Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.

NOTE 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pathfinder Bank (the “Bank”). The Company is a Maryland corporation headquartered in Oswego, New York. On October 16, 2014, the Company completed its conversion from the mutual holding company structure and the related public offering and is now a stock holding company that is fully owned by the public. As a result of the conversion, the mutual holding company and former mid-tier holding company were merged into Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. The primary business of the Company is its investment in Pathfinder Bank (the "Bank") which is 100% owned by the Company. The Bank hastwo wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Pathfinder Risk Management Company, Inc. (“PRMC”) and Whispering Oaks Development Corp. All significant inter-company accounts and activity have been eliminated in consolidation. Although the Company previously owned, through its wholly owned subsidiary Pathfinder Risk Management Company, Inc.,51% of the membership interest in FitzGibbons Agency, LLC (“Agency”), the Company is required to consolidate 100% of the Agency within the consolidated financial statements. The 49% of the Agency which the Company did not own is accounted for separately as noncontrolling interests within the consolidated financial statements. The Company completed the sale of its majority membership interest in the FitzGibbons Agency to Marshall & Sterling Enterprises, Inc. in October 2024. PRMC continues to exist as a separate legal entity, but is currently inactive.

The Company hasseven branch offices located in Oswego County, five branch offices in Onondaga County andone limited purpose office in Oneida County. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public in the Company’s market area, and investing such deposits, together with other sources of funds, in loans secured by commercial real estate, business assets, one-to-four family residential real estate and investment securities.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has identified the allowance for credit losses, deferred income taxes, pension obligations, the annual evaluation of the Company’s goodwill for possible impairment and the evaluation of investment securities for credit loss impairment and the estimation of fair values for accounting and disclosure purposes to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective and complex judgments, and as such, could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

The Company is subject to the regulations of various governmental agencies. The Company also undergoes periodic examinations by the regulatory agencies which may subject it to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required loss allowances, and operating restrictions resulting from the regulators' judgments based on information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located primarily in Oswego and Onondaga counties of New York State. A large portion of the Company’s portfolio is centered in residential and commercial real estate. The Company closely monitors real estate collateral values and requires additional reviews of commercial real estate appraisals by a qualified third party for commercial real estate loans in excess of $400,000. All residential loan appraisals are reviewed by an individual or third party who is independent of the loan origination or approval process and was not involved in the approval of appraisers or selection of the appraiser for the transaction, and has no direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise in the property or the transaction. Note 4 discusses the types of securities that the Company invests in. Note 5 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in.

Advertising

The Company generally follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred. Expenditures for new marketing and advertising material designs and/or media content, related to specifically-identifiable marketing campaigns are capitalized and expensed over the estimated life of the campaign. Such periods of time are generally 12-24 months in duration and do not exceed 36 months.

-63 -

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represented the portion of ownership and profit or loss that is attributable to the minority owners of the FitzGibbons Agency. In accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, the noncontrolling interest was reduced to zero on October 1, 2024 as a result of the sale of the FitzGibbons Agency and accounting treatment for deconsolidation of a subsidiary.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits (with original maturity ofthree months or less).

Investment Securities

The Company classifies investment securities as either AFS or HTM. The Company does not hold any securities considered to be trading. AFS securities are reported at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of the applicable income tax effect. HTM securities are those that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity and are reported at amortized cost.

Gains or losses on investment security transactions are based on the amortized cost of the specific securities sold. Premiums and discounts on HTM securities are amortized and accreted into income using the interest method over the period to maturity.

The Company records its investment in marketable equity securities (“MES”) at fair value. Changes in the fair value of MES are recorded as additions to, or subtractions from, net income in the period that the change occurs. These changes in fair value are separately disclosed as gains (losses) on equity securities on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements includes additional information about the Company’s accounting policies with respect to the credit loss impairment of investment securities.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula. The stock is carried at cost.

Transfers of Financial Assets and Loans Held for Sale

Transfers of financial assets, including sales of loans and loan participations, are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Loans

The Company grants mortgage, commercial, municipal, and consumer loans to customers. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, less the allowance for credit losses plus net deferred loan origination costs. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in the market area. Interest income is generally recognized when income is earned using the interest method. Nonrefundable loan fees received and related direct origination costs incurred are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan using the interest method, resulting in a constant effective yield over the loan term. Deferred fees are recognized into income and deferred costs are recorded to income immediately upon prepayment of the related loan.

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. The residential mortgage segment consists of one-to-four family first-lien residential mortgages and construction loans. Commercial loans consist of the following classes: real estate, lines of credit, other commercial and industrial, and tax-exempt loans. Consumer loans include both home equity lines of credit and loans with junior liens and other consumer loans.

Management extensively reviews recent trends in historical losses, qualitative factors, including concentrations of loans to related borrowers and concentrations of loans by collateral type, and specific reserve requirements on loans individually evaluated in its determination of the adequacy of the credit losses. Therefore, ACL represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in credit-exposed asset portfolios, including the loan portfolio, unfunded loan commitments and the investment securities portfolio classified as HTM. The allowance is increased by the provision for credit losses, and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. The ACL is

-64 - established as of the date of the statement of condition and it is recorded as a reduction of either loans or HTM securities or as an other liability, in the case of unfunded loan commitments, in accordance with GAAP.

The ACL is evaluated on a regular basis and established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision (benefit) for credit losses. When a loan or portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged-off against the allowance and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

Portfolio Segmentation and Collectively Evaluated Loans

Loans are pooled based on their homogeneous risk characteristics. Once loans have been segmented into pools, a loss rate is applied to the amortized cost basis. The Company has divided its portfolio into discrete segments, as the loans within the segments have similar characteristics. Characteristics considered include: purpose, tenor, amortization, repayment source, payment frequency, collateral and recourse. The Company's identified portfolio segments include commercial loans/lines, commercial mortgages, consumer loans residential lines of credit, and residential loans, as well as certain subcategories of these loan types.

The Company utilizes the Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method for its pooled segment calculation. The DCF method implements a probability of default with loss given default and loss exposure at default estimation. The probability of default and loss given default are applied to expected future cash flows to the exposures at the projected point of loss occurrence, including estimates of borrower prepayment activity, that are adjusted to present value and these discounted expected losses become the quantitatively-derived portion of the ACL.

DCF analysis is reliant upon a variety of loan-level data, peripheral model outputs and key assumptions. The data fields required to create the contractual portion of the forward-looking cash flow schedule relate to the terms of each loan and include information regarding payment amount, payment frequency, interest rate, interest type, maturity date, amortization term, etc. Contractual terms must be adjusted for prepayments to arrive at expected cash flows. The Company modeled amortizing/installment notes with a prepayment rate, annualized to one-year. For loans where principal collection is dominated by borrower election, e.g., lines of credit, interest-only, etc., and not by contractual obligation, the Company modeled a statistical tendency to repay as a curtailment rate, normalized to a one-year rate.

The Company uses forecasts to predict how modeled economic factors will perform. The Company currently elects to forecast economic factors over a period for which it can produce a reliable and defensible forecast from widely accepted economic forecast resources. After the forecast period, the following eight quarters are reverted on a straight-line basis to the economic factor’s average. The Company uses an eight-quarter straight-line reversion to reduce the potential for a spike impact on the model caused by a rapid reversion. Additionally, as the Company is past its point of forecast, a straight-line reversion represents a most-likely scenario absent a reasonable and supportable forecast.

In the Company’s analysis at the portfolio level, management found that the best model for predicting defaults considers economic metrics such as the National Unemployment Rate, the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency National House Price Index and the U.S. Retail Sales Index. With the large number of observations afforded by using peer data, the default curve is less sensitive to unusual loss events and has a much smoother shape. These metrics are considered to be extremely strong predictors of defaults and explain almost all variation in the default rate.

The allowance for credit loss is calculated based on a life of loan basis. The life of loan is assumed with consideration of prepayments and contractual maturity dates. If a given loan does not have a populated maturity date, based upon historical experience, the Company elected to amortize the loan for a length of time equal to the average life of the loan’s segment before the remaining balance will balloon with the exception of Commercial Demand Lines of Credit where the Company uses one year, reflecting the demand nature of these exposures.

Management also considers Qualitative Factors (“QF”) that are likely to cause estimated credit losses with the Company’s existing portfolio to differ from historical loss experience, including but not limited to: national and local economic trends and conditions, levels and trends in delinquencies, non-accrual loans and classified assets, trends in volume, terms and concentrations of loans, changes in lending policies and procedures, quality of credit review function and administration, and changes in regulatory environment, management, markets and product offerings. Management quarterly assesses the magnitude of QF adjustments necessary to be applied to the quantitatively-derived ACL in order to incorporate forward-looking projections in its final evaluation of current expected credit losses.

Individually Evaluated Loans

Excluded from pooled analysis are loans to be individually evaluated due to the assets not maintaining similar risk characteristics to those in the designated pool segments. Loans are considered to have unique risk characteristics when their risk profile, repayment characteristics, or loss exposure are sufficiently distinct such that inclusion in a pooled evaluation would not appropriately reflect its expected credit loss. Factors that may result in such classification include, but are not limited to, borrower-specific financial stress or credit deterioration, nonaccrual status or sustained delinquency, bankruptcy, insolvency, or restructuring proceedings, reliance on a

-65 - single or materially weakened source of repayment, material adverse changes in collateral value, condition, or marketability, collateral dependency, unique or non-standard loan structures or modifications, adverse changes in guarantor support, or other circumstances indicating the loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with the pool. For individually evaluated loans, management measures credit losses using a discounted cash flow approach, collateral-dependent valuation techniques, observable market pricing (when available), or other methods permitted under ASC 326 that reasonably estimate expected credit losses based on the specific facts and circumstances of the loan. The selected methodology is applied consistently and is based on the specific facts and circumstances of each loan.

Held-to-Maturity (“HTM”) Debt Securities

The Company’s HTM debt securities are also required to utilize the current expected credit losses approach to estimate expected credit losses. The Company’s HTM debt securities included securities that are issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. These securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, are widely recognized as “risk free,” and have a long history of zero credit loss. The Company also carries a portfolio of HTM municipal bonds and privately issued mortgage- and asset-backed securities. The Company measures its allowance for credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. The estimate of credit loss is based on historical credit losses, if any, adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company considers the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values and available loss information. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of provision for credit losses.

Available-for-Sale (“AFS”) Debt Securities

For AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether (i) it intends to sell, or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either case is affirmative, any previously recognized allowances are charged-off and the security’s amortized cost is written down to fair value through income. If neither case is affirmative, the security is evaluated to determine whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of provision for credit losses. AFS securities are charged-off against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through income when deemed uncollectible by management or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued Interest Receivable

Accrued interest receivable balances are presented separately within other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Accrued interest receivable that is included in the amortized cost of financial receivables and debt securities are excluded from related disclosure requirements. The Company does not measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable as the Company writes off accrued interest receivable, in a timely manner, by reversing interest income. For commercial loans, the write off typically occurs upon becoming 90 days past due. For consumer loans, the write off typically occurs upon becoming 120 days past due. Historically, the Company has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on its investment securities. However, the Company would generally write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income if the Company does not reasonably expect to receive payments. Due to the timely manner in which accrued interest receivables are written off, the amounts of such write offs are immaterial.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The reserve for unfunded commitments (the “unfunded reserve”) represents the expected credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. However, a liability is not recognized for commitments unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The unfunded reserve is recognized as a component of other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with adjustments to the reserve recognized as a provision for credit loss expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The unfunded reserve is determined by estimating expected future fundings, under each segment, and applying the expected loss rates. Expected future fundings are based on historical averages of funding rates (i.e., the likelihood of draws taken). Average funding rates are determined based on the most recent 20 quarters (5 years)of actual fundings on lines of credit. The average funding rate for each segment is compared to the current funding rate on each line to determine the average fundings available to be drawn. The fund up rate (the difference between the average funding rate and the current funding rate) for each segment is then applied within CECL model to the unfunded commitment balance to estimate the expected future fundings under each segment. The loss rate

-66 - derivedfor each segment in the current CECL calculation is then applied to the expected future fundings to derive the estimate of allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments.

Income Recognition on Nonaccrual Loans

For all classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan may be currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is either well secured or guaranteed and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest is reversed and recorded against interest income. Interest receivedon nonaccrual loans generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, generallysix months, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Nonaccrual loans that have been modified are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification.

For nonaccrual loans, when future collectability of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis when payments are made. In the case where a nonaccrual loan had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for credit losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded to the balance sheet when they are funded.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging up to 40 years for premises and leasehold improvements (or the lesser of the lease term) and 10 years for equipment. Maintenance and repairs are recorded to operating expenses as incurred. The asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts for assets sold or retired and any resulting gain or loss is included in the determination of income.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The lease may include renewal and termination options, which are included in the lease term when the Company is reasonably certain to exercise these options.

For all underlying classes of assets, the Company has elected to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease commencement and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company recognizes fixed short-term lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease cost, which could consist of maintenance, taxes, and insurance, in the period in which the obligation is incurred.

In evaluating contracts to determine if they qualify as a lease, the Company considers factors such as if the Company obtained substantially all of the rights to the underlying asset through exclusivity if it can direct the use of the asset by making decisions about how and for what purpose the asset will be used and if the lessor has substantive substitution rights. This evaluation may require significant judgment.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a residential mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Properties acquired through foreclosure, or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, are recorded at their fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is typically determined based on evaluations by third parties. Costs incurred in connection with preparing the foreclosed real estate for disposition are capitalized to the extent that they enhance the overall fair value of the property. Any write-downs on the asset’s fair value less costs to sell at the date of acquisition are recorded to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent write downs and expenses of foreclosed real estate are included as a valuation allowance and recorded in noninterest expense.

-67 -

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated annually or when there is a triggering event for impairment. Intangible assets, such as customer lists, are amortized over their useful lives, generally 15 years.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of transfer of the related loans and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income or loss. The carrying value of the originated mortgage servicing rights is periodically evaluated for impairment or between annual evaluations under certain circumstances.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions are recognized based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Compensation costs related to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan are dependent upon the average stock price and the shares committed to be released to plan participants through the period in which income is reported.

Retirement Benefits

The Company has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan that covered substantially all employees. On May 14, 2012, the Company informed its employees of its decision to freeze participation and benefit accruals under the plan, primarily to reduce some of the volatility in earnings that can accompany the maintenance of a defined benefit plan. The plan was frozen on June 30, 2012. Compensation earned by employees up to June 30, 2012 is used for purposes of calculating benefits under the plan but there will be no future benefit accruals after this date. Participants as of June 30, 2012 will continue to earn vesting credit with respect to their frozen accrued benefits as they continue to work. Pension expense under these plans is recorded to current operations and consists of several components of net pension cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans.

Gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic cost. Plan assets and obligations are measured as of the Company’s statement of condition date.

The Company has unfunded deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for select current and former employees and officers that provide benefits that cannot be paid from a qualified retirement plan due to Internal Revenue Code restrictions. These plans are nonqualified under the Internal Revenue Code, and assets used to fund benefit payments are not segregated from other assets of the Company, therefore, in general, a participant's or beneficiary's claim to benefits under these plans is as a general creditor.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Bank sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) covering substantially all full time employees. The cost of shares issued to the ESOP but not committed to be released to the participants is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Condition as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. ESOP shares are released to the participants on an annual basis in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The Company records ESOP compensation expense based on the shares committed to be released and allocated to the participant’s accounts multiplied by the average share price of the Company’s stock over the period. Dividends related to unallocated shares are recorded as compensation expense.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Condition as assets and liabilities measured at their fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether or not the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. The Company acquires derivatives with the intent of designating and qualifying those instruments as part of hedging relationships to other balance sheet assets or liabilities. The specific accounting treatment for increases and decreases in the value of derivatives further depends upon the use of the specific derivatives. There aretwo primary types of interest rate derivatives that may be employed by the Company:

•

Fair Value Hedge - As a result of interest rate fluctuations, fixed-rate assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in fair value over the course of their economic lives prior to maturity. When effectively hedged, this appreciation or depreciation will generally be offset by fluctuations in the fair value of derivative instruments that are linked to the hedged assets and liabilities. This strategy is referred to as a fair value hedge. For a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability are expected to substantially offset each other and these changes are recognized currently in earnings.

-68 -

•

Cash Flow Hedge -Cash flows related to floating rate assets and liabilities will fluctuate with changes in the underlying rate index. When effectively hedged, the increases or decreases in cash flows related to the floating-rate asset or liability will generally be offset by changes in cash flows of the derivative instruments designated as a hedge. This strategy is referred to as a cash flow hedge. For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument, to the extent that it is effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings as the hedged transaction impacts net income. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is recognized currently in earnings.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is based on taxes currently payable or refundable and deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.

Earnings Per Share

Basic net income per share is calculated using the two-class method by dividing net income (less any dividends on participating securities) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and participating securities outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share may include the additional effect of other securities, if dilutive, in which case the dilutive effect of such securities is calculated by applying either the two-class method or the Treasury Stock method to the assumed exercise or vesting of potentially dilutive common shares. The method yielding the more dilutive result is ultimately reported for the applicable period. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. Unallocated common shares held by the ESOP are not included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share until they are committed to be released to plan participants. Note 3 provides more information related to earnings per share.

Segment Reporting

The Company has evaluated the activities relating to its strategic business units. The controlling interest the Company had in the FitzGibbons Agency is dissimilar in nature and management when compared to the Company’s other strategic business units which are judged to be similar in nature and management. The Company has determined that the FitzGibbons Agency is below the reporting threshold in size in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280, Segment Reporting. Accordingly, the Company has determined it hasno reportable segments.

The Company’s reportable segments are determined by the Chief Executive Officer, who is designated as the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), based on information provided about the Company’s products and services offered. A segment is distinguished by the level of information provided to the CODM, who uses information to review performance of various components of the business. The CODM will evaluate the financial performance of the Company’s business components by evaluating revenue streams, significant expenses, and budget to actual results in assessing the Company’s segments and in the determination of allocating resources. The CODM uses consolidated net income to benchmark the Company against its competitors. The benchmarking analysis along with monitoring budget to actual results are used in assessing performance. The financial information used for performance assessment by the CODM is the same as the financial information included on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition and Consolidated Statements of Income.

-69 -

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the Consolidated Statements of Condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss represents the sum of these items, with the exception of net income, as of the balance sheet date and is represented in the table below.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2024 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.

-70 -

Note 2: New Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and, to a lesser extent, other authoritative rulemaking bodies promulgate GAAP to regulate the standards of accounting in the United States. From time to time, the FASB issues new GAAP standards, known as Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) some of which, upon adoption, may have the potential to change the way in which the Company recognizes or reports within its consolidated financial statements. The following table provides a description of standards that have not yet been adopted as of December 31, 2025, but could have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

-71 -

NOTE 3: EARNINGS PER SHARE

Following shareholder approval received on June 4, 2021, the Company converted 1,380,283 shares of its Series B Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock to an equal number of shares of its newly-created Series A Non-Voting Common Stock. The conversion, which was effective on June 28, 2021, represented 100% of the Company's Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock outstanding at the time of the conversion and retired the Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock in perpetuity.

The Company has voting common stock, non-voting common stock and a warrant that are all eligible to participate in dividends equal to the voting common stock dividends on a per share basis. Securities that participate in dividends, such as the Company’s non-voting common stock and warrant, are considered “participating securities”. The Company calculates net income available to voting common shareholders using the two-class method required for capital structures that include participating securities.

In applying the two-class method, basic net income per share was calculated by dividing net income (less any dividends on participating securities) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and participating securities outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share may include the additional effect of other securities, if dilutive, in which case the dilutive effect of such securities is calculated by applying either the two-class method or the Treasury Stock method to the assumed exercise or vesting of potentially dilutive common shares. The method yielding the more dilutive result is ultimately reported for the applicable period. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. Unallocated common shares held by the ESOP are not included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share until they are committed to be released to plan participants.

Anti-dilutive shares are common stock equivalents with average exercise prices in excess of the weighted average market price for the period presented. There were no anti-dilutive stock options exercised for the years ended 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31:

-72 -

NOTE 4: INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities are summarized as follows as of December 31:

-73 -

A substantial percentage of the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed securities include pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. At December 31, 2025, the Company also held a total of 114 private-label mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations or asset-backed securities with an aggregate book balance of$172.7 million. At December 31, 2024, the Company also held a total of 115 private-label mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations or asset-backed securities with an aggregate book balance of $177.4 million. These investments are relatively short-duration securities with significant credit enhancements. The Company’s investments in state and political obligation securities are generally municipal obligations that are categorized as general obligations of the issuer that are supported by the overall taxing authority of the issuer, and in some cases are insured. The obligations issued by school districts are generally supported by state administered insurance funds or credit enhancement programs.

-74 -

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt investment securities at December 31, 2025 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

The Company’s debt investment securities’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, is as follows:

-75 -

Credit-related Impairment

The Company conducts a formal review of debt investment securities on a quarterly basis for the presence of credit-related impairment. The Company assesses whether credit-related impairment is present when the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis at the statement of condition date. Under these circumstances, impairment is considered to have occurred (1) if we intend to sell the security; (2) if it is “more likely than not” we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the present value of expected cash flows is not anticipated to be sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. ASC 326 requires that credit-related impairment is recognized in earnings while non-credit-related price depreciation for securities categorized as AFS not expected to be sold is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Non-credit-related market price depreciation is based on other factors, including illiquidity and changes in the general interest rate environment. Presentation of credit-related impairment, when present, is made in the Consolidated Statements of Income on a gross basis, including both the portion recognized in earnings, as well as the portion recorded in OCI.

There were a total of 79 securities classified as AFS with an aggregate amortized historical cost of $112.8 million and an unrealized aggregate loss of $7.6 million, or -6.7%, that were in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer at December 31, 2025. In addition, there were 66 securities classified as HTM with an aggregate amortized historical cost of $74.5 million and an unrealized aggregate loss of $5.6 million, or -7.6%, that were in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer at December 31, 2025. In total, therefore, at December 31, 2025 there were 145 securities with an aggregate book value of$187.3 million and an aggregate fair value of $174.1 million, representing a loss of $13.2 million, or -7.0%, that were in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more on that date.

All of the securities which have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more at December 31, 2025 have been individually analyzed and none of the securities are considered to be credit impaired. These securities have unrealized losses primarily due to fluctuations in general interest rates or changes in expected prepayments. In all cases, price improvement in future periods will be realized as the issuances approach maturity. Of the 145 securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more at December 31, 2025,49 securities, with aggregate amortized cost balances of$73.7 million and representing 39.3% of the aggregate amortized cost of all securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more, are issued by the United States government or GSEs (collectively, "government-issued securities") and are therefore either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed as to the timely payment of contractual principal and interest. These positions are deemed to have no credit impairment, thus, the disclosed unrealized losses relate primarily to changes in prevailing interest rates.

The following table depicts a roll forward of the allowance for credit losses on HTM investment securities for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

-76 -

The Company monitors the credit quality of the debt securities categorized as HTM primarily through the use of credit ratings. These assessments are made on a quarterly basis. The following table summarizes the amortized cost of debt securities categorized as HTM at December 31, 2025, aggregated by credit quality indicators:

Additional Disclosures

Proceeds of $21.7 million and $8.4 million, respec tively on sales and redemptions of securities for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 resulted in net realized gains (losses) detailed below:

As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, secur ities with a fair value of $118.3 million and $119.8 million, respectively, were pledged to collateralize certain municipal deposit relationships. As of the same dates, securities with a fair value of $121.3 million and $123.2 million were pledged against certain borrowing arrangements.

Management has reviewed its loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios and determined that, to the best of its knowledge, only minimal exposure exists to sub-prime or other high-risk residential mortgages. With limited exceptions in the Company’s investment portfolio involving the most senior tranches of securitized bonds, the Company is not in the practice of investing in, or originating, these types of investment securities.

-77 -

NOTE 5: LOANS

Major classifications of loans are as follows:

-78 -

Future credit-related performance of a loan portfolio generally depends upon the types of loans within the portfolio, concentrations by type of loan and the quality of the collateral securing the loans. The following table details the Company's loan portfolio by collateral type within major categories as of December 31, 2025.

From time to time, the Bank acquires diversified pools of loans, originated by unrelated third parties, as part of the Company’s overall balance sheet management strategies. These acquisitions took place with nine separate transactions, that occurred between 2017 and 2019, with an additional six transactions occurring in 2021.

-79 -

The following table summarizes the purchased loan pool positions, held by the Bank in purchased loans at year end (month and date of acquisition in parentheses):

(1)

On December 7, 2023, the Bank settled two pay-fixed interest rate swap derivative contracts, previously established with an unaffiliated third party and designated as fair value interest rate hedges. The hedging swap contracts were related to two purchased consumer installment loan pools comprised of loans secured by residential home solar power infrastructure. These contracts were entered into on February 13, 2021 (notional amount of $12.2 million) and December 8, 2021 (notional amount of $8.5 million). During 2024, the Bank realized gains related to the settlement of these two hedging contracts in the amount of $117,000 and $694,000, respectively. These gains on the extinguishment of the hedging swap contracts are reported as a reduction of the carrying value of the hedged loan pools and will be recognized as an enhancement to the reported yield on those loan pools over the original contractual life of the hedging swap contracts. The unamortized portion of these gains totaled $611,000 at December 31, 2025.

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $108.4 million in residential and commercial real estate mortgage loans pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”). During the 12 months ended December 31, 2025, the Company also pledged $9.9 millionin home equity loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRB-NY”).

As of December 31, 2024, the Company pledged collateral with the FHLB-NY of $113.8 million and hadno loans pledged to the FRB-NY. All loans pledged with the FHLB-NY and FRB-NY are under a blanket collateral agreement to secure the Company’s line of credit and term borrowings.

-80 -

Risk Characteristics of Portfolio Segments

Each portfolio segment generally carries its own unique risk characteristics.

The residential mortgage loan segment is impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment rates in the Bank’s service area, real estate values and the forward expectation of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions. First and second lien residential mortgages, acquired via purchase are impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment rates in the general areas in which the loan collateral is located, real estate values in those areas and the forward expectation of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions.

The commercial loan segment is impacted by general economic conditions but, more specifically, the industry segment in which each borrower participates. Unique competitive changes within a borrower’s specific industry, or geographic location could cause significant changes in the borrower’s revenue stream, and therefore, impact its ability to repay its obligations. Commercial real estate is also subject to general economic conditions but changes within this segment typically lag changes seen within the consumer and commercial segment. Included within this portfolio are both owner occupied real estate, in which the borrower occupies the majority of the real estate property and upon which the majority of the sources of repayment of the obligation is dependent upon, and non-owner occupied real estate, in which several tenants comprise the repayment source for this portfolio segment. The composition and competitive position of the tenant structure may cause adverse changes in the repayment of debt obligations for the non-owner occupied class within this segment.

The consumer loan segment is impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment rates in the geographic areas in which borrowers and loan collateral are located, and the forward expectation of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions.

Real estate loans, including residential mortgages, commercial real estate loans and home equity, comprised 74.9% and 74.5% of the total loans held in the portfolio in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Loans secured by real estate generally provide strong collateral protection and thus significantly reduce the inherent credit risk in the portfolio.

Management has reviewed its loan portfolio and determined that, to the best of its knowledge, little or no exposure exists to sub-prime or other high-risk residential mortgages. The Company is not in the practice of originating these types of loans.

Description of Credit Quality Indicators

The Company utilizes an eight tier risk rating system to evaluate the quality of its loan portfolio. Loans that are risk rated “1” through “4” are considered “Pass” loans. In accordance with regulatory guidelines, loans rated “5” through “8” are termed “criticized” loans and loans rated “6” through “8” are termed “classified” loans. A description of the Company’s credit quality indicators follows.

For Commercial Loans:

Prime: A loan that is fully secured by properly margined Pathfinder Bank deposit account(s) or an obligation of the US Government. It may also be unsecured if it is supported by a very strong financial condition and, in the case of a commercial loan, excellent management. There exists an unquestioned ability to repay the loan in accordance with its terms.

Strong: Desirable relationship of somewhat less stature than Prime grade. Possesses a sound documented repayment source, and back up, which will allow repayment within the terms of the loan. Individual loans backed by solid assets, character and integrity. Ability of individual or company management is good and well established. Probability of serious financial deterioration is unlikely.

Satisfactory: Stable financial condition with cash flow sufficient for debt service coverage. Satisfactory loans of average strength having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic or industry conditions but performing as agreed with documented evidence of repayment capacity. May be unsecured loans to borrowers with satisfactory credit and financial strength. Satisfactory provisions for management succession and a secondary source of repayment exists.

Satisfactory Watch: A four is not a criticized or classified credit. These credits do not display the characteristics of a criticized asset as defined by the regulatory definitions. A credit is given a Satisfactory Watch designation if there are matters or trends observed deserving attention somewhat beyond normal monitoring. Borrowing obligations may be handled according to agreement but could be adversely impacted by developing factors such as industry conditions, operating problems, pending litigation of a significant nature or declining collateral quality and adequacy.

Special Mention: A warning risk grade that portrays one or more weaknesses that may be tolerated in the short term. Assets in this category are currently protected but are potentially weak. This loan would not normally be booked as a new credit, but may have redeeming characteristics persuading the Bank to continue working with the borrower. Loans accorded this classification have potential weaknesses which may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the Company’s assets, inadequately protect the Bank’s position or effect the orderly, scheduled reduction of the debt at some future time.

Substandard: The relationship is inadequately protected by the current net worth and cash flow capacity of the borrower, guarantor/endorser, or of the collateral pledged. Assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the

-81 - orderly liquidation of the debt. The relationship shows deteriorating trends or other deficient areas. The loan may be nonperforming and expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. Relationship balances may be adequately secured by asset value; however a deteriorated financial condition may necessitate collateral liquidation to effect repayment. This would also include any relationship with an unacceptable financial condition requiring excessive attention of the officer due to the nature of the credit risk or lack of borrower cooperation.

Doubtful: The relationship has all the weaknesses inherent in a credit graded 6 with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and value, highly questionable or improbable. The possibility of some loss is extremely high, however its classification as an anticipated loss is deferred until a more exact determination of the extent of loss is determined. Loans in this category must be on nonaccrual.

Loss: Loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. It is not practicable or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be possible in the future.

For Residential Mortgage and Consumer Loans:

Residential mortgage and consumer loans are assigned a “Pass” rating unless the loan has demonstrated signs of weakness as indicated by the ratings below.

Special Mention: All loans sixty days past due are classified Special Mention. The loan is not upgraded until it has been current for at least six consecutive months.

Substandard: All loans 90 days past due are classified Substandard. The loan is not upgraded until it has been current for at least six consecutive months.

Doubtful: The relationship has all the weaknesses inherent in a credit graded 6 with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and value, highly questionable or improbable. The possibility of some loss is extremely high.

The risk ratings for classified loans are evaluated at least quarterly for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial, residential mortgage or consumer loans. See further discussion of risk ratings in Note 1.

The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio, summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company's internal risk rating system as of the dates indicated:

-82 -

-83 -

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

Loans are placed on nonaccrual when the contractual payment of principal and interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan may be performing.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received within thirty days of the payment due date.

An age analysis of loans, not including net deferred loan costs, segregated by portfolio segment and class of loans, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, are detailed in the following tables:

-84 -

Nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, segregated by class of loan, were as follows:

There wereno loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing interest at December 31, 2025 or 2024.

Loans Modified With Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

When the Company modifies a loan with a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, a potential impairment is analyzed either based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the interest rate of the original loan terms or the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. If it is determined that the value of the loan is less than its recorded investment, then impairment is recognized as a component of the provision for credit losses, an associated increase to the allowance for credit losses or as a charge-off to the allowance for credit losses in the current period.

Because the effect of most loan modifications made with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses, a change to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. 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 an interest rate reduction, may be granted. Nonaccrual loans that are modified will remain on nonaccrual status, but may move to accrual status after they have performed according to the modified terms for a period of time of at least six months.

The financial impact of loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, relates to one commercial and industrial borrower granted a maturity extension of 21 months, as well as two borrowers receiving interest rate reductions, consisting of (i) a reduction from a variable rate of prime plus 1.0%, subject to a 6.5% floor, to a fixed rate of 5.0% on a commercial and industrial loan, and (ii) a 2.2%reduction to the existing fixed interest rate on a commercial

-85 - real estate loan. The payment status of commercial and industrial modified loans was nonaccrual and the payment status of the commercial real estate modified loan was current during the twelve months ended 2025. The Company closely monitors the performance of loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at December 31, 2025 and 2024 that were experiencing financial difficulty and modified, by class and by type of modification.

Collateral Dependent Loans

The Company has certain individually evaluated loans for which repayment is dependent upon the operation or sale of collateral. The underlying collateral can vary based upon the type of loan. The following provides more detail about the types of collateral that secure collateral dependent loans:

•

Commercial real estate loans can be secured by either owner occupied commercial real estate or non-owner occupied investment commercial real estate. Typically, owner occupied commercial real estate loans are secured by office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and other commercial and industrial properties occupied by operating companies. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans are generally secured by office buildings and complexes, retail facilities, multifamily complexes, land under development, industrial properties, as well as other commercial or industrial real estate.

•

Residential real estate loans are typically secured by first mortgages, and in some cases could be secured by a second mortgage.

•

Home equity lines of credit are generally secured by second mortgages on residential real estate property.

•

Consumer loans are generally secured by automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and other personal property. Some consumer loans are unsecured and have no underlying collateral.

The following table details the amortized cost of collateral dependent loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

-86 -

NOTE 6: ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The Bank accounts for the allowance for credit losses on loans in accordance with ASC 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and information pertaining to the allocation of the allowance for credit losses and balances of the allowance for credit losses and loans receivable based on individual and collective impairment evaluation by loan portfolio class at the indicated dates, are summarized in the tables below. An allocation of a portion of the allowance to a given portfolio class does not limit the Company’s ability to absorb losses in another portfolio class.

The Company’s methodology for determining its allowance for credit losses includes an analysis of qualitative factors that are added to the historical loss rates in arriving at the total allowance for credit losses needed for this general pool of loans. The qualitative factors include:

•

Changes in national and local economic trends;

•

The rate of growth in the portfolio;

•

Trends of delinquencies and nonaccrual balances;

•

Changes in loan policy; and

•

Changes in lending management experience and related staffing.

Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. These qualitative factors, applied to each product class, make the evaluation inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes

-87 - available. Adjustments to the factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a narrative accompanying the allowance for credit losses analysis and calculation.

As of December 31, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses summarized on the basis of the Company’s CECL calculation methodology was as follows:

The following table summarizes all activity related to the ACL from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 and to the recorded PCL for year ended December 31, 2025:

-88 -

NOTE 7: SERVICING

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Bank serviced 566 and 527 residential mortgage loans for others, respectively. The unpaid principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others were $61.0 million and $55.0 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The balance of capitalized servicing rights included in other assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024, was $294,000 and $289,000, respectively.

The following summarizes mortgage servicing rights capitalized and amortized:

NOTE 8: PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of premises and equipment at December 31 is as follows:

Depreciation expense in 2025 and 2024 was $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

NOTE 9: FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE

A summary of foreclosed real estate at December 31 is as follows:

At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company reported $698,000 and $1.2 million, respectively, in real estate loans in the process of foreclosure.

NOTE 10: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated annually for impairment or between annual evaluations in certain circumstances. Management performs an annual assessment of the Company’s goodwill to determine whether or not any impairment of the carrying value may exist. There wasno impairment of goodwill recorded during the years ended December 31, 2025 or 2024.

Of the $5.1 million of goodwill carried on the Company’s books as of December 31, 2025, $3.8 million of this amount was due to prior acquisitions of bank branches. Approximately $1.2 million of goodwill was established for the 2024 acquisition of the East Syracuse branch from Berkshire Bank.

-89 -

Intangible Assets

In addition to goodwill, the Company recorded a core deposit intangible and a fair value premium as a result of the 2024 East Syracuse branch acquisition. Core deposit intangible (“CDI”) represents a premium paid to acquire the core deposits of an institution and is recorded as an intangible asset. In July 2024, a core deposit intangible of $6.3 million was established to be amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized approximately $627,000 and $282,000 of amortization expense related to the CDI, respectively. The weighted average remaining amortization period of this intangible is 8.6 years.

The gross carrying amount and annual amortization for intangible assets are as follows:

The estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years ended December 31, is as follows:

The Company paid a deposit premium in the acquisition of the East Syracuse branch, which is included in the balance of time deposits on the balance sheet. In July 2024, a fair value premium was established for $543,000 to be accreted on a straight-line basis over 10 years. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized approximately $54,000 and $25,000 of accretion related to the fair value premium, respectively. The weighted average remaining accretion period of this premium is 8.6 years.

The gross carrying amount and annual accretion for the fair value deposit premium are as follows:

The estimated accretion income for each of the five succeeding years ended December 31, is as follows:

-90 -

NOTE 11: DEPOSITS

A summary of deposits at December 31 is as follows:

At December 31, 2025, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

In addition to deposits obtained from its business operations within its target market areas, the Bank also obtains brokered deposits through various programs administered by IntraFi Network and through other unaffiliated third-party financial institutions. As of December 31, brokered and nonbrokered deposits are summarized as follows:

-91 -

NOTE 12: BORROWED FUNDS

The composition of borrowings (excluding subordinated debt) at December 31 is as follows:

The principal balances, interest rates and maturities of the outstanding long-term borrowings, all of which are at a fixed rate, at December 31, 2025 are as follows:

At December 31, 2025, scheduled repayments of long-term borrowings are as follows:

The Company has access to FHLB-NY advances, under which it can borrow at various terms and interest rates. Residential and commercial mortgage loans with a carrying value of $108.4 million and securities with a carrying value of $85.2 million have been pledged by the Company under a blanket collateral agreement to secure the Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2025. The total outstanding indebtedness under borrowing facilities with the FHLB cannot exceed the total value of the assets pledged under the blanket collateral agre ement. At December 31, 2025, the Company had $13.5 million of unused borrowing capacity under its line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through its Discount Window and has pledged home equity loans and various corporate and municipal securities against the line. The Company has $15.0 million in lines of credit available withtwo other correspondent banks. $10.0 million of that line of credit is available on an unsecured basis and the remaining $5.0 million must be collateralized with investment securities. Interest on the lines is determined at the time of borrowing.

-92 -

NOTE 13: SUBORDINATED DEBT AND TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

On October 14, 2020, the Company executed a private placement of $25.0 million of its 5.50% Fixed to Floating Rate non-amortizing Subordinated Debt (the “2020 Subordinated Debt”) to certain qualified institutional investors. The 2020 Subordinated Debt has a maturity date of October 15, 2030, and initially was interest-bearing, payable semi-annually, at a fixed annual rate of 5.50% per annum until October 15, 2025. The 2020 Subordinated Debt is senior in the Company’s credit repayment hierarchy only to the Company’s common equity and any future senior indebtedness and is intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes for the Company.

Commencing on October 16, 2025, the interest rate applicable to the outstanding principal amount due resets quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 5.32%, payable quarterly through maturity (9.22% as of December 31, 2025). The Company has the option to redeem the 2020 Subordinated Debt at par, in whole or in part, at any time after October 15, 2025 (the first redemption date). As of December 31, 2025, the Company allowed the debt to remain outstanding. The Company paid $783,000 in origination and legal fees as part of this transaction. These fees were fully amortized over the life of the 2020 Subordinated Debt through its first redemption date using the effective interest method, giving rise to an effective cost of funds of 6.22% from the issuance date calculated under this method. Accordingly, interest expense related to this indebtedness of $1.7 million and $1.6 million was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The Company has a non-consolidated subsidiary trust, Pathfinder Statutory Trust II (the "Trust"), of which the Company owns 100% of the common equity. The Trust issued $5,000,000 of 30-year floating rate Company-obligated pooled capital securities of Pathfinder Statutory Trust II (“Floating-Rate Debentures”). The Company borrowed the proceeds of the capital securities from the Trust by issuing floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures having substantially similar terms. The capital securities mature in 2037 and are treated as Tier 1 capital by the FDIC and FRB. The capital securities of the Trust are a pooled trust preferred fund of Preferred Term Securities VI, Ltd., whose interest rate resets quarterly, and are indexed to the three-month SOFR plus 1.91%. These securities have afive-year call provision. The Company paid $321,000 and $373,000 in interest expense related to this issuance in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company guarantees all of these securities.

The Company's equity interest in the Trust is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2025 and 2024. For regulatory reporting purposes, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that the preferred securities will continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital subject to previously specified limitations, until further notice. If regulators make a determination that Trust Preferred Securities can no longer be considered in Tier 1 Capital, the securities become callable and the Company may redeem them.

The composition of subordinated debt at December 31 is as follows:

The principal balances, interest rates and maturities of the subordinated debt at December 31, 2025 are as follows:

Scheduled repayments of the subordinated debt at December 31, 2025 are as follows:

-93 -

NOTE 14: Employee Benefits and Deferred Compensation and Supplemental Retirement Plans

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The plan provides defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary. On May 14, 2012, the Company informed its employees of its decision to freeze participation and benefit accruals under the plan, primarily to reduce some of the volatility in earnings that can accompany the maintenance of a defined benefit plan. The plan was frozen on June 30, 2012. Compensation earned by employees up to June 30, 2012 is used for purposes of calculating benefits under the plan but there will be no future benefit accruals after this date. Participants as of June 30, 2012 will continue to earn vesting credit with respect to their frozen accrued benefits as they continue to work.

In addition, the Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits for a limited number of eligible retired employees. The healthcare plan is contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually; the life insurance plan is noncontributory. Employees with less than 14 years of service as of January 1, 1995, are not eligible for the health and life insurance retirement benefits.

The following tables set forth the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets and the plans’ funded status as of and for the years ended December 31:

The funded status of the pension was recorded within other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The unfunded status of the postretirement plan is recorded within other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Condition.

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31 are as follows:

Gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants.

The Company utilized the actual projected cash flows of the participants in both plans for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The following points address the approach taken.

An analysis of the defined benefit pension plan’s expected future cash flows and high-quality fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits yielded a single discount rate of 6.22% at December 31, 2025.

An analysis of the postretirement health plan’s expected future cash flows and high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the retiree medical benefits yielded a single discount rate of 6.22% at December 31, 2025.

-94 -

Each discount rate was developed by matching the expected future cash flows of the Bank to high quality bonds. Every bond considered has earned ratings of at least AA by Fitch Group, AA by Standard & Poor’s, or Aa2 by Moody’s Investor Services.

The significant assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations as of December 31, are as follows:

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement health care plan. The annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered medical benefits for future years was assumed to be 7.5% for 2026, gradually decreasing to 4.0% in 2075 and remain at that level thereafter. For covered prescription drug benefits, the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost for future years was assumed to be 6.5% for 2026, gradually decreasing to 4.0% in 2075 and remain at that level thereafter.

The composition of the net periodic benefit plan (benefit) cost for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

The significant assumptions used in determining the net periodic benefit plan cost for years ended December 31, were as follows:

The long term rate of return on assets assumption was set based on historical returns earned by equities and fixed income securities, adjusted to reflect expectations of future returns as applied to the plan’s target allocation of asset classes. Equities and fixed income securities were assumed to earn real rates of return in the ranges of 6.5% to 8.5% and 2.0% to 4.0%, respectively. The long-term inflation rate was estimated to be 2.5%. When these overall return expectations are applied to the plan’s target allocation, the expected rate of return was determined to be in the range of 5.0% to 7.0%. Management chose to use a 6.0% expected long-term rate of return in 2025 and a 6.0% expected long-term rate of return in 2026 reflecting current economic conditions and expected rates of return. Based on the $18.6 million fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2025, each 50 basis point decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would reduce after tax net income at a 2026 expected state and federal combined statutory tax rate of 26.1% by approximately $69,000.

The Company does not expect to recognize any amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit income related to its pension plan during 2026. The estimated amortization of prior service credit for the postretirement health plan in 2026 is $5,000. The expected net periodic benefit plan benefit for 2026 is estimated to be $528,000 for both retirement plans in aggregate.

Plan assets are invested in a diversified investment portfolio with the overall long-term investment objective of maintaining plan assets at a level that will sufficiently cover long-term obligations and generating a return on plan assets that will meet or exceed the rate at which long-term obligations will grow. The long-term objective for the assets under this policy is to achieve after fees and expenses, an average annual return of 6.0% over the expected holding period of this portfolio. The moderate portfolio objective combines both preservation of capital and moderate risk taking. This supports a diversified portfolio that incorporates equities, fixed income, cash, and potentially alternatives.

As of year-end, the portfolio holds a diversified mix of U.S., non-U.S., and global equity ETFs. The portfolio also holds both individual bonds and bond ETFs. The fixed income allocation skews toward higher credit quality, with a focus on producing total return as well as hedging some of the liabilities to mitigate funded status volatility

Pension plan assets measured at fair value are summarized below:

-95 -

a)

This category includes exchange-traded funds representing equity markets.

b)

This category includes U.S. Treasuries.

c)

This category includes U.S. Agencies.

d)

This category includes exchange traded funds with fixed income as the underlying exposure.

e)

This category includes investment grade corporate bonds and taxable municipal bonds.

f)

This category includes cash and a fully collateralized money market fund.

g)

This category includes ex-dividends that will be paid in cash and accrued interest on the money market fund.

a)

This category includes exchange-traded funds representing equity markets.

b)

This category includes nominal U.S Treasuries.

c)

This category includes U.S. Agencies.

d)

This category includes exchange traded funds with fixed income as the underlying exposure.

e)

This category includes investment grade corporate bonds and taxable municipal bonds.

f)

This category includes cash and a fully collateralized money market fund.

g)

This category includes ex-dividends that will be paid in cash.

-96 -

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the Company expects to contribute approximately $17,000 to the postretirement plan.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from both retirement plans for the years ending December 31:

The Company also offers a 401(k) plan to its employees. Employees may contribute a portion of their eligible compensation to the plan, and the Company matches a percentage of such contributions pursuant to the plan’s provisions. Expense related to employer contributions under the plan totaled $832,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $848,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The Company maintains optional deferred compensation plans for its directors and certain executive officers, whereby fees andincome normally received are deferred and paid by the Company based upon a payment schedule commencing between the ages of 65 and 70 and continuing monthly for 10 years. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition include approximately $3.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, relating to deferred compensation. Deferred compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 amounted to approximately $348,000 and $347,000, respectively.

The Bank adopted a Defined Contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), effective January 1, 2014. The SERP benefits certain key senior executives of the Bank who are selected by the Board to participate, including our named executive officers. The SERP is intended to provide a benefit from the Bank upon retirement, death, disability or voluntary or involuntary termination of service (other than “for cause”), subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the SERP obligates the Bank to make a contribution to each executive’s account on the last business day of each calendar year. In addition, the Bank may, but is not required to, make additional discretionary contributions to the executive’s accounts from time to time. All executives currently participating in the plan, including the named executive officers, are fully vested in the Bank’s contribution to the plan. In the event the executive is terminated involuntarily or resigns for good reason within 24 months following a change in control, the Bank is required to make additional annual contributions the lesser of: (1)three years or (2) the number of years remaining until the executive’s benefit age, subject to potential reduction to avoid an excess parachute payment under Code Section 280G. In the event of the executive’s death, disability or termination within 24 months after a change in control, the executive’s account will be paid in a lump sum to the executive or a named beneficiary, as applicable. In the event the executive is entitled to a benefit from the SERP due to retirement or other termination of employment, the benefit will be paid either in a lump sum or in 10 annual installments as detailed in his or her participant agreement. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition included $699,000 and $694,000, respectively, accrued under this plan.

To assist in the funding of the Company’s benefits under the supplemental executive retirement plan and deferred compensation plans, the Company is the owner of single premium life insurance policies on selected participants. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the cash surrender values of these policies were $31.4 million and $24.7 million, respectively.

-97 -

NOTE 15: Stock Based Compensation PlanS

The Company maintains stock option awards granted under its legacy equity incentive plans. The Company’s 2010 and 2016 Equity Incentive Plans remain in existence solely for the purpose of administering outstanding awards granted under those plans, and no additional awards may be granted thereunder.

Outstanding stock options and activity are summarized below:

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options prior to the expiration date. The intrinsic value can change based on fluctuations in the market value of the Company’s stock. The intrinsic value of the stock options was $241,000 and $902,000 at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the average remaining contractual life of outstanding options and shares exercisable was 1.3 years and 2.7 years, respectively.

Restricted Stock Unit Grants

In June 2024, the Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Equity Incentive Plan”) was approved at the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting. The 2024 Equity Incentive Plan authorized the issuance of up to 300,000 shares of common stock pursuant to grants of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units to our senior executive officers, directors, key management, and other employees. Stock options granted under the plan may vest based on performance measures or time-based criteria, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The exercise price for stock options will be set at the fair market value on the date of the grant, and they will have an exercise period of up to 10 years. Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted to senior executive officers and key employees may also vest based on performance measures or continuous service, with at least 95% of the awards vesting no earlier than one year after the grant date. Dividends on restricted stock awards will be distributed only after the shares vest. In January 2025, a total of 125,000 restricted stock units were granted to senior executive officers to vest at a rate of 25% per year commencing January 31, 2026, and 175,000 shares remain available for future issuance under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan.

The compensation expense of the stock option awards and restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the instruments on the date of grant. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded $985,000 in stock-based compensation expense, compared withno such expense recognized in 2024.

-98 -

NOTE 16: EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Bank maintains the Pathfinder Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) to provide Company stock for the benefit of its employees.

The ESOP was internally leveraged through a loan from the Company, which was fully repaid on September 30, 2024 when the plan reached maturity status. In accordance with ASC 718-40, the ESOP loan did not appear as a liability on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Condition. The Company recordedno ESOP compensation expense in 2025, compared with $247,000 recorded in 2024, including $2,000 for dividends on unallocated shares. As of December 31, 2025, the ESOP loan was fully repaid and all related shares were earned and allocated to participants.

NOTE 17: Income Taxes

The (benefit from) provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

The (benefit from) provision for income taxes includes the following:

The components of the net deferred tax asset (liability), included in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition as of December 31, are as follows:

Realizationof deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the statutory carry back period. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets, will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers the scheduled reversal of the deferred tax liabilities, the level of historical taxable income and the projected future level of taxable income over the periods in

-99 - whichthe temporary differences comprising the deferred tax assets will be deductible. Management determined there wasno valuation allowance needed as of December 31, 2025 or 2024.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for their future tax consequences. This is attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis as well as net operating and capital loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. If current available evidence about the future raises doubt about the likelihood of a deferred tax asset being realized, a valuation allowance is established. The judgment about the level of future taxable income, including that which is considered capital, is inherently subjective and is reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change.

In 2025, the Company’s effective tax rate was a benefit of 52.8%, as compared to an expense of 8.9% in 2024. A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate of 21.0% to the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

(1)

State and local income taxes for New York State comprised greater than 50 percent of the amounts in this category.

Cash outflows for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31:

-100 -

NOTE 18: Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The contractual amount of those commitments to extend credit reflects the extent of involvement the Company has in this particular class of financial instrument. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of the instrument. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitment amounts are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter party. Collateral held varies but may include residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties. Loan commitments outstanding at December 31, 2025 with variable interest rates and fixed interest rates were approximately $135.6 million and $50.7 million, respectively. These outstanding loan commitments carry current market rates.

Unfunded commitments under revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing customers. These lines of credit usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.

Letters of credit written are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Generally, all letters of credit when issued have expiration dates withinone year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as those that are involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company generally holds collateral and/or personal guarantees supporting these commitments. Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral and the enforcement of guarantees would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.

NOTE 19: Dividends and Restrictions

The Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is largely dependent on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company. In addition to state law requirements and the capital requirements discussed in Note 20, regulatory matters, regulations and policies limit the circumstances under which the Bank may pay dividends. The amount of retained earnings legally available under these regulations approximated $9.8 million as of Dece mber 31, 2025. Dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements or below the Liquidation Account established following the Conversion in 2025. The Bank made dividend payments to the Company of $4.4 million and $3.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Capital adequacy is evaluated primarily by the use of ratios which measure capital against total assets, as well as against total assets that are weighted based on defined risk characteristics. The Company’s goal is to maintain a strong capital position, consistent with the risk profile of its banking operations. This strong capital position serves to support growth and expansion activities while at the same time exceeding regulatory standards. At December 31, 2025, the Bank met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” institution, i.e. a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 8%, a CET1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6.5%, and a leverage ratio exceeding 5%.

In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer is separate from the capital ratios required under the Prompt Corrective Action (“PCA”) standards. In order to avoid these restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum levels of the following capital to risk-weighted assets ratios:(1) Total Capital,

-101 -

(2) Tier 1 Capital, and (3) CET1. The capital conservation buffer requirement is now fully implemented at 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. At December 31, 2025, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios, including the capital buffer requirements.

NOTE 20: Regulatory Matters

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).

As of December 31, 2025, the Bank’s most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized”, under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, the Bank must maintain total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

As noted above, the regulations also impose a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer is separate from the capital ratios required under the Prompt Corrective Action (“PCA”) standards and imposes restrictions on dividend distributions and discretionary bonuses if the buffer is not met. In order to avoid these restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum levels of the following capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: (1) Total Capital, (2) Tier 1 Capital, and (3) CET1. At December 31, 2025, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios, including the capital buffer requirements.

The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are presented in the following table.

The Company’s goal is to maintain a strong capital position, consistent with the risk profile of its subsidiary bank that supports growth and expansion activities while at the same time exceeding regulatory standards. At December 31, 2025, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios and met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” institution, i.e. a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 8%, CET1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6.5%, and a leverage ratio exceeding 5%.

-102 -

NOTE 21: INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES

The Company is exposed to certain risks from both its business operations and changes in economic conditions. As part of managing interest rate risk, the Company enters into standardized interest rate derivative contracts (designated as hedging agreements) to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of the Company’s portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company designates interest rate hedging agreements utilized in the management of interest rate risk as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. Interest rate hedging agreements are generally entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and the agreements contain master netting, collateral and/or settlement and escrow provisions protecting the at-risk party. Based on adherence to the Company’s credit standards and the presence of the netting, collateral or settlement provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not material at December 31, 2025. Interest rate hedging agreements are recorded at fair value as other assets or liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition. The Company had no material derivative contracts not designated as hedging agreements at December 31, 2025 or 2024.

As a result of interest rate fluctuations, fixed-rate assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in fair value. When effectively hedged, this appreciation or depreciation will generally be offset by changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are linked to the hedged assets and liabilities. This strategy is referred to as a fair value hedge. In a fair value hedge, the fair value of the derivative (the interest rate hedging agreement) and changes in the fair value of the hedged item are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Condition with the corresponding gain or loss recognized in current earnings. The difference between changes in the fair value of the interest rate hedging agreements and the hedged items represents hedge ineffectiveness and is recorded as an adjustment to the interest income or interest expense of the respective hedged item in the current period.

Cash flows related to floating rate assets and liabilities will fluctuate with changes in underlying rate indices. When effectively hedged, the increases or decreases in cash flows related to the floating-rate asset or liability will generally be offset by changes in cash flows of the derivative instruments designated as a hedge. This strategy is referred to as a cash flow hedge. In a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss on cash flow hedges is recorded as an adjustment to the interest income or interest expense of the respective hedged item in the current period.

Among the array of interest rate hedging contracts, potentially available to the Company, are interest rate swap and interest rate cap (or floor) contracts. The Company uses interest rate swaps, cap or floor contracts as part of its interest rate risk management strategies. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable (or fixed) amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed (or variable) payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. An interest rate cap is a type of interest rate derivative in which the buyer receives payments at the end of each contractual period in which the index interest rate exceeds the contractually agreed upon strike price rate. The purchaser of a cap contract will continue to benefit from any rise in interest rates above the strike price. Similarly, an interest rate floor is a derivative contract in which the buyer receives payments at the end of each period in which the interest rate is below the agreed strike price. The purchaser of a floor contract will continue to benefit from any rise in interest rates above the strike price.

The Company records various hedges in the Consolidated Statements of Condition at fair value. The Company’s accounting treatment for these derivative instruments is based on the instruments' hedge designation determined at the inception of each derivative instrument's contractual term. The following tables show the Company’s outstanding fair value hedges at December 31, 2025 and 2024:

(1)

The $68.9 million net carrying amount of hedged assets represents the hedge-adjusted amortized cost basis of specifically-identified municipal, Private label and GSE-backed securities designated as the underlying assets for the hedging relationships. The notional amount of the designated hedges were $69.8 million and $73.9 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The fair value of the derivatives (an unrealized gain, receivable from derivative counterparties) recorded in other assets resulted in a net asset position of $1.3 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company's participation in fair value hedging transactions increased investment security interest income by $1.1 million and $2.1 million in the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

-103 -

(2)

The $120.6 million net carrying amount of hedged assets represents the hedge-adjusted amortized cost of a designated pool of residential mortgages and the aggregate hedge-adjusted amortized cost of four specified purchased consumer loan pools. These pools of loans were designated as the underlying assets for the hedging relationships in which the hedged underlying asset's notional amounts were the amortized cost projected to be remaining at the end of the contractual term of the hedging instruments. The amount of the designated hedged items were $113.1 million and $128.9 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. At December 31, 2025, the fair value of the derivatives recorded in other assets (an unrealized gain, receivable from derivative counterparties) resulted in a net asset position of $337,000, recorded by the Company as a component of other assets. At December 31, 2024, the fair value of the derivatives recorded in other assets (an unrealized loss, payable to derivative counterparties) resulted in a net asset position of $2.9 million, recorded by the Company as a component of other assets. The Company’s participation in fair value hedging transactions increased interest income by $978,000 and$2.3 million, for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Details of the two loan hedging strategies, in place at December 31, 2025 are presented below:

a.

On April 7, 2023 the Bank entered into an amortizing swap transaction with an initial notional amount of $100.0 million whereby the Bank will receive the 3-month SOFR rate monthly, based on the notional amount of the swap contract at the beginning of each month until the swap transaction expires in 2035. The notional amount of the swap declines monthly according to a predetermined amortization schedule and was $68.1 million at December 31, 2025. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of 3.208% to the contract's counterparty throughout the life of the contract based on each month's beginning notional balance. The fair value of this swap contract was $967,000 at December 31, 2025.

b.

On December 7, 2023, the Bank entered into five fixed-pay interest rate swap contracts with a total notional amount of $50.0 million, whereby the Bank will receive the 3-month rate SOFR monthly until the respective maturity dates of the contracts. The contracts expire in annual increments on December 1 of 2025 ($5.0 million, fixed rate of 4.463%), 2026 ($5.0 million, fixed rate of 4.136%), 2027 ($10.0 million, fixed rate of 3.973%), 2028 ($15.0 million, fixed rate of 3.887%), and 2029 ($15.0 million, fixed rate of 3.845%). The fair value of the four remaining swap contracts in aggregate was negative $630,000 (a payable to the swap counterparty) at December 31, 2025.

The hedging contracts noted above, accounted for as fair value hedges, increased the yield on investments and loans by 0.24% and 0.11%, respectively, in the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. The hedging contracts noted above, accounted for as fair value hedges, increased the yield on investments and loans by 0.47% and 0.26%, respectively, in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

The hedge transactions increased the net income effects of the Bank's fair value and cash flow hedges for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, along with the net fair value position of the hedges at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

-104 -

Fair Value Hedges

Cash Flow Hedges

On April 17, 2024 the Bank elected to settle its previously established cash flow hedges designated against $40.0 million of floating-rate liabilities. This election was made in response to planned reductions in the Bank’s future levels of floating rate brokered certificates of deposit. Due to increases in interest rates since the inception dates of the cash flow hedges, the Bank recorded a deferred gain of $766,000 as a component of other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition. $458,000 of this gain will be recognized, as a reduction of interest expense, in substantially equal monthly installments through April 30, 2026 and $308,000 of this gain will be recognized as a reduction in interest expense, in substantially equal monthly installments through April 30, 2027, which were the respective original maturity dates of the settled hedging contracts.

The Company manages its potential credit exposure on interest rate swap transactions by entering into bilateral credit support agreements with each contractual counterparty. These agreements require collateralization of credit exposures beyond specified minimum threshold amounts. Interest rate hedging agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet the Company's established credit standards and the agreements contain master netting, collateral and/or settlement provisions protecting the at-risk party. Based on adherence to the Company’s credit standards and the presence of the netting, collateral or settlement provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not material at December 31, 2025.

-105 -

NOTE 22: Fair Value MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs, minimize the use of unobservable inputs, to the extent possible, and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Investment securities: The fair values of AFS securities are obtained from an independent third party and are based on quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges where available (Level 1). If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured by utilizing matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2). Management made no adjustment to the fair value quotes that were received from the independent third party pricing service. Level 3 securities are assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable measures, such as market prices or pricing models. Level 3 assets are typically very illiquid, and fair values can only be calculated using estimates or risk-adjusted value ranges. Management applies known factors, such as currently applicable discount rates, to the valuation of those investments in order to determine fair value at the reporting date.

Within the AFS portfolio, the Bank holdstwo corporate investment securities with an aggregate amortized historical cost of $4.0 million and an aggregate fair market value of $4.2 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The securities had a valuation that is determined using published net asset values (NAV) derived by an analysis of the security’s underlying assets. The securities are comprised primarily of broadly-diversified real estate loans and are traded in secondary markets on an infrequent basis. While these securities are redeemable through tender offers made by their respective issuers, the liquidation value of the securities may be below their stated NAVs and also subject to restrictions as to the amount of securities that can be redeemed at any single scheduled redemption. The Company anticipates that these securities will be redeemed by their respective issuers on indeterminate future dates as a consequence of the ultimate liquidation strategies employed by the management of these investments.

The Company also holds two limited partnership investments managed by an unrelated third party with an aggregate fair market value of $6.0 million and $4.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The investments are funds comprised of marketable equity securities, primarily focused on community banks and financial technology companies. These investments are recorded at fair value at the end of each reporting period using Level 1 valuation techniques. Unrealized changes in the fair value of these investments are recorded as components of periodic net income in the period in which the changes occur.

Interest rate derivatives: The fair value of the interest rate derivatives, characterized as either fair value or cash flow hedges, are calculated based on a discounted cash flow model. All future floating rate cash flows are projected and both floating rate and fixed rate cash flows are discounted to the valuation date. The benchmark interest rate curve utilized for projecting cash flows and applying appropriate discount rates is built by obtaining publicly available third party market quotes for various swap maturity terms.

Individually evaluated loans: Individually evaluated loans are those loans in which the Company has measured potential credit losses based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral or the discounted value of expected future cash flows. Fair value is generally determined based upon market value evaluations by third parties of the properties and/or estimates by management of working capital collateral or discounted cash flows based upon expected proceeds. These appraisals may include up to three approaches to value: the sales comparison approach, the income approach (for income-producing property), and the cost approach. Management modifies the appraised values, if needed, to take into account recent developments in the market or other factors, such as, changes in absorption rates or market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition. Such modifications to the appraised values could result in lower valuations of such collateral. Estimated costs to sell are based on current amounts of disposal costs for similar assets. These measurements are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Individually evaluated loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment. A portion of the allowance for credit losses is allocated to individually evaluated loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance.

-106 -

The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

-107 -

The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which Level 3 inputs were used to determine fair value.

Required disclosures include fair value information of financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company has various processes and controls in place to ensure that fair value is reasonably estimated. The Company performs due diligence procedures over third-party pricing service providers in order to support their use in the valuation process.

While the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

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

Under FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, the financial assets and liabilities were valued at a price that represents the Company’s exit price or the price at which these instruments would be sold or transferred.

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

-108 - meaningful. The Company, in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments, used the following methods and assumptions:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amounts of these assets approximate their fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value and are classified as Level 2.

Net loans – For variable-rate loans that re-price frequently, fair value is based on carrying amounts. The fair value of other loans (for example, fixed-rate commercial real estate loans, mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans) is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on interest rates currently being offered in the market for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan value estimates include judgments based on expected prepayment rates. The measurement of the fair value of loans, including individually evaluated loans, is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Accrued interest receivable and payable – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Deposits – The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing checking, passbook savings and certain types of money management accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts) and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates of deposits to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. Measurements of the fair value of time deposits are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Borrowings – Fixed/variable term structures are valued using a replacement cost of funds approach. These borrowings are discounted to the FHLB-NY advance curve. Option structured borrowings’ fair values are determined by the FHLB for borrowings that include a call or conversion option. If market pricing is not available from this source, current market indications from the FHLB-NY are obtained and the borrowings are discounted to the FHLB-NY advance curve less an appropriate spread to adjust for the option. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Subordinated debt – The Company secures quotes from its pricing service based on a discounted cash flow methodology or utilizes observations of recent highly-similar transactions which result in a Level 2 classification.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31 are presented in the following table:

-109 -

NOTE 23: Parent Company – Financial Information

The following represents the condensed financial information of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31:

-110 -

-111 -

NOTE 24: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to certain directors, executive officers and their affiliates (collectively referred to as “related parties”). None of the related party loans were classified as nonaccrual, past due, restructured, or potential problem loans at December 31, 2025 or 2024.

The following represents the activity associated with loans to related parties during the years ended December 31:

Deposit accounts with related parties at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $14.9 million and $17.6 million, respectively.

NOTE 25: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax, for the periods indicated are summarized in the table below.

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the indicated annual period:

(1)

Amounts in parentheses indicates debits in net income.

(2)

These items are included in net periodic pension cost. See Note 14 for additional information.

-112 -

NOTE 26: NONINTEREST INCOME

The Company has included the following table regarding the Company’s noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

The following is a discussion of key revenues within the scope of ASC 606:

•

Service charges on deposit accounts –Revenue is earned through insufficient funds fees, customer initiated activities or passage of time for deposit related fees, and ATM service fees. Transaction-based fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed, which is the same time the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied. Account maintenance fees are earned over the course of the month as the monthly maintenance performance obligation to the customer is satisfied.

•

Fee income –Revenue is earned through commissions on insurance and securities sales, ATM surcharge fees, and banking house rents collected. The Company earns investment advisory fee income by providing investment management services to customers under investment management contracts. As the direction of investment management accounts is provided over time, the performance obligation to investment management customers is satisfied over time, and therefore, revenue is recognized over time.

•

Card income –Card income consists of interchange fees from consumer debit card networks and other related services. Interchange rates are set by unaffiliated card processing networks. Interchange fees are based on purchase volumes transacted and certain other factors and are recognized as transactions occur.

•

Mortgage fee income and realized gain on sale of loans and foreclosed real estate – Revenue from mortgage fee income and realized gain on sale of loans and foreclosed real estate is earned through the origination of residential and commercial mortgage loans, sales of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans, sales of government guarantees portions of SBA loans, and sales of foreclosed real estate, and is earned as the individual transactions occur.

-113 -

NOTE 27: LEASES

The Company has operating and finance leases for certain banking offices and land under noncancelable agreements. Our leases have remaining lease terms that vary from less thanone year up totwenty-eight years, some of which include options to extend the leases for various renewal periods. All options to renew are included in the current lease term when it is reasonably certain that the renewal options will be exercised.

The components of lease expense are as follows:

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

As of December 31, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

The Company owns certain properties that it leases to unaffiliated third parties at market rates. Lease rental income was $372,000 and $194,000 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. All rental agreements with lessees are accounted for as operating leases.

-114 -

NOTE 28: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 30, 2026, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a cash divi dend of $0.10 percommon share, and a cash dividend of $0.10 per notional share for the issued Warrant. The dividend will be payable on May 8, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 17, 2026.