UNITY BANCORP INC NJ

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

September 30, 2024

NOTE 1. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Unity Bancorp, Inc. (the "Parent Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unity Bank (the "Bank" or when consolidated with the Parent Company, the "Company"). The Bank has multiple subsidiaries used to hold part of its investment, and loan portfolios and which may be used to hold other real estate owned when the Bank takes title to properties securing loans. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation, with no impact on current earnings or shareholders’ equity. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and has not been audited. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Amounts requiring the use of significant estimates include the allowance for credit losses, valuation of servicing assets and the determination of impairment for securities and fair value disclosures. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize credit losses, future additions to the allowance for credit losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions and the general credit quality of the loan portfolio.

The interim unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and consist of normal recurring adjustments, that in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of interim results. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire year. As used in this Form 10-Q, “we” and “us” and “our” refer to Unity Bancorp, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiary, Unity Bank, depending on the context. Certain information and financial disclosures required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from interim reporting pursuant to SEC rules. Interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Risks and Uncertainties

Overall, the markets and customers serviced by the Company may be significantly impacted by ongoing macro-economic trends, such as pressures created by a lower interest rate environment. Additionally, the Company assesses the impact of inflation on an ongoing basis.

Market conditions and external factors may unpredictably impact the competitive landscape for deposits in the banking industry. Additionally, the current interest rate environment has increased competition for liquidity. The Company believes the sources of liquidity presented in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are sufficient to meet its needs as of the balance sheet date.

An unexpected withdrawal of deposits could adversely impact the Company's ability to rely on organic deposits to primarily fund its operations, potentially requiring greater reliance on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or to fund continuing operations. These sources may include proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances, sales of securities and loans, federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks, out-of-market time deposits and other wholesale funding sources.

Such reliance on secondary funding sources could increase the Company's overall cost of funding and thereby reduce net income. While the Company believes its current sources of liquidity are adequate to fund operations, there is no guarantee they will suffice to meet future liquidity demands. This may necessitate slowing or discontinuing loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments, or liquidating assets.

New Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2024

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” requires public entities to disclose detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses on both an annual and interim basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 effective January 1, 2024, noting no material impact.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) added to its agenda the need to clarify the guidance in Topic 606: Revenue from Contracts with Customers and Topic 718: Compensation – Stock Compensation, on share-based payments that are granted by an entity as consideration payable to its customers. While the FASB is still in the comment period on this proposal, the Company does not issue share-based payments to customers and any future ASU adoptions would not be applicable to the Company.

NOTE 2. Litigation

The Company may, in the ordinary course of business, become a party to litigation involving collection matters, contract claims and other legal proceedings relating to the conduct of its business. In the best judgment of management, based upon consultation with counsel, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company will not be affected materially by the final outcome of any pending legal proceedings or other contingent liabilities and commitments.

NOTE 3. Net Income per Share

Basic net income per common share is calculated as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Common shares include vested and unvested restricted shares.

Diluted net income per common share is computed similarly to that of basic net income per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, principally stock options, were issued during the reporting period utilizing the treasury stock method.

The following is a reconciliation of the calculation of basic and diluted income per share:

NOTE 4. Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The following tables show the changes in other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, net of tax:

NOTE 5. Fair Value

Fair Value Measurement

The Company followsFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosures about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company often utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed as follows

Level 1 Inputs

Level 2 Inputs

Level 3 Inputs

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Debt Securities Available for Sale

As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the Company’s AFS debt securities portfolio was $97.7 million. Most of the Company’s AFS debt securities were classified as Level 2 assets at September 30, 2024. The valuation of AFS debt securities using Level 2 inputs was primarily determined using the market approach, which uses quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and all other relevant information. It includes third-party model pricing, defined as valuing securities based upon their relationship with other benchmark securities.

Included in the Company’s AFS debt securities are select corporate bonds which are classified as Level 3 assets at September 30, 2024. The valuation of these corporate bonds is determined using broker quotes or third-party vendor prices that are not adjusted by management. Market inputs used in the other valuation techniques or underlying third-party vendor prices or broker quotes include benchmark and government bond yield curves, credit spreads and trade execution data.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Level 3 AFS debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Equity Securities with Readily Determinable Fair Values

As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the Company’s equity securities portfolio was $9.8 million.

All of the Company’s equity securities were classified as Level 1 assets at September 30, 2024.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company’s derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 assets, as the readily observable market inputs to these models are validated to external sources, such as industry pricing services, or are corroborated through recent trades, dealer quotes, yield curves, implied volatility or other market-related data.

There were no material changes in the inputs or methodologies used to determine fair value during the period ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the periods ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023.

The tables below present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

There wereno liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following tables present the assets and liabilities subject to fair value adjustments on a non-recurring basis carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the hierarchy (as described above):

Certain assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

Collateral-Dependent Loans

Fair value is determined based on the fair value of the collateral and is measured for impairment based upon a third-party appraisal. When an updated appraisal is received for a nonperforming loan, the value on the appraisal may be discounted. If there is a deficiency in the value after the Company applies these discounts, management applies a specific reserve and the loan remains in nonaccrual status. The receipt of an updated appraisal would not qualify as a reason to put a loan back into accruing status. The Company removes loans from nonaccrual status generally when the borrower makes six months of contractual payments and/or demonstrates the ability to service the debt going forward. Charge-offs are determined based upon the loss that management believes the Company will incur after evaluating collateral for impairment based upon the valuation methods described above and the ability of the borrower to pay any deficiency.

The allowance for individually evaluated loans is included in the allowance for credit losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2024, the allowance for individually evaluated loans was $1.3 million, compared to $1.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the Company did not elect the fair value option. These estimated fair values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and estimation methodologies could have had a material effect on these estimates of fair value. The methodology for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis is discussed above.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of other financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Securities

The fair value of securities is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

SBA Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of SBA loans held for sale is estimated by using a market approach that includes significant other observable inputs.

Loans

The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates that reflect the interest rate risk inherent in the loan, except for previously discussed loans.

Deposit Liabilities

The fair value of demand deposits and savings accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e. carrying value). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates.

Borrowed Funds and Subordinated Debentures

The fair value of borrowings is estimated by discounting the projected future cash flows using current market rates.

The table below presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments presented as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. 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. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the effect of fair value estimates have not been considered in the above estimates.

NOTE 6. Securities

This table provides the major components of debt securities available for sale ("AFS") and held to maturity (“HTM”) at amortized cost and estimated fair value at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

For nine months ended September 30, 2024 there was $0.6 million provision for credit loss on AFS debt securities compared tono provision for credit loss on AFS debt securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The provision was entirely attributable to the same corporate debt security for which a partial provision was taken in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company owns $5 million in par of this position and moved the position into non-accrual status during the three months ending June 30, 2024.

The contractual maturities of available for sale and held for maturity debt securities at September 30, 2024 are set forth in the following table. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in residential mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore, residential mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary.

Actual maturities of available for sale and held to maturity debt securities may differ from those presented above since certain obligations provide the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturitiy without penalty.

The fair value of debt securities with unrealized losses by length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Unrealized losses in each of the categories presented in the tables above were primarily driven by market interest rate fluctuations. Residential mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by either Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.

The Company is using thepractical expedientto exclude accrued interest receivable from credit loss measurement. At September 30, 2024, there was $1.7 million of accrued interest on securities. At December 31, 2023, there was $1.5 million of accrued interest on securities.

Realized Gains and Losses on Debt Securities

Net realized gains on debt securities are included in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as net security gains. There wereno realized gains or losses on available for sale debt securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. There wereno realized gains or losses for held to maturity debt securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Equity Securities

Included in this category are Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") investments and the Company’s current other equity holdings of financial institutions. Equity securities are defined to include (a) preferred, common and other ownership interests in entities including partnerships, joint ventures and limited liability companies and (b) rights to acquire or dispose of ownership interests in entities at fixed or determinable prices.

The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

NOTE 7. Loans

The following table sets forth the classification of loans by class, including unearned fees and deferred costs and excluding the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Loans are made to individuals and commercial entities. Specific loan terms vary as to interest rate, repayment and collateral requirements based on the type of loan requested and the credit worthiness of the prospective borrower. Credit risk tends to be geographically concentrated in that a majority of the loan customers are located in the markets serviced by the Bank, most notably in New Jersey. Additionally, the New Jersey credit concentration is primarily focused within the counties that the Company operates in. Loan performance may be adversely affected by factors impacting the general economy or conditions specific to the real estate market such as geographic location and/or property type. A description of the Company’s different loan segments follows:

SBA Loans: SBA 7(a) loans, on which the SBA has historically provided guarantees of up to 90 percent of the principal balance, are considered a higher risk loan product for the Company than its other loan products. The guaranteed portion of the Company’s SBA loans is generally sold in the secondary market with the nonguaranteed portion held in the portfolio as a loan held for investment. SBA loans are for the purpose of providing working capital, business acquisitions, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. Loans are guaranteed by the businesses’ major owners. SBA loans are made based primarily on the historical and projected cash flow of the business and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided.

Loans held for sale represent the guaranteed portion of SBA loans and are reflected at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. When sales of SBA loans do occur, the premium received on the sale and the present value of future cash flows of the servicing assets are recognized in income. All criteria for sale accounting must be met in order for the loan sales to occur.

Servicing assets represent the estimated fair value of retained servicing rights, net of servicing costs, at the time loans are sold. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on stratifying the underlying financial assets by date of origination and term. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions.

Serviced loans sold to others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and fees collected for loan servicing are credited to noninterest income when earned, net of amortization on the related servicing assets.

Commercial Loans: Commercial credit is extended primarily to middle market and small business customers. Commercial loans are generally made in the Company’s marketplace for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. In most cases, these loans are secured by underlying real estate collateral. The SBA 504 program consists of real estate backed commercial mortgages where the Company has the first mortgage and the SBA has the second mortgage on the property. Loans will generally be guaranteed in full or for a meaningful amount by the businesses’ major owners. Commercial loans are made based primarily on the historical and projected cash flow of the business and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided.

Residential Mortgage, Consumer and Residential Construction Loans: The Company originates mortgage and consumer loans including principally residential real estate and home equity lines and loans and residential construction lines. The Company originates qualified mortgages which are generally sold in the secondary market and nonqualified mortgages which are generally held for investment. Each loan type is evaluated on debt to income, type of collateral, loan to collateral value, credit history and Company relationship with the borrower.

Inherent in the lending function is credit risk, which is the possibility a borrower may not perform in accordance with the contractual terms of their loan. A borrower’s inability to pay their obligations according to the contractual terms can create the risk of past due loans and, ultimately, credit losses, especially on collateral deficient loans. The Company minimizes its credit risk by loan diversification and adhering to credit administration policies and procedures. Due diligence on loans begins when the Company initiates contact regarding a loan with a borrower. Documentation, including a borrower’s credit history, materials establishing the value and liquidity of potential collateral, the purpose of the loan, the source of funds for repayment of the loan and other factors, are analyzed before a loan is submitted for approval. The commercial loan portfolio is then subject to on-going internal reviews for credit quality which in part is derived from ongoing collection and review of borrowers’ financial information, as well as, independent credit reviews performed by an independent external firm.

The Company’s extension of credit is governed by the Loan Policy which was established to control the quality of the Company’s loans. This policy and the underlying procedures are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

Credit Ratings

The Company places all SBA, commercial and residential construction loans into various credit risk rating categories based on an assessment of the expected ability of the borrowers to properly service their debt. The assessment considers numerous factors including, but not limited to, current financial information on the borrower, historical payment experience, strength of any guarantor, nature of and value of any collateral, acceptability of the loan structure and documentation, relevant public information and current economic trends. This credit risk rating analysis is performed when the loan is initially underwritten and then annually based on set criteria in the Loan Policy.

The Company uses the following regulatory definitions for criticized and classified risk ratings:

Pass: Risk ratings of 1 through 6 are used for loans that are performing, as they meet, and are expected to continue to meet, all of the terms and conditions set forth in the original loan documentation, and are generally current on principal and interest payments. These performing loans are termed “Pass”.

Special Mention: These loans have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard: These loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as substandard 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.

Loss: These loans have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on currently existing facts, conditions and values. Once a borrower is deemed incapable of repayment of unsecured debt, the loan is termed a “Loss” and charged off immediately, subject to government guarantee.

For residential mortgage and consumer loans, management uses performing versus nonperforming as the best indicator of credit quality. Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest (nonaccrual loans) as a result of principal or interest being in default for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt. These credit quality indicators are updated on an ongoing basis, as a loan is placed on nonaccrual status as soon as management believes there is sufficient doubt as to the ultimate ability to collect interest on a loan.

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

Nonaccrual loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest as a result of principal or interest being in default, typically for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, interest accruals are discontinued and all past due interest previously recognized as income is reversed and charged against current period earnings. Generally, until the loan becomes current, any payments received from the borrower are applied to outstanding principal until such time as management determines that the financial condition of the borrower and other factors merit recognition of a portion of such payments as interest income. Generally, loans may be returned to an accrual status when the ability to collect is reasonably assured and when the loan is brought current as to principal and interest. The risk of loss is difficult to quantify and is subject to fluctuations in collateral values, general economic conditions and other factors. The Company values its collateral through the use of appraisals, broker price opinions and knowledge of its local market.

The following tables set forth an aging analysis of past due and nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The Company is using thepractical expedientto exclude accrued interest receivable from credit loss measurement. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there was $11.0 million and $11.7 million, respectively, of accrued interest on loans.

Individually Evaluated Loans

The Company has defined individually evaluated loans to be all nonperforming loans. Management individually evaluates a loan when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract.

The following tables provide detail on the Company’s loans individually evaluated in the Company’s CECL evaluation with the associated allowance amount, if applicable, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The following tables show the internal loan classification risk by loan portfolio classification by origination year as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, as well as gross write-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.:

Modifications

The allowance for credit losses incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and is recorded on in-scope assets upon asset origination or acquisition. The starting point for the estimate of the allowance for credit losses is historical loss information, which includes losses from modifications of receivables to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company uses a weighted-average remaining maturity model to determine the allowance for credit losses. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification.

Because the effect of most modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses because of the measurement methodologies used to estimate the allowance, a change to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. Occasionally, the Company modifies loans by providing principal forgiveness on certain of its real estate loans. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amortized cost basis of the asset is written off against the allowance for credit losses. The amount of the principal forgiveness is deemed to be uncollectible; therefore, that portion of the loan is written off, resulting in a reduction of the amortized cost basis and a corresponding adjustment to the allowance for credit losses.

In some cases, the Company will modify a certain loan by providing multiple types of concessions. 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.

The following table shows the amortized cost basis at the end of the reporting period of the loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by class of gross loans and type of concession granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively:

Upon the Company's determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or portion of the loan) is written off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted by the same amount. Two loans, a $2.2 million home equity loan and a $1.3 million commercial real estate loan, that were modified during the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 were not in compliance with the modified terms.

NOTE 8. Allowance for Credit Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. At a minimum, the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is reviewed by management on a quarterly basis. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and is reduced by net charge-offs. For purposes of determining the allowance for credit losses, the Company has segmented the loans in its portfolio by loan type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: SBA, commercial, residential mortgage, consumer and residential construction loans. Certain portfolio segments are further broken down into classes based on the associated risks within those segments and the type of collateral underlying each loan. Commercial loans are divided into the following four classes: commercial real estate, commercial real estate construction, commercial & industrial and SBA 504. Consumer loans are divided into two classes as follows: home equity and other.

The standardized methodology used to assess the adequacy of the allowance includes the allocation of specific and general reserves. The same standard methodology is used, regardless of loan type. Specific reserves are established for individually evaluated loans. The general reserve is set based upon a representative average historical net charge-off rate adjusted for the following environmental factors: delinquency and impairment trends, charge-off and recovery trends, volume and loan term trends, changes in risk and underwriting policy trends, staffing and experience changes, national and local economic trends, industry conditions and credit concentration changes. These environmental factors include reasonable and supportable forecasts. Within the historical net charge-off rate, the Company weights the data dating back to 2015 on a straight line basis and projects the losses on a weighted average remaining maturity basis for each segment. All of the environmental factors are ranked and assigned a basis points value based on the following scale: low, low moderate, moderate, high moderate and high risk. Each environmental factor is evaluated separately for each class of loans and risk weighted based on its individual characteristics.

According to the Company’s policy, a loss (“charge-off”) is to be recognized and charged to the allowance for credit losses as soon as a loan is recognized as uncollectable. All credits which are 90 days past due must be analyzed for the Company’s ability to collect on the credit. Once a loss is known to exist, the charge-off approval process is immediately expedited. This charge-off policy is followed for all loan types.

The following tables detail the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

The following tables present loans and their related allowance for credit losses, by portfolio segment, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

In addition to the allowance for credit losses, the Company maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. At September 30, 2024, a$0.7 million commitment reserve was reported on the Balance Sheet as “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” and reported on the income statement as “Provision for credit losses, off-balance sheet”, compared to a$0.6 million reserve at December 31, 2023.

Reserve for Debt Security Impairment

The Company maintains a reserve for credit losses on AFS debt securities. Adjustments to the reserve are made through the provision for credit losses and applied to the reserve, which is classified in “Debt securities available for sale” on the Balance Sheet. At September 30, 2024, a $1.9 million reserve was reported, compared to a $1.3 million reserve at December 31, 2023.

The Company maintains a reserve for credit losses on HTM debt securities at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no reserve was reported on the balance sheet as these securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Government, are highly rated by major agencies and have a long history of no credit losses.

NOTE 9. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swap agreements, which derive their value from underlying interest rates. These transactions involve both credit and market risk. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments and the value of the derivatives are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any. Such difference, which represents the fair value of the derivative instrument, is reflected on the Company’s Balance Sheet as “Prepaid expenses and other assets” or “Accrued expenses and other liabilities”.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to any derivative agreement. The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures and does not expect any counterparties to fail their obligations. The Company deals only with primary dealers.

Derivative instruments are generally either negotiated via over the counter (“OTC”) contracts or standardized contracts executed on a recognized exchange. Negotiated OTC derivative contracts are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific agreement terms, including the underlying instrument, amount, exercise prices and maturity.

Risk Management Policies – Hedging Instruments

The primary focus of the Company’s asset/liability management program is to monitor the sensitivity of the Company’s net portfolio value and net income under varying interest rate scenarios to take steps to control its risks. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of entering into any derivative agreement by measuring the cost of such an agreement in relation to the reduction in net portfolio value and net income volatility within an assumed range of interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk Management – Cash Flow Hedging Instruments

The Company has variable rate debt as a source of funds for use in the Company’s lending and investment activities and for other general business purposes. These debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense decreases. Management believes it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of its interest payments and, therefore hedges its variable-rate interest payments. To meet this objective, management enters into interest rate swap agreements whereby the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments during the contract period.

A summary of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap agreements used to hedge variable rate debt at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively is as follows:

In the third quarter of 2024, to hedge floating rate liability exposure, the Company entered into a forward starting pay-fix, receive-float interest rate swap which will commence in the first quarter of 2025, maturing in the first quarter of 2028. The interest rate swap, which qualifies for hedge accounting, is tied to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for a notional amount of $20.0 million. The effective fixed rate interest rate obligation to the Company is 2.89%. As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the swap was $0.1 million.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received variable rate SOFR payments from and paid fixed rates in accordance with its interest rate swap agreements. At September 30, 2024, the unrealized gain relating to interest rate swaps was recorded as a derivative asset and is included in “Prepaid expenses and other assets” on the Company’s Balance Sheet. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with long-term debt are reported in other comprehensive income. The following table presents the net gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income and the consolidated financial statements relating to the cash flow derivative instruments at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively:

NOTE 10. Employee Benefit Plans

Stock Option Plans

The Company has maintained option plans and maintains an equity incentive plan, which allows for the grant of options to officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors. Grants of options under the Company’s plans generally vest over 3 years and must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. Transactions under the Company’s plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are summarized in the following table:

On May 5, 2023, the Company adopted the 2023 Equity Compensation Plan providing for grants of up to 500,000 shares to be allocated between incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, performance units and deferred stock. The Plan, along with the 2019 Equity Compensation Plan adopted on April 25, 2019, replaced all previously approved and established equity plans then currently in effect. As of September 30, 2024,281,500 options and 345,850 shares of restricted stock have been awarded from the plans. In addition,16,162 unvested options and 22,412 unvested shares of restricted stock were cancelled and returned to the plans leaving 405,799 shares available for future grants.

The fair values of the options granted are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. There wereno options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.

Upon exercise, the Company issues shares from its authorized but unissued common stock to satisfy the options. The following table presents information about options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2024:

FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” requires an entity to recognize the fair value of equity awards as compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for such an award (vesting period). Compensation expense related to stock options and the related income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are detailed in the following table:

As of September 30, 2024, there wasno unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share-based stock option compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s plans as all options were fully vested.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock is issued under the Company’s active Equity Compensation Plans to reward employees and directors and to retain them by distributing stock over a period of time. Restricted stock awards granted to date generally vest over a period of 4 years and are recognized as compensation to the recipient over the vesting period. The awards are recorded at fair market value at the time of grant and amortized into salary expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period. The following table summarizes nonvested restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024: