Kentucky First Federal Bancorp

Consumer lending

Our consumer loans include home equity lines of credit, loans secured by savings deposits, automobile loans, and unsecured loans. Home equity loans are generally second mortgage loans subordinate only to first mortgages also held by the bank and do not exceed 80% of the estimated value of the property. We do offer home equity loans up to 90% of the estimated value to qualified borrowers and these loans carry a premium interest rate. Loans secured by savings are originated up to 90% of the depositor’s savings account balance and bear interest at a rate higher than the rate paid on the deposit account. Because the deposit account must be pledged as collateral to secure the loan, the inherent risk of this type of loan is minimal. Loans secured by automobiles are made directly to consumers (there are no relationships with dealers) and are based on the value of the vehicle and the borrower’s creditworthiness. Vehicle loans present a higher level of risk because of the natural decline in the value of the property as well as its mobility. Unsecured loans are based entirely on the borrower’s creditworthiness and present the highest level of risk to the bank.

The Banks choose the most appropriate method for accounting for impaired loans. For secured loans, which make up the vast majority of the loans in the Banks’ portfolio, this method involves determining the fair value of the collateral, reduced by estimated selling costs. Where appropriate, the Banks would account for impaired loans by determining the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Although most of our loans are secured by collateral, we rely heavily on the capacity of our borrowers to generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt. As a result, our loans do not become collateral-dependent until there is deterioration in the borrower’s cash flow and financial condition, which makes it necessary for us to look to the collateral for our sole source of repayment. Collateral-dependent loans which are more than ninety days delinquent are considered to constitute more than a minimum delay in repayment and are evaluated for impairment under the policy at that time.

We utilize updated independent appraisals to determine fair value for collateral-dependent loans, adjusted for estimated selling costs, in determining our specific reserve. In some situations, management does not secure an updated independent appraisal. These situations may involve small loan amounts or loans that, in management’s opinion, have an abnormally low loan-to-value ratio.

With respect to the Banks’ investment in troubled debt restructurings, multi-family and nonresidential loans, and the evaluation of impairment thereof, such loans are nonhomogenous and, as such, may be deemed to be collateral-dependent when they become more than 90 days delinquent. We obtain updated independent appraisals in these situations or when we suspect that the previous appraisal may no longer be reflective of the property’s current fair value. This process varies from loan to loan, borrower to borrower, and also varies based on the nature of the collateral.

7. Federal Home Loan Bank Stock: The Banks are members of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as interest income.

8. Real Estate Owned: Real estate acquired through or instead of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling expenses at the date of acquisition, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequently, the carrying value is adjusted through a valuation allowance and the amount is recorded through expense. Costs relating to holding real estate owned, net of rental income, are charged against earnings as incurred.

9. Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of premises and equipment includes expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing assets. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. For financial reporting, depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets, estimated to beforty years for buildings, ten to forty years for building improvements, andfive toten years for furniture and equipment. When management initiates a plan to dispose of assets, those assets are transferred to fixed assets held for sale and evaluated for potential impairment. At June 30, 2024 the Company had fixed assets held for sale of $0.

10. Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent that the amount of net deductible temporary differences or carryforward attributes may be utilized against current period earnings, carried back against prior years’ earnings, offset against taxable temporary differences reversing in future periods, or utilized to the extent of management’s estimate of future taxable income. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax liabilities are provided on the total amount of net temporary differences taxable in the future.

A tax provision is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense.

Kentucky First Federal Bancorp and Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc., each are subject to state income taxes in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020.

11. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans: The Banks participate in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (“The Pentegra DB Plan”), which is a tax-qualified, multi-employer defined benefit pension fund covering all employees who qualify as to length of service. The Pentegra DB Plan’s Employer Identification Number is 13-5645888 and the Plan Number is 333. The Pentegra DB Plan operates as a multi-employer plan for accounting purposes and as a multiple-employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. The Pentegra DB Plan is a single plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 413(c) and, as a result, all of the assets stand behind all of the liabilities. Accordingly, under the Pentegra DB Plan contributions made by a participating employer may be used to provide benefits to participants of other participating employers. Total contributions made to the Pentegra DB Plan, as reported on Form 5500, equal $147.3 million and $142.4 million for the plan years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our contributions for fiscal 2023 and 2022 were not more than 5% of the total contributions made to the Pentegra DB Plan. Pension expense is the net contributions, which are based upon covered employees’ age and salaries and are dependent upon the ultimate prescribed benefits of the participants and the funded status of the plan. The Company recognized expense related to the plans totaling approximately $454,000 and $353,000 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There are no collective bargaining agreements in place that require contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan. As of July 1, 2023, the most recent period for which information is available, the Banks had an adjusted funding target attainment percentage (“AFTAP”) of 82.02%. There are no funding improvement plans or surcharges to participants. Effective July 1, 2016, sponsorship of the plan was transferred to the Company, benefits ratios were standardized and prospectively each bank will contribute to the plan based generally on its pro rata share of future benefits. Effective April 1, 2019, the Company elected to freeze benefits to its employee participants.

The Company also maintained a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain directors, which was closed to any future deferrals. The plan terminated in fiscal year 2022 with the payment of all amounts due.