Waterstone Financial Inc

Previous wording

Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning investment securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2023, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $204.9 million. Net unrealized losses on these securities totaled $22.8 million at December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred other comprehensive gains of $1.7 million, net of tax expense, related to net changes in unrealized holding losses in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.

Current wording

Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning investment securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2024, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $208.5 million. Net unrealized losses on these securities totaled $24.1 million at December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred other comprehensive losses of $994,000, net of tax benefit, related to net changes in unrealized holding losses in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.

Previous wording

Any increase in market interest rates may further reduce our mortgage banking income. We generate revenues primarily from gains on the sale of mortgage loans to investors, and from the amortization of deferred mortgage servicing rights. We had mortgage banking income decrease of $23.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. We also earn interest on loans held for sale while awaiting delivery to our investors. In this rising and higher interest rate environment, our mortgage loan originations have decreased, resulting in fewer loans that are available for sale. This resulted in a decrease in interest income and a decrease in revenues from loan sales. In addition, our results of operations are affected by the amount of noninterest expense associated with mortgage banking activities, such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, data processing and other operating costs. During periods of reduced loan demand, our results of operations may continue to be adversely affected to the extent that we are unable to reduce expenses commensurate with the decline in mortgage loan origination activity.

Current wording

Any increase in market interest rates may further reduce our mortgage banking income. We generate revenues primarily from gains on the sale of mortgage loans to investors, and from the amortization of deferred mortgage servicing rights. Although we had a mortgage banking income increase of $7.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, it remains a challenging environment. We also earn interest on loans held for sale while awaiting delivery to our investors. In this rising and higher interest rate environment, our mortgage loan originations have decreased, resulting in fewer loans that are available for sale. This resulted in a decrease in interest income and a decrease in revenues from loan sales. In addition, our results of operations are affected by the amount of noninterest expense associated with mortgage banking activities, such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, data processing and other operating costs. During periods of reduced loan demand, our results of operations may continue to be adversely affected to the extent that we are unable to reduce expenses commensurate with the decline in mortgage loan origination activity.

Previous wording

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases and market interest rates rise the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, would decrease, although this effect can be less pronounced for floating rate instruments. In addition, inflation generally increases the cost of goods and services we use in our business operations, such as electricity and other utilities, which increases our non-interest expenses. Furthermore, our customers are also affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay their loans with us. Sustained higher interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board to tame persistent inflationary price pressures could also push down asset prices and weaken economic activity. A deterioration in economic conditions in the United States and our markets could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and non-performing assets, decreases in loan collateral values and a decrease in demand for our products and services, all of which, in turn, would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases and market interest rates rise the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, would decrease, although this effect can be less pronounced for floating rate instruments. In addition, inflation generally increases the cost of goods and services we use in our business operations, such as electricity and other utilities, which increases our non-interest expenses. Furthermore, our customers are also affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay their loans with us. A deterioration in economic conditions in the United States and our markets could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and non-performing assets, decreases in loan collateral values and a decrease in demand for our products and services, all of which, in turn, would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.