) -9.9 % 137 44.2 %
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance 251 245 185 6 2.4 % 66 35.7 %
Other expense 420 390 404 30 7.7 % 16 4.0 %
Total noninterest expense 5,745 5,783 5,208 (38 ) -0.7 % 537 10.3 %
Income before income tax expense 4,263 3,488 1,721 775 22.2 % 2,542 147.7 %
Income tax expense 1,141 891 424 250 28.1 % 717 169.1 %
Net income $ 3,122 $ 2,597 $ 1,297 525 20.2 % 1,825 140.7 %
Share data:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic 8,026,026 8,014,187 8,210,782 11,839 0.1 % (184,756 ) -2.3 %
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 8,299,710 8,258,297 8,343,771 41,413 0.5 % (44,061 ) -0.5 %
Earnings per share, basic $ 0.39 $ 0.32 $ 0.16 0.07 21.9 % 0.23 143.8 %
Earnings per share, diluted $ 0.38 $ 0.31 $ 0.16 0.07 22.6 % 0.22 137.5 %

AVERAGE BALANCE, RATE & YIELD ANALYSIS

For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 March 31, 2025
Average **** Average **** Average ****
Outstanding Yield/ Outstanding Yield/ Outstanding Yield/
Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets: **** **** **** **** **** ****
Total loans $ 1,382,221 $ 19,577 5.74 % $ 1,343,347 $ 18,928 5.59 % $ 1,157,934 $ 15,142 5.30 %
Securities (1) 87,438 944 4.38 89,492 923 4.09 80,925 672 3.37
Short term investments 89,970 814 3.67 89,807 896 3.96 148,262 1,625 4.45
Interest-bearing time deposits 8,964 93 4.21 7,998 87 4.32 100 1 4.06
Total interest-earning assets 1,568,593 21,428 5.54 % 1,530,644 20,834 5.40 % 1,387,221 17,440 5.10 %
Non-interest-earning assets 40,827 38,069 38,096
Total assets $ 1,609,420 $ 1,568,713 $ 1,425,317
Interest-bearing liabilities: **** **** **** **** **** ****
Checking accounts 18,707 4 0.09 % 19,991 5 0.10 % 17,462 3 0.07 %
Savings accounts 86,152 341 1.61 89,271 414 1.84 98,934 513 2.10
Money market accounts 212,755 1,508 2.87 218,847 1,719 3.12 189,339 1,564 3.35
Certificates of deposit 755,407 7,345 3.94 729,799 7,394 4.02 638,676 6,779 4.30
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,073,021 9,198 3.48 1,057,908 9,532 3.57 944,411 8,859 3.80
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 263,592 2,582 3.97 236,988 2,356 3.94 217,111 2,114 3.95
Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,336,613 11,780 3.57 % 1,294,896 11,888 3.64 % 1,161,522 10,973 3.83 %
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits 82,279 82,271 79,781
Non-interest-bearing liabilities 15,777 15,181 14,741
Total liabilities 1,434,669 1,392,348 1,256,044
Shareholders' Equity 174,751 171,365 169,273
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,609,420 $ 1,563,713 $ 1,425,317
Net interest income $ 9,648 $ 8,946 $ 6,467
Net interest rate spread (2) 1.97 % 1.76 % 1.27 %
Net interest-earning assets (3) $ 231,980 $ 235,748 $ 225,699
Net interest margin (4) 2.49 % 2.32 % 1.89 %
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 117.36 % 118.21 % 119.43 %
(1) Excludes interest and dividends on cost method investments of $186,000, $206,000 and $181,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively.
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(2) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities.
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(3) Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
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(4) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
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