FNRN 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2024 | Alphaminr
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

FNRN 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
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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 September 30, 2024
OR
T RANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
Commission File Number 000-30707
First Northern Community Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
68-0450397
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
195 N. First Street , Dixon , California
95620
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

707 - 678-3041
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbols(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
None
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 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
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 4, 2024 was 15,252,726 .



FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

INDEX

Page
3
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
34
52
52
52
52
52
54
54
54
54
55
56

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

ITEM I.    – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share amounts)
September 30, 2024
December 31 , 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
163,918
$
149,211
Certificates of deposit
19,244
19,710
Investment securities – available-for-sale, at estimated fair value, net of allowance for credit losses of $ 0 ; amortized cost of $ 665,113 at September 30, 2024 and $ 620,314 at December 31, 2023
632,404
572,357
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $ 16,422 at September 30 , 2024 and $ 16,596 at December 31 , 2023
1,042,304
1,052,465
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities, at cost
10,518
10,518
Premises and equipment, net
9,391
9,962
Core deposit intangible
3,524 4,141
Interest receivable and other assets
49,387
53,468
Total Assets
$
1,930,690
$
1,871,832
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Demand deposits
$
747,123
$
744,799
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
387,587
380,477
Savings and MMDA’s
443,396
431,472
Time, $250,000 or less
116,098
109,373
Time, over $250,000
37,838
26,323
Total deposits
1,732,042
1,692,444
Interest payable and other liabilities
16,651
20,143
Total Liabilities
1,748,693
1,712,587
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, no par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 15,263,027 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 15,482,332 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023
121,391
123,235
Additional paid-in capital
977
977
Retained earnings
82,616
68,760
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
( 22,987
)
( 33,727
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
181,997
159,245
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
1,930,690
$
1,871,832
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three months
ended
September 30, 2024
Three months
ended
September 30, 2023
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2024
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2023
Interest and dividend income:
Loans
$
14,315
$
13,098
$
41,620
$
38,197
Due from banks interest bearing accounts
1,820
2,064
5,619
6,967
Investment securities
Taxable
3,586
2,685
9,519
8,041
Non-taxable
312
199
825
692
Other earning assets
261
214
784
557
Total interest and dividend income
20,294
18,260
58,367
54,454
Interest expense:
Deposits
3,798
2,386
10,531
4,817
Total interest expense
3,798
2,386
10,531
4,817
Net interest income
16,496
15,874
47,836
49,637
(Reversal of) provision for credit losses
( 550
)
500
200
3,100
Net interest income after (reversal of) provision for credit losses
17,046
15,374
47,636
46,537
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts
427
436
1,292
1,259
Gains on sales of loans held-for-sale
36
62
41
93
Investment and brokerage services income
146
136
422
387
Mortgage brokerage income
11
20
21
Loan servicing income
75
79
208
209
Debit card income
710
713
2,074
2,094
Losses on sales/calls of available-for-sale securities
( 75
)
( 155
)
( 64
)
Gain on bargain purchase
1,405
Other income
219
339
627
751
Total non-interest income
1,538
1,776
4,529
6,155
Non-interest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits
6,242
6,377
18,506
19,653
Occupancy and equipment
1,204
1,064
3,514
3,138
Data processing
1,079
933
3,065
2,949
Stationery and supplies
45
103
187
272
Advertising
109
111
303
322
Directors’ fees
74
83
229
234
Amortization of core deposit intangible
203 226 617 603
Other expense
1,978
1,986
6,039
5,363
Total non-interest expenses
10,934
10,883
32,460
32,534
Income before provision for income taxes
7,650
6,267
19,705
20,158
Provision for income taxes
2,162
1,648
5,517
5,486
Net income
$
5,488
$
4,619
$
14,188
$
14,672
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.93
$
0.97
Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.92
$
0.96

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)
Three months
ended
September 30, 2024
Three months
ended
September 30, 2023
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2024
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2023
Net income
$
5,488
$
4,619
$
14,188
$
14,672
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, net of tax effect of $ 5,084 and $( 2,097 ) for the three months ended September 30 , 2024 and September 30 , 2023 , respectively, and $ 4,462 and $( 1,145 ) for the nine months ended September 30 , 2024 and September 30 , 2023 , respectively
12,114
( 4,999
)
10,631
( 2,721
)
Less: reclassification adjustment due to losses realized on sales of securities, net of tax effect of $ 22 and $ 0 for the three months ended September 30 , 2024 and September 30 , 2023 , respectively, and $ 46 and $ 19 for the nine months ended September 30 , 2024 and September 30 , 2023 , respectively
53
109
45
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
$
12,167
$
( 4,999
)
$
10,740
$
( 2,676
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
17,655
$
( 380
)
$
24,928
$
11,996

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share data)

Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Retained
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss), net
Shares
Amounts
Capital
Earnings
of tax
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022
14,652,584
$
116,099
$
977
$
54,492
$
( 46,528
)
$
125,040
Cumulative change from adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023
( 916
)
( 916
)
Balance at January 1, 2023 (as adjusted for adoption of accounting standard)
14,652,584
116,099
977
53,576
( 46,528
)
124,124
Net income
5,489
5,489
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
6,013
6,013
Stock dividend adjustment
3,525
296
( 296
)
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
( 164
)
( 7
)
( 7
)
Stock-based compensation
192
192
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
72,242
Stock options exercised, net of swapped shares
11,000
Stock repurchase and retirement
( 3,580
)
( 26
)
( 26
)
Balance at March 31, 2023
14,735,607
$
116,561
$
977
$
58,762
$
( 40,515
)
$
135,785
Net income
4,564
4,564
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
( 3,690
)
( 3,690
)
Stock-based compensation
188
188
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
1,500
Stock repurchase and retirement
( 16,474
)
( 117
)
( 117
)
Balance at June 30, 2023
14,720,633
$
116,632
$
977
$
63,326
$
( 44,205
)
$
136,730
Net income
4,619 4,619
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
( 4,999 ) ( 4,999 )
Stock-based compensation
136 136
Restricted stock cancelled, net of common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
( 10,209 )
Stock options exercised, net
21,927
Balance at September 30, 2023
14,732,351 $
116,768 $
977 $
67,945 $
( 49,204 ) $
136,486
Balance at December 31, 2023
15,482,332
$
123,235
$
977
$
68,760
$
( 33,727
)
$
159,245
Net income
4,276
4,276
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
( 1,461
)
( 1,461
)
Stock dividend adjustment
2,671
325
( 325
)
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
( 148
)
( 7
)
( 7
)
Stock-based compensation
296
296
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants, net of restricted stock forfeited
57,489
Stock options exercised, net of swapped shares
8,387
Balance at March 31, 2024
15,550,731
$
123,856
$
977
$
72,704
$
( 35,188
)
$
162,349
Net income
4,424
4,424
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
34
34
Stock-based compensation
159
159
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
4,470
Stock repurchase and retirement
( 137,500
)
( 1,239
)
( 1,239
)
Stock options exercised, net of swapped shares
1,872
Balance at June 30, 2024
15,419,573
$
122,776
$
977
$
77,128
$
( 35,154
)
$
165,727
Net income
5,488 5,488
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
12,167 12,167
Stock-based compensation
171 171
Restricted stock forfeited ( 768 )
Stock repurchase and retirement
( 155,778 ) ( 1,556 ) ( 1,556 )
Balance at September 30, 2024
15,263,027 $
121,391 $
977 $
82,616 $
( 22,987 ) $
181,997

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
Nine months ended
September 30, 2024
Nine months ended
September 30, 2023
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income
$
14,188
$
14,672
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
792
730
Accretion and amortization of investment securities premiums and discounts, net
505
1,591
Increase in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net
43
759
Amortization of core deposit intangible
617 603
Provision for credit losses
200
3,100
Stock-based compensation
626
516
Losses on sales/calls of available-for-sale securities
155
64
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset
701
806
Gains on sales of loans held-for-sale
( 41
)
( 93
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale
3,155
5,277
Originations of loans held-for-sale
( 3,114
)
( 5,553
)
Gain on bargain purchase
( 1,405 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable and other assets
( 1,128
)
4,128
Decrease in interest payable and other liabilities
( 3,492
)
( 196
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
13,207
24,999
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from calls or maturities of available-for-sale securities
59,785
30,766
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
4,652
16,987
Principal repayments on available-for-sale securities
54,745
54,864
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
( 164,641
)
( 57,391
)
Proceeds from maturities of certificates of deposit
6,166
3,687
Purchases of certificates of deposit
( 5,700 ) ( 3,435 )
Net decrease (increase) in loans
9,918
( 66,781
)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other equity securities, at cost ( 1,078 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
( 221
)
( 1,045
)
Cash and cash equivalents acquired in acquisition
103,425
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
( 35,296
)
79,999
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
39,598
( 95,160
)
Cash dividends paid in lieu of fractional shares
( 7
)
( 7
)
Repurchases of common stock
( 2,795
)
( 143
)
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities
36,796
( 95,310
)
Net increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
14,707
9,688
Cash and Cash Equivalents , beginning of period
149,211
187,417
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
$
163,918
$
197,105
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest
$
10,753
$
3,699
Income taxes
6,320
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Stock dividend distributed
6,392
5,652
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of taxes
10,740
( 2,676
)
Market value of shares tendered in-lieu of cash to pay for exercise of options
348 361
Recognition of right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
245
Non-cash assets acquired (liabilities assumed) in acquisition:
Total assets acquired
12,612
Total liabilities assumed
( 115,916 )

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2024 and 2023 and December 31, 2023

1.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Northern Community Bancorp (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 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 as well as reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation .

2.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined.


Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions .  These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. Adoption of ASU 2022-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements


In January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope .  This ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition.  An entity may elect to apply ASU 2021-01 on contract modifications that change the interest rate used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment retrospectively as of any date from the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, or prospectively to new modifications from any date within the interim period that includes or is subsequent to January 7, 2021, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued.   An entity may elect to apply ASU 2021-01 to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020.  In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 .  This ASU extends the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance in Topic 848.  ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of this ASU but does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations—Joint Venture (JV) Formations: Recognition and Initial Measurement. The guidance requires newly formed JVs to apply a new basis of accounting to all of its contributed net assets, which results in the JV initially measuring its contributed net assets under ASC 805-20, Business Combinations. The new guidance would be applied prospectively and is effective for all newly formed joint venture entities with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the accounting and disclosure requirements of this update and the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024.  Early adoption is permitted. The Company has determined that its current business and operations consist of a single business segment and single reporting unit. The Company has evaluated this ASU and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Among other things, these amendments provide additional transparency into an entity’s income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The standard requires that public business entities disclose, on an annual basis, specific categories in the rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items meeting a certain quantitative threshold. The amendments also require that entities disclose on an annual basis: 1) income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes and 2) the income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions exceeding 5% of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). The amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is evaluating the accounting and disclosure requirements of this update and the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2024, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards . The amendments in the ASU apply to companies that provide employees and non-employees with profits interest and similar awards to align compensation with a company’s operating performance and provide those holders with the opportunity to participate in future profits and/or equity appreciation of the company. The purpose of the ASU is to clarify the application of the scope guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) paragraph 718-10-15-3 in determining if a profit interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718: Compensation—Stock Compensation. The amendment in ASC paragraph 718-10-15-3 is solely intended to improve the overall clarity and does not change the guidance. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. If a company adopts the amendments in an interim period, it should adopt them as of the beginning of the annual period that includes the interim period. The amendments should be applied either (1) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements or (2) on a prospective basis. The Company has evaluated this ASU and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as the Company does not typically provide these types of awards.

3.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at September 30, 2024 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)
Amortized
cost
Unrealized
gains
Unrealized
losses
Estimated
fair value
ACL
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
94,368
$
634
$
( 1,319
)
$
93,683
$
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
113,923
573
( 3,757
)
110,739
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
71,656
555
( 3,532
)
68,679
Collateralized mortgage obligations
109,755
73
( 14,592
)
95,236
Mortgage-backed securities
275,411
1,306
( 12,650
)
264,067

Total debt securities
$
665,113
$
3,141
$
( 35,850
)
$
632,404
$

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)
Amortized
cost
Unrealized
gains
Unrealized
losses
Estimated
fair value
ACL
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
90,063
$
134
$
( 3,015
)
$
87,182
$
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
121,305
105
( 6,331
)
115,079
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
55,021
237
( 3,581
)
51,677
Collateralized mortgage obligations
107,658
15
( 16,726
)
90,947
Mortgage-backed securities
246,267
242
( 19,037
)
227,472
Total debt securities
$
620,314
$
733
$
( 48,690
)
$
572,357
$

The Company generated $ 1,720 ,000 and $ 0 in proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company generated $ 4,652 ,000 and $ 16,987 ,000 in proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  There were no gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities were $ 0 and $ 96 ,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities were $ 75 ,000 and $ 0 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities were $ 155 ,000 and $ 160 ,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024  and 2023, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt and other securities at September 30, 2024, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table:

(in thousands)
Amortized
cost
Estimated
fair value
Maturity in years:
Due in one year or less
$
55,374
$
54,782
Due after one year through five years
142,743
139,442
Due after five years through ten years
37,078
36,123
Due after ten years
44,752
42,754
Subtotal
279,947
273,101
Mortgage-backed securities & Collateralized mortgage obligations
385,166
359,303
Total
$
665,113
$
632,404

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  In addition, factors such as prepayments and interest rates may affect the yield on the carrying value of mortgage-related securities.

An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2024, follows:

(in thousands)
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total

Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
U.S. Treasury securities
$
1,995
$
( 1
)
$
51,543
$
( 1,318
)
$
53,538
$
( 1,319
)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
4,050
( 3
)
69,228
( 3,754
)
73,278
( 3,757
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
9,651
( 238
)
31,255
( 3,294
)
40,906
( 3,532
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
13,198
( 1,053
)
68,730
( 13,539
)
81,928
( 14,592
)
Mortgage-backed securities
12,370
( 80
)
155,966
( 12,570
)
168,336
( 12,650
)
Total
$
41,264
$
( 1,375
)
$
376,722
$
( 34,475
)
$
417,986
$
( 35,850
)

Thirty-seven securities, all considered investment grade, which had an aggregate fair value of $ 41,264 ,000 and a total unrealized loss of $ 1,375 ,000, have been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of September 30, 2024. Three hundred and eighty-one securities, all considered investment grade, which had an aggregate fair value of $ 376,722 ,000 and a total unrealized loss of $ 34,475 ,000, have been in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months as of September 30, 2024.  The unrealized losses on the Company’s investment securities were caused by market conditions for these types of investments, particularly changes in risk-free interest rates.  The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and the Company does not intend to sell the securities.  The Company has concluded it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of their anticipated cost basis. Therefore, as of September 30, 2024, the Company has no t recorded an allowance for credit losses on these securities and the unrecognized or unrealized losses on these securities have not been recognized into income.

The fair value of investment securities could decline in the future if the general economy deteriorates, inflation and interest rate increases, credit ratings decline, the issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, or the liquidity for securities declines. As a result, an allowance for credit loss may occur in the future.

An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2023, follows:

(in thousands)
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total

Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
Fair Value
Unrealized
losses
U.S. Treasury Securities
$
$
$
77,203
$
( 3,015
)
$
77,203
$
( 3,015
)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
3,424
( 7
)
97,057
( 6,324
)
100,481
( 6,331
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
4,981
( 31
)
32,578
( 3,550
)
37,559
( 3,581
)
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
6,597
( 26
)
80,995
( 16,700
)
87,592
( 16,726
)
Mortgage-backed securities
17,023
( 124
)
182,626
( 18,913
)
199,649
( 19,037
)
Total
$
32,025
$
( 188
)
$
470,459
$
( 48,502
)
$
502,484
$
( 48,690
)

Investment securities carried at $ 58,273 ,000 and $ 43,884 ,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits or for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

4.
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, by loan class, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was as follows:
($ in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Commercial
$
109,380
$
106,897
Commercial Real Estate
724,986
721,729
Agriculture
94,994
105,838
Residential Mortgage
106,049
107,328
Residential Construction
7,055
12,323
Consumer
16,227
14,868
1,058,691
1,068,983
Allowance for credit losses
( 16,422
)
( 16,596
)
Deferred origination fees and costs, net
35
78
Loans, net
$
1,042,304
$
1,052,465


At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all loans were pledged under a blanket collateral lien to secure actual or potential borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).



Allowance for Credit Losses


The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for credit losses on loans which is recorded as a contra asset, and the reserve for unfunded commitments which is recorded on the balance sheet within other liabilities as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 .

Allowance for credit losses – Three months ended September 30, 2024
($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
(recovery)
Ending
Balance
Commercial
$
2,359
$
( 49
)
$
$
( 739
)
$
1,571
Commercial Real Estate
10,439
83
10,522
Agriculture
1,680
( 29
)
1,651
Residential Mortgage
1,862
50
1,912
Residential Construction
380
86
466
Consumer
304
( 5
)
2
( 1
)
300
Allowance for credit losses on loans
17,024
( 54
)
2
( 550
)
16,422
Reserve for unfunded commitments
950
950
Total
$
17,974
$
( 54
)
$
2
$
( 550
)
$
17,372

Allowance for credit losses – Nine months ended September 30, 2024
($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
(recovery)
Ending
Balance
Commercial
$
2,041
$
( 606
)
$
47
$
89
$
1,571
Commercial Real Estate
10,864
( 342
)
10,522
Agriculture
997
654
1,651
Residential Mortgage
2,005
( 93
)
1,912
Residential Construction
334
132
466
Consumer
355
( 19
)
4
( 40
)
300
Allowance for credit losses on loans
16,596
( 625
)
51
400
16,422
Reserve for unfunded commitments
1,150
( 200
)
950
Total
$
17,746
$
( 625
)
$
51
$
200
$
17,372

The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for credit losses on loans which is recorded as a contra asset, and the reserve for unfunded commitments which is recorded on the balance sheet within other liabilities as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 .

Allowance for credit losses – Three months ended September 30, 2023
($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
(recovery)
Ending
Balance
Commercial
$
1,792
$
( 91
)
$
20
$
39
$
1,760
Commercial Real Estate
10,139
584
10,723
Agriculture
947
86
1,033
Residential Mortgage
1,840
89
1,929
Residential Construction
491
( 154
)
337
Consumer
370
( 9
)
6
367
Allowance for credit losses on loans
15,579
( 100
)
20
650
16,149
Reserve for unfunded commitments
1,200
( 150
)
1,050
Total
$
16,779
$
( 100
)
$
20
$
500
$
17,199

Allowance for credit losses – Nine months ended September 30, 2023
($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
Adoption of CECL
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
(recovery)
Ending
Balance
Commercial
$
1,491
$
689
$
( 269
)
$
155
$
( 306
)
$
1,760
Commercial Real Estate
10,259
( 513
)
977
10,723
Agriculture
1,789
( 742
)
( 2,567
)
2,553
1,033
Residential Mortgage
896
923
( 3
)
113
1,929
Residential Construction
181
221
( 65
)
337
Consumer
176
222
( 10
)
1
( 22
)
367
Allowance for credit losses on loans
14,792
800
( 2,849
)
156
3,250
16,149
Reserve for unfunded commitments
700
500
( 150
)
1,050
Total
$
15,492
$
1,300
$
( 2,849
)
$
156
$
3,100
$
17,199

The Company utilizes two economic variables, forecasted unemployment and gross domestic product, as loss drivers for its allowance for credit losses. The Company moved from California state loss drivers to national loss drivers at the beginning of 2024. The reason for the change is a higher credit loss correlation between the national loss driver variables than the state loss driver variables. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the levels of forecasted national unemployment and forecasted gross domestic product remained relatively stable.  The Company recognized a reversal of provision of $ 550 ,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a substantial payoff of a non-performing commercial loan relationship.  Management believes the allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2024 appropriately reflected expected credit losses in the loan portfolio at that date.

Collateral-Dependent Loans



In accordance with ASC 326, a loan is considered collateral-dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. All loans individually analyzed were collateral-dependent loans as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

September 30, 2024
($ in thousands)
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
1st lien
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
junior lien
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
revolving
Secured by owner-occupied,
nonfarm nonresidential
properties
Commercial
$
$
$
$
Commercial Real Estate
466
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
469
Residential Construction
Consumer
298
263
Total
$
469
$
298
$
263
$
466

($ in thousands)
Commercial
Construction and land
development
Secured by
farmland
Agriculture
production loans
Total
Commercial
$
139
$
$
$
$
139
Commercial Real Estate
466
Agriculture
787
1,593
2,380
Residential Mortgage
469
Residential Construction
Consumer
561
Total
$
139
$
$
787
$
1,593
$
4,015

December 31, 2023
($ in thousands)
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
1st lien
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
junior lien
Secured by 1-4 Family
Residential Properties-
revolving
Secured by owner-occupied,
nonfarm nonresidential
properties
Commercial
$
$
$
$
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
424
Residential Construction
Consumer
351
352
Total
$
424
$
351
$
352
$

($ in thousands)
Commercial
Construction and land
development
Secured by
farmland
Agriculture
production loans
Total
Commercial
$
$
$
$
$
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
946
1,925
2,871
Residential Mortgage
424
Residential Construction
Consumer
703
Total
$
$
$
946
$
1,925
$
3,998


Foreclosure Proceedings



The Company had no residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Non-accrual and Past Due Loans

The Company’s loans by delinquency and non-accrual status, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was as follows:

($ in thousands)
30-59 days
Past Due
&
Accruing
60-89 days
Past Due
&
Accruing
90 days or
More Past
Due &
Accruing
Nonaccrual
Loans
Total Past
Due
&
Nonaccrual
Loans
Current &
Accruing
Loans
Total Loans
Nonaccrual
loans with
No ACL
September 30 , 2024
Commercial
$
603
$
41
$
48
$
139
$ 831 $ 108,549
$
109,380
$ 139
Commercial Real Estate
466
466 724,520
724,986
466
Agriculture
2
2,380
2,382 92,612
94,994
2,380
Residential Mortgage
116
81
469
666 105,383
106,049
469
Residential Construction
7,055
7,055
Consumer
100
561
661 15,566
16,227
561
Total
$
719
$
224
$
48
$
4,015
$ 5,006 $ 1,053,685
$
1,058,691
$ 4,015
December 31, 2023
Commercial
$
91
$
178
$
$
$ 269 $ 106,628
$
106,897
$
Commercial Real Estate
721,729
721,729
Agriculture
2,871
2,871 102,967
105,838
2,871
Residential Mortgage
976
916
424
2,316 105,012
107,328
424
Residential Construction
3,420
3,420 8,903
12,323
Consumer
194
703
897 13,971
14,868
703
Total
$
1,261
$
178
$
4,336
$
3,998
$ 9,773 $ 1,059,210
$
1,068,983
$ 3,998

The Company recognized $ 119 ,000 and $ 4 ,000 of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The Company recognized $ 438 ,000 and $ 1,289 ,000 of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Loan Modifications
Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial difficulty by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, payment delays or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the ACL.

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. For the loans included in the “combination” columns below, multiple types of modifications have been made on the same loan within the current reporting period. The combination is at least two of the following: a term extension, principal forgiveness, an other-than-insignificant payment delay and/or an interest rate reduction.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing both financial difficulty and modification during the periods indicated, by class and by type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers in financial difficulty as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below.

The amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing both financial difficulty and modification during the three months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:

($ in thousands)
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension
and Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing
Receivable

Commercial
$
11
$
47
0.05
%
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Total
$
11
$
47
0.01
%

The amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing both financial difficulty and modification during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:

($ in thousands)
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension
and Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing
Receivable
Commercial
$
2,102
$
47
1.96
%
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Total
$
2,102
$
47
0.20
%

The amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing both financial difficulty and modification during the three months ended September 30, 2023 were as follows:

($ in thousands)
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension
and Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing
Receivable
Commercial
$
$
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
3,420
24.39
%
Consumer
Total
$
3,420
$
0.32
%

The amortized cost basis of loans that were experiencing both financial difficulty and modification during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were as follows:

($ in thousands)
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension
and Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing
Receivable
Commercial
$
$
44
0.05
%
Commercial Real Estate
398
0.06
%
Agriculture
4,005
3.64
%
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
3,420
24.39
%
Consumer
Total
$
7,425
$
442
0.75
%

The Company had no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were modified at September 30, 2024.

The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three-month period ended September 30, 2024:


Weighted-Average
Interest Rate
Reduction
Weighted-Average
Term Extension (in
months)
Commercial
3.00
%
19
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Total
3.00
%
19

The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024:


Weighted-Average
Interest Rate
Reduction
Weighted-Average
Term Extension (in
months)
Commercial
3.00
%

9
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Total
3.00
%

9

The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three-month period ended September 30, 2023:


Weighted-Average
Interest Rate
Reduction
Weighted-Average
Term Extension (in
months)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
1
Consumer
Total

1

The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023:


Weighted-Average
Interest Rate
Reduction
Weighted-Average
Term Extension (in
months)
Commercial
0.50
%

38
Commercial Real Estate
0.25
%
26
Agriculture
4
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
1
Consumer
Total
0.27
%

4

There were no loans modified within the previous twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the three- and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2024.

There were no loans modified within the previous twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the three months ended September 30, 2023. There were two agricultural loans totaling $ 4,005 ,000 that were modified within the previous twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company recorded charge-offs on these two agricultural loans totaling $ 2,567 ,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently become uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is written off.  Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the ACL is adjusted by the same amount.


Credit Quality Indicators



All loans are rated using the credit risk ratings and criteria adopted by the Company.  Risk ratings are adjusted as future circumstances warrant.  All credits risk rated 1, 2, 3 or 4 equate to a Pass as indicated by Federal and State bank regulatory agencies; a 5 equates to a Special Mention; a 6 equates to Substandard; a 7 equates to Doubtful; and an 8 equates to a Loss.  For the definitions of each risk rating, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.


The following tables present the loan portfolio by loan class, origination year, and internal risk rating as of September 30, 2024. Generally, existing term loans that were re-underwritten are reflected in the table in the year of renewal. Lines of credit that have a conversion feature at the time of origination, such as construction to permanent loans, are presented by year of origination. Revolving loans converted to term loans totaled $ 6,718 ,000 as of September 30, 2024.


(in thousands)
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year - As of September 30, 2024
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
Total
Commercial
Pass
$
28,566
$
17,624
$
12,776
$
13,570
$
4,091
$
8,495
$ 18,645
$
103,767
Special Mention
891
1,807
1,590
4,288
Substandard
559
41
349
237
1,186
Doubtful/Loss
139 139
Total Commercial loans
$
29,125
$ 17,665
$
13,667
$
15,377
$
4,579
$
8,495
$ 20,472
$
109,380
Year-to-date Period Charge-offs
( 162
)
( 224
)
( 5
)
( 13
)
( 2
)
( 200 )
( 606
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
4
43
47
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
( 162
)
( 220
)
( 5
)
( 13
)
41
( 200 )
( 559
)
Commercial Real Estate
Pass
$
67,094
$
111,516
$
171,046
$
161,470
$
40,235
$
136,443
$ 6,616
$
694,420
Special Mention
516
7,845
9,231
17,592
Substandard
385
1,003
2,536
1,650
7,400
12,974
Doubtful/Loss
Total Commercial Real Estate loans
$
67,610
$ 111,901
$
172,049
$
171,851
$
41,885
$
153,074
$ 6,616
$
724,986
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
Agriculture
Pass
$
4,428
$
6,621
$
16,939
$
20,367
$
6,471
10,828
$ 21,983
$
87,637
Special Mention
1,890
2,996
4,886
Substandard
787
1,684
2,471
Doubtful/Loss
Total Agriculture loans
$
4,428
$ 6,621
$
18,829
$
24,150
$
6,471
$
10,828
$ 23,667
$
94,994
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
(in thousands)
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year - As of September 30, 2024
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
Total
Residential Mortgage
Pass
$
2,986
$
20,029
$
22,785
$
27,358
$
13,416
$
19,006
$
$
105,580
Special Mention
Substandard
79
36
354
469
Doubtful/Loss
Total Residential Mortgage loans
$
3,065
$
20,029
$
22,785
$
27,394
$
13,416
$
19,360
$
$
106,049
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
Residential Construction
Pass
$
2,037
$
2,124
$
1,637
$
1,257
$
$
$
$
7,055
Special Mention
Substandard
Doubtful/Loss
Total Residential Construction loans
$
2,037
$
2,124
$
1,637
$
1,257
$
$
$
$
7,055
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
Consumer
Pass
$
240
$
161
$
1,139
$
117
$
125
$
274
$ 13,610
$
15,666
Special Mention
Substandard
561
561
Doubtful/Loss
Total Consumer loans
$
240
$
161
$
1,139
$
117
$
125
$
274
$ 14,171
$
16,227
Year-to-date Charge-offs
( 19
)
( 19
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
2
2
4
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
( 17
)
2
( 15
)
Total Loans
Pass
$ 105,351 $ 158,075 $ 226,322 $ 224,139 $ 64,338 $ 175,046 $ 60,854 $ 1,014,125
Special Mention
516 2,781 12,648 9,231 1,590 26,766
Substandard
638 426 1,003 3,359 1,999 7,754 2,482 17,661
Doubtful/Loss
139 139
Total Loans
$
106,505
$
158,501
$
230,106
$
240,146
$
66,476
$
192,031
$ 64,926
$
1,058,691
Year-to-date Charge-offs
$
( 19
)
$
( 162
)
$
( 224
)
$
( 5
)
$
( 13
)
$
( 2
)
$ ( 200 )
$
( 625
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
$
2
$
$
4
$
$
$
45
$
$
51
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
$
( 17
)
$
( 162
)
$
( 220
)
$
( 5
)
$
( 13
)
$
43
$ ( 200 )
$
( 574
)

(in thousands)
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year - As of December 31, 2023
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
Total
Commercial
Pass
$
19,776
$
16,961
$
15,833
$
5,381
$
7,420
$
6,298
$
26,183
$
97,852
Special Mention
1,122
2,530
235
308
2,936
7,131
Substandard
32
1,152
542
188
1,914
Doubtful/Loss
Total Commercial loans
$
19,776
$
18,115
$
19,515
$
6,158
$
7,728
$
6,298
$
29,307
$
106,897
Year-to-date Period Charge-offs
( 47
)
( 196
)
( 36
)
( 87
)
( 366
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
87
148
235
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
( 47
)
( 196
)
( 36
)
148
( 131
)
Commercial Real Estate
Pass
$
115,807
$
173,918
$
191,907
$
50,150
$
52,157
$
107,909
$
6,879
$
698,727
Special Mention
7,448
2,869
1,273
11,590
Substandard
395
1,712
1,684
6,604
1,017
11,412
Doubtful/Loss
Total Commercial Real Estate loans
$
116,202
$
173,918
$
201,067
$
51,834
$
61,630
$
110,199
$
6,879
$
721,729
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
Agriculture
Pass
$
6,842
$
16,985
$
20,511
$
8,792
$
2,509
$
11,437
$
29,893
$
96,969
Special Mention
1,937
2,996
1,064
5,997
Substandard
946
1,926
2,872
Doubtful/Loss
Total Agriculture loans
$
6,842
$
18,922
$
24,453
$
8,792
$
4,435
$
12,501
$
29,893
$
105,838
Year-to-date Charge-offs
( 1,825
)
( 742
)
( 2,567
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
1,825
742
2,567
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs

(in thousands)
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year - As of December 31, 2023
2023
2022
2021 2020 2019
Prior
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost Basis
Total
Residential Mortgage
Pass
$
20,239
$
24,906
$
26,429
$
14,500
$
5,481
$
15,349
$
$
106,904
Special Mention
Substandard
39
385
424
Doubtful/Loss
Total Residential Mortgage loans
$
20,239
$
24,906
$
26,468
$
14,500
$
5,481
$
15,734
$
$
107,328
Year-to-date Charge-offs
( 3
)
( 3
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
( 3
)
( 3
)
Residential Construction
Pass
$
3,714
$
1,991
$
3,198
$
$
$
$
$
8,903
Special Mention
Substandard
3,420
3,420
Doubtful/Loss
Total Residential Construction loans
$
3,714
$
5,411
$
3,198
$
$
$
$
$
12,323
Year-to-date Charge-offs
Year-to-date Recoveries
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
Consumer
Pass
$
350
$
758
$
133
$
149
$
70
$
273
$
12,516
$
14,249
Special Mention
Substandard
619
619
Doubtful/Loss
Total Consumer loans
$
350
$
758
$
133
$
149
$
70
$
273
$
13,135
$
14,868
Year-to-date Charge-offs
( 13
)
( 13
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
1
1
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
( 13
)
1
( 12
)
Total Loans
Pass
$
166,728
$
235,519
$
258,011
$
78,972
$
67,637
$
141,266
$
75,471
$
1,023,604
Special Mention
3,059
12,974
235
3,177
2,337
2,936
24,718
Substandard
395
3,452
3,849
2,226
8,530
1,402
807
20,661
Doubtful/Loss
Total Loans
$
167,123
$
242,030
$
274,834
$
81,433
$
79,344
$
145,005
$
79,214
$
1,068,983
Year-to-date Charge-offs
$
( 1,885
)
$
( 196
)
$
( 36
)
$
$
( 87
)
$
( 3
)
$
( 742
)
$
( 2,949
)
Year-to-date Recoveries
$
1,825
$
$
$
$
87
$
149
$
742
$
2,803
Year-to-date Net Charge-offs
$
( 60
)
$
( 196
)
$
( 36
)
$
$
$
146
$
$
( 146
)

5.
MORTGAGE OPERATIONS

Transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities are accounted for and reported based on consistent application of a financial-components approach that focuses on control.  Transfers of financial assets that are sales are distinguished from transfers that are secured borrowings.  Retained servicing rights on loans sold are measured by allocating the previous carrying amount of the transferred assets between the loans sold and retained interest, if any, based on their relative fair value at the date of transfer.  Fair values are estimated using discounted cash flows based on a current market interest rate.

The Company recognizes a gain and a related asset for the fair value of the rights to service loans for others when loans are sold.  The Company sold a substantial portion of its portfolio of conforming long-term residential mortgage loans originated during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 for cash proceeds equal to the fair value of the loans.  The Company serviced real estate mortgage loans for others totaling $ 175,691 ,000 and $ 184,288 ,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The recorded value of mortgage servicing rights is amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues.  The Company assesses capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based upon the fair value of those rights at each reporting date. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified based upon the product type, term and interest rates.  Fair value is determined by discounting estimated net future cash flows from mortgage servicing activities using discount rates that approximate current market rates and estimated prepayment rates, among other assumptions.  The amount of impairment recognized, if any, is the amount by which the capitalized mortgage servicing rights for a stratum exceeds their fair value.  Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance for each individual stratum.  Changes in the carrying amount of mortgage servicing rights are reported in earnings under loan servicing income on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of mortgage servicing rights as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Constant prepayment rate
7.33
%
6.09
%
Discount rate
10.00
%
10.50
%
Weighted average life (years)
7.40
7.99

The following tables summarize the changes to the Company’s mortgage servicing rights assets as of the periods presented.  Mortgage servicing rights are included in Interest Receivable and Other Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(in thousands)
June 30, 2024
Additions
Reductions
September 30, 2024
Mortgage servicing rights
$
1,387
$
16
$
( 53
)
$
1,350
Valuation allowance
Mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowance
$
1,387
$
16
$
( 53
)
$
1,350

(in thousands)
December 31, 2023
Additions
Reductions
September 30, 2024
Mortgage servicing rights
$
1,482
$
27
$
( 159
)
$
1,350
Valuation allowance
Mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowance
$
1,482
$
27
$
( 159
)
$
1,350

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair market value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights assets was $ 1,880 ,000 and $ 2,094 ,000, respectively. The change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights during 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of mortgage loans serviced coupled with changes in prepayment speeds and the discount rate.

The Company received contractually specified servicing fees of $ 112 ,000 and $ 117 ,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.  The Company received contractually specified servicing fees of $ 340 ,000 and $ 357 ,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Loan servicing income on the condensed consolidated statements of income includes contractually specified servicing fees, mortgage servicing rights additions, amortization and changes in the valuation allowance.

6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Securities available-for-sale and trading securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a non-recurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, loans held-for-investment and certain other assets.  These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally corresponds with the Company’s quarterly valuation process.

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.


(in thousands)
September 30 , 2024
Fair Value
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities
$
93,683
$
93,683
$
$
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
110,739
110,739
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
68,679
68,679
Collateralized mortgage obligations
95,236
95,236
Mortgage-backed securities
264,067
264,067
Total investments at fair value
$
632,404
$
93,683
$
538,721
$


(in thousands)
December 31, 2023
Fair Value
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities
$
87,182
$
87,182
$
$
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
115,079
115,079
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
51,677
51,677
Collateralized mortgage obligations
90,947
90,947
Mortgage-backed securities
227,472
227,472
Total investments at fair value
$
572,357
$
87,182
$
485,175
$

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are included in the table below by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2024 .
(in thousands)
September 30 , 2024
Carrying
Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Individually evaluated loans
$
139
$
$
$
139
Total assets at fair value
$
139
$
$
$
139

There were no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2023.

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Key methods and assumptions used in measuring the fair value of collateral dependent loans as of September 30, 2024 were as follows:

Method
Assumption Inputs
Individually evaluated loans
Collateral, market, income, enterprise, liquidation
External appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors, selling costs generally ranging from 6 % to 10 %

The following section describes the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale

Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions, and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.  Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets where valuations include significant unobservable assumptions.

Individually Evaluated Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are individually evaluated by management.  Included in loans individually evaluated are collateral dependent loans.  A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. Collateral dependent loans are considered to have unique risk characteristics and are individually evaluated. The ACL on collateral dependent loans is measured using the fair value of the underlying collateral, adjusted for costs to sell when applicable, less the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. If the value of underlying collateral is determined to be less than the recorded amount of the loan, a charge-off will be taken.  Collateral dependent loans where a charge-off is recorded based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When a loan is evaluated based on the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the loan, the Company records the collateral dependent loan as non-recurring Level 3 given the valuation includes significant unobservable assumption s.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for the periods ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were approximately as follows:

(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Level
Carrying
amount
Fair value
Carrying
amount
Fair value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
1
$
163,918
$
163,918
$
149,211
$
149,211
Certificates of deposit
2
19,244
19,351
19,710
19,570
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities
3
10,518
10,518
10,518
10,518
Loans receivable:
Net loans
3
1,042,304
961,748
1,052,465
958,077
Interest receivable
2
7,678
7,678
6,810
6,810
Mortgage servicing rights
3 1,350
1,880
1,482
2,094
Financial liabilities:
Time deposits
3
153,936
153,887
135,696
135,540
Interest payable
2
1,345
1,345
1,567
1,567

Limitations

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

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax liabilities and premises and equipment.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates.

7.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk at the indicated periods, were as follows:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
Undisbursed loan commitments
$
158,836
$
187,401
Standby letters of credit
895
1,251
Commitments to sell loans
960
$
160,691
$
188,652

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation.  The types of collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank issues both financial and performance standby letters of credit.  The financial standby letters of credit are primarily to guarantee payment to third parties.  At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no financial standby letters of credit outstanding.  The performance standby letters of credit are typically issued to municipalities as specific performance bonds.  Performance standby letters of credit totaled $ 895 ,000 and $ 1,251 ,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.  The Bank had experienced no draws on outstanding letters of credit, resulting in no related liability included on its balance sheet; however, should a triggering event occur, the Bank either has collateral in excess of the letter of credit or embedded agreements of recourse from the customer. The Bank has set aside a reserve for unfunded commitments in the amount of $ 950 ,000 and $ 1,150 ,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which is recorded in “interest payable and other liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit bear similar credit risk characteristics as outstanding loans.  As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no off-balance sheet derivatives requiring additional disclosure.

The Company may enter into interest rate lock commitments in connection with its mortgage banking activities to fund residential mortgage loans within specified times in the future. These commitments expose the Company to the risk that the price of the loan underlying the interest rate lock commitment might decline from the inception of the interest rate lock to the funding of the mortgage loan. To protect against this risk, the Company may enter into commitments to sell loans to economically hedge the risk of potential changes in the value of the loans that would result from the commitment. These commitments totaled $ 960 ,000 and $ 0 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.  Mortgage loans sold to investors may be sold with servicing rights retained, for which the Company makes only standard legal representations and warranties as to meeting certain underwriting and collateral documentation standards.  In the past two years, the Company had to repurchase one loan totaling $ 420 ,000 due to deficiencies in underwriting or loan documentation.  Management believes that any liabilities that may result from suc h recourse provisions are not significant.

8.
STOCK PLANS

On January 25, 2024 , the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 5 % stock dividend payable as of March 25, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 29, 2024 .  All stock options and restricted stock amounts outstanding have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.

The following table presents the activity related to stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
Options outstanding at Beginning of Period
592,393
$
8.52
Granted
Expired
Cancelled / Forfeited
Exercised
Options outstanding at End of Period
592,393
$
8.52
$
1,051,764
4.11
Exercisable (vested) at End of Period
568,709
$
8.49
$
1,028,080
3.97

The following table presents the activity related to stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
Options outstanding at Beginning of Period
642,779
$
8.40
Granted
Expired
Cancelled / Forfeited
Exercised
( 50,386
)
6.92
Options outstanding at End of Period
592,393
$
8.52
$
1,051,764
4.11
Exercisable (vested) at End of Period
568,709
$
8.49
$
1,028,080
3.97

The intrinsic value of options exercised was $ 90,000 and $ 305,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.  The fair value of awards vested was $ 88,000 and $ 123,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and Se ptember 30, 2023, respectively.

As of September 30, 2024, there was $ 38,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.49 years.

There was $ 6,000 and $ 30,000 of recognized compensation cost related to stock options granted for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.

The following table presents the activity related to non-vested restricted stock for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
Non-vested Restricted stock outstanding at Beginning of Period

259,886
$
8.51


Granted
Cancelled / Forfeited
( 768
)
8.55
Exercised/Released/Vested
( 849
)
6.58
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at End of Period
258,269
$
8.52
$
2,660,171
2.58

The following table presents the activity related to non-vested restricted stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
Non-vested Restricted stock outstanding at Beginning of Period
274,268
$
8.72


Granted
84,046
8.33
Cancelled / Forfeited
( 19,980
)
8.76
Exercised/Released/Vested
( 80,065
)
8.93
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at End of Period
258,269
$
8.52
$
2,660,171
2.58

The weighted average fair value of restricted stock granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $ 8.33 per share.

As of September 30, 2024, there was $ 1,116,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.58 years.

There was $ 149,000 and $ 565,000 of recognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).  There are 376,856 shares authorized for issuance under the ESPP.  The total number of shares authorized has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and stock splits, including the 5 % stock dividend declared on January 25, 2024 , payable March 25, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 29, 2024 .  The ESPP will expire on March 16, 2026.

The ESPP is implemented by participation periods of not more than twenty-seven months each.  The Board of Directors determines the commencement date and duration of each participation period. The Board of Directors approved the current participation period of November 24, 2023 to November 23, 2024.  An eligible employee is one who has been continually employed for at least 90 days prior to commencement of a participation period. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can choose to have up to 10 percent of their compensation withheld to purchase the Company’s common stock each participation period.  The purchase price of the stock is 85 percent of the lower of the fair value on the last trading day before the date of participation or the fair value on the last trading day during the participation period.

As of September 30, 2024, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances.

There was $ 15,000 and $ 31,000 of recognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.

The weighted average fair value option at issuance date during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $ 2.14 per share.

A summary of the weighted average assumptions used in valuing ESPP issuances during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 is presented below.


Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Risk Free Interest Rate
5.27
%
5.27
%
Expected Dividend Yield
0.00
%
0.00
%
Expected Life in Years
1.00
1.00
Expected Price Volatility
25.96
%
25.96
%

9.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

(in thousands)
Unrealized
losses on
securities
Officers’
retirement
plan
Directors’
retirement
plan
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
Balance as of June 30, 2024
$
( 35,205
)
$
( 70
)
$
121
$
( 35,154
)
Current period other comprehensive income
12,167
12,167
Balance as of September 30 , 2024
$
( 23,038
)
$
( 70
)
$
121
$
( 22,987
)

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

(in thousands)
Unrealized
losses on
securities
Officers’
retirement
plan
Directors’
retirement
plan
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
Balance as of December 31, 2023
$
( 33,778
)
$
( 70
)
$
121
$
( 33,727
)
Current period other comprehensive income
10,740
10,740
Balance as of September 30, 2024
$
( 23,038
)
$
( 70
)
$
121
$
( 22,987
)

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

(in thousands)
Unrealized
losses on
securities
Officers’
retirement
plan
Directors’
retirement
plan
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
Balance as of June 30, 2023
$
( 43,950
)
$
( 308
)
$
53
$
( 44,205
)
Current period other comprehensive loss
( 4,999
)
( 4,999
)
Balance as of September 30 , 2023
$
( 48,949
)
$
( 308
)
$
53
$
( 49,204
)

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

(in thousands)
Unrealized
losses on
securities
Officers’
retirement
plan
Directors’
retirement
plan
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
Balance as of December 31, 2022
$
( 46,273
)
$
( 308
)
$
53
$
( 46,528
)
Current period other comprehensive loss
( 2,676
)
( 2,676
)
Balance as of September 30, 2023
$
( 48,949
)
$
( 308
)
$
53
$
( 49,204
)

10.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On January 25, 2024 , the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 5 % stock dividend payable March 25, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 29, 2024 .  All income per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the respective period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive shares for the quarter.  Diluted shares include all common stock equivalents (“in-the-money” stock options, unvested restricted stock, stock units, warrants and rights, convertible bonds and preferred stock), which reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts):

Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Basic earnings per share:
Net income
$
5,488
$
4,619
$
14,188
$
14,672
Weighted average common shares outstanding
15,123,404
15,191,973
15,209,757
15,182,554
Basic EPS
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.93
$
0.97
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income
$
5,488
$
4,619
$
14,188
$
14,672
Weighted average common shares outstanding
15,123,404
15,191,973
15,209,757
15,182,554
Effect of dilutive shares
221,923
168,013
190,954
135,920
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding
15,345,327
15,359,986
15,400,711
15,318,474
Diluted EPS
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.92
$
0.96

Stock options which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 27,499 shares and 355,263 shares for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  Unvested restricted stock which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 0 shares and 0 shares for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  Stock options which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 306,120 shares and 476,883 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  Unvested restricted stock which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 2,592 shares and 47,231 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

11.
LEASES

The Company leases eleven branch and administrative locations under operating leases expiring on various dates through 2031. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For lease agreements entered into or reassessed after the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), the Company combines lease and nonlease components. The Company had no financing leases as of September 30, 2024.

Most leases include options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from 3 to 10 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Most leases are currently in the extension period. For the remaining leases with options to renew, the Company has not included the extended lease terms in the calculation of lease liabilities as the options are not reasonably certain of being exercised. Certain lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

The Company uses its FHLB advance fixed rates, which are its incremental borrowing rates for secured borrowings, as the discount rates to calculate lease liabilities.

The Company had right-of-use assets totaling $ 3,372 ,000 and $ 4,073 ,000 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Right-of-use assets are included in Interest receivable and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company had lease liabilities totaling $ 3,880 ,000 and $ 4,585 ,000 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Lease liabilities are included in Interest payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized lease expense totaling $ 323 ,000 and $ 315 ,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $ 928 ,000 and $ 916 ,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Lease expense includes operating lease costs, short-term lease costs and variable lease costs.  Lease expense is included in occupancy and equipment expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The table below summarizes the maturity of remaining lease liabilities at September 30, 2024:

(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
2024 (remaining 3 months)
$
259
2025
1,051
2026
672
2027
611
2028
625
2029 and thereafter
895
Total lease payments
4,113
Less: interest
( 233
)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
3,880

The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:


Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30 ,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
244
$
296
$
839
$
910
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
245

The following table presents the weighted average operating lease term and discount rate as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases, in years
5.03
5.43
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases
2.38
%
2.42
%

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

ITEM 2.   – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may include forward-looking statements, which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and business, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ significantly compared to our forecasts and expectations. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and the other risks described in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the other risks described in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for factors to be considered when reading any forward-looking statements in this filing.

This report and other reports or statements which we may release may include forward-looking statements, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We may make forward-looking statements in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, press releases, news articles and when we are speaking on behalf of the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Often, they include the words “believe,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “strive,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” or “may.” These forward-looking statements are intended to provide investors with additional information with which they may assess our future potential. All of these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about an uncertain future and are based on information available to us at the date of these statements. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date any forward-looking statements are made.

In this document and in other SEC filings or other public statements, for example, we make forward-looking statements relating to the following topics, among others:

Our business objectives, strategies and initiatives, our organizational structure, the growth of our business and our competitive position and prospects, and the effect of competition on our business and strategies


Our assessment of significant factors and developments that have affected or may affect our results


Legal and regulatory actions, and future legislative and regulatory developments, including the effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “EGRRCPA”), and other legislation and governmental measures introduced in response to the financial crisis which began in 2008 and the ensuing recession affecting the banking system, financial markets and the U.S. economy


Regulatory and compliance controls, processes and requirements and their impact on our business


The costs and effects of legal or regulatory actions


Expectations regarding draws on performance letters of credit and liabilities that may result from recourse provisions in standby letters of credit


Our intent to sell or hold, and the likelihood that we would be required to sell, various investment securities


Our regulatory capital requirements, including the capital rules established after the 2008 financial crisis by the U.S. federal banking agencies and our current intention not to elect to use the community bank leverage ratio framework


Expectations regarding our non-payment of a cash dividend on our common stock in the foreseeable future


Credit quality and provision for credit losses and management of asset quality and credit risk, expectations regarding collections and the timing thereof


Our allowances for credit losses, including the conditions we consider in determining the unallocated allowance and our portfolio credit quality, the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, underwriting standards, and risk grading


Our assessment of economic conditions and trends and credit cycles and their impact on our business


The seasonal nature of our business


The impact of changes in interest rates and our strategy to manage our interest rate risk profile and the possible effect of changes in residential mortgage interest rates on new originations and refinancing of existing residential mortgage loans


Loan portfolio composition and risk grade trends, expected charge-offs, portfolio credit quality, loan demand, our strategy regarding loan modifications, delinquency rates and our underwriting standards and our expectations regarding our recognition of interest income on loans that were provided payment deferrals upon completion of the payment forbearance period


Our deposit base including renewal of time deposits and the outlook for deposit balances


The impact on our net interest income and net interest margin of changes in interest rates


The effect of possible changes in the initiatives and policies of the federal and state bank regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other standard setters


Tax rates and the impact of changes in the U.S. tax laws


Our pension and retirement plan costs


Our liquidity strategies and beliefs concerning the adequacy of our liquidity, sources and amounts of funds and ability to satisfactorily manage our liquidity


Critical accounting policies and estimates, the impact or anticipated impact of recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting principles


Expected rates of return, maturities, loss exposure, growth rates, yields, and projected results


The possible impact of weather-related or other natural conditions, including drought, fire or flooding, seismic events, and related governmental responses, including related electrical power outages, on economic conditions, especially in the agricultural sector


Maintenance of insurance coverages appropriate for our operations


Threats to the banking sector and our business due to cybersecurity issues and attacks and regulatory expectations related to cybersecurity


Possible changes in the fair values recorded on our financial statements of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our business combination completed in January 2023


The possible effects on community banks and our business from the failures of other banks


The possible adverse impacts on the banking industry and our business from a period of significant, prolonged inflation


Descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing

Readers of this document should not rely on any forward-looking statements, which reflect only our management’s belief as of the date of this report. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could and will cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or prospects. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those listed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part II of this Form 10-Q, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Part I of this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” and “Supervision and Regulation” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our other reports to the SEC.

INTRODUCTION

This overview of Management’s Discussion and Analysis highlights selected information in this report and may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  For a more complete understanding of trends, events, commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources and critical accounting policies and estimates, you should carefully read this entire report and any other reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Our subsidiary, First Northern Bank of Dixon (the “Bank”), is a California state-chartered bank that derives most of its revenues from lending and deposit taking in the Sacramento Valley region of Northern California. Interest rates, business conditions and customer confidence all affect our ability to generate revenues. In addition, the regulatory and compliance environment and competition can present challenges to our ability to generate those revenues.

Significant results and developments during the third quarter and year-to-date 2024 included:

Net income of $14.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down 3.3% from net income of $14.7 million earned for the same period last year. Net income of $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, up 18.8% from net income of $4.6 million earned for the same period last year.

Diluted income per share of $0.92 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down 4.2% from diluted income per share of $0.96 in the same period last year. Diluted income per share of $0.36 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, up 20.0% from diluted income per share of $0.30 for the same period last year.

Net interest income of $47.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down 3.6% from net interest income of $49.6 million for the same period last year. Net interest income of $16.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, up 3.9% from net interest income of $15.9 million for the same period last year.

Net interest margin of 3.60% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down 2.2% from net interest margin of 3.68% for the same period last year. Net interest margin of 3.65% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, up 4.0% from net interest margin of 3.51% for the same period last year.

Provision for credit losses of $200 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down 93.6% from $3.1 million for the same period last year. Reversal of provision for credit losses of $550 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to provision for credit losses of $500 thousand for the same period last year.  The Company recognized a reversal of provision of $550 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a substantial payoff of a non-performing commercial loan relationship.

Total assets of $1.93 billion as of September 30, 2024, up 3.1% from $1.87 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Total net loans (including loans held-for-sale) of $1.04 billion as of September 30, 2024, down 1.0% from $1.05 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Total investment securities of $632.4 million as of September 30, 2024, up 10.5% from $572.4 million as of December 31, 2023.

Total deposits of $1.73 billion as of September 30, 2024, up 2.3% from $1.69 billion as of December 31, 2023.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

The Company recorded net income of $14,188,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing a decrease of $484,000, or 3.3%, from net income of $14,672,000 for the same period in 2023. The Company recorded net income of $5,488,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of $869,000, or 18.8%, from net income of $4,619,000 for the same period in 2023.

The following tables present a summary of the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and a summary of financial condition at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2024
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2024
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
(dollars in thousands except for per share amounts)
For the Period:
Net Income
$
5,488
$
4,619
$
14,188
$
14,672
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.93
$
0.97
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.36
$
0.30
$
0.92
$
0.96
Return on Average Assets (annualized)
1.15
%
0.96
%
1.01
%
1.02
%
Return on Average Equity (annualized)
12.73
%
13.11
%
11.50
%
14.41
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
9.02
%
7.30
%
8.77
%
7.09
%

September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(in thousands except for ratios)
At Period End:
Total Assets
$
1,930,690
$
1,871,832
Total Investment Securities, at fair value
$
632,404
$
572,357
Total Loans, Net (including loans held-for-sale)
$
1,042,304
$
1,052,465
Total Deposits
$
1,732,042
$
1,692,444
Loan-To-Deposit Ratio
60.2
%
62.2
%

Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Three months ended
September 30, 2024
Three months ended
September 30, 2023
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)
$
1,048,639
$
14,315
5.43
%
$
1,031,647
$
13,098
5.04
%
Certificate of deposits
18,052
188
4.14
%
20,794
194
3.70
%
Interest bearing due from banks
126,903
1,632
5.12
%
148,250
1,870
5.00
%
Investment securities, taxable
550,360
3,586
2.59
%
551,555
2,685
1.93
%
Investment securities, non-taxable  (2)
42,736
312
2.90
%
31,765
199
2.49
%
Other interest earning assets
10,518
261
9.87
%
10,518
214
8.07
%
Total average interest-earning assets
1,797,208
20,294
4.49
%
1,794,529
18,260
4.04
%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
40,401
49,630
Premises and equipment, net
9,470
9,704
Interest receivable and other assets
55,357
59,579
Total average assets
$
1,902,436
$
1,913,442
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
381,356
718
0.75
%
415,232
472
0.45
%
Savings and MMDA’s
431,446
1,443
1.33
%
443,536
819
0.73
%
Time, $250,000 or less
117,985
1,341
4.52
%
98,898
968
3.88
%
Time, over $250,000
38,453
296
3.06
%
17,554
127
2.87
%
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
969,240
3,798
1.56
%
975,220
2,386
0.97
%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
745,700
779,615
Interest payable and other liabilities
15,924
18,858
Total liabilities
1,730,864
1,773,693
Total average stockholders’ equity
171,572
139,749
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,902,436
$
1,913,442
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
$
16,496
3.65
%
$
15,874
3.51
%

(1)
Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest thereon is generally excluded. Loan interest income includes loan fees, net of deferred costs of approximately $4 and $(50) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)
Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis.
(3)
Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)
For disclosure purposes, yield /rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.

Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Nine months ended
September 30, 2024
Nine months ended
September 30, 2023
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)
$
1,045,710
$
41,620
5.32
%
$
994,504
$
38,197
5.14
%
Certificate of deposits
17,935
542
4.04
%
21,115
556
3.52
%
Interest bearing due from banks
127,030
5,077
5.34
%
174,391
6,411
4.92
%
Investment securities, taxable
531,871
9,519
2.39
%
568,322
8,041
1.89
%
Investment securities, non-taxable  (2)
39,600
825
2.78
%
36,092
692
2.56
%
Other interest earning assets
10,518
784
9.96
%
9,985
557
7.46
%
Total average interest-earning assets
1,772,664
58,367
4.40
%
1,804,409
54,454
4.03
%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
38,716
47,135
Premises and equipment, net
9,654
8,713
Interest receivable and other assets
57,104
58,805
Total average assets
$
1,878,138
$
1,919,062
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
375,090
1,851
0.66
%
432,741
1,107
0.34
%
Savings and MMDA’s
429,227
3,910
1.22
%
460,198
1,926
0.56
%
Time, $250,000 or less
114,847
3,908
4.55
%
73,485
1,542
2.81
%
Time, over $250,000
37,430
862
3.08
%
13,043
242
2.48
%
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
956,594
10,531
1.47
%
979,467
4,817
0.66
%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
740,261
785,634
Interest payable and other liabilities
16,523
17,837
Total liabilities
1,713,378
1,782,938
Total average stockholders’ equity
164,760
136,124
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,878,138
$
1,919,062
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
$
47,836
3.60
%
$
49,637
3.68
%

(1)
Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest thereon is generally excluded. Loan interest income includes loan fees, net of deferred costs of approximately $(448) and $(17) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)
Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis.
(3)
Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)
For disclosure purposes, yield /rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.

Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Three months ended
September 30, 2024
Three months ended
June 30, 2024
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)
$
1,048,639
$
14,315
5.43
%
$
1,041,102
$
13,830
5.34
%
Certificates of deposit
18,052
188
4.14
%
17,081
171
4.03
%
Interest bearing due from banks
126,903
1,632
5.12
%
130,963
1,913
5.87
%
Investment securities, taxable
550,360
3,586
2.59
%
519,789
3,088
2.39
%
Investment securities, non-taxable (2)
42,736
312
2.90
%
38,055
261
2.76
%
Other interest earning assets
10,518
261
9.87
%
10,518
267
10.21
%
Total average interest-earning assets
1,797,208
20,294
4.49
%
1,757,508
19,530
4.47
%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
40,401
39,630
Premises and equipment, net
9,470
9,642
Interest receivable and other assets
55,357
59,523
Total average assets
$
1,902,436
$
1,866,303
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
381,356
718
0.75
%
371,657
622
0.67
%
Savings and MMDA’s
431,446
1,443
1.33
%
425,601
1,272
1.20
%
Time, $250,000 and under
117,985
1,341
4.52
%
123,303
1,356
4.42
%
Time, over $250,000
38,453
296
3.06
%
34,605
302
3.51
%
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
969,240
3,798
1.56
%
955,166
3,552
1.50
%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
745,700
732,153
Interest payable and other liabilities
15,924
15,737
Total liabilities
1,730,864
1,703,056
Total average stockholders’ equity
171,572
163,247
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,902,436
$
1,866,303
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
$
16,496
3.65
%
$
15,978
3.66
%

(1)
Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest is generally excluded.  Loan interest income includes loan fees, net of deferred costs of approximately $4 and $(100) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively.
(2)
Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable equivalent basis.
(3)
Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)
For disclosure purposes, yield/rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.

Analysis of Changes
in Interest Income and Interest Expense
(Dollars in thousands)

Following is an analysis of changes in interest income and expense (dollars in thousands) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the three months ended September 30, 2023, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 over the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the three months ended June 30, 2024.  Changes not solely due to interest rate or volume have been allocated proportionately to interest rate and volume.

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Over
Over
Over
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2024
Volume
Interest
Rate
Change
Volume
Interest
Rate
Change
Volume
Interest
Rate
Change
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Income:
Loans
$
213
$
1,004
$
1,217
$
2,038
$
1,385
$
3,423
$
146
$
339
$
485
Certificates of Deposit
(27
)
21
(6
)
(91
)
77
(14
)
11
6
17
Due From Banks
(281
)
43
(238
)
(1,851
)
517
(1,334
)
(55
)
(226
)
(281
)
Investment Securities - Taxable
(6
)
907
901
(544
)
2,022
1,478
206
292
498
Investment Securities - Non-taxable
76
37
113
71
62
133
36
15
51
Other Assets
47
47
32
195
227
(6
)
(6
)
$
(25
)
$
2,059
$
2,034
$
(345
)
$
4,258
$
3,913
$
344
$
420
$
764
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Expense:
Deposits:
Interest-Bearing Transaction Deposits
$
(41
)
$
287
$
246
$
(166
)
$
910
$
744
$
17
$
79
$
96
Savings & MMDAs
(22
)
646
624
(139
)
2,123
1,984
19
152
171
Time Certificates
399
143
542
1,887
1,099
2,986
(4
)
(17
)
(21
)
$
336
$
1,076
$
1,412
$
1,582
$
4,132
$
5,714
$
32
$
214
$
246
Increase (Decrease) in Net Interest Income:
$
(361
)
$
983
$
622
$
(1,927
)
$
126
$
(1,801
)
$
312
$
206
$
518

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The assets of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a $14,707,000, or 9.9%, increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $466,000, or 2.4%, decrease in certificates of deposit, a $60,047,000, or 10.5%, increase in investment securities available-for-sale, and a $10,161,000, or 1.0%, decrease in net loans held-for-investment from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase in deposit balances coupled with a decrease in loans due to proceeds from loan payoffs, net of loan originations, which was partially offset by an increase in investment securities due to net purchases of investment securities. The decrease in certificates of deposits was due to net maturities and repayments of certificates of deposit. The decrease in net loans held-for-investment was primarily due to net payoffs of agriculture, residential mortgage, and residential construction loans, which was partially offset by net originations of commercial, commercial real estate and consumer loans.

The liabilities of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect an increase in total deposits of $39,598,000, or 2.3%, from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The overall increase in total deposits was primarily due to seasonal fluctuations due to changes in market conditions and monetary policy.

CHANGES IN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Interest Income

The Federal Open Market Committee lowered the benchmark rate by 50 basis points to a target range of 4.75% - 5.00% during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Interest income on loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was up 9.0% from the same period in 2023, increasing from $38,197,000 to $41,620,000, and was up 9.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, increasing from $13,098,000 to $14,315,000. The increase in interest income on loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average balance of loans coupled with an 18 basis point increase in yield on loans. The increase in interest income on loans for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average balance of loans coupled with a 39 basis point increase in yield on loans.

Interest income on certificates of deposit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was down 2.5% from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $556,000 to $542,000, and was down 3.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, decreasing from $194,000 to $188,000. The decrease in interest income on certificates of deposit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average balances of certificates of deposit, which was partially offset by a 52 basis point increase in yield on certificates of deposit. The decrease in interest income on certificates of deposit for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average balances of certificates of deposit, which was partially offset by a 44 basis point increase in yield on certificates of deposit.

Interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was down 20.8% from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $6,411,000 to $5,077,000, and was down 12.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, decreasing from $1,870,000 to $1,632,000. The decrease in interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average balances of interest-bearing due from banks, which was partially offset by a 42 basis point increase in yield on interest-bearing due from banks. The decrease in interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average balances of interest-bearing due from banks, which was partially offset by a 12 basis point increase in yield on interest-bearing due from banks.

Interest income on investment securities available-for-sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was up 18.5% from the same period in 2023, increasing from $8,733,000 to $10,344,000, and was up 35.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, increasing from $2,884,000 to $3,898,000. The increase in interest income on investment securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a 49 basis point increase in investment yields, which was partially offset by a decrease in average investment securities. The increase in interest income on investment securities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a 65 basis point increase in investment yields coupled with an increase in average investment securities.

Interest income on other earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was up 40.8% from the same period in 2023, increasing from $557,000 to $784,000, and was up 22.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, increasing from $214,000 to $261,000. This income is primarily derived from dividends received from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The increase in interest income on other earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a 250 basis point increase in yield on other earning assets coupled with an increase in average balances of other earning assets. The increase in interest income on other earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was due to a 180 basis point increase in yield on other earning assets.

The Company had no Federal Funds sold balances during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

Interest Expense

Interest expense on deposits for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was up 118.6% from the same period in 2023, increasing from $4,817,000 to $10,531,000, and was up 59.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, increasing from $2,386,000 to $3,798,000. The increase in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an 81 basis point increase in average interest-bearing deposit yield, which was partially offset by a decrease in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a 59 basis point increase in average interest-bearing deposit yield, which was partially offset by a decrease in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities.

Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was down 93.6% from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $3,100,000 to $200,000, and was down 210.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 over the same period in 2023, decreasing from $500,000 to a reversal of provision of $550,000. The levels of forecasted national unemployment and forecasted gross domestic product remained relatively stable during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The Company recognized a reversal of provision of $550 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a substantial payoff of a non-performing commercial loan relationship.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was down 26.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $6,155,000 to $4,529,000. The decrease was primarily driven by a bargain purchase gain recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company recognized a bargain purchase gain totaling approximately $1.4 million resulting from the acquisition of the Colusa, Willows, and Orland branches located in California in the first quarter of 2023.

Non-interest income was down 13.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $1,776,000 to $1,538,000.  The decrease was primarily due to decreases in other income and losses on sales of securities.

Non-Interest Expenses

Total non-interest expenses were down 0.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, decreasing from $32,534,000 to $32,460,000. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and employee benefits, which was partially offset by increases in occupancy and equipment and other expenses. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to a decrease in full-time equivalent employees and decreases in contingent compensation and profit sharing expense. The increase in occupancy and equipment expenses was primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense due to a full nine months of expenses related to the acquired branches in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in other expenses was primarily due to increases in loan collection expenses, which was partially offset by a decrease in legal fees.

Total non-interest expenses were up 0.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, increasing from $10,883,000 to $10,934,000. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and employee benefits, which was partially offset by an increase in occupancy and equipment and data processing expense. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to a decrease in full-time equivalent employees. The increase in occupancy and equipment and data processing expense was primarily due to increases in service contracts partially due to a full year of additional processing related to new branches acquired in the first quarter of 2023.

The following table sets forth other non-interest expenses by category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

(in thousands)
Three months ended
September 30, 2024
Three months ended
September 30, 2023
Nine months ended
September 30, 2024
Nine months ended
September 30, 2023
Other non-interest expenses
FDIC assessments
$
210
$
231
$
633
$
681
Contributions
76
79
242
190
Legal fees
59
88
238
428
Accounting and audit fees
151
134
472
451
Consulting fees
313
163
768
599
Postage expense
36
27
114
123
Telephone expense
35
37
108
124
Public relations
42
87
222
230
Training expense
43
37
127
165
Loan origination expense
(39
)
120
89
248
Computer software depreciation
1
2
17
Sundry losses
167
80
421
203
Loan collection expense (recovery)
102
160
132
(294
)
Debit card expense
323
305
949
902
Other non-interest expense
460
437
1,522
1,296
Total other non-interest expenses
$
1,978
$
1,986
$
6,039
$
5,363

Income Taxes

The Company’s tax rate, the Company’s income before taxes and the amount of tax relief provided by non-taxable earnings affect the Company’s provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased 0.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, increasing from $5,486,000 to $5,517,000, and increased 31.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from the same period in 2023, increasing from $1,648,000 to $2,162,000. The effective tax rate was 28.0% and 27.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate was 28.3% and 26.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

The following table shows the distribution of the Company’s undisbursed loan commitments at the dates indicated.

(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Undisbursed loan commitments
$
158,836
$
187,401
Standby letters of credit
895
1,251
Commitments to sell loans
960
$
160,691
$
188,652

The reserve for unfunded lending commitments amounted to $950,000 and $1,150,000 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q, “Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk,” for additional information.

Asset Quality
The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and loan mix. The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of collectability and current collateral values and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.  Asset quality reviews of loans and other non-performing assets are administered using credit risk-rating standards and criteria similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulatory agencies. The federal bank regulatory agencies utilize the following definitions for assets adversely classified for supervisory purposes:


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


Doubtful Assets – An asset classified doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Other Real Estate Owned and loans rated Substandard and Doubtful are deemed “classified assets”. This category, which includes both performing and non-performing assets, receives an elevated level of attention regarding collection.

The following table summarizes the Company’s non-accrual loans net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government by loan category at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

At September 30, 2024
At December 31, 2023
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
(in thousands)
Commercial
$
139
$
139
$
$
$
$
Commercial real estate
466
466
Agriculture
2,380
2,380
2,871
2,871
Residential mortgage
469
469
424
424
Residential construction
Consumer
561
561
703
703
Total non-accrual loans
$
4,015
$
139
$
3,876
$
3,998
$
$
3,998

It is generally the Company’s policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due for a period of 90 days as to interest or principal payments unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income.  Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal.  A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected or there is an extended period of positive performance and a high probability that the loan will continue to pay according to original terms.

Non-accrual loans amounted to $4,015,000 at September 30, 2024 and were comprised of one commercial loan totaling $139,000, one commercial real estate loan totaling $466,000, two agriculture loans totaling $2,380,000, four residential mortgage loans totaling $469,000 and three consumer loans totaling $561,000. Non-accrual loans amounted to $3,998,000 at December 31, 2023 and were comprised of two agriculture loans totaling $2,871,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $424,000 and four consumer loans totaling $703,000.

A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. The ACL on collateral dependent loans is measured using the fair value of the underlying collateral, adjusted for costs to sell when applicable, less the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. It is generally the Company’s policy that if the value of the underlying collateral is determined to be less than the recorded amount of the loan, a charge-off will be taken.

As the following table illustrates, total non-performing assets, net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, decreased $4,410,000, or 52.9%, to $3,924,000 during the first nine months of 2024. Non-performing assets, net of guarantees, represented 0.2% of total assets at September 30, 2024.

At September 30, 2024
At December 31, 2023
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
(dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans
$
4,015
$
139
$
3,876
$
3,998
$
$
3,998
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
48
48
4,336
4,336
Total non-performing loans
4,063
139
3,924
8,334
8,334
Other real estate owned
Total non-performing assets
$
4,063
$
139
$
3,924
$
8,334
$
$
8,334
Non-performing loans (net of guarantees) to total loans
0.4
%
0.8
%
Non-performing assets (net of guarantees) to total assets
0.2
%
0.5
%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans (net of guarantees)
418.5
%
199.1
%

The Company had one loan totaling $48,000 that was 90 days or more past due and still accruing as of September 30, 2024. The Company had two loans totaling $4,336,000 that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing as of December 31, 2023.

Excluding the non-performing loans, net of guaranteed loans cited previously, loans totaling $13,876,000 and $12,327,000 were classified as substandard or doubtful loans, representing potential problem loans at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 appropriately reflected expected credit losses in the loan portfolio at that date.  The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.55% at each of the periods ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of property that the Company has acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure proceedings, and property that the Company does not hold title to but is in actual control of, known as in-substance foreclosure. The estimated fair value of the property is determined prior to transferring the balance to OREO. The balance transferred to OREO is the estimated fair value of the property less estimated cost to sell.  Impairment may be deemed necessary to bring the book value of the loan equal to the appraised value. Appraisals or loan officer evaluations are then conducted periodically thereafter charging any additional impairment to the appropriate expense account. The Company had no OREO as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL)

The Company’s ACL is maintained at a level believed by management to appropriately reflect expected credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The ACL is increased by provisions charged to operating expense and reduced by net charge-offs.  The Company contracts with vendors for credit reviews of the loan portfolio and utilizes historical loss trends and the remaining contractual lives of the loan portfolios to determine estimated credit losses through a reasonable and supportable forecast period.  The ACL is based on estimates, and actual losses may vary from current estimates.

The following table summarizes the ACL of the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and for the year ended December 31, 2023:

Analysis of the Allowance for Credit Losses
(Amounts in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Nine months ended
September 30,
Year ended
December 31,
2024
2023
2023
Balance at beginning of period
$
16,596
$
14,792
$
14,792
Impact of adopting ASC 326
800
800
Provision for credit losses
400
3,250
1,150
Loans charged-off:
Commercial
(606
)
(269
)
(366
)
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
(2,567
)
(2,567
)
Residential Mortgage
(3
)
(3
)
Residential Construction
Consumer
(19
)
(10
)
(13
)
Total charged-off
(625
)
(2,849
)
(2,949
)
Recoveries:
Commercial
47
155
235
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
2,567
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
4
1
1
Total recoveries
51
156
2,803
Net charge-offs
(574
)
(2,693
)
(146
)
Balance at end of period
$
16,422
$
16,149
$
16,596
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period (annualized)
(0.07
%)
(0.36
%)
(0.01
%)
Allowance for credit losses to total loans
1.55
%
1.53
%
1.55
%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans
0.4
%
0.6
%
0.4
%
Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans
409.0
%
263.9
%
415.1
%

Deposits

Deposits are one of the Company’s primary sources of funds.  At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had the following deposit mix:

September 30,
2024
December 31, 2023
Non-interest bearing transaction
43.1
%
44.0
%
Interest-bearing transaction
22.4
%
22.5
%
Savings and MMDA
25.6
%
25.5
%
Time
8.9
%
8.0
%

The Company obtains deposits primarily from the communities it serves. The Company believes that no material portion of its deposits has been obtained from or is dependent on any one person or industry. The Company accepts deposits in excess of $250,000 from customers.  These deposits are priced to remain competitive.

Maturities of time certificates of deposit of over $250,000 outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Three months or less
$
15,933
$
4,321
Over three to six months
3,719
3,653
Over six to twelve months
14,732
13,277
Over twelve months
3,454
5,072
Total
$
37,838
$
26,323

Approximately 40% and 37% of our deposits were uninsured as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In order to serve our market area and comply with banking regulations, the Company must maintain adequate liquidity and adequate capital. Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to provide funds at an acceptable cost to meet loan demand and deposit withdrawals, as well as contingency plans to meet unanticipated funding needs or loss of funding sources. These objectives can be met from either the asset or liability side of the balance sheet.

Asset liquidity sources consist of the repayments and maturities of loans, selling of loans, short-term money market investments, maturities of securities and sales of securities from the available-for-sale portfolio. These activities are generally summarized as investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net liquidity used in investing activities totaled $35,296,000.

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities plus cash and cash equivalents in excess of reserve requirements and certificates of deposit totaled $815,566,000 on September 30, 2024, which was 42.2% of assets at that date. This was an increase of $74,288,000 from $741,278,000 and 39.6% of assets as of December 31, 2023. The Company’s investment securities are generally shorter term in nature to provide ongoing cash flows for liquidity needs and/or reinvestment for interest rate risk management. On September 30, 2024, the effective duration of our investment securities was 3.06 with projected principal cashflow of $50,012,000 for the remainder of 2024 available for reinvestment or liquidity needs. The Company had no held-to-maturity securities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Liquidity may also be impacted from liabilities through changes in deposits and borrowings outstanding. These activities are included under financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $0 in borrowings outstanding. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net liquidity provided by financing activities totaled $36,796,000, primarily due to a net increase in deposits. While these sources of funds are expected to continue to provide significant amounts of funds in the future, their mix, as well as the possible use of other sources, will depend on future economic and market conditions.

Liquidity is also provided or used through the results of operating activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating activities provided cash of $13,207,000.

Liquidity is measured by various ratios, in management’s opinion, the most common being the ratio of net loans to deposits (including loans held-for-sale).  This ratio was 60.2% and 62.2% as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Loan demand during the remainder of 2024 will depend in part on economic and competitive conditions. The Company emphasizes the solicitation of non-interest-bearing demand deposits and money market checking accounts, which are the least sensitive to interest rates. The outlook for deposit balances during the remainder of 2024 is subject to actions by the Federal Reserve and heightened competition.

To meet unanticipated funding requirements, the Company maintains short-term unsecured lines of credit with other banks which totaled $130,000,000 at September 30, 2024.  Additionally, the Company has a line of credit with the FHLB, with a remaining borrowing capacity at September 30, 2024 of $394,192,000; credit availability is subject to certain collateral requirements.

The Company’s primary source of liquidity on a stand-alone basis is dividends from the Bank.  Dividends from the Bank are subject to regulatory restrictions.

In July 2013, the FRB and the other U.S. federal banking agencies adopted final rules making significant changes to the U.S. regulatory capital framework for U.S. banking organizations and to conform this framework to the guidelines published by the Basel Committee known as the Basel III Global Regulatory Framework for Capital and Liquidity.  The Basel Committee is a committee of banking supervisory authorities from major countries in the global financial system which formulates broad supervisory standards and guidelines relating to financial institutions for implementation on a country-by-country basis.   These rules adopted by the FRB and the other federal banking agencies (the U.S. Basel III Capital Rules) replaced the federal banking agencies’ general risk-based capital rules, advanced approaches rule, market risk rule, and leverage rules, in accordance with certain transition provisions.

Banks, such as First Northern, became subject to the final rules on January 1, 2015.  The final rules implement higher minimum capital requirements, include a new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, and establish criteria that instruments must meet in order to be considered common equity Tier 1 capital, additional Tier 1 capital, or Tier 2 capital.  The final rules provide for increased minimum capital ratios as follows: (a) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (b) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%; (c) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (d) a Tier 1 leverage ratio to average consolidated assets of 4%.  Under these rules, in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements (equal to 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets).  The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress.

Pursuant to the EGRRCPA, the FRB adopted a final rule, effective August 31, 2018, amending the Small Bank Holding Company and Savings and Loan Holding Company Policy Statement (the “policy statement”) to increase the consolidated assets threshold to qualify to utilize the provisions of the policy statement from $1 billion to $3 billion. Bank holding companies, such as the Company, are subject to capital adequacy requirements of the FRB; however, bank holding companies which are subject to the policy statement are not subject to compliance with the regulatory capital requirements until they hold $3 billion or more in consolidated total assets. As a consequence, as of December 31, 2018, the Company was not required to comply with the FRB’s regulatory capital requirements until such time that its consolidated total assets equal $3 billion or more or if the FRB determines that the Company is no longer deemed to be a small bank holding company. However, if the Company had been subject to these regulatory capital requirements, it would have exceeded all regulatory requirements.

In August of 2020, the Federal banking agencies adopted the final version of the community bank leverage ratio framework rule (the “CBLR”), implementing two interim final rules adopted in April of 2020.  The rule provides an optional, simplified measure of capital adequacy.  Under the optional CBLR framework, the CBLR was 8.5 percent through calendar year 2021 and is 9 percent thereafter.  The rule is applicable to all non-advanced approaches FDIC-supervised institutions with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets.  Banks not electing the CBLR framework will continue to be subject to the generally applicable risk-based capital rule.  At the present time, the Company and the Bank do not intend to elect to use the CBLR framework.

As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded applicable regulatory requirements. The following table presents the capital ratios for the Bank, compared to the regulatory standards for well-capitalized depository institutions, excluding the capital conservation buffer, as of September 30, 2024.

(amounts in thousands except percentage amounts)
Actual
Well Capitalized
Capital
Ratio
Ratio
Requirement
Leverage
$
199,232
10.3
%
5.0
%
Common Equity Tier 1
$
214,812
16.0
%
6.5
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based
$
214,812
16.0
%
8.0
%
Total Risk-Based
$
214,812
17.3
%
10.0
%

ITEM 3.   – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company believes that there have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as of September 30, 2024, from those presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which are incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 4.   – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)  We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to meet reasonable assurance standards. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2024.  This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management.

(b)  During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II   – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any material pending legal proceeding, nor is any of their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, except ordinary routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business and incidental to its business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s or the Bank’s business, financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS

For a discussion of risk factors relating to our business, please refer to Part I, Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, and to the following:

Several of California’s Largest Home Insurance Providers Have Recently Paused or Severely Limited Their Issuance of New Policies, or Their Renewal of Existing Policies, in the State, Which Could Increase the Bank’s Risk of Loss in its Loan Portfolio

At September 30, 2024, loans secured by real estate comprised approximately 87% of the total loans in the Bank’s portfolio. At September 30, 2024, all of the Bank’s real estate mortgage and construction loans were secured fully or in part by deeds of trust on underlying real estate.  Most of the Company’s customers, including its loan customers, are located in the State of California.

Recently, several of California’s largest home insurance providers, including State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Travelers, Nationwide and Chubb, have either paused or severely limited their issuance of new policies, or their renewal of existing policies, in the state. Mounting claims from wildfire damages, the increasing cost of building and repairing homes in California, and a steep increase in reinsurance premiums, as well as state insurance regulations that make it difficult for insurers to adjust premiums in response to the evolving risk landscape, have challenged the capacity of insurance companies to sustainably and profitably offer home insurance in California. The result of these actions has been to significantly limit the availability of home insurance in California, where homeowners already face escalating property values and high wildfire, seismic, severe weather and other risks.

The California Department of Insurance enforces some safeguards to temporarily shield homeowners from the cancellation or non-renewal of home insurance policies in high-risk areas, particularly those prone to wildfires.  In addition, the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, a state-established risk pool, operates as an insurer of last resort, providing temporary coverage for California homeowners unable to obtain (generally at increased premium cost) such coverage from a traditional insurance carrier; however, enrollment in the FAIR Plan as a percentage of the total number of residential insurance policies in California has steadily increased over the past five years, particularly in counties with the highest wildfire risk, threatening the ongoing stability of the Plan.  In late 2023, following the California Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency regarding property insurance, the Insurance Commissioner of the State of California introduced a comprehensive package of executive actions aimed at insurance reform. In August 2024, the California Department of Insurance issued proposed regulations intended to cause insurance companies to write more policies in wildfire distressed areas of California as a condition for using forward-looking wildfire modeling designed to more accurately assess wildfire risks and to reverse FAIR Plan growth. There can be no assurance that these regulatory actions will increase insurance availability or stabilize and strengthen California’s insurance market.

Many homeowners in the State of California have been negatively impacted by the contraction of insurance options in the State and the resulting lack of access to affordable home insurance, which could adversely impact the ability of prospective homebuyers to obtain insurance, and escalating premiums and limited coverage options could result in limiting coverage in the event of loss.  If any loss suffered by a loan customer of the Bank is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, this could increase the risk of loss in the Bank’s loan portfolio, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.  For additional information, see “The Bank’s Dependence on Real Estate Lending Increases Our Risk of Losses” in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Increases in the Allowance for Credit Losses Would Adversely Affect the Bank’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Bank’s allowance for credit losses on loans was approximately $16.4 million, or 1.55% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.6 million, or 1.55% of total loans, at December 31, 2023, and 418.5% of total non-performing loans net of guaranteed portions at September 30, 2024, compared to 199.1% of total non-performing loans, net of guaranteed portions at December 31, 2023. Reversal of provision for credit losses totaling $550 thousand and provision for credit losses totaling $500 thousand for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively . Provision for credit losses totaling $200 thousand and $3.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively .

Material future additions to the allowance for estimated losses on loans may be necessary if material adverse changes in economic conditions in our markets were to continue to occur and the performance of the Bank’s loan portfolio were to deteriorate.
Other real estate owned is initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell the property, thereby establishing the new cost basis of other real estate. Losses arising at the time of acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent to acquisition, such properties are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling expenses, determined on an individual asset basis. Any deficiency resulting from the excess of cost over fair value less estimated selling expenses is recognized as a valuation allowance. Any subsequent increase in fair value up to its cost basis is recorded as a reduction of the valuation allowance. The FDIC and the California DFPI, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for credit losses on loans and the carrying value of its assets.  Increases in the provision for credit losses on loans and valuation allowance on foreclosed assets would adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank’s Dependence on Real Estate Lending Increases Our Risk of Losses
The Bank’s primary lending focus has historically been commercial (including agricultural), construction, and real estate mortgage.  At September 30, 2024, loans secured by real estate comprised approximately 87% of the total loans in the Bank’s portfolio. At September 30, 2024, all of the Bank’s real estate mortgage and construction loans and approximately 1% of its commercial loans were secured fully or in part by deeds of trust on underlying real estate.  The Company’s dependence on real estate increases the risk of loss in both the Bank’s loan portfolio and its holdings of other real estate owned if economic conditions in Northern California were to deteriorate. Deterioration of the real estate market in Northern California would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The CFPB has adopted various regulations which have impacted, and will continue to impact, our residential mortgage lending business.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company made the following purchases of its common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Period
Total number of
shares purchased
Average price
paid per share
Number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs (1)
July 1 - July 31, 2024
795,543
August 1 - August 31, 2024
52,667
$
9.81
52,667
742,876
September 1 - September 30, 2024
103,111
$
10.09
103,111
639,765
Total
155,778
155,778

(1)
On March 27, 2024, the Company approved a stock repurchase program effective May 1, 2024.  The stock repurchase program, which remains in effect until April 30, 2026 unless terminated sooner, allows repurchases by the Company in an aggregate amount of no more than 6% of the Company’s 15,550,731 outstanding shares of common stock as of March 21, 2024.  This represented total shares of 933,043 eligible for repurchase at May 1, 2024.

ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION

None .

ITEM 6.   – EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
Description of Document
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Statement of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
Statement of the Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) .

**  In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release No. 34-47986, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

SIGNATURES

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

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
Date:
November 8, 2024
By:
/s/  Kevin Spink
Kevin Spink, Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)


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