NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc./MD/

Previous wording

In recent years, we have shifted our loan originations to focus primarily on construction loans, while continuing to originate a limited number of commercial and industrial loans, multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans. We expect this focus to continue given the needs of the communities we serve in the New York Metropolitan Area. Our construction loan portfolio has increased to $1.4 billion, net of loans-in-process of $398.4 million, or 78.6% of total loans, at December 31, 2024 from $251.0 million, net of loans-in-process of $145.8 million, or 39.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2016. As a result, our credit risk profile may be higher than traditional community banks that have higher concentrations of one- to four-family residential loans and other real estate-based loans.

Current wording

In recent years, we have shifted our loan originations to focus primarily on construction loans, while continuing to originate a limited number of commercial and industrial loans, multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans. We expect this focus to continue given the needs of the communities we serve in the New York Metropolitan Area. Our construction loan portfolio has increased to $1.3 billion, net of loans-in-process of $402.7 million, or 71.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2025 from $251.0 million, net of loans-in-process of $145.8 million, or 39.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2016. As a result, our credit risk profile may be higher than traditional community banks that have higher concentrations of one- to four-family residential loans and other real estate-based loans.

Previous wording

Construction lending involves additional risks when compared to one- to four-family residential real estate lending because funds are advanced upon the security of the project, which is of uncertain value prior to its completion. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation of real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. This type of lending also typically involves higher loan principal amounts and is often concentrated with a small number of builders. These loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or obtain permanent take-out financing, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. For construction loans we originate, we require our borrowers to fund an interest reserve account in advance.

Current wording

Construction lending involves additional risks when compared to one- to four-family residential real estate lending because funds are advanced upon the security of the project, which is of uncertain value prior to its completion. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation of real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. This type of lending also typically involves

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, $262.6 million, or 14.5%, of our loan portfolio consisted of multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans. As a result, our credit risk profile is generally higher than traditional thrift institutions that have higher concentrations of one- to four-family residential loans.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, $334.8 million, or 18.0%, of our loan portfolio consisted of multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans. As a result, our credit risk profile is generally higher than traditional thrift institutions that have higher concentrations of one- to four-family residential loans.

Previous wording

In 2006, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure could receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate, and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital, and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Construction loans represented 485% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital at December 31, 2024, and our multifamily, mixed-use and nonresidential real estate loan portfolio represented 90% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital on that same date.

Current wording

In 2006, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure could receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate, and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital, and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Construction loans represented 392% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital at December 31, 2025, and our multifamily, mixed-use and nonresidential real estate loan portfolio represented 109% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital on that same date.

Previous wording

We monitor our concentration limits with respect to our construction, multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans closely and have implemented various risk management practices to manage our exposure for such loans. See*“Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Risk Management — Management of Credit Risk.”*

Current wording

We monitor our concentration limits with respect to our construction, multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans closely and have implemented various risk management practices to manage our exposure

Previous wording

residential loans. Repayment of commercial and industrial loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the business to cover operating expenses and debt service. In addition, to the extent that borrowers have more than one commercial loan outstanding, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship could expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential real estate loan.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, $150.4 million, or 8.1%, of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial loans. Commercial and industrial loans generally expose a lender to a greater risk of loss than one- to four-family residential loans. Repayment of commercial and industrial loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the business to cover operating expenses and debt service. In addition, to the extent that borrowers have more than one commercial loan outstanding, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship could expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential real estate loan.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, $1.3 billion of our construction loan portfolio, or 92.3% of our construction loan portfolio and 72.7% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the high absorption areas of these four counties of New York. In addition, at December 31, 2024, $159.8 million, or 60.9% of our multifamily, mixed use and non-residential real estate loan portfolio and 8.8% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the Boston Metropolitan Area. Furthermore, at December 31, 2024, $96.1 million, or 36.6% of our multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loan portfolio and 5.3% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, $1.3 billion of our construction loan portfolio, or 96.6% of our construction loan portfolio and 69.4% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the high absorption areas of these four counties of New York. In addition, at December 31, 2025, $180.1 million, or 48.7% of our multifamily, mixed use and non-residential real estate loan portfolio and 9.7% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the Boston Metropolitan Area. Furthermore, at December 31, 2025, $183.4 million, or 55.3% of our multifamily, mixed-use and non-residential real estate loan portfolio and 9.9% of our total loan portfolio, represented loans made in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Previous wording

catastrophic event or other factors beyond our control could impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, which could impact our net interest income. Decreases in local real estate values caused by economic conditions, changes in tax laws or other events could adversely affect the value of the property used as collateral for our loans, which could cause us to realize a loss in the event of a foreclosure. Further, deterioration in local economic conditions could necessitate an increase in our provision for credit losses and a resulting reduction to our earnings and capital.

Current wording

This might make us vulnerable to a downturn in the local economy and real estate markets and to a decrease in new construction in these counties. Adverse conditions in the local economy such as unemployment, recession, a catastrophic event or other factors beyond our control could impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, which could impact our net interest income. Decreases in local real estate values caused by economic conditions, changes in tax laws or other events could adversely affect the value of the property used as collateral for our loans, which could cause us to realize a loss in the event of a foreclosure. Further, deterioration in local economic conditions could necessitate an increase in our provision for credit losses and a resulting reduction to our earnings and capital.

Previous wording

We also originate non-construction loans, including multi-family, commercial and industrial loans, throughout our primary lending markets in New York and Massachusetts. Competition for non-construction loans comes from the numerous national, regional and local community financial institutions operating in our market area, including a number of independent banks and credit unions, in addition to other financial service companies, such as brokerage firms and other similar entities. In addition, we also face competition for investors’ funds from money market funds and other corporate and government securities. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources, higher lending limits and offer services that we do not or cannot provide. This competition could make it difficult for us to originate new loans and attract new deposits. While we believe that our long-standing presence in our market areas in New York and Massachusetts, and our personal service philosophy enhance our ability to compete favorably in attracting and retaining individual and business customers, price competition for loans may result in originating fewer loans, or earning less on our loans and price competition for deposits may result in a reduction of our deposit base of paying more on deposits.

Current wording

numerous national, regional and local community financial institutions operating in our market area, including a number of independent banks and credit unions, in addition to other financial service companies, such as brokerage firms and other similar entities. In addition, we also face competition for investors’ funds from money market funds and other corporate and government securities. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources, higher lending limits and offer services that we do not or cannot provide. This competition could make it difficult for us to originate new loans and attract new deposits. While we believe that our long-standing presence in our market areas in New York and Massachusetts, and our personal service philosophy enhance our ability to compete favorably in attracting and retaining individual and business customers, price competition for loans may result in originating fewer loans, or earning less on our loans and price competition for deposits may result in a reduction of our deposit base of paying more on deposits.

Previous wording

Among other sources of funds, we rely on brokered deposits as well as military deposits and deposits obtained from listing services to provide funds with which to make loans and provide other liquidity needed. At December 31, 2024, brokered deposits, military deposits and deposits obtained through listing services totaled $489.3 million, or 29.3% of total deposits, of which brokered deposits represents $436.0 million or 26.1% of total deposits.

Current wording

Among other sources of funds, we rely on brokered deposits as well as military deposits and deposits obtained from listing services to provide funds with which to make loans and provide other liquidity needed. At December 31, 2025, brokered deposits, military deposits and deposits obtained through listing services totaled $457.8 million, or 28.3% of total deposits, of which brokered deposits represents $370.5 million or 22.9% of total deposits.

Previous wording

We rely on the ability of our employees and systems to process a high number of transactions. Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from our operations, including but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or third parties, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of our internal control systems and compliance requirements, and ineffective business continuation and disaster recovery policies and procedures. Insurance coverage may not be available for such losses, or where available, such losses may exceed insurance limits. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could arise as a result of an operational deficiency or as a result of non-compliance with applicable regulations, adverse business decisions or their implementation, and customer attrition due to potential negative publicity. A breakdown in our internal control systems, improper operation of our systems or improper employee actions could result in material financial loss to us, the imposition of regulatory action, and damage to our reputation.

Current wording

We rely on the ability of our employees and systems to process a high number of transactions. Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from our operations, including but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or third parties, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of our internal control systems and compliance requirements, and ineffective business continuation and disaster recovery policies and procedures. Insurance coverage may not be available for such losses, or where available, such losses may exceed insurance limits. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could

Previous wording

year ended December 31, 2024, the Company increased the quarterly cash dividends to $0.10 per share on March 21, 2024 and $0.15 per share on September 19, 2024 from $0.06 per share prior to 2024. Although we have a history of paying cash dividends, we have no obligation to continue paying dividends. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements and alternative uses for capital, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Our principal business operations are conducted through our subsidiary, the Bank, and the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us will continue to be subject to, and limited by, certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Further, any lenders making loans to us may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive with respect to dividend payments than the regulatory requirements.

Current wording

The holders of our common stock will receive cash dividends if and when declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds. The Company has historically paid a quarterly cash dividend to stockholders. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company increased the quarterly cash dividends to $0.20 per share on March 20, 2025 from $0.10 per share on March 21, 2024 and $0.15 per share on September 19, 2024. In addition, the Company declared a special dividend of $0.20 per share on October 6, 2025. Although we have a history of paying cash dividends, we have no obligation to continue paying dividends. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements and alternative uses for capital, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Our principal business operations are conducted through our subsidiary, the Bank, and the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us will continue to be subject to, and limited by, certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Further, any lenders making loans to us may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive with respect to dividend payments than the regulatory requirements.

Previous wording

In March 2023, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank experienced large deposit outflows coupled with insufficient liquidity to meet withdrawal demands, resulting in the institutions being placed into FDIC receivership. Additionally, in May 2023, First Republic Bank experienced similar circumstances which resulted in the institution being placed in FDIC receivership. In the aftermath of these events, there has been substantial market disruption and concerns that diminished depositor confidence could spread across the banking industry, leading to deposit outflows that could destabilize other institutions. To strengthen public confidence in the banking system, the FDIC took action to protect funds held in uninsured deposit accounts at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank following the placement of those institutions into receivership. However, the FDIC has not committed to protecting uninsured deposits in other

Current wording

In March 2023, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank experienced large deposit outflows coupled with insufficient liquidity to meet withdrawal demands, resulting in the institutions being placed into FDIC receivership. Additionally, in May 2023, First Republic Bank experienced similar circumstances which resulted in the institution being placed in FDIC receivership. In the aftermath of these events, there has been substantial market disruption and concerns that diminished depositor confidence could spread across the banking industry, leading to deposit outflows that could destabilize other institutions. To strengthen public confidence in the banking system, the FDIC took action to protect funds held in uninsured deposit accounts at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank following the placement of those institutions into receivership. However, the FDIC has not committed to protecting uninsured deposits in other institutions that experience outsized withdrawal demands. At December 31, 2025, we had uninsured deposits totaling $361.0 million and $126.2 million in available liquidity, including $81.2 million in cash, as well as $768.8 million in borrowing capacity at the FRBNY, $35.8 million in borrowing capacity at the FHLBNY, and $8.0 million in borrowing capacity at ACBB, which was sufficient to cover our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2025. Notwithstanding our significant liquidity, large deposit outflows could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and could result in the closure of the Bank. Furthermore, the recent bank failures may result in strengthening of capital and liquidity rules which, if the revised rules apply to us, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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Companies are facing increasing scrutiny from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders related to their environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices and disclosure. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to, among other things, the environment, health and safety, labor conditions and human rights. Increased ESG related compliance costs could result in increases to our overall operational costs. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, and our stock price. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosure.

Current wording

and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to, among other things, the environment, health and safety, labor conditions and human rights. Increased ESG related compliance costs could result in increases to our overall operational costs. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, and our stock price. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosure.

Previous wording

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, as well as personally identifiable information about our customers and employees. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. We, our customers, and other financial institutions with which we interact, are subject to ongoing, continuous attempts to penetrate key systems by individual hackers, organized criminals, and in some cases, state-sponsored organizations.

Current wording

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, as well as personally identifiable information about our customers and employees. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. We, our customers, and other financial institutions with which we interact, are