10-Q - NECB - Equibles

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

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

For the transition period from **** to

Commission File Number: 001-40589

NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Maryland	86-3173858
(State or other jurisdiction of<br><br>incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer<br><br>Identification Number)

325 Hamilton Avenue

White Plains , New York **** 10601

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

( 914 ) 684-2500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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		NECB	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer		Accelerated filer	☐

Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒	Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

As of May 7, 2024, there were 14,032,696 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS


`
		Page

Part I	Financial Information	3

Item 1.	Financial Statements	3

	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)	3

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)	5

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)	6

	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)	7

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)	8

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	10

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	36

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	46

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	48

Part II	Other Information	48

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	48

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	48

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	49

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	49

Item 5.	Other Information	49

Item 6.	Exhibits	49

Exhibit Index		50

Signatures		51

Table of Contents

PART I —FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands, except share
	and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions	$	9,940	$	13,394
Interest-bearing deposits		97,508		55,277
Total cash and cash equivalents		107,448		68,671
Certificates of deposit		100		100
Equity securities		18,020		18,102
Securities held-to-maturity ( net of allowance for credit losses of $133 and $136, fair value of $12,937 and $13,126, respectively )		15,735		15,860
Loans receivable		1,654,626		1,586,721
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net		(52)		176
Allowance for credit losses		(4,927)		(5,093)
Net loans		1,649,647		1,581,804
Premises and equipment, net		25,223		25,452
Investments in restricted stock, at cost		614		929
Bank owned life insurance		25,239		25,082
Accrued interest receivable		12,952		12,311
Real estate owned		1,456		1,456
Property held for investment		1,398		1,407
Right of Use Assets – Operating		4,427		4,566
Right of Use Assets – Financing		350		351
Other assets		4,299		8,044
Total assets	$	1,866,908	$	1,764,135
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	288,589	$	300,184
Interest bearing		1,223,413		1,099,852
Total deposits		1,512,002		1,400,036
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		2,346		2,020
Borrowings		47,000		64,000
Lease Liability – Operating		4,497		4,625
Lease Liability – Financing		580		571
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		11,559		13,558
Total liabilities		1,577,984		1,484,810

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (continued)

(Unaudited)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands, except share
	and per share amounts)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	$	—	$	—
Common stock, 0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 14,065,796 shares and 14,144,856 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		141		142
Additional paid-in capital		109,267		109,924
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares		(6,346)		(6,563)
Retained earnings		185,542		175,505
Accumulated other comprehensive income		320		317
Total stockholders’ equity		288,924		279,325
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,866,908	$	1,764,135

All values are in US Dollars.

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands, except
	per share amounts)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans	$	36,703	$	27,575
Interest-earning deposits		1,200		703
Securities		218		233
Total Interest Income		38,121		28,511
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		12,394		5,552
Borrowings		731		112
Financing lease		10		9
Total Interest Expense		13,135		5,673
Net Interest Income		24,986		22,838
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		(165)		1
Net Interest Income after Provision for (Reversal of) Credit Loss		25,151		22,837
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Other loan fees and service charges		462		607
Earnings on bank owned life insurance		157		150
Investment advisory fees		-		117
Unrealized (loss) gain on equity securities		(82)		225
Other		17		16
Total Non-Interest Income		554		1,115
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,351		4,542
Occupancy expense		707		669
Equipment		253		304
Outside data processing		637		515
Advertising		88		49
Real estate owned expense		11		21
Other		2,634		2,091
Total Non-Interest Expenses		9,681		8,191
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		16,024		15,761
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		4,650		4,517
NET INCOME	$	11,374	$	11,244

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC	$	0.87	$	0.77
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – DILUTED		0.86		0.77
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING – BASIC		13,118		14,649
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING – DILUTED		13,191		14,696

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Net Income	$	11,374	$	11,244
Other comprehensive income:
Defined benefit pension:
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income:
Amortization of actuarial gain		(13)		(8)
Actuarial loss arising during period		18		18
Total		5		10
Income tax effect¹		(2)		(3)
Total other comprehensive income		3		7
Total Comprehensive Income	$	11,377	$	11,251

¹Amounts are included in provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income.

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

(Unaudited)


											Accumulated
					Additional						Other
	Number of		Common		Paid- in		Unearned		Retained		Comprehensive
	Shares, net		Stock		Capital		ESOP Shares		Earnings		Income		Total
	(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Balance – December 31, 2023		14,144,856	$	142	$	109,924	$	(6,563)	$	175,505	$	317	$	279,325
Net income		—		—		—		—		11,374		—		11,374
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—		—		3		3
Cash dividend declared ($0.10 per share)		—		—		—		—		(1,337)		—		(1,337)
Stock repurchases		(80,060)		(1)		(1,250)		—		—		—		(1,251)
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards		—		—		252		—		—		—		252
Compensation expense related to stock options		—		—		192		—		—		—		192
Stock option exercise		1,000		—		14		—		—		—		14
ESOP shares earned		—		—		135		217		—		—		352
Balance – March 31, 2024		14,065,796	$	141	$	109,267	$	(6,346)	$	185,542	$	320	$	288,924

											Accumulated
					Additional						Other
	Number of		Common		Paid- in		Unearned		Retained		Comprehensive
	Shares, net		Stock		Capital		ESOP Shares		Earnings		Income		Total
	(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Balance – December 31, 2022		16,049,454	$	161	$	136,434	$	(7,432)	$	132,670	$	156	$	261,989
Net income		—		—		—		—		11,244		—		11,244
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—		—		7		7
Cash dividend declared ($0.06 per share)		—		—		—		—		(875)		—		(875)
Stock repurchases		(723,626)		(8)		(10,514)		—		—		—		(10,522)
Restricted stock award		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards		—		—		241		—		—		—		241
Compensation expense related to stock options		—		—		192		—		—		—		192
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13		—		—		—		—		(99)		—		(99)
ESOP shares earned		—		—		109		217		—		—		326
Balance - March 31, 2023		15,325,828	$	153	$	126,462	$	(7,215)	$	142,940	$	163	$	262,503

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	11,374	$	11,244
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization of securities premiums and discounts, net		1		10
(Decrease) increase in provision for (reversal of) credit losses		(165)		1
Depreciation		297		316
Net amortization of deferred loan fees and costs		14		119
Deferred income tax benefit		(97)		(89)
Unrealized loss (gain) recognized on equity securities		82		(225)
Earnings on bank owned life insurance		(157)		(150)
ESOP compensation expense		352		326
Compensation expense related to stock options		192		192
Compensation expense related to restricted stock		252		241
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(641)		(1,322)
Decrease in other assets		3,991		3,543
Decrease in accounts payable - loan closing		(59)		(2,705)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses		(2,528)		(552)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		12,908		10,949
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net increase in loans		(71,136)		(102,613)
Proceeds from sale of loans		3,424		3,708
Principal repayments on securities available-for-sale		—		1
Principal repayments on securities held-to-maturity		128		142
Redemptions of restricted stock		315		315
Purchases of premises and equipment		(68)		(96)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(67,337)		(98,543)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net increase in deposits		111,966		86,438
Repayment of FRB borrowings		(10,000)		—
Repayment of FHLB of NY advances		(7,000)		(7,000)
Stock repurchases		(1,251)		(10,522)
Stock option exercised		14		—
Increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		326		1,384
Cash dividends paid		(849)		(969)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities		93,206		69,331
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		38,777		(18,263)
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning		68,671		95,308
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Ending	$	107,448	$	77,045

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Supplementary Cash Flows Information:
Income taxes paid	$	4,019	$	371
Interest paid	$	12,866	$	5,621
Supplementary Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Dividends declared and not paid	$	1,407	$	924

See notes to interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a description of the Company’s business and significant accounting and reporting policies:

Nature of Business:

Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that was incorporated in May 2021 to be the successor to NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc., a federally chartered corporation (the “Mid-Tier Holding Company”), upon completion of the second-step conversion of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”) from the two-tier mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure. NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC was the former mutual holding company for the Mid-Tier Holding Company prior to the completion of the second-step conversion. In conjunction with the second-step conversion, each of NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC and the Mid-Tier Holding Company merged out of existence and now cease to exist.

The Bank is a New York State-chartered savings bank and the Company’s primary activity is the ownership and operation of the Bank.

The Bank is headquartered in White Plains, New York. The Bank was founded in 1934 and is a community oriented financial institution dedicated to serving the financial services needs of individuals and businesses within its market area. The Bank currently conducts business through its eleven branch offices located in the Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in White Plains, New York, New City, New York, and Danvers, Massachusetts.

The Bank’s principal business consists of originating primarily construction loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and industrial loans and multifamily and mixed-use residential real estate loans and non-residential real estate loans. The Bank offers a variety of retail deposit products to the general public in the areas surrounding its main office and its branch offices, with interest rates that are competitive with those of similar products offered by other financial institutions operating in its market area. The Bank also utilizes borrowings as a source of funds. The Bank’s revenues are derived primarily from interest on loans and, to a lesser extent, interest on investment securities and mortgage-backed securities. The Bank also generates revenues from other income including deposit fees, service charges and investment advisory fees.

The Bank also previously offered investment advisory and financial planning services under the name Harbor West Wealth Management Group, a division of the Bank, through a networking arrangement with a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. The Bank entered into an agreement to sell all the Bank’s assets relating to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party in December 2023, and the sale closed in January 2024. The Bank no longer offers these services.

New England Commercial Properties LLC (“NECP”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2007 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank. New England Commercial Properties, LLC currently owns one foreclosed property located in Pennsylvania.

NECB Financial Services Group, LLC (“NECB Financial”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in the third quarter of 2012 as a complement to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to sell life insurance and fixed rate annuities. NECB Financial is licensed in New York State. 10

Table of Contents NECB Financial terminated its license in Connecticut on February 22, 2024 due to the sale of all the Bank’s assets relating to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party in January 2024. This subsidiary is currently inactive.

72 West Eckerson LLC (“72 West Eckerson”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2015 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch locations in Spring Valley, New York and Monroe, New York.

166 Route 59 Realty LLC (“166 Route 59 Realty”), a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2021 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the property for the Bank branch located in Airmont, New York.

3 Winterton Realty LLC, a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2021 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the property for the Bank branch located in Bloomingburg, New York.

Principal of Consolidations:

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank, NECP, NECB Financial, 72 West Eckerson, 166 Route 59 Realty, and 3 Winterton Realty LLC (collectively the “Company”) and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the operating results for the interim periods have been included. The results of operations for periods of less than a year are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any other period.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to change in the near term are used in connection with the determination of the allowance for credit losses.

Loan Receivable:

Loans are stated at unpaid principal balances plus net deferred loan origination fees and costs less an allowance for credit losses. Interest on loans receivable is recorded on the accrual basis. An allowance for uncollected interest is established on loans where management has determined that the borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal and/or interest obligations or where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, unless the loans are well secured with a reasonable expectation of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, an allowance for uncollected interest is established and charged against current income. Thereafter, interest income is not recognized unless the financial condition and payment record of the borrower warrant the recognition of interest income. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest on loans that have been restructured is accrued according to the renegotiated terms. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual lives of the related loans by use of the level yield method. Past due status of loans is based upon the contractual due date. 11

Table of Contents Loan Concentration Risk:

The Company’s lending activity is concentrated in construction loans secured by the construction of multi-family properties in Massachusetts and by the construction primarily of multi-family, residential condominium properties, and occasionally non-residential properties located in New York State. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had a majority of construction loans located in New York State, including $680.8 million and $626.0 million in the Bronx, $202.3 million and $198.5 million in the Town of Monroe, $134.6 million and $133.7 million in the Hamlet of Monsey, and $103.8 million and $105.9 million in the Village of Spring Valley. At March 31, 2024, the Company had $78.1 million, or 6.0%, of construction loans located in Rockland County, New York, related to office space or commercial use.

Note 2 — Regulatory Capital

The Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements promulgated by the federal banking agencies. The Federal Reserve establishes capital requirements, including well capitalized standards, for the consolidated bank holding company, and the FDIC has similar requirements for the Company’s subsidiary bank. The Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The following table presents information about the Bank’s capital levels at the dates presented:


						Regulatory Capital Requirements
						Minimum Capital						For Classification as
		Actual				Adequacy(1)						Well-Capitalized
		Amount		Ratio		Amount			Ratio			Amount			Ratio
		(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2024:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)		$	270,492	13.78	%	$	≥	157,081	≥	8.00	%	$	≥	196,352	≥	10.00	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)			264,439	13.47			≥	117,811	≥	6.00			≥	157,081	≥	8.00
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)			264,439	13.47			≥	88,358	≥	4.50			≥	127,628	≥	6.50
Core (Tier 1) capital (to adjusted total assets)			264,439	14.65			≥	72,195	≥	4.00			≥	90,243	≥	5.00
As of December 31, 2023:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)		$	255,252	13.43	%	$	≥	152,097	≥	8.00	%	$	≥	190,121	≥	10.00	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)			249,013	13.10			≥	114,072	≥	6.00			≥	152,097	≥	8.00
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)			249,013	13.10			≥	85,554	≥	4.50			≥	123,579	≥	6.50
Core (Tier 1) capital (to adjusted total assets)			249,013	14.43			≥	69,007	≥	4.00			≥	86,259	≥	5.00
(1)	Ratios do not include the capital conservation buffer.
---	---

Based on the most recent notification by the FDIC, the Bank was categorized as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There have been no conditions or events that have occurred since notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

Note 3 — Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period less any unvested restricted shares. Unallocated common shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) are not included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic net income per common share until they are committed to be released. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result 12

Table of Contents from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and are determined using the treasury stock method. The following table sets forth the weighted average shares outstanding used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share.

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		****	2023
	(In Thousands, except per share data)
Net income (basic and diluted)	$	11,374		$	11,244

Weighted average shares issued		14,118			15,769
Less: Weighted average unearned ESOP shares		(681)			(768)
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted shares		(319)			(352)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		13,118			14,649
Add: Dilutive effect of restricted stock		59			47
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options		14			—
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		13,191			14,696

Net income per share
Basic	$	0.87		$	0.77
Diluted	$	0.86		$	0.77

Note 4 — Equity Securities

The following table is the schedule of equity securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The equity securities consists of our investment in a market-rate bond mutual fund that invests in high quality fixed income bonds, mainly government agency securities whose proceeds are designed to positively impact community development throughout the United States. The mutual fund focuses exclusively on providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income borrowers and renters within our delineated lending areas, including those in majority minority census tracts.


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(In Thousands)
Equity Securities, at Fair Value	$	18,020	$	18,102

The following is a summary of unrealized loss or gain recognized in net income on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(In Thousands)

Net (loss) gain recognized on equity securities during the period	$	(82)	$	225
Less: Net losses realized on the sale of equity securities during the period		—		—
Unrealized net (loss) gain recognized on equity securities held at the reporting date	$	(82)	$	225

Table of Contents Note 5 — Securities Held-to-Maturity

The following table summarizes the Company’s portfolio of securities held-to-maturity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.


	March 31, 2024
			Gross		Gross				Allowance
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair		for
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value		Credit Loss
	(In Thousands)
Mortgage-backed securities – residential:
Government National Mortgage Association	$	444	$		$	7	$	437	$	—
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		846		—		113		733		—
Federal National Mortgage Association		1,912		—		210		1,702		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE		2,868		—		606		2,262		—
Total mortgage-backed securities		6,070		—		936		5,134		—
Municipal Bonds		9,798		—		1,995		7,803		133
	$	15,868	$	—	$	2,931	$	12,937	$	133


	December 31, 2023
			Gross		Gross					Allowance
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair		for
	Cost		Gains		Losses		****	Value		Credit Loss
	(In Thousands)
Mortgage-backed securities – residential:
Government National Mortgage Association	$	452	$	—	$	7		$	445	$	—
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		868		—		114			754		—
Federal National Mortgage Association		1,985		—		198			1,787		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE		2,889		—		580			2,309		—
Total mortgage-backed securities		6,194		—		899			5,295		—
Municipal Bonds		9,802		—		1,971			7,831		136
	$	15,996	$	—	$	2,870		$	13,126	$	136

Contractual final maturities of mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds were as follows at March 31, 2024:


	March 31, 2024
	Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value
	(In Thousands)
Due within one year	$	711	$	638
Due after one but within five years		2,019		1,732
Due after five but within ten years		3,176		2,609
Due after ten years		9,962		7,958
	$	15,868	$	12,937

The maturities shown above are based upon contractual final maturity. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities due to scheduled monthly repayments and due to the underlying borrowers having the right to prepay their obligations.

The activity in the allowance for credit losses for debt securities held-to-maturity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:


		Municipal Bonds
Balance – December 31, 2023	$	136
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		(3)
Balance – March 31, 2024	$	133

Table of Contents

		Municipal Bonds
Balance – December 31, 2022	$	-
Impact of adopting ASC 326		132
Provision for credit loss		4
Balance – March 31, 2023	$	136

The age of unrealized losses and the fair value of related securities held-to-maturity, for which an allowance for credit losses was not deemed necessary, were as follows:


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(In Thousands)
March 31, 2024:
Mortgage-backed securities - residential:
Government National Mortgage Association	$	—	$	—	$	437	$	7	$	437	$	7
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		—		—		733		113		733		113
Federal National Mortgage Association		—		—		1,702		210		1,702		210
Collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE		—		—		2,262		606		2,262		606
Total mortgage-backed securities	$	—	$	—	$	5,134	$	936	$	5,134	$	936


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(In Thousands)
December 31, 2023:
Mortgage-backed securities - residential:
Government National Mortgage Association	$	—	$	—	$	445	$	7	$	445	$	7
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation		—		—		754		114		754		114
Federal National Mortgage Association		—		—		1,787		198		1,787		198
Collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE		—		—		2,309		580		2,309		580
Total mortgage-backed securities	$	—	$	—	$	5,295	$	899	$	5,295	$	899

At March 31, 2024, twenty-six mortgage-backed securities had unrealized losses due to interest rate volatility. Management concluded that the unrealized loss reflected above was temporary in nature since the unrealized loss was related primarily to market interest rate volatility, and was not related to the underlying credit quality of the issuers of the securities. Additionally, the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for the time necessary to recover the amortized cost. At December 31, 2023, there were thirty-two mortgage-backed securities that had unrealized losses due to interest rate volatility.

Credit Quality Indicators

The held to maturity securities portfolio consists of agency mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds. All agency mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and 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. The seven municipal bonds in the portfolio carry no lower than A ratings from the rating agencies at March 31, 2024 and have no realized losses since they were issued. The Company regularly monitors the municipal bonds sector of the market and reviews collectability including such factors as the financial condition of the issuers as well as credit ratings in effect as of the reporting period.

Table of Contents Note 6 — Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Credit Losses

The composition of loans was as follows at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(In Thousands)
Residential real estate:
One-to-four family	$	4,647	$	5,252
Multi-family		197,946		198,927
Mixed-use		28,500		29,643
Total residential real estate		231,093		233,822
Non-residential real estate		19,130		21,130
Construction		1,293,871		1,219,413
Commercial and industrial		108,882		111,116
Consumer		1,650		1,240
Total Loans		1,654,626		1,586,721
Deferred loan costs, net		(52)		176
Allowance for credit losses		(4,927)		(5,093)
	$	1,649,647	$	1,581,804

Loans serviced for the benefit of others totaled approximately $44.2 million and $40.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The value of mortgage servicing rights was not material at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses on loans represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the statement of financial condition date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. The allowance for credit losses is increased by the provision for credit losses, and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for credit losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. All, or part, of the principal balance of loans receivable are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely.

The allowance for credit losses on loans is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the relevant available information from internal and external sources related to past events and current conditions, as well as the incorporation of reasonable and supportable forecasts. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. 16

Table of Contents The following tables summarize the allocation of the allowance for credit losses and loans receivable by loan class and credit loss method at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

At March 31, 2024:


			Non-				Commercial
	Residential		residential				and
	Real Estate		Real Estate		Construction		Industrial		Consumer		Total
	(In Thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	2,229	$	110	$	1,969	$	422	$	197	$	4,927
Ending balance: individually evaluated for credit loss	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for credit loss	$	2,229	$	110	$	1,969	$	422	$	197	$	4,927
Loans receivable:
Ending balance	$	231,093	$	19,130	$	1,293,871	$	108,882	$	1,650	$	1,654,626
Ending balance: individually evaluated for credit loss	$	—	$	—	$	4,385	$	—	$	—	$	4,385
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for credit loss	$	231,093	$	19,130	$	1,289,486	$	108,882	$	1,650	$	1,650,241

At December 31, 2023:


			Non-				Commercial
	Residential		residential				and
	Real Estate		Real Estate		Construction		Industrial		Consumer		Total
	(In Thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	2,433	$	126	$	1,914	$	472	$	148	$	5,093
Ending balance: individually evaluated for credit loss	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for credit loss	$	2,433	$	126	$	1,914	$	472	$	148	$	5,093
Loans receivable:
Ending balance	$	233,822	$	21,130	$	1,219,413	$	111,116	$	1,240	$	1,586,721
Ending balance: individually evaluated for credit loss	$	—	$	—	$	4,385	$	—	$	—	$	4,385
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for credit loss	$	233,822	$	21,130	$	1,215,028	$	111,116	$	1,240	$	1,582,336

Table of Contents The activity in the allowance for credit loss by loan class for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:


			Non-				Commercial
	Residential		residential				and
	Real Estate		Real Estate		Construction		Industrial		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
	(In Thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance - December 31, 2023	$	2,433	$	126	$	1,914	$	472	$	148	$	—	$	5,093
Charge-offs		—		—		—		—		(21)		—		(21)
Recoveries		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Provision (reversal of)		(204)		(16)		55		(50)		70		—		(145)
Balance -March 31, 2024	$	2,229	$	110	$	1,969	$	422	$	197	$	—	$	4,927


			Non-				Commercial
	Residential		residential				and
	Real Estate		Real Estate		Construction		Industrial		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
	(In Thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance - December 31, 2022	$	528	$	131	$	3,835	$	955	$	18	$	7	$	5,474
Impact of adopting ASC 326		895		7		(2,086)		(437)		44		(7)		(1,584)
Charge-offs		—		—		—		—		(21)		—		(21)
Recoveries		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Provision (reversal of)		51		(16)		93		(12)		81		—		197
Balance - March 31, 2023	$	1,474	$	122	$	1,842	$	506	$	122	$	—	$	4,066

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the reversal of provision recorded for residential real estate loans was primarily attributed to the decreased loan balances and reduced credit risk. The reversal of provision recorded for non-residential real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans was primarily attributed to the decreased loan balances. The provision expenses recorded for consumer loans were primarily attributed to the increased deposit account overdraft balances. The provision expenses recorded for constructions loans were primarily attributed to the increased construction loan balances, offset by improving economic conditions during the first quarter of 2024.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the provision expenses recorded for construction loans and residential real estate loans were primarily attributed to the increased loan balances. The provision expenses recorded for consumer loans were primarily attributed to the increased deposit account overdraft balances.

The Company has two individually evaluated loans, totaling $4.4 million, which were collateral-dependent construction loans, secured by multi-family real estate, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The two loans are secured by the same project located in the Bronx, New York, and are currently placed on non-accrual status. There was no interest income recognized from non-accrual loans as of March 31, 2024.

The Company had no individually evaluated loans at March 31, 2023, and there was no interest income recognized

from individually evaluated loans as of March 31, 2023.

Table of Contents The following table shows our recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and allocated allowance for credit losses for loans that were considered nonperforming as of and for the periods presented:

As of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024:


							Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Recorded		Unpaid Principal		Related		Average Recorded		Interest Income
2024 - Individually evaluated	Investment		Balance		Allowance		Investment		Recognized
	(In Thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
Residential real estate	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		4,385		4,353		—		4,385		—
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
		4,385		4,353		—		4,385		—
With an allowance recorded		—		—		—		—		—

Total:
Residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		4,385		4,353		—		4,385		—
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
	$	4,385	$	4,353	$	—	$	4,385	$	—

As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2023:


	Recorded		Unpaid Principal		Related		Average Recorded		Interest Income
2023 - Individually evaluated	Investment		Balance		Allowance		Investment		Recognized
	(In Thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
Residential real estate	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		4,385		4,353		—		5,930		—
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
		4,385		4,353		—		5,930		—
With an allowance recorded		—		—		—		—		—

Total:
Residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		4,385		4,353		—		5,930		—
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
	$	4,385	$	4,353	$	—	$	5,930	$	—

Table of Contents The following tables provide information about delinquencies in our loan portfolio at the dates indicated.

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans as of March 31, 2024:


													Recorded
													Investment >
	30 – 59 Days		60 – 89 Days		Greater Than		Total Past				Total Loans		90 Days and
	Past Due		Past Due		90 Days		Due		Current		Receivable		Accruing
	(In Thousands)
Residential real estate:
One- to four-family	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,647	$	4,647	$	—
Multi-family		—		—		—		—		197,946		197,946		—
Mixed-use		28		—		—		28		28,472		28,500		—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		19,130		19,130		—
Construction loans		—		4,058		4,385		8,443		1,285,428		1,293,871		—
Commercial and industrial loans		—		—		—		—		108,882		108,882		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		1,650		1,650		—
	$	28	$	4,058	$	4,385	$	8,471	$	1,646,155	$	1,654,626	$	—

At March 31, 2024, the $4.1 million construction loans past due over 60 days consisted of two loans that were secured by the same project located in the Bronx, New York. The two loans were brought current subsequently in April 2024.

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans as of December 31, 2023:


													Recorded
													Investment
	30 – 59 Days		60 – 89 Days		Greater Than		Total Past				Total Loans		> 90 Days and
	Past Due		Past Due		90 Days		Due		Current		Receivable		Accruing
	(In Thousands)
Residential real estate:
One- to four-family	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	5,252	$	5,252	$	—
Multi-family		—		—		—		—		198,927		198,927		—
Mixed-use		—		—		—		—		29,643		29,643		—
Non-residential real estate		—		—		—		—		21,130		21,130		—
Construction loans		2,319		—		4,385		6,704		1,212,709		1,219,413		—
Commercial and industrial loans		—		—		—		—		111,116		111,116		—
Consumer		1		—		—		1		1,239		1,240		—
	$	2,320	$	—	$	4,385	$	6,705	$	1,580,016	$	1,586,721	$	—

Table of Contents 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 documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually to classify the loans as to credit risk. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass – Loans that are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or guarantors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell, of any underlying collateral in a timely manner.

Special Mention – Loans which do not currently expose the Company to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant an adverse classification but have some credit deficiencies or other potential weaknesses.

Substandard – Loans which are inadequately protected by the paying capacity and net worth of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – Loans which have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values.

Table of Contents The following table presents the risk category of loans at March 31, 2024 by loan segment and vintage year:


														Revolving		Revolving
	Term Loans Amortized Costs Basis by Origination Year													Loans		Loans
														Amortized		Converted
March 31, 2024		2024		2023		2022		2021		2020		Prior		Cost Basis		to Term		Total
Residential real estate
Risk Rating
Pass	$	-	$	81,063	$	72,100	$	24,419	$	10,645	$	41,962	$	-	$	-	$	230,189
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		904		-		-		-		904
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	-	$	81,063	$	72,100	$	24,419	$	11,549	$	41,962	$	-	$	-	$	231,093

Residential real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Non-residential real estate
Risk Rating
Pass	$	-	$	1,595	$	249	$	1,825	$	989	$	14,472	$	-	$	-	$	19,130
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	-	$	1,595	$	249	$	1,825	$	989	$	14,472	$	-	$	-	$	19,130

Non-residential real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Construction										-
Risk Rating
Pass	$	60,165	$	432,874	$	483,715	$	206,820	$	45,429	$	60,483	$	-	$	-	$	1,289,486
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		4,385		-		-		-		4,385
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	60,165	$	432,874	$	483,715	$	206,820	$	49,814	$	60,483	$	-	$	-	$	1,293,871

Construction
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Commercial and industrial										-
Risk Rating
Pass	$	518	$	4,888	$	7,952	$	386	$	348	$	2,351	$	92,439	$	-	$	108,882
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	518	$	4,888	$	7,952	$	386	$	348	$	2,351	$	92,439	$	-	$	108,882

Commercial and industrial
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Consumer										-
Risk Rating
Pass	$	1,639	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	11	$	-	$	-	$	1,650
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	1,639	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	11	$	-	$	-	$	1,650

Consumer
Current period gross charge-offs	$	21	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	21

Total										-
Risk Rating
Pass	$	62,322	$	520,420	$	564,016	$	233,450	$	57,411	$	119,279	$	92,439	$	-	$	1,649,337
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		904		-		-		-		904
Substandard		-		-		-		-		4,385		-		-		-		4,385
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	62,322	$	520,420	$	564,016	$	233,450	$	62,700	$	119,279	$	92,439	$	-	$	1,654,626
Total
Current period gross charge-offs	$	21	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	21

Table of Contents The following table presents the risk category of loans at December 31, 2023 by loan segment and vintage year:


														Revolving		Revolving
	Term Loans Amortized Costs Basis by Origination Year													Loans		Loans
														Amortized		Converted
December 31, 2023		2023		2022		2021		2020		2019		Prior		Cost Basis		to Term		Total
Residential real estate
Risk Rating
Pass	$	81,379	$	71,932	$	24,504	$	10,696	$	1,326	$	43,070	$	-	$	-	$	232,907
Special Mention		-		-		-		915		-		-		-		-		915
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	81,379	$	71,932	$	24,504	$	11,611	$	1,326	$	43,070	$	-	$	-	$	233,822
Residential real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Non-residential real estate
Risk Rating
Pass	$	1,602	$	251	$	1,841	$	995	$	379	$	16,062	$	-	$	-	$	21,130
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	1,602	$	251	$	1,841	$	995	$	379	$	16,062	$	-	$	-	$	21,130
Non-residential real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Construction
Risk Rating
Pass	$	376,763	$	501,012	$	216,901	$	55,865	$	25,150	$	39,337	$	-	$	-	$	1,215,028
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		4,385		-		-		-		-		4,385
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	376,763	$	501,012	$	216,901	$	60,250	$	25,150	$	39,337	$	-	$	-	$	1,219,413
Construction
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	159	$	-	$	-	$	159

Commercial and industrial
Risk Rating
Pass	$	5,057	$	8,329	$	436	$	435	$	308	$	2,195	$	91,301	$	3,055	$	111,116
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	5,057	$	8,329	$	436	$	435	$	308	$	2,195	$	91,301	$	3,055	$	111,116
Commercial and industrial
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Consumer
Risk Rating
Pass	$	1,229	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$		$	11	$	-	$	1,240
Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	1,229	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	11	$	-	$	1,240
Consumer
Current period gross charge-offs	$	154	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	154

Total
Risk Rating
Pass	$	466,030	$	581,524	$	243,682	$	67,991	$	27,163	$	100,664	$	91,312	$	3,055	$	1,581,421
Special Mention		-		-		-		915		-		-		-		-		915
Substandard		-		-		-		4,385		-		-		-		-		4,385
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	466,030	$	581,524	$	243,682	$	73,291	$	27,163	$	100,664	$	91,312	$	3,055	$	1,586,721
Total
Current period gross charge-offs	$	154	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	159	$	-	$	-	$	313

Table of Contents Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty:

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay, or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses.

In some cases, the Company provides multiple types of concessions on one loan. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession, such as principal forgiveness, may be granted.

There were no loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Commitments:

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments, that is included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses on the consolidated statement of financial condition, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:


	Allowance for Credit Loss
Balance – December 31, 2023	$	1,038
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		(17)
Balance – March 31, 2024	$	1,021

	Allowance for Credit Loss
Balance – December 31, 2022	$	-
Impact of adopting ASC 326		1,586
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		(200)
Balance – March 31, 2023	$	1,386

Note 7 — Real Estate Owned (“REO”)

The Company owned one foreclosed property valued at approximately $1,456,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, consisting of an office building located in Pennsylvania. The property was acquired through foreclosure in December 2014.

Further declines in real estate values may result in impairment charges in the future. Routine holding costs are charged to expense as incurred and improvements to real estate owned that enhance the value of the real estate are capitalized. REO expense recorded in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $11,000 and $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Table of Contents Note 8 — Borrowings

Our borrowings include Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) advances and short-term borrowings from the Discount Window at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”).

FHLB advances are summarized as follows at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


		March 31,					December 31,
		2024					2023
	****			****	Weighted Average	****			****	Weighted Average	****
		Amount			Interest Rate		Amount			Interest Rate	****
		(Dollars in Thousands)
Advances maturing in:
One year or less		$	—		—	%	$	7,000		2.86	%
After one to three years			—		—			—		—
After three to four years			—		—			—		—
After five years (due 2030)			7,000		1.61	%		7,000		1.61	%
		$	7,000		1.61	%	$	14,000		2.24	%

At March 31, 2024, none of the above advances were subject to early call or redemption features. All advances had fixed interest rates, with the remaining term of six years for the advance. At March 31, 2024, the advances were secured by a pledge of the Company’s investment in the capital stock of the FHLB and a blanket assignment of the Company’s otherwise unpledged qualifying mortgage loans. At March 31, 2024, these unpledged qualifying mortgage loans were not pledged to any company other than the FHLB. At March 31, 2024, the Company had the ability to borrow $32.1 million, net of $7.0 million in outstanding advances, from the FHLB and $8.0 million from Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”).

On August 30, 2023, the FRBNY approved the Company’s eligibility to pledge loans under the Borrower-in-Custody program of the FRBNY thereby allowing the Company to borrow from the Discount Window at the FRBNY. As of March 31, 2024, the borrowing from FRBNY was $40.0 million and bears an interest rate of 5.5%. This borrowing matures in June 2024. The Company had an available borrowing limit of $928.8 million from the FRBNY as of March 31, 2024.

Note 9 — Benefits Plans

Outside Director Retirement Plan (“DRP”)

The DRP is an unfunded non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering all non-employee directors meeting eligibility requirements as specified in the plan document. The following table sets forth information regarding the components of net pension periodic expense measured as of March 31, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(Dollars In Thousands)
Net periodic pension expense:
Service cost	$	23	$	31
Interest cost		21		10
Actuarial gain recognized		(13)		(8)
Total net periodic pension expense included in other non-interest expenses	$	31	$	33

Unrecognized net loss of $18,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were included in accumulated other comprehensive income. 25

Table of Contents Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”)

The SERP is a non-contributory defined benefit plan that covers certain officers of the Company. Under the SERP, each of these individuals will be entitled to receive upon retirement an annual benefit paid in monthly installments equal to 50% of his average base salary in the three-year period preceding retirement. Each individual may also retire early and receive a reduced benefit upon the attainment of certain age and years of service combination. Additional terms related to death while employed, death after retirement, disability before retirement and termination of employment are fully described within the plan document. The benefit payment term is the greater of 15 years or the executive’s remaining life. No benefits are expected to be paid during the next five years.

Expenses of $130,000 and $60,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were recorded for this plan and are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income under Salaries and Employee Benefits.

Stock-Based Deferral Plan

In June 2021, the Company established a stock-based deferral plan for eligible key executives and members of the Board of Directors of the Company to elect to defer compensation received from the Company for their services and make deemed investments of that deferred compensation in shares of the Company’s common stock. At March 31, 2024, the Company did not have any obligations under the plan.

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. Participants are permitted to contribute from 1% to 15% or 60% of their annual compensation up to the maximum permitted under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company provided no matching contribution during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

In conjunction with the Mid-Tier Holding Company’s public stock offering in 2006, the Bank established an ESOP for all eligible employees (substantially all full-time employees). The ESOP borrowed $5,184,200 from the Mid-Tier Holding Company and used those funds to acquire 518,420 shares of the Mid-Tier Holding Company common stock at $10.00 per share. The loan from the Mid-Tier Holding Company, which has been assumed by the Company, carries an interest rate of 8.25% and is repayable in twenty annual installments through 2025.

In conjunction with the Company’s second-step conversion offering, on July 12, 2021, the ESOP borrowed $7,827,260 from the Company and used those funds to acquire 782,726 shares of Company common stock at $10.00 per share. The loan from the Company carries an interest rate equal to 3.25% and is repayable in fifteen annual installments through 2035.

Each year, the Bank makes discretionary contributions to the ESOP equal to the principal and interest payment required on the loan from the Company. The ESOP may further pay down the principal balance of the loans by using dividends paid, if any, on the shares of Company common stock it owns. The balance remaining on the first ESOP loan was $919,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The balance remaining on the second ESOP loan was $6,417,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Shares purchased for the ESOP with the loan proceeds serve as collateral for the loan and are held in a suspense account for future allocation among ESOP participants. As the loan principal is repaid, shares will be released from the suspense account and become eligible for allocation. The allocation among plan participants will be as described in the ESOP governing document.

ESOP shares initially pledged as collateral were recorded as unearned ESOP shares in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Thereafter, on a monthly basis over the terms of the ESOP loans, approximately 2,894 shares for the ESOP loan made in 2006 and approximately 4,348 shares for the ESOP loan made in 2021 are committed to be released, respectively. Compensation expense is recorded equal to the shares committed to be released multiplied by the average closing price of the Company’s stock during that month. ESOP expense totaled approximately $352,000 and $326,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 26

Table of Contents respectively. Dividends on unallocated shares, which totaled approximately $70,000 and $47,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, are recorded as a reduction of the ESOP loan. Dividends on allocated shares, which totaled approximately $78,000 and $42,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are charged to retained earnings.

ESOP shares are summarized as follows:


	****	March 31,			December 31,
	****	2024		****	2023
Allocated shares			781,762			694,842
Shares committed to be released			21,729			86,920
Unearned shares			673,918			695,647
Total ESOP Shares			1,477,409			1,477,409
Less allocated shares distributed to former or retired employees			(143,612)			(143,612)
Total ESOP Shares Held by Trustee			1,333,797			1,333,797
Fair value of unearned shares		$	10,600,730		$	12,340,778

Note 10 — Leases

The Company has operating leases and finance leases all of which are comprised of real estate property. The operating leases comprise substantially all of the Company’s obligations in which the Company is the lessee, with remaining lease terms ranging between 1 and 10 years. Most operating lease agreements consist of initial lease terms ranging between 5 and 10 years, with options to renew the leases or extend the term. The finance lease has a remaining lease term of 93 years. The payment structure of all leases is fixed rental payments with lease payments increasing on pre-determined dates at either a predetermined amount or change in the consumer price index.

In accordance with ASC 842, the Company recognized operating and financing lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities related to office facilities and retail branches. The operating and financing lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and the lease liability represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments over the lease term. The Company has elected that any short term leases would be expensed as incurred.

The operating and financing lease asset and lease liability are determined at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of the lease payments. Our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate. The Company used its incremental borrowing rate, the rate of interest to borrow on a collateralized basis for a similar term, at the lease commencement date.

All of the leases are net leases and, therefore, do not contain non-lease components. The Company either pays directly or reimburses the lessor for property and casualty insurance cost and the property taxes assessed on the property, as well as a portion of the common area maintenance associated with the property, which are categorized as non-components as outlined in the applicable guidance.

Table of Contents At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the quantitative data relating to the Company’s leases are as follows (in thousands):


	****	March 31,		****	December 31,		****
		2024			2023		****
Finance Lease Amounts:
ROU asset		$	350		$	351
Lease liability		$	580		$	571
Operating Lease Amounts:
ROU assets		$	4,427		$	4,566
Lease liabilities		$	4,497		$	4,625
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Finance lease			92.75 years			93 years
Operating leases			8.40 years			8.58 years
Weighted-average discount rate
Finance lease			9.50	%		9.50	%
Operating leases			5.20	%		5.18	%

The components of lease expense and cash flow information related to leases as follows:


	****	Three Months Ended March 31,				****
		2024		2023		****
		(Dollars In Thousands)
Finance Lease Cost
Amortization of ROU asset		$	1	$	1
Interest on lease liability		$	10	$	9
Operating Lease Costs		$	197	$	144
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Finance lease		$	—	$	—
Operating leases		$	183	$	142

Maturities of lease liabilities at March 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):


	****	Operating		****	Finance
		Leases			Lease
Years ended December 31:
2024		$	556		$	23
2025			738			30
2026			622			31
2027			637			36
2028			595			36
Thereafter			2,475			4,016
Total lease payments		$	5,623		$	4,172
Interest			(1,126)			(3,592)
Lease liability		$	4,497		$	580

Note 11 — Fair Value Disclosures

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The Company’s marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company has to record at fair value other assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, such as securities held to maturity, individually evaluated loans and other real estate owned. U.S. GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The 28

Table of Contents hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1:	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
---	---
Level 3:	Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
---	---

The level of the asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table sets forth the Company’s assets that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis and the level that was used to determine their fair value at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


		Quoted Prices in						Significant Other						Significant						Total Carried
		Active Markets for						Observable						Unobservable						at Fair
		Identical Assets						Inputs						Inputs						Value on a
		(Level 1)						(Level 2)						(Level 3)						Recurring Basis
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
Description	****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023
Assets:
Marketable equity securities:
Mutual funds		$	18,020		$	18,102		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	18,020		$	18,102
Total assets		$	18,020		$	18,102		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	18,020		$	18,102

There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company did not have any liabilities that were carried at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets that are carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the level that was used to determine their fair value, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


		Quoted Prices in						Significant Other						Significant						Total Carried
		Active Markets for						Observable						Unobservable						at Fair
		Identical Assets						Inputs						Inputs						Value on a
		(Level 1)						(Level 2)						(Level 3)						Non-Recurring Basis
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
Description	****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023		****	2024		****	2023
		(In Thousands)
Assets:
Loans individually evaluated		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	4,385		$	4,385		$	4,385		$	4,385
Real estate owned			—			—			—			—			1,456			1,456			1,456			1,456
Total assets		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,841		$	5,841		$	5,841		$	5,841

Table of Contents The following tables present the qualitative information about non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	At March 31, 2024
	Fair		Valuation	Unobservable			Weighted	****
	Value		Technique	Input	Range		Average	****
	(In Thousands)
Assets:
Loans individually evaluated	$	4,385	Income approach	Capitalization rate	6.00	%	6.00	%
Real estate owned		1,456	Income approach	Capitalization rate	12.00	%	12.00	%


	At December 31, 2023
	Fair		Valuation	Unobservable			Weighted	****
	Value		Technique	Input	Range		Average	****
	(In Thousands)
Assets:
Loans individually evaluated	$	4,385	Income approach	Capitalization rate	6.00	%	6.00	%
Real estate owned		1,456	Income approach	Capitalization rate	12.00	%	12.00	%

The Company did not have any liabilities that were carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:

For real estate owned, fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals or fair value estimations of the underlying properties which generally include various Level 3 inputs which are not identifiable. The appraisals or fair value estimation may be adjusted by management for qualitative reasons and estimated liquidation expenses. Management’s assumptions may include consideration of location and occupancy of the property and current economic conditions. Subsequently, as these properties are actively marketed, the estimated fair values may be periodically adjusted through incremental subsequent write-downs to reflect decreases in estimated values resulting from sales price observations and the impact of changing economic and market conditions.

A loan is considered individually evaluated for credit loss when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all scheduled payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Individually evaluated loans that are collateral dependent are written down to fair value through the establishment of specific reserves, a component of the allowance for credit losses or through partial charge-offs, and as such are carried at the lower of cost or the fair value. Estimates of fair value of the collateral are determined based on a variety of information, including available valuations from certified appraisers for similar assets, present value of discounted cash flows and inputs that are estimated based on commonly used and generally accepted industry liquidation advance rates and estimates and assumptions developed by management. The appraisals may be adjusted by management for estimated liquidation expenses and qualitative factors such as economic conditions. If real estate is not the primary source of repayment, present value of discounted cash flows and estimates using generally accepted industry liquidation advance rates are utilized. Due to the multitude of assumptions, many of which are subjective in nature, and the varying inputs and techniques used by appraisers, the Company recognizes that valuations could differ across a wide spectrum of valuation techniques employed and accordingly, fair value estimates for impaired loans are classified as Level 3.

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end. 30

Table of Contents Fair values for marketable equity securities are determined by quoted market prices on nationally recognized and foreign securities exchanges (Level 1). Fair values for equity securities and securities held to maturity are determined utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of our financial instruments are as follows:


								Fair Value at March 31, 2024
	****			****			****	Quoted		****			****
								Prices in
								Active			Significant
								Markets for			Other			Significant
								Identical			Observable			Unobservable
		Carrying						Assets			Inputs			Inputs
(In thousands)	****	Amount		****	Fair Value		****	(Level 1)		****	(Level 2)		****	(Level 3)
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	107,448		$	107,448		$	107,448		$	—		$	—
Certificates of deposit			100			100			—			100			—
Marketable equity securities			18,020			18,020			18,020			—			—
Securities held to maturity			15,735			12,937			—			12,937			—
Loans receivable, net			1,649,647			1,622,608			—			—			1,622,608
Investments in restricted stock			614			614			—			614			—
Accrued interest receivable			12,952			12,952			—			12,952			—
Financial Liabilities
Deposits			1,512,002			1,509,855			—			1,509,855			—
Borrowings			47,000			46,006			—			46,006			—


								Fair Value at December 31, 2023
	****					****		Quoted		****					****
								Prices in
								Active			Significant
								Markets for			Other			Significant
								Identical			Observable			Unobservable
		Carrying						Assets			Inputs			Inputs
(In thousands)	****	Amount		****	Fair Value		****	(Level 1)		****	(Level 2)		****	(Level 3)
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	68,671		$	68,671		$	68,671		$	—		$	—
Certificates of deposit			100			100			—			100			—
Marketable equity securities			18,102			18,102			18,102			—			—
Securities held to maturity			15,860			13,126			—			13,126			—
Loans receivable			1,581,804			1,552,219			—			—			1,552,219
Investments in restricted stock			929			929			—			929			—
Accrued interest receivable			12,311			12,311			—			12,311			—
Financial Liabilities
Deposits			1,400,036			1,401,083			—			1,401,083			—
Borrowings			64,000			63,053			—			63,053			—

Table of Contents

Note 12 — Revenue Recognition

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income and other sources, including loans and securities that are outside the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented within noninterest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Services within the scope of ASC 606 include deposit service charges on deposits, electronic banking fees and charges income, and investment advisory fees.

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as referral fees based month end reports. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within noninterest income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Sources of revenue outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024		****	2023
		(In Thousands)
Non-interest income:
Deposit-related fees and charges		$	15		$	14
Loan-related fees and charges^(1)^			211			350
Electronic banking fees and charges			236			243
Income from bank owned life insurance^(1)^			157			150
Investment advisory fees			—			117
Unrealized (loss) gain on equity securities^(1)^			(82)			225
Miscellaneous^(1)^			17			16
Total non-interest income		$	554		$	1,115
(1)	Not within the scope of ASC 606.
---	---

A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 is as follows:

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

The Company earns fees from deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed at the point in the time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. The Company discontinued the imposition of overdraft fees on all consumer and business accounts in August 2022. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance. 32

Table of Contents Electronic Banking Fee Income

The Company earns interchange fees from debit and credit card holder transactions conducted through various payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided by an outsourced technology solution.

Investment Advisory Fees

The Company earns fees from investment advisory and financial planning services under the name of Harbor West Wealth Management Group, a division of the Company through a networking arrangement with a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. The registered broker-dealer deducts investment advisory fees and financial planning services fees from the client’s assets under management and remits the fees, net of administrative fees, to the Company on a monthly basis. The Company recognizes the fees into non-interest income upon receipt of the monthly remittances.

As previously noted, in January 2024, the Bank sold all of the Bank’s assets relating to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party. As such, the Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees following the completion of the sale transaction.

Note 13 — Other Non-Interest Expenses

The following is an analysis of other non-interest expenses:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		****	2023
	(In Thousands)
Other	$	1,103		$	766
Service contracts		424			319
Consulting expense		231			189
Telephone		170			157
Directors' compensation		246			224
Audit and accounting		135			111
Insurance		102			95
Director, officer, and employee expense		79			58
Legal fees		66			120
Office supplies and stationary		51			50
Recruiting expense		27			2
	$	2,634		$	2,091

Note 14 — Stock Compensation Plans

At a special shareholders meeting held on September 29, 2022, the Company’s shareholders approved the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan whereby 1,369,771 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved from authorized but unissued shares for purposes of grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units to selected employees and non-employee directors of the Company.

The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determine the fair value of restricted stock under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive plan. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 132,759 shares available for future awards under this plan, which includes 98,311 shares available for stock options and 34,448 shares available for restricted stock awards. 33

Table of Contents A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity and related information for the three months ended March 31 follows:


	2024
				Weighted
				Average
	Shares		****	Market Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		352,037		$	13.67
Granted		—			—
Forfeited		—			—
Vested		—			—
Outstanding at March 31, 2024		352,037		$	13.67

	2023
				Weighted
				Average
	Shares		****	Market Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2022		352,037		$	13.67
Granted		—			—
Forfeited		—			—
Vested		—			—
Outstanding at March 31, 2023		352,037		$	13.67

Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $252,000 and $241,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards that has not yet been recognized was $3.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years.

Table of Contents A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the three months ended March 31 follows:


	2024
				Weighted
				Average
	Options		****	Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		880,097		$	13.67
Granted		—			—
Forfeited		—			—
Exercised		1,000			14.08
Outstanding at March 31, 2024		879,097		$	13.67
Exercisable at March 31, 2024		175,019			13.67

	2023
				Weighted
				Average
		Options	****	Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2022		880,097		$	13.67
Granted		—			—
Forfeited		—			—
Exercised		—			—
Outstanding at March 31, 2023		880,097		$	13.67
Exercisable at March 31, 2023		—			—

Compensation cost related to stock options is recognized based on the fair value of the stock options at the grant date on a straight line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to stock options was $192,000 and $192,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards was $2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years.

Note 15 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvement: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, which incorporates several SEC disclosure requirements into US GAAP and adds interim and annual disclosure requirements to a variety of topics in the Accounting Standards Codification, including those focusing on accounting changes, earnings per share, debt and repurchase agreements. For entities subject to the SEC disclosure requirements and those “required to file or furnish financial statements with or to the SEC in preparation for the sale of or for purposes of issuing securities that are not subject to contractual restrictions on transfer,” the US GAAP requirements will be effective when the removal of the related SEC rule is effective. Early adoption is not permitted for these entities. For all other entities, the effective date will be two years later, and early adoption is permitted. That is, financial statements issued after the effective date of each amendment are required to include on a prospective basis the related disclosure incorporated into US GAAP by this ASU. However, if the SEC does not act to remove its related requirements by June 30, 2027, any related FASB amendments will be removed from the Codification and will not be effective for any entities.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, requires the amount of net income taxes paid for federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as the amount paid to any jurisdiction that net taxes exceed a 5% quantitative threshold. The amendments will require the disclosure of pre-tax income disaggregated between domestic and foreign, as well as income tax expense disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The amendment also eliminates certain disclosures related to unrecognized tax benefits and certain temporary differences. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted in any annual period where financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis but retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of the standard to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. 35

Table of Contents In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), amended the guidance in ASC 718 to add an example showing how to apply the scope guidance to determine whether profits interest and similar awards should be accounted for as share-based payment arrangements. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements. This ASU removes various references to the FASB’s Concepts Statements from the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The FASB does not expect these updates to have a significant effect on current accounting practice. That is because in most cases the amendments to the Codification remove references to Concept Statements that are extraneous and not required to understand or apply the guidance. However, the FASB has provided transition guidance if applying the updated guidance results in accounting changes for some entities. The amendments in ASU 2024-02 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), which involve significant risks and uncertainties. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and actual results may differ from those predicted. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future.

The Company cautions readers of this report that a number of important factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted and could affect the future prospects of the Company include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic conditions, including higher inflation, either nationally or in our market area, that are worse than expected; (ii) changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our interest margins, reduce the fair value of financial instruments or reduce the demand for our loan products; (iii) increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; (iv) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (v) changes in the quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolios and the adequacy of credit loss reserves; (vi) changes in real estate market values in our market area; (vii) decreased demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, or decreased demand for financial services in our market area; (viii) major catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods or other natural or human disasters and pandemics or infectious disease outbreaks, the related disruption to local, regional and global economic activity and financial markets, and the impact that any of the foregoing may have on us and our customers and other constituencies; (ix) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business or changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; (x) technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; (xi) success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than expected; (xii) the inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and financial institutions into our business operations; (xiii) adverse changes in the securities markets; (xiv) the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company’s operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; (xv) the inability of third party service providers to perform; and (xvi) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by bank regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Table of Contents Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies involving significant judgements and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider these accounting policies to be our crucial accounting policies. The judgements and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these judgements and estimates under different conditions, resulting in a change that could have a material impact on the carrying values of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

Balance Sheet Analysis

General

Total assets increased by $102.8 million, or 5.8%, to $1.9 billion at March 31, 2024, from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in assets was primarily due to an increase in net loans of $67.8 million and an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $38.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in other assets of $3.7 million.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $38.8 million, or 56.5%, to $107.4 million at March 31, 2024 from $68.7 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was a result of an increase in deposits of $112.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in borrowings of $17.0 million, an increase of $67.8 million in net loans, and stock repurchases of $1.2 million.

Equity securities decreased by $82,000, or 0.5%, to $18.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $18.1 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in equity securities was attributable to market depreciation of $82,000 due to market interest rate volatility during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Securities held-to-maturity decreased by $125,000, or 0.8%, to $15.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $15.9 million at December 31, 2023 due to $128,000 in maturities and pay-downs of various investment securities, partially offset by a decrease of $3,000 in the allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities.

Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased by $67.8 million, or 4.3%, to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2024 from $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, was primarily due to loan originations of $180.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, consisting primarily of $170.9 million in construction loans with respect to which approximately 34.0% of the funds were disbursed at loan closings, with the remaining funds to be disbursed over the terms of the construction loans. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2024, we originated $9.5 million in commercial and industrial loans.

Loan originations during the first quarter of 2024 resulted in a net increase of $74.5 million in construction loans and $410,000 in consumer loans. The increase in our loan portfolio was partially offset by decreases of $2.2 million in commercial and industrial loans, $2.0 million in non-residential loans, $1.1 million in mixed-use loans, $981,000 in multi-family loans, and $605,000 in residential loans, coupled with normal pay-downs and principal reductions.

The allowance for credit losses related to loans decreased to $4.9 million as of March 31, 2024 from $5.1 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to loans was due to a credit to provision for credit losses totaling $145,000 and charge-offs of $21,000.

Premises and equipment decreased by $229,000, or 0.9%, to $25.2 million at March 31, 2024 from $25.5 million at December 31, 2023 primarily due to the depreciation of fixed assets.

Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank stock decreased by $315,000, or 33.9%, to $614,000 at March 31, 2024 from $929,000 at December 31, 2023 due primarily to the mandatory redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock in connection with the maturity of $7.0 million in advances in the first quarter of 2024.

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) increased by $157,000, or 0.6%, to $25.2 million at March 31, 2024 from $25.1 million at December 31, 2023 due to increases in the BOLI cash value. 37

Table of Contents Accrued interest receivable increased by $641,000, or 5.2%, to $13.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $12.3 million at December 31, 2023 due to an increase in the loan portfolio.

Foreclosed real estate was $1.5 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Right of use assets — operating decreased by $139,000, or 3.0%, to $4.4 million at March 31, 2024 from $4.6 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to amortization.

Other assets decreased by $3.7 million, or 46.6%, to $4.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $8.0 million at December 31, 2023 due to a decrease in tax assets of $3.6 million and a decrease in suspense accounts of $236,000, partially offset by an increase of $126,000 in prepaid expenses.

Total deposits increased by $112.0 million, or 8.0%, to $1.5 billion at March 31, 2024 from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in deposits was due to the Bank offering competitive interest rates to attract deposits. This resulted in a shift in deposits whereby certificates of deposit increased by $90.9 million, or 11.9% and NOW/money market accounts increased by $60.1 million, or 41.5%, partially offset by decreases in savings account balances of $27.4 million, or 14.3%, and non-interest bearing demand deposits of $11.6 million, or 3.9%.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased by $7.0 million, or 50.0%, to $7.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $14.0 million at December 31, 2023 due to the maturity of borrowings in 2024. Federal Reserve Bank borrowings decreased by $10.0 million, or 20.0%, to $40.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $50.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance increased by $326,000, or 16.1%, to $2.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $2.0 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to remittance of real estate tax payments from our borrowers.

Lease liability – operating decreased by $128,000, or 2.8%, to $4.5 million at March 31, 2024 from $4.6 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to amortization.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased by $2.0 million, or 14.7%, to $11.6 million at March 31, 2024 from $13.6 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to a decrease in accrued expense of $2.5 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $486,000 and deferred compensation of $132,000. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments was $1.0 million at March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023.

Stockholders’ equity increased by $9.6 million, or 3.4% to $288.9 million at March 31, 2024, from $279.3 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to net income of $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, $444,000 in the amortization of restricted stock and stock options granted under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, a reduction of $217,000 in unearned employee stock ownership plan shares coupled with an increase of $135,000 in earned employee stock ownership plan shares, an exercise of stock options totaling $14,000, and $3,000 in other comprehensive income, partially offset by stock repurchases totaling $1.2 million and dividends paid and declared of $1.3 million.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

Financial Highlights

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $11.4 million compared to net income of $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in net income of $130,000, or 1.2%, between periods was primarily due to an increase in net interest income and a credit loss expense reduction, partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income, an increase in non-interest expense, and an increase in income tax expense.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income totaled $25.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $22.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in net interest income of $2.2 million, or 9.4%, was primarily due to an increase in interest income offset by an increase in interest expense. 38

Table of Contents The increase in interest income is attributable to increases in the average balances of loans and interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by decreases in the average balances of investment securities and FHLB stock. The increase in interest income is also attributable to a rising interest rate environment due to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases in 2023 that resulted in an increase in the yield on our interest-earning assets.

The increase in market interest rates in 2023 also caused an increase in our interest expense. As a result, the increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was due to an increase in the cost of funds on our deposits and borrowed money. The increase in interest expense was also due to an increase in the average balances on our certificates of deposits, our interest-bearing demand deposits, and our borrowed money, offset by a decrease in the average balances on our savings and club deposits.

Total interest and dividend income increased by $9.6 million, or 33.7%, to $38.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $28.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $361.6 million, or 26.3%, to $1.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $1.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and an increase in the yield on interest earning assets by 49 basis points from 8.28% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to 8.77% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Interest expense increased by $7.4 million, or 131.5%, to $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 155 basis points from 2.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to 4.29% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $398.9 million, or 48.2%, to $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $827.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net interest margin decreased by 88 basis points, or 13.3%, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 to 5.75% compared to 6.63% during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities outpacing the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets.

Credit Loss Expense.

The Company recorded a credit loss expense reduction totaling $165,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to credit loss expenses totaling $1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The credit loss expense reduction of $165,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000, a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $3,000, and a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $17,000. The credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily attributed to favorable trend in the economy.

We charged-off $21,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to charge-offs of $21,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The charge-offs of $21,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

We recorded no recoveries from previously charged-off loans during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Based on a review at March 31, 2024 of the loans that were in the loan portfolio, our off-balance sheet credit exposures, and our HTM investment securities, management believes that the allowances for these three components are maintained at a level that represents our best estimate of inherent losses in the loan portfolio, off-balance sheet credit exposures, and HTM investment securities that were both probable and reasonably estimable.

Management uses available information to establish the appropriate level of the three ACLs. Future additions or reductions to the three ACLs might be necessary based on estimates that are susceptible to change as a result of changes in economic conditions and other factors. As a result, our three ACLs might not be sufficient to cover actual credit losses, and future provisions for credit losses could materially adversely affect our operating results. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our three ACLs. Such agencies 39

Table of Contents may require us to recognize adjustments to the three ACLs based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $554,000 compared to non-interest income of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease of $561,000, or 50.3%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to an increase of $307,000 in unrealized loss on equity securities, a decrease of $145,000 in other loan fees and service charges, and a decrease of $117,000 in investment advisory fees.

The increase in unrealized gain/loss on equity was due to an unrealized loss of $82,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to an unrealized gain of $225,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The unrealized loss of $82,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was due to market interest rate volatility during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The decrease of $145,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to a decrease of $138,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees and a decrease of $7,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees.

The decrease in investment advisory fees was due to the disposition in January 2024 of the Bank’s assets relating to the Harbor West Wealth Management Group. Consequently, the Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees following the completion of the transaction.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased by $1.5 million, or 18.2%, to $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $809,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $543,000 in other operating expense, $122,000 in outside data processing expense, $39,000 in advertising expense, and $38,000 in occupancy expense, partially offset by decreases of $51,000 in equipment expense and $10,000 in real estate owned expense.

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $809,000, or 17.8%, to $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to the hiring of additional personnel to support the growth of the Company and a decrease in loan origination expenses related to loan origination fees due to a decrease in loan originations.

Other non-interest expense increased by $543,000, or 26.0%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due mainly to increases of $338,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest expense, $105,000 in service contracts expense, $42,000 in consulting fees, $25,000 in expenses related to the hiring of personnel, $24,000 in audit and accounting fees, $22,000 in directors compensation, $21,000 in directors, officers, and employee expenses, $13,000 in telephone expense, $7,000 in insurance expense, and $1,000 in office supplies. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $54,000 in legal fees.

The increase of $338,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest expense was mainly due to increases of $339,000 in regulatory insurance premiums and assessments due to an increase in our total assets, $22,000 in dues and subscriptions, and $7,000 in check and correspondence bank charges. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $24,000 in miscellaneous charge-offs, $3,000 in postage expense, and $2,000 in miscellaneous expenses.

Service contracts expense increased by $105,000, or 32.9%, to $424,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $319,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to the increased cost to support the growth of the Company. Consultant fees increased by $42,000, or 22.3%, to $231,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $189,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to the upgrading of the Company’s telephone system.

Recruiting expense increased by $25,000, or 1,250.0%, to $27,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $2,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to the use of a traditional recruiting firm in 2024 compared to less reliance on traditional recruiting firms in 2023 for personnel hirings. Audit and accounting expense increased by 40

Table of Contents $24,000, or 21.7%, to $135,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $111,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to the Company’s growth.

Directors’ compensation increased by $22,000, or 9.8%, to $246,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $224,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to an increase in fees and an increase to the amortization of expenses due to the awarding of additional restricted stocks related to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. Directors, officers, and employee expenses increased by $21,000, or 36.2%, to $79,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $58,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to tuition payments for employees.

Telephone expense increased by $13,000, or 8.5%, to $170,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $157,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to increased usage to service customers. Insurance expense increased by $7,000, or 7.8%, to $102,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $95,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to a general increase in insurance premiums. Legal fees decreased by $54,000, or 45.0%, to $66,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $120,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to a reduction in transactions requiring legal services.

Outside data processing expense increased by $122,000, or 23.7%, to $637,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $515,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to an increase in transactions and additional data processing services.

Advertising expense increased by $39,000, or 79.6%, to $88,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $49,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due mainly to advertising to promote interest rates offered on our deposit products. Occupancy expense increased by $38,000, or 5.7%, to $707,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $669,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily as a result of the increased cost of operating office space.

Equipment expense decreased by $51,000, or 16.8%, to $253,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $304,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to a reduced need to purchase additional equipment. Real estate owned expense decreased by $10,000, or 47.6%, to $11,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to efforts to contain cost.

Income Taxes. We recorded income tax expense of $4.7 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had approximately $195,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $182,000 in tax exempt income for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our effective income tax rates were 29.0% and 28.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Average Balances and Yields

The following tables present information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets, the total dollar amounts of interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the resulting annualized average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average daily balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Loan fees, including prepayment fees, are included in interest income on loans and are not material. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balances only. In addition, yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis. Any adjustments necessary to present yields on a tax-equivalent basis are insignificant.

Table of Contents


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024								2023
	****	Average		****	Interest and		****	Yield/	****	Average		****	Interest and		****	Yield/	****
		Balance			Dividends			Cost		Balance			Dividends			Cost

Loans receivable		$	1,612,343		$	36,703		9.11	%	$	1,269,850		$	27,575		8.69	%
Securities			33,848			197		2.33			44,523			211		1.90
Federal Home Loan Bank stock			842			21		9.98			1,150			22		7.65
Other interest-earning assets			91,552			1,200		5.24			61,484			703		4.57
Total interest-earning assets			1,738,585			38,121		8.77			1,377,007			28,511		8.28
Allowance for credit losses			(5,091)								(5,459)
Non-interest-earning assets			88,859								80,900
Total assets		$	1,822,353							$	1,452,448

Interest bearing demand		$	171,483		$	1,817		4.24	%	$	90,199		$	428		1.90	%
Savings and club accounts			182,771			1,202		2.63			286,510			1,913		2.67
Certificates of deposit			810,586			9,375		4.63			431,259			3,211		2.98
Interest-bearing deposits			1,164,840			12,394		4.26			807,968			5,552		2.75
Borrowed money		$	61,092			741		4.85			19,056			121		2.54
Interest-bearing liabilities			1,225,932			13,135		4.29			827,024			5,673		2.74
Non-interest-bearing demand			291,909								345,298
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			18,090								15,181
Total liabilities			1,535,931								1,187,503
Equity			286,422								264,945
Total liabilities and equity		$	1,822,353							$	1,452,448
Net interest income/interest spread					$	24,986		4.48	%				$	22,838		5.54	%
Net interest margin								5.75	%							6.63	%
Net interest-earning assets		$	512,653							$	549,983
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities			141.82	%							166.50	%

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following tables set forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns.


		Three Months Ended 3/31/2024
		Compared to
		Three Months Ended 3/31/2023
		Increase (Decrease)
		Due to
	****	Volume		****	Rate		****	Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
Loans receivable		$	7,742		$	1,386		$	9,128
Securities			(204)			190			(14)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock			(26)			25			(1)
Other interest-earning assets			383			114			497
Total		$	7,895		$	1,715		$	9,610
Interest expense:
Interest bearing demand deposit		$	587		$	802		$	1,389
Savings accounts			(683)			(28)			(711)
Certificates of deposits			3,784			2,380			6,164
Borrowed money			439			181			620
Total			4,127			3,335			7,462
Net change in net interest income		$	3,768		$	(1,620)		$	2,148

Table of Contents Asset Quality

The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.


	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023			****
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total non-accrual loans	$	4,385		$	4,385
Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more		—			—
Total non-performing loans		4,385			4,385
Real estate owned		1,456			1,456
Total non-performing assets	$	5,841		$	5,841
Total non-performing loans to total loans		0.27	%		0.28	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets		0.31	%		0.33	%

Non-performing assets totaled $5.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had two non-performing, non-accrual construction loans totaling $4.4 million secured by the same project located in the Bronx, New York. The other non-performing assets consisted of one foreclosed property at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we did not collect any interest income from the loans that were in non-accrual status. We did not collect any interest income from loans that were in non-accrual status in 2023.

From time to time, as part of our loss mitigation strategy, we may modify loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay, or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses. There were no new loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. 43

Table of Contents The following table sets forth an analysis of the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to loans for the periods indicated:


	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
	(Dollars In Thousands)
Allowance at beginning of period	$	5,093		$	5,474
Impact of adopting ASC 326		—			(1,584)
Provision for credit losses		(145)			1,516
Net Charge-offs:
Residential real estate loans:
One- to four-family		—			—
Multifamily		—			—
Mixed-use		—			—
Total residential real estate loans		—			—
Non-residential real estate loans		—			—
Construction loans		—			159
Commercial and industrial loans		—			—
Consumer loans		21			154
Total net charge-offs		21			313
Allowance at end of period	$	4,927		$	5,093
Total loans outstanding	$	1,654,626		$	1,586,721
Average loans outstanding		1,612,343			1,401,492
Ratio of allowance to non-performing loans		—	%		—	%
Ratio of allowance to total loans		0.30	%		0.32	%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans		0.00	%		0.02	%
Non-performing loans	$	4,385		$	4,385

The Company’s allowance for credit losses related to loans totaled $4.9 million, or 0.30% of total loans as of March 31, 2024 compared to $5.1 million, or 0.32% of total loans as of December 31, 2023. In addition, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments totaled $1.0 million and an allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $133,000 as of March 31, 2024 compared to $1.0 million and $136,000, respectively, at December 31, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses related to loans decreased by $166,000 to $4.9 million at March 31, 2024 from $5.1 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in the allowances for credit losses was due primarily to a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 and charge-offs of $21,000 against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

The allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments decreased by $17,000 to $1.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $1.0 million at December 31, 2023 due to a credit loss expense reduction of $17,000 at March 31, 2024.

The allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity of debt securities decreased by $3,000 due to a credit loss expense reduction of $3,000 at March 31, 2024.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we believe are adequate to meet our liquidity needs. We established a liquidity ratio policy that identify three liquidity ratios consisting of (1) Cash/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“Cash Liquidity”), (2) Cash & Investments/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“On Balance Sheet Liquidity”), and (3) Cash & Investments & Borrowing Capacity/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity”) to assist in the management of our liquidity. We also establish targets of 2.0% for the Cash Liquidity ratio, 8.0% for the On Balance Sheet Liquidity ratio, and 20.0% for the On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity ratio. 44

Table of Contents Our Cash Liquidity ratio, On Balance Sheet Liquidity ratio, and On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity ratio averaged 7.2%, 9.4%, and 71.7%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 6.7%, 9.6%, and 32.7%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, pay real estate taxes on real estate loans, repay our borrowings, and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our liquidity ratios cannot be calculated using amounts disclosed in our consolidated financial statements, as many of the calculations involve monthly, quarterly or annual averages. To calculate our liquidity ratios, the average liquidity base from the prior month is used as the denominator to calculate a daily liquidity ratio. The liquidity base consists of savings account balances, certificates of deposit balances, checking and money market balances, deposit loans and borrowings. The daily balances of these components are averaged to arrive at the liquidity base for the month, and the daily cash balances in selected general ledger accounts are used to derive our liquidity position. A daily liquidity ratio is calculated using the liquidity for the day divided by the prior month’s average liquidity base. At the end of each month, a monthly liquidity position is calculated using the average liquidity position for the month divided by the prior month’s average liquidity base. To calculate quarterly and annual liquidity ratios, we take the average liquidity for the three- or twelve-month period, respectively, and average it.

Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities, other short-term investments, earnings, and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits. In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term interest-earning assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.

Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included with our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our primary investing activities are the origination of construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, multifamily loans, and to a lesser extent, mixed-use real estate loans and other loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our loan originations totaled $180.5 million and $214.7 million, respectively. Cash received from the maturities and pay-downs on securities totaled $128,000 and $142,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We did not purchase any securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to provide advances. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, we are required to own capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and are authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of our mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States), provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. We had an available borrowing limit of $32.1 million and $29.7 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. There were $7.0 million and $14.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) approved on August 30, 2023 the Bank’s eligibility to pledge loans under the Borrower-in-Custody program of the FRBNY thereby allowing the Bank to borrow from the Discount Window at the FRBNY. We had an available borrowing limit of $928.8 million and $865.1 million from the FRBNY as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. There were $40.0 million and $50.0 million in FRBNY borrowings at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

In addition, we are party to a loan agreement with ACBB under which we can borrow up to $8.0 million in short-term borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings with ACBB at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

At March 31, 2024, we had unfunded commitments on construction and multi-family mortgage loans of $477.0 million, outstanding commitments to originate loans of $136.9 million, unfunded commitments under lines of credit of 45

Table of Contents $107.1 million, and unfunded standby letters of credit of $10.3 million. At March 31, 2024, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in less than one year totaled $692.9 million. Based on prior experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. In the event a significant portion of our deposits are not retained by us, we will have to utilize other funding sources, such as various types of sourced deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, or Federal Reserve Bank borrowings, in order to maintain our level of assets. Alternatively, we could reduce our level of liquid assets, such as our cash and cash equivalents. In addition, the cost of such deposits may be significantly higher or lower depending on market interest rates at the time of renewal.

The Company is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, the Company is responsible for paying any dividends declared to its stockholders and for the repurchase, if any, of its shares of common stock. At March 31, 2024, the Company had liquid assets of $2.4 million and $14.1 million in loan participations originated by the Bank which are held by the Company.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash-flows.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related notes of NorthEast Community Bancorp have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The primary impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest rate risk is defined as the exposure to current and future earnings and capital that arises from adverse movements in interest rates. Depending on a bank’s asset/liability structure, adverse movements in interest rates could be either rising or falling interest rates. For example, a bank with predominantly long-term fixed-rate assets and short-term liabilities could have an adverse earnings exposure to a rising rate environment. Conversely, a short-term or variable-rate asset base funded by longer-term liabilities could be negatively affected by falling rates. This is referred to as re-pricing or maturity mismatch risk.

Interest rate risk also arises from changes in the slope of the yield curve (yield curve risk), from imperfect correlations in the adjustment of rates earned and paid on different instruments with otherwise similar re-pricing characteristics (basis risk), and from interest rate related options embedded in our assets and liabilities (option risk).

Our objective is to manage our interest rate risk by determining whether a given movement in interest rates affects our net interest income and the market value of our portfolio equity in a positive or negative way and to execute strategies to maintain interest rate risk within established limits. The results at March 31, 2024 indicate the level of risk within the parameters of our model. Our management believes that the March 31, 2024 results indicate a profile that reflects interest rate risk exposures in both rising and declining rate environments for both net interest income and economic value.

Model Simulation Analysis. We view interest rate risk from two different perspectives. The traditional accounting perspective, which defines and measures interest rate risk as the change in net interest income and earnings caused by a change in interest rates, provides the best view of short-term interest rate risk exposure. We also view interest rate risk from an economic perspective, which defines and measures interest rate risk as the change in the market value of portfolio equity caused by changes in the values of assets and liabilities, which fluctuate due to changes in interest rates. The market value of portfolio equity, also referred to as the economic value of equity, is defined as the present value of future cash flows from existing assets, minus the present value of future cash flows from existing liabilities. 46

Table of Contents These two perspectives give rise to income simulation and economic value simulation, each of which presents a unique picture of our risk of any movement in interest rates. Income simulation identifies the timing and magnitude of changes in income resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates over a short-term time horizon (usually one or two years). Economic value simulation reflects the interest rate sensitivity of assets and liabilities in a more comprehensive fashion, reflecting all future time periods. It can identify the quantity of interest rate risk as a function of the changes in the economic values of assets and liabilities, and the corresponding change in the economic value of equity of NorthEast Community Bank. Both types of simulation assist in identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling interest rate risk and are employed by management to ensure that variations in interest rate risk exposure will be maintained within policy guidelines.

We produce these simulation reports and discuss them at our Asset and Liability Committee meetings on at least a quarterly basis. The simulation reports compare baseline (no interest rate change) to the results of an interest rate shock, to illustrate the specific impact of the interest rate scenario tested on income and equity. The model, which incorporates asset and liability rate information, simulates the effect of various interest rate movements on income and equity value. The reports identify and measure our interest rate risk exposure present in our current asset/liability structure. Management considers both a static (current position) and dynamic (forecast changes in volume) analysis as well as non-parallel and gradual changes in interest rates and the yield curve in assessing interest rate exposures.

If the results produce quantifiable interest rate risk exposure beyond our limits, then the testing will have served as a monitoring mechanism to allow us to initiate asset/liability strategies designed to reduce and therefore mitigate interest rate risk. The table below sets forth an approximation of our interest rate risk exposure. The simulation uses projected repricing of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2024. The income simulation analysis presented represents a one-year impact of the interest scenario assuming a static balance sheet. Various assumptions are made regarding the prepayment speed and optionality of loans, investment securities and deposits, which are based on analysis and market information. The assumptions regarding optionality, such as prepayments of loans and the effective lives and repricing of non-maturity deposit products, are documented periodically through evaluation of current market conditions and historical correlations to our specific asset and liability products under varying interest rate scenarios.

Because the prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on a number of assumptions, these computations should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. While we believe such assumptions to be reasonable, assumed prepayment rates may not approximate actual future prepayment activity on mortgage-backed securities or agency issued collateralized obligations (secured by one- to four-family loans and multifamily loans). Further, the computation does not reflect any actions that management may undertake in response to changes in interest rates and assumes a constant asset base. Management periodically reviews the rate assumptions based on existing and projected economic conditions and consults with industry experts to validate our model and simulation results.

The table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2024, NorthEast Community Bank’s net portfolio value, the estimated changes in our net portfolio value and net interest income that would result from the designated instantaneous parallel changes in market interest rates.


		Twelve Month
		Net Interest Income		Net Portfolio Value
		Percent					Percent	****
Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points)	****	of Change	****	Estimated NPV		****	of Change	****
+200		14.01	%	$	312,235		2.56	%
+100		7.06			309,522		1.67
0		—			304,443		—
-100		(8.68)			296,396		(2.64)
-200		(17.68)	%		286,569		(5.87)	%

As of March 31, 2024, based on the scenarios above, net interest income would increase by approximately 7.06% to 14.01%, over a one-year time horizon in a rising interest rate environment. One-year net interest income would decrease by approximately 8.68% to 17.68% in a declining interest rate environment over the same period.

Economic value at risk would be positively impacted by a rise in interest rates and negatively impacted by a decline in interest rates. We have established an interest rate floor of zero percent for measuring interest rate risk. The 47

Table of Contents difference between the two results reflects the relatively long terms of a portion of our assets which is captured by the economic value at risk but has less impact on the one year net interest income sensitivity.

Overall, our March 31, 2024 results indicate that we are adequately positioned with an acceptable net interest income and economic value at risk and that all interest rate risk results continue to be within our policy guidelines.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure (1) that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (2) that they are alerted in a timely manner about material information relating to the Company required to be filed in its periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in various legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these legal actions and claims are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For information regarding the Company’s risk factors, refer to “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the risk factors of the Company have not changed materially from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On May 30, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 1,509,218 shares, or 10%, of the Company's currently issued and outstanding common stock commencing on May 30, 2023. The stock repurchase program is the Company’s second repurchase program since completing its second-step conversion and related stock offering in July 2021.

The following table provides information on repurchases by the Company of its common stock under the Company’s stock repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Table of Contents


				Total Number of Shares	Maximum Number of
				Purchased as Part of	Shares that May Yet Be
	Total Number of		Average Price Paid	Publicly Announced	Purchased Under the
Period	Shares Purchased		Per Share	Plans or Programs	Plans or Programs
January 1 - 31, 2024	-	$	-	-	573,298
February 1 - 29, 2024	18,300		15.77	18,300	554,998
March 1 - 31, 2024	61,760		15.35	61,760	493,238
Total	80,060			80,060

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers informed us of the adoption or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

Table of Contents EXHIBIT INDEX

<br><br>
Exhibit<br><br>No.	Description
31.1†	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer of NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc.<br><br>
31.2†<br><br><br><br>32.0†	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer of NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc.<br><br><br><br>Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.0†	The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Financial Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document<br><br>
104†	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

† Filed herewith.

Table of Contents SIGNATURES

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

Date: May 9, 2024


	NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

	By:	/s/ Kenneth A. Martinek
	Name:	Kenneth A. Martinek
	Title:	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

	By:	/s/ Donald S. Hom
	Name:	Donald S. Hom
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Kenneth A. Martinek, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NorthEast Community Bancorp, 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 controls 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; and
---	---
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 the 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: _May 9, 2024_________________	/s/ Kenneth A. Martinek

Kenneth A. Martinek

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal executive officer)

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Donald S. Hom, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NorthEast Community Bancorp, 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;
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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;
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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:
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(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;
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(b)	Designed such internal controls 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;
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(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
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(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; and
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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 the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
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(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
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(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.
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Date: May 9, 2024 /s/ Donald S. Hom

Donald S. Hom

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal financial and chief accounting officer)

Exhibit 32.0

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADDED BY

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as added by § 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; and

(2)	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.

/s/ Kenneth A. Martinek

Kenneth A. Martinek

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Donald S. Hom

Donald S. Hom

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 9, 2024