Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may be
identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of
forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect,"
"estimate," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or
variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K, as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those related
to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the
Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies
of the U.S. Government, changes in accounting policies and practices that may be
adopted by the regulatory agencies and the accounting standards setters, changes
in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory
fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates,
acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management,
asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets and the
availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an uncertain impact on the
Company, its customers and the communities it serves. Given its ongoing and
dynamic nature, including potential variants, it is difficult to predict the
continuing impact of the pandemic on the Company's business, financial condition
or results of operations. The extent of such impact will depend on future
developments, which remain highly uncertain, including when the pandemic will be
controlled and abated, and the extent to which the economy can remain open, as
well as government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine
mandates, which may affect our workforce, human capital resources and
infrastructure. As the result of the pandemic and the related adverse local and
national economic consequences, the Company could be subject to any of the
following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations: the demand
for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets
and income; if the economy is unable to remain substantially open, and higher
levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan
delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in
increased charges and reduced income; collateral for loans, especially real
estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase; our
allowance for credit losses may increase if borrowers experience financial
difficulties, which will adversely affect our net income; the net worth and
liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor
commitments to us; as the result of the decline in the Federal Reserve Board's
target federal funds rate to near 0%, the yield on our assets may decline to a
greater extent than the decline in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities,
reducing our net interest margin and spread and reducing net income; our wealth
management revenues may decline with continuing market turmoil; we may face the
risk of a goodwill write-down due to stock price decline; and our cyber security
risks are increased as the result of an increased number of employees working
remotely.
                                       51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. The Company
advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's
financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future
periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with
respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not have
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this statement.
Acquisition
SB One Bancorp Acquisition
On July 31, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of SB One Bancorp ("SB
One"), which added $2.20 billion to total assets, $1.77 billion to total loans
and $1.76 billion to total deposits, and added 18 full-service banking offices
in New Jersey and New York. As part of the acquisition, the addition of SB One
Insurance Agency, Inc. allows the Company to expand its products offerings to
its customers to include an array of commercial and personal insurance products.
Under the merger agreement, each share of outstanding SB One common stock was
exchanged for 1.357 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company issued
12.8 million shares of common stock from treasury stock, plus cash in lieu of
fractional shares in the acquisition of SB One. The total consideration paid for
the acquisition of SB One was $180.8 million. In connection with the
acquisition, SB One Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of SB One, was merged with
and into Provident Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company considers certain accounting policies to be critically important to
the fair presentation of its financial condition and results of operations.
These policies require management to make complex judgments on matters which by
their nature have elements of uncertainty. The sensitivity of the Company's
consolidated financial statements to these critical accounting policies, and the
assumptions and estimates applied, could have a significant impact on its
financial condition and results of operations. These assumptions, estimates and
judgments made by management can be influenced by a number of factors, including
the general economic environment. The Company has identified the following as
critical accounting policies:
•Adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; and
•Valuation of deferred tax assets
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments," which replaces the incurred loss methodology
with the current expected credit loss ("CECL") methodology. It also applies to
off-balance sheet credit exposures, including loan commitments and lines of
credit. The adoption of the new standard resulted in the Company recording a
$7.9 million increase to the allowance for credit losses and a $3.2 million
liability for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The adoption of the standard
did not result in a change to the Company's results of operations upon adoption
as it was recorded as an $8.3 million cumulative effect adjustment, net of
income taxes, to retained earnings.
The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that reflects
management's evaluation of the current expected credit losses in the loan
portfolio. The Company maintains the allowance for credit losses through
provisions for credit losses that are charged to income. Charge-offs against the
allowance for credit losses are taken on loans where management determines that
the collection of loan principal and interest is unlikely. Recoveries made on
loans that have been charged-off are credited to the allowance for credit
losses.
The calculation of the allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting
policy of the Company. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant
available information, from internal and external sources, related to past
events, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast.
Historical credit loss experience for both the Company and peers provides the
basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, where observed credit losses
are converted to probability of default rate ("PDR") curves through the use of
segment-specific loss given default ("LGD") risk factors that convert default
rates to loss severity based on industry-level, observed relationships between
the two variables for each segment, primarily due to the nature of the
underlying collateral. These risk factors were assessed for reasonableness
against the Company's own loss experience and adjusted in certain cases when the
relationship between the Company's historical default and loss severity deviate
from that of the wider industry. The historical PDR curves, together with
corresponding economic conditions, establish a quantitative relationship between
economic conditions and loan performance through an economic cycle.
Using the historical relationship between economic conditions and loan
performance, management's expectation of future loan performance is incorporated
using an externally developed economic forecast. This forecast is applied over a
period that management has determined to be reasonable and supportable. Beyond
the period over which management can develop or source a reasonable and
supportable forecast, the model will revert to long-term average economic
conditions using a straight-line, time-based methodology. The Company's current
forecast period is six quarters, with a four quarter reversion period to
                                       52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

historical average macroeconomic factors. The Company's economic forecast is
approved by the Company's Asset-Liability Committee.
The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis, with
both a quantitative and qualitative analysis that is applied on a quarterly
basis, when similar risk characteristics exist. The respective quantitative
allowance for each segment is measured using an econometric, discounted PD/LGD
modeling methodology in which distinct, segment-specific multi-variate
regression models are applied to an external economic forecast. Under the
discounted cash flows methodology, expected credit losses are estimated over the
effective life of the loans by measuring the difference between the net present
value of modeled cash flows and amortized cost basis. Contractual cash flows
over the contractual life of the loans are the basis for modeled cash flows,
adjusted for modeled defaults and expected prepayments and discounted at the
loan-level effective interest rate. The contractual term excludes expected
extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies:
management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a troubled
debt restructuring ("TDR") will be executed with an individual borrower or the
extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract
at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.
After quantitative considerations, management applies additional qualitative
adjustments so that the allowance for credit loss is reflective of the estimate
of lifetime losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.
Qualitative considerations include limitations inherent in the quantitative
model; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experience across one or
more components of the portfolio; changes in industry conditions; changes in the
Company's loan review process; changes in the Company's loan policies and
procedures, economic forecast uncertainty and model imprecision.
Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and
documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses.
Management developed segments for estimating loss based on type of borrower and
collateral which is generally based upon federal call report segmentation. The
segments have been combined or sub-segmented as needed to ensure loans of
similar risk profiles are appropriately pooled. As of September 30, 2021, the
portfolio and class segments for the Company's loan portfolio were:
•Mortgage Loans - Residential, Commercial Real Estate, Multi-Family and
Construction
•Commercial Loans - Commercial Owner Occupied and Commercial Non-Owner Occupied
•Consumer Loans - First Lien Home Equity and Other Consumer
The allowance for credit losses on loans individually evaluated for impairment
is based upon loans that have been identified through the Company's normal loan
monitoring process. This process includes the review of delinquent and problem
loans at the Company's Delinquency, Credit, Credit Risk Management and Allowance
Committees; or which may be identified through the Company's loan review
process. Generally, the Company only evaluates loans individually for impairment
if the loan is non-accrual, non-homogeneous and the balance is at least $1.0
million, or if the loan was modified as a TDR.
For all classes of loans deemed collateral-dependent, the Company estimates
expected credit losses based on the fair value of the collateral less any
selling costs. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the allowance for credit
losses related to individually assessed loans is based on discounted expected
cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate.
A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession by the
Company, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties is
considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit losses on a TDR is measured
using the same method as all other impaired loans, except that the original
interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate
specified within the restructuring.
For loans acquired that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration
in credit quality since origination are considered PCD loans. The Company
evaluates acquired loans for deterioration in credit quality based on any of,
but not limited to, the following: (1) non-accrual status; (2) troubled debt
restructured designation; (3) risk ratings of special mention, substandard or
doubtful; (4) watchlist credits; and (5) delinquency status, including loans
that are current on acquisition date, but had been previously delinquent. At the
acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses is made for groups of
PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without
similar risk characteristics. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the initial
allowance for credit losses on PCD loans will increase or decrease based on
future evaluations, with changes recognized in the provision for credit losses.
Management believes the primary risks inherent in the portfolio are a general
decline in the economy, a decline in real estate market values, rising
unemployment or a protracted period of elevated unemployment, increasing vacancy
rates in commercial investment properties and possible increases in interest
rates in the absence of economic improvement. As the impact of COVID-19
continues to unfold, the effectiveness of medical advances, government programs,
and the resulting impact on consumer behavior and employment conditions will
have a material bearing on future credit conditions. Any one or a
                                       53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

combination of these events may adversely affect borrowers' ability to repay the
loans, resulting in increased delinquencies, credit losses and higher levels of
provisions. Management considers it important to maintain the ratio of the
allowance for credit losses to total loans at an acceptable level given current
and forecasted economic conditions, interest rates and the composition of the
portfolio.
Although management believes that the Company has established and maintained the
allowance for credit losses at appropriate levels, additions may be necessary if
future economic and other conditions differ substantially from the current
operating environment and economic forecast. Management evaluates its estimates
and assumptions on an ongoing basis giving consideration to forecasted economic
factors, historical loss experience and other factors. Such estimates and
assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. In addition to
the ongoing impact of COVID-19, illiquid credit markets, volatile securities
markets, and declines in the housing and commercial real estate markets and the
economy in general may increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and
assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with
precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.
Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic
environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. In
addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the adequacy of the
Company's allowance for credit losses as an integral part of their examination
process. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the
allowance or additional write-downs based on their judgments about information
available to them at the time of their examination. Although management uses the
best information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains
an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change.
The CECL approach to calculate the allowance for credit losses on loans is
significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of the
Company's loan portfolio, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and
forecast utilized. Material changes to these and other relevant factors creates
greater volatility to the allowance for credit losses, and therefore, greater
volatility to the Company's reported earnings. For the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2021, the changing economic forecasts attributable to
COVID-19 and projected economic recovery led to the Company recording either a
reduction in, or a negative provision for credit losses, compared to the same
periods last year. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations ("MD&A") for more information on the allowance for credit losses on
loans.
The determination of whether deferred tax assets will be realizable is
predicated on the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities and estimates of
future taxable income. Such estimates are subject to management's judgment. A
valuation allowance is established when management is unable to conclude that it
is more likely than not that it will realize deferred tax assets based on the
nature and timing of these items. The Company did not require a valuation
allowance at September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020
Total assets at September 30, 2021 were $13.39 billion, a $472.2 million
increase from December 31, 2020. The increase in total assets was primarily due
to a $763.9 million increase in total investments, partially offset by a $268.3
million decrease in total loans and a $27.1 million decrease in cash and cash
equivalents.
The Company's loan portfolio decreased $268.3 million to $9.55 billion at
September 30, 2021, from $9.82 billion at December 31, 2020, despite strong
originations, as prepayments, including Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan
forgiveness, were elevated. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, loan
funding, including advances on lines of credit, totaled $2.54 billion, compared
with $2.63 billion for the same period in 2020. Originations under PPP programs
totaled $208.7 million and $397.8 million for the nine month periods ended
September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total PPP loans outstanding decreased
$299.4 million to $173.8 million at September 30, 2021, from $473.2 million at
December 31, 2020. Excluding the net decrease in PPP loans, during the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, the Company experienced net increases in
commercial mortgage loans and construction loans of $246.0 million and $143.9
million, respectively, partially offset by net decreases in consumer loans,
multi-family loans, residential mortgage loans and commercial loans of $158.8
million, $104.7 million, $64.7 million and $34.1 million, respectively.
Commercial real estate, commercial and construction loans represented 83.7% of
the loan portfolio at September 30, 2021, compared to 81.8% at December 31,
2020.
The Company participates in loans originated by other banks, including
participations designated as Shared National Credits ("SNCs"). The Company's
gross commitments and outstanding balances as a participant in SNCs were $186.1
million and $99.9 million, respectively, at September 30, 2021, compared to
$218.2 million and $126.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020. No SNC
relationship were 90 days or more delinquent at September 30, 2021.
The Company had outstanding junior lien mortgages totaling $140.8 million at
September 30, 2021. Of this total, nine loans totaling $440,471 were 90 days or
more delinquent with an allowance for credit losses of $12,161.
                                       54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's
non-performing assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in
thousands):
                                  September 30, 2021       December 31, 2020
Mortgage loans:
Residential                      $             7,263             9,315
Commercial                                    32,619            31,982

Construction                                   2,967             1,392
Total mortgage loans                          43,288            42,689
Commercial loans                              21,434            42,118
Consumer loans                                 1,479             2,283

Total non-performing loans                    66,201            87,090
Foreclosed assets                              1,619             4,475
Total non-performing assets      $            67,820            91,565


The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's 60-89 day
delinquent loans as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
                                        September 30, 2021       December 31, 2020
Mortgage loans:
Residential                            $             2,177             8,852
Commercial                                               -               113
Multi-family                                             -               585
Construction                                             -                 -
Total mortgage loans                                 2,177             9,550
Commercial loans                                     1,028             1,179
Consumer loans                                           -             4,519
Total 60-89 day delinquent loans       $             3,205            

15,248




At September 30, 2021, the Company's allowance for credit losses related to the
loan portfolio was 0.84% of total loans, compared to 0.85% and 1.03% at June 30,
2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company recorded a provision for
credit losses on loans of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30,
2021 and a negative provision for credit losses on loans of $24.7 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with provisions of $6.4
million and $32.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2020, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the
Company had net charge-offs of $1.9 million and net recoveries of $3.3 million,
respectively, compared to net recoveries of $58,000 and net charge-offs of $2.7
million, respectively, for the same periods in 2020. The allowance for credit
losses decreased $21.4 million to $80.0 million at September 30, 2021 from
$101.5 million at December 31, 2020. The reduction in provision for credit
losses for three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same
period in the prior year, was primarily the result of an improved economic
forecast and the resultant favorable impact on expected credit losses, compared
to the prior year where the provision for credit losses was based upon a weak
economic forecast and a more uncertain outlook attributable to the COVID-19
pandemic. The net recoveries realized for the nine months ended September 30,
2021 were largely related to a previously charged-off loan which further
contributed to the negative provision for credit losses in the period.
Total non-performing loans were $66.2 million, or 0.69% of total loans at
September 30, 2021, compared to $87.1 million, or 0.89% of total loans at
December 31, 2020. The $20.9 million decrease in non-performing loans consisted
of a $20.7 million decrease in non-performing commercial loans, a $2.1 million
decrease in non-performing residential mortgage loans and an $804,000 decrease
in non-performing consumer loans, partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in
non-performing construction loans and a $637,000 increase in non-performing
commercial mortgage loans.
At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company held foreclosed assets
of $1.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended
September 30, 2021, there were three additions to foreclosed assets with an
aggregate carrying value of $513,000, nine properties sold with an aggregate
carrying value of $2.3 million and valuation charges of $1.1 million. Foreclosed
assets at September 30, 2021 consisted primarily of commercial real estate.
Total non-performing assets at September 30, 2021 decreased $23.7 million to
$67.8 million, or 0.51% of total assets, from $91.6 million, or 0.71% of total
assets at December 31, 2020.
                                       55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash and cash equivalents were $505.3 million at September 30, 2021, a $27.1
million decrease from December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of decreases in
cash collateral pledged to counterparties to secure loan-level swaps, partially
offset by an increase in short term investments.
Total investments were $2.38 billion at September 30, 2021, a $763.9 million
increase from December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily due to purchases of
mortgage-backed and municipal securities driven by net inflow of deposits and
loan repayments, portions of which were attributable to proceeds from PPP loan
forgiveness and government stimulus programs. These purchases were partially
offset by repayments of mortgage-backed securities, maturities and calls of
certain municipal and agency bonds and a decrease in unrealized gains on
available for sale debt securities.
Total deposits increased $998.8 million during the nine months ended September
30, 2021, to $10.84 billion. Total savings and demand deposit accounts increased
$1.31 billion to $10.06 billion at September 30, 2021, while total time deposits
decreased $313.7 million to $780.5 million at September 30, 2021. The increase
in savings and demand deposits was largely attributable to a $750.2 million
increase in interest bearing demand deposits, as the Company shifted $450.0
million from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLB") borrowings into
lower-costing brokered demand deposits, a $265.5 million increase in
non-interest bearing demand deposits, which partially benefited from deposits
retained from activity associated with PPP loans and stimulus funding, a $216.3
million increase in money market deposits and an $80.5 million increase in
savings deposits. The decrease in time deposits was primarily due to the outflow
of brokered time deposits, combined with additional maturities of longer-term
retail time deposits.
Borrowed funds decreased $558.6 million during the nine months ended September
30, 2021, to $617.4 million. The decrease in borrowings for the period was
largely due to the maturity and replacement of FHLB borrowings with
lower-costing brokered deposits and the net inflow of retail deposits. Borrowed
funds represented 4.6% of total assets at September 30, 2021, a decrease from
9.1% at December 31, 2020.
Stockholders' equity increased $59.6 million during the nine months ended
September 30, 2021, to $1.68 billion, primarily due to net income earned for the
period, partially offset by dividends paid to stockholders, common stock
repurchases and a decrease in unrealized gains on available for sale debt
securities. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, common stock
repurchases totaled 628,589 shares at an average cost of $22.04 per share. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, common stock repurchases totaled
675,380 shares at an average cost of $22.00 per share, of which 44,078 shares,
at an average cost of $21.81 per share, were made in connection with withholding
to cover income taxes on the vesting of stock-based compensation. At
September 30, 2021, approximately 3.4 million shares remained eligible for
repurchase under the current stock repurchase authorization.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. Liquidity refers to the Company's ability to
generate adequate amounts of cash to meet financial obligations to its
depositors, to fund loans and securities purchases, deposit outflows and
operating expenses. Sources of funds include scheduled amortization of loans,
loan prepayments, scheduled maturities of investments, cash flows from
mortgage-backed securities and the ability to borrow funds from the FHLBNY and
approved broker-dealers.
Cash flows from loan payments and maturing investment securities are fairly
predictable sources of funds. Changes in interest rates, local economic
conditions, COVID-19 and related government response and the competitive
marketplace can influence loan prepayments, prepayments on mortgage-backed
securities and deposit flows.
In response to COVID-19, the Company has escalated the monitoring of deposit
behavior, utilization of credit lines, and borrowing capacity with the FHLBNY
and Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("FRBNY"), and is enhancing its collateral
position with these funding sources.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the other federal bank
regulatory agencies issued a final rule that revised the leverage and risk-based
capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make
them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, that were
effective January 1, 2015. Among other things, the rule established a new common
equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets),
adopted a uniform minimum leverage capital ratio at 4%, increased the minimum
Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted
assets) and assigned a higher risk weight (150%) to exposures that are more than
90 days past due or are on non-accrual status and to certain commercial real
estate facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of
real property. The rule also required unrealized gains and losses on certain
"available-for-sale" securities holdings to be included for purposes of
calculating regulatory capital unless a one-time opt-out was exercised. The
Company exercised the option to exclude unrealized gains and losses from the
calculation of regulatory capital. Additional constraints were also imposed on
the inclusion in regulatory capital of mortgage-servicing assets, deferred tax
assets and minority interests. The rule limits a banking organization's capital
distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if the banking
organization does not hold a "capital conservation buffer," of 2.5% in addition
to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements.
                                       56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the first quarter of 2020, U.S. federal regulatory authorities issued an
interim final rule providing banking institutions that adopt CECL during the
2020 calendar year with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact
of CECL on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period to
phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefit provided during the
initial two-year delay (i.e., a five year transition in total). In connection
with its adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the Company elected to utilize the
five-year CECL transition.
At September 30, 2021, the Bank and the Company exceeded all current minimum
regulatory capital requirements as follows:
                                                                                            September 30, 2021
                                                                                  Required with Capital Conservation
                                                     Required                                   Buffer                                     Actual
                                             Amount             Ratio                 Amount                 Ratio               Amount               Ratio
                                                                                          (Dollars in thousands)

Bank:(1)


Tier 1 leverage capital                   $ 516,612               4.00  %       $       516,612                4.00  %       $ 1,161,620                 8.99  %
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based
capital                                     480,225               4.50                  747,017                7.00            1,161,620                10.89
Tier 1 risk-based capital                   640,301               6.00                  907,092                8.50            1,161,620                10.89
Total risk-based capital                    853,734               8.00                1,120,526               10.50            1,232,679                11.55

Company:
Tier 1 leverage capital                   $ 516,776               4.00  %       $       516,776                4.00  %       $ 1,233,402                 9.55  %
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based
capital                                     480,462               4.50                  747,386                7.00            1,220,515                11.43
Tier 1 risk-based capital                   640,617               6.00                  907,540                8.50            1,233,402                11.55
Total risk-based capital                    854,156               8.00                1,121,079               10.50            1,316,823                12.33


(1) Under the FDIC's prompt corrective action provisions, the Bank is considered
well capitalized if it has: a leverage (Tier 1) capital ratio of at least 5.00%;
a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.50%; a Tier 1 risk-based
capital ratio of at least 8.00%; and a total risk-based capital ratio of at
least 10.00%.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2021 AND 2020
General. The Company reported net income of $37.3 million, or $0.49 per basic
and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net
income of $27.1 million, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share for the three
months ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
the Company reported net income of $130.6 million, or $1.71 per basic share and
$1.70 per diluted share, compared to net income of $56.4 million, or $0.84 per
basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.
Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were aided by
improved economic conditions and resulting lower credit loss allowance
requirements, combined with growth in average interest earning assets including
assets acquired in the July 31, 2020 merger with SB One Bancorp ("SB One") and
the investment of increased deposits. For the three months ended September 30,
2021, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.0
million, while for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company
recorded a negative provision for credit losses on loans of $24.7 million,
compared with provisions of $6.4 million and $32.0 million for the respective
2020 periods.
Net Interest Income. Total net interest income increased $9.2 million to $91.2
million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $82.0 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
total net interest income increased $48.3 million to $272.1 million, from $223.8
million for the same period in 2020. Interest income for the quarter ended
September 30, 2021 increased $6.1 million to $99.6 million, from $93.5 million
for the same period in 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
interest income increased $37.5 million to $300.7 million, from $263.2 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Interest expense decreased $3.1
million to $8.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $11.5
million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2021, interest expense decreased $10.8 million to $28.5 million,
from $39.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in
net interest income for both comparative periods was largely attributable to
growth in average earning assets resulting from the net assets acquired from SB
One, PPP loan originations and growth in the available for sale debt securities
portfolio. Both periods were aided by the inflow of lower-costing core deposits,
along with an increase in the accelerated recognition of fees related to the
forgiveness of PPP loans in 2021. For the three and nine months ended September
30, 2021, the accelerated accretion of fees related to the forgiveness of PPP
loans totaled $2.5 million and $9.3 million,
                                       57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

respectively, which were recognized in interest income, compared to $1.4 million
and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
The net interest margin decreased three basis points to 2.94% for the quarter
ended September 30, 2021, compared to 2.97% for the quarter ended September 30,
2020. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 18 basis
points to 3.21% for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to 3.39% for
the quarter ended September 30, 2020, while the weighted average cost of
interest bearing liabilities decreased 20 basis points for the quarter ended
September 30, 2021 to 0.37%, compared to the third quarter of 2020. The average
cost of interest bearing deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was
0.30%, compared to 0.44% for the same period last year. Average non-interest
bearing demand deposits totaled $2.55 billion for the quarter ended
September 30, 2021, compared to $2.21 billion for the quarter ended
September 30, 2020. The average cost of all deposits, including non-interest
bearing deposits, was 0.23% for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared
with 0.33% for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The average cost of
borrowed funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was 1.08%, compared to
1.19% for the same period last year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the net interest margin decreased
four basis points to 2.99%, compared to 3.03% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2020. The weighted average yield on interest earning assets
declined 25 basis points to 3.31% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
compared to 3.56% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, while the
weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased 29 basis points
to 0.43% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 0.72% for the
same period last year. The average cost of interest bearing deposits decreased
24 basis points to 0.34% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared
to 0.58% for the same period last year. Average non-interest bearing demand
deposits totaled $2.47 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
compared with $1.85 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The
average cost of all deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits, was 0.26%
for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with 0.44% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020. The average cost of borrowings for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021 was 1.13%, compared to 1.42% for the same period
last year.
Interest income on loans secured by real estate increased $3.6 million to $62.5
million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, from $58.9 million for
the three months ended September 30, 2020. Commercial loan interest income
increased $3.8 million to $24.5 million for the three months ended September 30,
2021, from $20.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Consumer
loan interest income decreased $960,000 to $3.3 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2021, from $4.3 million for the three months ended September
30, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the average balance of
total loans increased $507.1 million to $9.44 billion, compared to the same
period in 2020, largely due to total loans acquired from the July 31, 2020
merger with SB One. The average yield on total loans for the three months ended
September 30, 2021, increased six basis points to 3.77%, from 3.71% for the same
period in 2020.
Interest income on loans secured by real estate increased $24.7 million to
$187.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from $162.6 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Commercial loan interest income
increased $17.5 million to $75.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2021, from $58.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Consumer
loan interest income decreased $1.8 million to $10.2 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2021, from $12.0 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the average balance of
total loans increased $1.65 billion to $9.58 billion, from $7.93 billion for the
same period in 2020, primarily due to total loans acquired from the July 31,
2020 merger with SB One, and organic growth, including PPP loans. The average
yield on total loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, decreased 10
basis points to 3.78%, from 3.88% for the same period in 2020.
Interest income on held to maturity debt securities decreased $198,000 to $2.6
million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period
last year. Average held to maturity debt securities decreased $11.8 million to
$432.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $444.2 million for
the same period last year. Interest income on held to maturity debt securities
decreased $539,000 to $8.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
compared to the same period in 2020. Average held to maturity debt securities
decreased $5.6 million to $440.3 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2021, from $445.9 million for the same period last year.
Interest income on available for sale debt securities and FHLBNY stock decreased
$444,000 to $5.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $6.3
million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The average balance of
available for sale debt securities and FHLBNY stock increased $519.5 million to
$1.68 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the
same period in 2020. Interest income on available for sale debt securities and
FHLBNY stock decreased $2.5 million to $17.2 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021, from $19.7 million for the same period last year. The
average balance of available for sale debt securities and FHLBNY stock increased
$355.0 million to $1.44 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
                                       58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The average yield on total securities decreased to 1.32% for the three months
ended September 30, 2021, compared with 2.12% for the same period in 2020. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the average yield on total securities
decreased to 1.47%, compared with 2.31% for the same period in 2020.
Interest expense on deposit accounts decreased $1.1 million to $6.3 million for
the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $7.4 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, interest
expense on deposit accounts decreased $5.5 million to $20.5 million, from $26.0
million for the same period last year. The average cost of interest bearing
deposits decreased to 0.30% for the third quarter of 2021 and 0.34% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, from 0.44% and 0.58% for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The average balance of interest
bearing core deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 increased $1.63
billion to $7.41 billion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, average
interest bearing core deposits increased $1.81 billion, to $7.06 billion, from
$5.25 billion for the same period in 2020. The increase in average core deposits
for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was largely due to
deposits acquired from SB One, combined with organic growth, activity associated
with PPP loans and government stimulus. Average time deposit account balances
decreased $152.6 million, to $804.9 million for the quarter ended September 30,
2021, from $957.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, average time deposit account balances increased
$135.5 million, to $914.3 million, from $778.8 million for the same period in
2020.
Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased $2.1 million to $1.8 million for
the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $3.9 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, interest
expense on borrowed funds decreased $6.0 million to $7.1 million, from $13.1
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The average cost of
borrowings decreased to 1.08% for the three months ended September 30, 2021,
from 1.19% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The average cost of
borrowings decreased to 1.13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from
1.42% for the same period last year. Average borrowings decreased $640.2 million
to $652.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $1.29 billion
for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September
30, 2021, average borrowings decreased $389.3 million to $844.2 million,
compared to $1.23 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Provision for Credit Losses. Provisions for credit losses are charged to
operations in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level
management considers necessary to absorb projected credit losses that may arise
over the expected term of each loan in the portfolio. In determining the level
of the allowance for credit losses, management estimates the allowance balance
using relevant available information from internal and external sources relating
to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The
amount of the allowance is based on estimates, and the ultimate losses may vary
from such estimates as more information becomes available or later events
change. Management assesses the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a
quarterly basis and makes provisions for credit losses, if necessary, in order
to maintain the valuation of the allowance.
The Company recorded a $1.0 million provision for credit losses on loans for the
three months ended September 30, 2021 and a $24.7 million negative provision for
credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with
provisions of $6.4 million and $32.0 million for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2020, respectively. The reduction in provision for credit losses
for three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period
in the prior year, was primarily the result of improved asset quality, an
improved economic forecast and the resultant favorable impact on expected credit
losses, compared to the prior year where the provision for credit losses was
based upon a weak economic forecast and a more uncertain outlook attributable to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The net recoveries realized for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021 further contributed to the negative provision for credit
losses in the period.
Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income totaled $23.4 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $2.7 million, compared to the same
period in 2020. Fee income increased $1.2 million to $7.0 million for the three
months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, largely
due to a $1.2 million increase in commercial loan prepayment fees, a $455,000
increase in deposit related fees and a $226,000 increase in non-deposit
investment fee income, partially offset by a $773,000 decrease in debit card
revenue. The increases in fee income are partially attributable to the addition
of the SB One customer base, as well as a recovering economy compared to the
initial severely negative impact COVID-19 had on consumer and business activity
in the prior year. The decrease in debit card revenue was largely attributable
to the impact of the Durbin amendment cap on the fee the Company receives on
interchange transactions which first applied to the Company on July 1, 2021.
Wealth management income increased $1.1 million to $7.9 million for the three
months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily
due to an increase in the market value of assets under management as a result of
strong equity market performance and new business generation. Insurance agency
income, a new revenue opportunity for the Company resulting from the SB One
acquisition, increased $722,000 to $2.4 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a full
quarter of revenue in the
                                       59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

current period, compared to two months in 2020. Additionally, income from
Bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI") increased $236,000 to $1.9 million for the
three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020,
primarily due to an increase in benefit claims, partially offset by lower equity
valuations. Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest income, other
income decreased $550,000 to $4.1 million for the three months ended September
30, 2021, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to a
$3.7 million decrease in net fees on loan-level interest rate swap transactions
and a $142,000 decrease in gains on the sale of loans, partially offset by
income recognized from a $3.4 million reduction in the contingent consideration
related to the earn-out provisions of the 2019 purchase of Tirschwell & Loewy,
Inc. ("T&L").
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, non-interest income totaled $66.2
million, an increase of $14.2 million, compared to the same period in 2020.
Insurance agency income totaled $8.0 million, an increase of $6.3 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020,
resulting from the prior year acquisition of SB One. Fee income increased $5.4
million to $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared
to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in
commercial loan prepayment fees, a $740,000 increase in late charges and other
loan related fee income, a $569,000 increase in debit card revenue, which was
curtailed by the Durbin amendment, a $572,000 increase in non-deposit investment
fee income and a $396,000 increase in deposit related fees. The increases in fee
income are partially attributable to the addition of the SB One customer base,
as well as a recovering economy compared to the initial severely negative
effects that COVID-19 had on consumer and business activities in the prior year.
Wealth management income increased $3.8 million to $22.9 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily
due to an increase in the market value of assets under management as a result of
strong equity market performance and new business generation. In addition, BOLI
income increased $1.7 million to $6.0 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an
increase in benefit claims, additional income related to the BOLI assets
acquired from SB One and higher equity valuations. Partially offsetting these
increases, other income decreased $3.3 million to $6.4 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $9.7 million for the same period in
2020, mainly due to a $6.5 million decrease in net fees on loan-level interest
rate swap transactions, partially offset by income recognized from a $3.4
million reduction in the contingent consideration related to the earn-out
provisions of the 2019 purchase of T&L.
Non-Interest Expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2021,
non-interest expense totaled $63.4 million, an increase of $3.7 million,
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020. Compensation and benefits
expense increased $1.9 million to $37.6 million for three months ended September
30, 2021, compared to $35.7 million for the same period in 2020. The increase
was principally due to increases in the accrual for incentive compensation and
stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decline in salary expense.
Credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures increased $1.6
million to $980,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a
negative provision of $575,000 for the same period in 2020. The increase was
primarily the result of an increase in the pipeline of loans approved and
awaiting closing. Net occupancy expenses increased $957,000 to $8.0 million for
the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020,
largely due to increases in rent, depreciation, utilities and maintenance
expenses, which was largely due to an additional month of operating expenses in
the current quarter associated with facilities acquired from SB One. FDIC
insurance increased $390,000 due to an increase in the insurance assessment rate
and an increase in total assets subject to assessment. Partially offsetting
these increases in non-interest expense, other operating expenses decreased
$875,000 to $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared
to the same period in 2020, principally due to non-recurring merger related
expenses incurred in the prior year quarter, partially offset by an increase in
business development expenses. Data processing expense decreased $199,000 to
$4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the
same period in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in core system processing
costs, partially offset by an increase in software subscription service expense.
Non-interest expense totaled $188.0 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2021, an increase of $18.8 million, compared to $169.2 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020. Compensation and benefits expense increased
$11.6 million to $107.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
compared to $96.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020,
primarily due to increases in salary expense and employee medical benefits
associated with the addition of former SB One employees, combined with an
increase in the accrual for incentive compensation, company-wide annual merit
increases and an increase in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a
decrease in severance expense. Net occupancy expense increased $5.8 million to
$25.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same
period in 2020, mainly due to increases in rent, depreciation, utilities and
maintenance expenses related to the facilities acquired from SB One, along with
an increase in snow removal costs incurred earlier in the year. FDIC insurance
increased $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily
due to an increase in the insurance assessment rate and an increase in total
assets subject to assessment, including assets acquired from SB One, along with
the receipt of the small bank assessment credit in the prior year that was not
available in 2021. Other operating expenses increased $1.6 million to $28.0
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same
period in 2020. The increase in other
                                       60

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



operating expense was largely due to a valuation adjustment on foreclosed assets
and increases in debit card maintenance, insurance and business development
expenses, as a result of the addition of SB One, partially offset by
non-recurring merger related expenses incurred in the prior year. In addition,
amortization of intangibles increased $400,000 as a result of increased
amortization related to the acquisition of SB One. Partially offsetting these
increases, credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures decreased
$3.6 million to $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The
decrease was primarily a function of an improved economic forecast resulting in
a decline in projected loss factors, partially offset by an increase in the
pipeline of loans approved and awaiting closing.
Income Tax Expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company's
income tax expense was $12.9 million with an effective tax rate of 25.7%,
compared with income tax expense of $9.3 million with an effective tax rate of
25.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increases in tax
expense and the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30,
2021, compared with the same period last year were largely the result of an
increase in taxable income and the proportion of income derived from taxable
sources.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company's income tax expense
was $44.4 million with an effective tax rate of 25.4%, compared with $18.3
million with an effective tax rate of 24.5% for the nine months ended September
30, 2020. The increases in tax expense and the effective tax rate for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period last year were
largely the result of an increase in taxable income and the proportion of income
derived from taxable sources.

© Edgar Online, source Glimpses