Bancorp 34 Inc

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.** **

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.** **

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

**(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024, and 2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

**(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024, and 2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

NOTE 1 –SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Bancorp 34, Inc. (“Bancorp 34” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation organized in 2016 and owns 100% of Southwest Heritage Bank (formerly Bank 34) (the “Bank”) and CBOA Financial Statutory Trust #1. On March 19, 2024, Bancorp 34 acquired CBOA Financial, Inc. (“CBOA”). Immediately following the acquisition, CBOA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Commerce Bank of Arizona, was merged with and into Bancorp 34’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank 34, a federally chartered stock covered savings association. Bank 34 was subsequently rebranded as Southwest Heritage Bank. Also, as part of the acquisition of CBOA, the company acquired CBOA Financial Statutory Trust #1, a trust formed by CBOA in November 2005 to close a pooled private offering of 5,000 trust preferred securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security. Southwest Heritage Bank provides a variety of banking services to individuals and businesses through its eight full-service community bank branches, three in Maricopa County, Arizona, in the cities of Scottsdale and Gilbert; three in Pima County, Arizona, in the cities of Tucson and Green Valley; one branch in Otero County, New Mexico in the city of Alamogordo; and one branch in Dona Ana County New Mexico, in the city of Las Cruces.

Basis of presentation – The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and may not include all the information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements and related footnote disclosures although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

**Basis of consolidation **– The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bancorp 34 and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, allowance for credit losses, the fair value marks used in accounting for the acquisition of CBOA (including estimate of consideration paid, fair value estimates of CBOA’s loans, deposits, long-term debt and a Core Deposit Intangible asset as a result of the Merger) and estimating the effective tax rate for the Company for 2024 in full. The Company holds collateral dependent loans that are categorized as level three investments and are valued on a non-recurring basis using unobservable inputs further described in Note 14.

Subsequent events – Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued.

**Cash and cash equivalents **– Cash and cash equivalents include cash, due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. In monitoring credit risk associated with deposits in other banks, the Bank periodically evaluates the stability of the correspondent financial institutions. Banks may be required to maintain reserve funds in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. No reserves were required at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023.

**Securities **– If management has the intent and the Company has the ability at the time of purchase to hold securities until maturity, they are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized historical cost less the allowance for credit losses. Securities to be held for an undeterminable period of time and not intended to be held until maturity are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax. Securities classified as available-for-sale include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, and other factors. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase but may reassess the classification.

Net purchase premiums and discounts on securities are recognized in interest income using the level yield method over the estimated life of the security. Premiums are amortized to the earliest call date. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined using the specific identification method.

For available-for-sale (AFS) securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or 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 of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through net income. For AFS securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates 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 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 is 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 (loss), net of applicable taxes.

Allowance for credit losses - held-to-maturity securities: Held-to maturity securities are carried at amortized cost net of allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. The Company’s held-to maturity portfolio consists solely of bank subordinated debt. Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on an individual basis. When accrued interest is reversed or charged-off in a timely manner, the CECL standard provides a practical expedient to exclude accrued interest from ACL measurement. The Company considers it’s nonaccrual and charge-off policies to be timely for all investments and securities, as such, accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Loans held for investment, net – Loans the Bank originates and that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances reduced by any charge-offs and net of any deferred fees or costs. Loans are considered past due, or delinquent based on the contractual terms in the loan agreement and how recently repayments have been received. Interest income is recognized based upon principal amounts outstanding. The accrual of interest is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of management, there is doubt about the ability of the borrower to pay interest or principal, unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. Interest previously accrued but uncollected on such loans is reversed and charged against current income. Loans are charged-off as uncollectible when, in the opinion of management, collectability of principal is improbable. If payment is received on a nonaccrual loan, generally the payment is first applied to the remaining principal balance. Payments are then applied to recover any charged-off amounts related to the loan. Finally, if both the principal balance and any charge-offs have been recovered, then the payment will be recorded as fee and interest income. Personal loans are typically charged off when no later than 180 days past due.

Loan origination fees on loans the Bank originates, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. See Note 2 - Business Combination, for our accounting methodology for the loans acquired in the Merger.

Allowance for credit losses - loans: The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The ACL excludes loans held-for-sale and loans accounted for under the fair value option. The Company elected to not measure an ACL for accrued interest receivables, as we write off applicable accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner when a loan is placed on non-accrual status, in which any accrued but uncollected interest is reversed from current income. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, related to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. An industry index is used in the model to provide historical credit loss experience and provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. The Company identified and grouped portfolio segments based on risk characteristics and underlying collateral.

The principal segments of our loan portfolio are discussed below:

Commercial loans. We provide a mix of variable and fixed rate commercial loans. The loans are typically made to small- and medium-sized manufacturing, wholesale, retail and service businesses for working capital needs and business expansion. Commercial loans generally include lines of credit and loans with maturities of five years or less. The loans are generally made with business operations as the primary source of repayment, but may also include collateralization by inventory, accounts receivable, and equipment. Personal guarantees are typically obtained on commercial loans as well.

Commercial real estate loans. Our commercial real estate loans consist of both real estate occupied by the borrower for ongoing operations and non-owner occupied real estate properties. The real estate securing our existing commercial real estate loans includes a wide variety of property types, such as owner and non-owner-occupied offices, warehouses and production facilities, office buildings, hotels, mobile home parks, retail centers, and assisted living facilities.

Multifamily. Our multifamily portfolio includes properties with 5 or more dwellings where the use is primarily residential.

Construction and land development loans. Our construction and land development loans are comprised of residential construction, commercial construction, and land acquisition and development loans.

Residential real estate loans. Our residential real estate loans consist of residential properties that generally do not qualify for secondary market sale.

Consumer loans. Our consumer loans include direct personal loans and automobile loans. Personal loans are generally unsecured or secured by cash held at the bank.

The ACL for pooled loans is estimated using a non-discounted cash flow methodology. The bank then applies probability of default and loss given default to the cash flow methodology to calculate expected losses within the model. This allows the bank to identify the timing of default as compared to when the actual loss event may occur. The results are then aggregated to produce segment level results and reserve requirements for each segment. The Company uses a 12-month forecast that is reasonable and supportable within the ACL calculation and then reverts to historical credit loss experience on a straight-line basis over a one-year timeline. Historical loss experience is then used for the remaining life of the assets. The Company uses several economic variables in the calculation of the ACL, the most significant of which is the economic forecast for the national unemployment rate. Changes in the economic forecast for unemployment rates could significantly affect the estimated credit losses which could potentially lead to materially different allowance levels from one reporting period to the next.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the pooled loan evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

Qualitative adjustments to historical loss data are made based on management’s assessment of the risks that may lead to a future loan loss or differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, changes in environmental and economic conditions, or other relevant factors.

The allowance is increased by a provision for credit losses, which is charged to expense and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries.

**Acquired Loans –**At the purchase or acquisition date, loans are evaluated to determine whether there has been more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. Loans that have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination are referred to as purchase credit deteriorated (PCD) loans. In its evaluation of whether a loan has experienced more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, the Company takes into consideration loan grades, payment performance, past due status, and nonaccrual status. The Company also considered the results of an independent external credit review completed during the due diligence phase to identify other loans that have experienced deterioration. At the purchase or acquisition date, the amortized cost basis of PCD loans is equal to the purchase price and an initial estimate of credit losses. The initial recognition of expected credit losses on PCD loans is reflected as a “Day 2” on-balance sheet gross-up to the allowance for credit losses and as an increase to PCD loans. When the initial measurement of expected credit losses on PCD loans is calculated on a pooled loan basis, the expected credit losses are allocated to each loan within the pool. Any difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the unpaid principal balance of the loan represents a noncredit discount or premium, which is accreted (or amortized) into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the ACL on PCD loans are recorded through the provision for credits losses. For purchased loans that are not deemed to have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination and are therefore not deemed PCD, any discounts or premiums included in the purchase price are accreted (or amortized) over the contractual life of the individual loan. See Note 2 - Business Combination for further information related to PCD and Non-PCD loans acquired in connection with the Merger.

Premises and equipment – Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three toseven years for equipment and 15 to 40 years for leasehold improvements and buildings. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful lives of premises and equipment are charged to expense as incurred.

**Leases **– Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. Lease expense for operating leases and short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our 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 estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.

Other investments – The Bank has investments in The Independent Bankers Bank (TIB), Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bancshares (PCBB) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Dallas. The Bank is a member of FHLB system. The Bank is required to maintain minimum levels of FHLB stock-based on various factors, including the amount of borrowings outstanding, mortgage assets, and the Bank’s total assets. Financial institution stock is carried at cost, is classified as a restricted security, and is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery. The carrying value of financial institution stocks at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was $4,665,000 and $3,254,000, respectively. Cash and stock dividends are recorded in Other Income in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The Company invested in the Castle Creek Launchpad Fund I, LP in April 2022. The Company has committed to funding up to $2 million over a 4-year funding period. As of September 30, 2024, the investment has a carrying value of $982,000 compared to $828,000 as of December 31, 2023. As of both dates, the investment was valued using the net asset value practical expedient. The scope of the NAV practical expedient is limited to investments without readily determinable fair values in entities that calculate NAV per share consistently with the measurement principles of ASC 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. Both criteria were present at each of the balance sheet dates noted above.

Transfers of financial assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, 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 the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) – The Bank holds BOLI representing life insurance on the lives of certain executives of the Bank purchased in order to help offset the costs of the Bank’s benefit expenses. BOLI is carried on our consolidated balance sheets at the net cash surrender value of the policies and increases in the net cash surrender value are recorded in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as bank owned life insurance income.

**Other real estate owned **– Other real estate owned is comprised of properties acquired through a foreclosure proceeding or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Generally, these properties are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management; other real estate owned is carried at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less the estimated cost to sell. Expenses, gains and losses on disposition, and reductions in carrying value are reported as non-interest expenses. There wasno other real estate owned as of September 30, 2024, and $3,000,000 of other real estate owned at December 31, 2023.

**Fair value measurements **– Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; includes certain U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government agency debt that is highly-liquid and is actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2 – Inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Escrow accounts – Funds collected from loan customers for insurance, real estate taxes and other purposes are maintained in escrow accounts and carried as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These funds are periodically remitted to the appropriate entities to satisfy those claims.

Financial Instruments with off-balance-sheet risk – In the ordinary course of business, the Bank enters into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in The Consolidated Financial Statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. The credit risk associated with these instruments is generally evaluated using the same methodology as for loans held for investment.

Allowance for credit losses - off-balance sheet credit exposures: The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit unless that obligation is unconditionally cancelable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the Provision for credit losses and is recorded in other liabilities. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The probability of funding is based on historical utilization statistics for unfunded loan commitments that are not unconditionally cancelable by the Company. The loss rates used are calculated using the same assumptions as the associated funded balance.

Advertising cost – The Bank conducts direct and non-direct response advertising and purchases prospective customer lists from various sources. These costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs from continuing operations are not material.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – The Bank sponsors an internally leveraged ESOP. The cost of shares issued to the ESOP but not yet released is shown as unearned ESOP shares, an element of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. As shares are committed to be released, compensation expense is recorded equal to the market price of the shares, and the shares become outstanding for purposes of earnings per share calculations. To the extent that the fair value of ESOP shares committed differs from the cost of such shares, the difference is charged or credited to additional paid-in capital in stockholders’ equity.

Cash dividends on unallocated ESOP shares may be used to make payments on the ESOP loan and may be allocated to participant accounts in proportion to their account balances. Cash dividends paid on allocated shares are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings and, at the direction of the employer may be: a) credited directly to participant accounts in proportion to their account balances, or b) distributed directly to participants (outside the plan) in proportion to their account balances, or c) used to make payments on the ESOP loan requiring the release of shares with at least a similar fair market value be allocated to participant accounts. In addition, participants have the right to receive an immediate distribution of their vested cash dividends paid on shares of common stock credited to their accounts.

**Other stock-based compensation **– The Company has stock-based compensation plans which provide for the award of various benefits to directors and employees, including restricted stock and options to purchase stock. Each restricted stock award is separated into vesting tranches and compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value at the date of grant for each tranche on a straight-line basis over the vesting period reduced for estimated forfeitures. Cash dividends on unvested restricted shares are charged to compensation expense. The fair value of stock option awards granted is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model using inputs including the option exercise price and risk-free rate of return, and assumptions for expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility and the expected life of the awards. The closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant is the exercise price for the stock options and the estimated fair value of the restricted stock awards. Expense is recognized over the required service period, defined as the vesting period. The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize expense net of actual forfeitures.

Employee retention credit – The Company qualified for identified refunds based upon federal laws that allow an eligible employer to obtain a refundable employment tax credit under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as amended by Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A portion of the credits the Company received, $254,000, met the substantial authority to file a claim with the IRS. However, based on uncertainty associated with the IRS’s regulation and notices associated with qualifying under the governmental order eligibility criteria, the Company has concluded the claim does not meet the probable threshold required to recognize the benefits of the credit. As such, the Company will not recognize the income until the statute of limitations has elapsed.

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 basis of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the income tax provision. The Company has no uncertain tax positions.

Comprehensive income (loss) – Comprehensive income (loss) consists of unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of gains or losses reclassified on securities designated as hedged items in fair value hedges as of September 30, 2024, and solely of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities as of December 31, 2023.

**Earnings per common share – Basic earnings per common share is net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. ESOP shares are considered outstanding for this calculation unless unearned. Maryland corporate law does not provide for treasury shares; therefore, shares repurchased are removed from issued and outstanding immediately and would not be considered outstanding. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for this calculation. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. Earnings per share are restated for all stock splits and stock dividends through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method under which earnings per share is calculated for each class of common stock and participating security considering both dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings as if all such earnings had been distributed during the period. **

Derivatives – At the inception of derivative contracts, the Company designates derivatives as one of two types based on our intention and belief as to the likely effectiveness of the hedge. These two types are: (i) a hedge of changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”); and (ii) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”).

For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects the earnings. The changes in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in current earnings.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement in the same line item as the cash flows of the item being hedged.

The initial fair value of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet under a systematic and rational method over the life of the hedging relationship and are presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Any difference between the change in the fair value of the hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and the amounts recognized in earnings are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or the treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended. When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods in which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

The Company is exposed to losses if a counterparty fails to make its payments under a contract in which the Company is in the net receiving position. We anticipate that the counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligation under our derivative contracts with them. All the contracts to which we are a party have cash flows that settle monthly.

**Recent Accounting Guidance That Has Not Yet Been Adopted **– The following new accounting standard has yet to be adopted by the Company but may have an impact on financial statements and/or related disclosures once implemented.

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a final standard on improvements to income tax disclosures. The standard requires, among other things, disaggregated information regarding effective tax rate reconciliation components, as well as information on income taxes paid. This standard, Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-9, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”, applies to all entities subject to income taxes. For public business entities, the new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07,“Segment Reporting (ASC 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”, intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis. The amendments in the update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. For public business entities, amendments in the update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its disclosures, however does not expect adoption of the update to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 –BUSINESS COMBINATION

On March 19, 2024, Bancorp 34 completed its previously announced merger with CBOA pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 27, 2023, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement, CBOA was merged with and into Bancorp 34, with Bancorp 34 continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”). Immediately following the completion of the Merger, CBOA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Commerce Bank of Arizona, an Arizona state-chartered bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank continuing as the surviving bank.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each CBOA shareholder had the right to receive 0.2628 shares of Bancorp 34 common stock, for each share of CBOA common stock owned by the CBOA shareholder, with cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares. Additionally, each outstanding CBOA restricted stock unit vested and was cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive 0.2628 shares of Bancorp 34 common stock with respect to each share of CBOA common stock underlying such restricted stock unit. In connection with the Merger, Bancorp 34 issued approximately 2.7 million shares of Bancorp 34 common stock, which had a fair value of approximately $23.3 million based on a common shares valuation as of the Merger date. Each outstanding share of Bancorp 34 common stock remained outstanding and was unaffected by the Merger.

Commerce Bank of Arizona operated five full-service offices serving customers in Gilbert, Green Valley, Oro Valley, Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona. Completing the Merger further enhanced the Bank’s Arizona footprint, allowed for greater efficiencies based on size and scale, and strengthened the depth of the management team. The combined banks operate as Southwest Heritage Bank and serve customers from eight full-service offices in Arizona and southern New Mexico. The core system conversion was executed in March 2024.

We accounted for the Merger using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Code 805 (“ASC 805”), Business Combinations, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of CBOA were recorded at their respective Merger date estimated fair values. The estimated fair values of assets and liabilities are preliminary and subject to refinement during the measurement period (which cannot exceed one year from the Merger date), as additional information relative to the Merger date fair values becomes available. Effective in March 2024, we recognized a preliminary bargain purchase gain of $5.1 million in connection with the Merger (not taxable for income tax purposes), which is recognized in our first quarter 2024 operating results. The core deposit intangible asset of $8.9 million represents the estimated value of Commerce Bank of Arizona’s long-term deposit relationships with its customers and will be amortized over an estimated weighted average life of ten years using an accelerated method, which approximates the estimated run-off of the acquired deposits. During 2023 and through September 30, 2024, Bancorp 34 incurred, on a cumulative basis, approximately $6.8 million of Merger-related expenses.

The primary cause of the March 2024 $5.1 million preliminary bargain purchase gain was a decrease in Bancorp 34, Inc.’s common share valuation from April 2023 to March 2024. In April 2023 and upon the announcement of the Merger, the common share exchange ratio was 0.24, and Bancorp 34, Inc’s common share valuation was estimated to be $12.16 per share, based upon a third-party fairness opinion obtained in connection with the Merger. As of the Merger date in March 2024 and before Bancorp 34, Inc. issued its 2.7 million shares for the Merger, the common share exchange ratio was 0.2628 and Bancorp, Inc’s common share valuation was estimated to be $8.50, based on a March 2024 common share valuation completed by an independent third party.

The following table includes the: (i) total consideration paid on March 19, 2024, in connection with the Merger; (ii) fair values of the assets acquired; (iii) fair values of the liabilities assumed; and (iv) resulting preliminary bargain purchase gain (in thousands).

As permitted by ASC 805, Business Combinations, the above preliminary estimates may be refined during the measurement period (which cannot exceed one year from the Merger date), to reflect any new information obtained about facts and circumstances existing at the Merger date. Any changes in the above preliminary estimates will be recognized in the period identified.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, certain measurement period adjustments were recognized as shown in the table below:

There were no measurement period adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Purchased Performing Loans (Non-Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans)

Non-purchased credit deteriorated loans (“non-PCD loans”) are loans, of the date of the Merger and based upon management’s assessment, which have not experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since the date the loans were originated. The loan’s purchase price becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the unpaid principal balance of the loan is a discount, which is comprised of a credit and non-credit component, and is accreted as interest income over the life of the loan.

An allowance for credit losses is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. A $4.1 million “Day Two” allowance for credit losses for non-PCD loans was recorded through the provision expense for credit losses. This $4.1 million allowance for credit losses for non-PCD loans represents management’s estimate of lifetime credit losses on these non-PCD loans.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

Purchased credit deteriorated loans (“PCD loans”) represent loans, as of the date of the Merger and based upon management’s assessment, which had experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since the date the loans were originated. An allowance for credit losses for PCD loans was determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial allowance for credit losses for PCD loans was determined on a collective basis and was allocated to individual PCD loans. This allowance for credit losses is reflected as a “Day 2” on-balance sheet gross-up to the allowance for credit losses and as an increase to PCD loans. The PCD loans’ purchase price of $26.2 million plus the allowance for credit losses of $1.1 million, becomes the initial amortized cost basis of $27.3 million for the PCD loans. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the unpaid principal balance of the PCD loans of $30.4 million, results in a non-credit discount for the PCD loans of $3.1 million, which is accreted as interest income over the life of the PCD loans. Thereafter, the PCD loans are subject to the same interest rate recognition and credit model as non-PCD loans, with changes to the allowance for credit losses recorded through provision expense.

As of the Merger date and as described above, the PCD Loans included the following components (in thousands):

Pro Forma Information

The pro forma revenues and pro forma earnings in the following table, for each of the periods presented, combine CBOA’s consolidated operating results and Bancorp 34’s consolidated operating results as if the Merger occurred on January 1, 2023.

Pro forma amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily reflect the following pro forma adjustments: (i) interest and fee income decrease related to lower loan discount accretion income of $162,000 and related taxes of $40,000; (ii) interest expense decrease related to lower deposit liability and long-term debt discount expense of $66,000 and related taxes of $17,000; and (iii) non-interest expense decrease due to lower Core Deposit Intangible amortization expense of $60,000 and related taxes of $15,000.

Pro forma amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily reflect the following pro forma adjustments: (i) interest and fee income increase related to loan discount accretion income of $775,000 and related taxes of $194,000; (ii) interest and fee income decrease, due to the removal of CBOA’s pre-Merger loan fee income of $230,000 and related taxes of $58,000 (iii) interest expense increase related to deposit liability and long-term debt discount expense of $52,000 and related taxes of $13,000; (iii) non-interest expense decrease due to removal of Merger expenses for both CBOA and the Bank of $660,000 and related taxes of $36,000; and (iv) non-interest expense increase due to Core Deposit Intangible amortization expense of $415,000 and related taxes of $104,000. The pro forma net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023, also reflects a $3 million pre-tax provision for credit losses in connection with one troubled real estate credit.

Pro forma amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily reflect the following pro forma adjustments: (i) interest and fee income decrease related to lower loan discount accretion income of $277,000 and related taxes of $70,000; (ii) interest and fee income decrease due to the removal of CBOA’s pre-Merger loan fee income of $175,000 and related taxes of $44,000; (iii) interest expense decrease related to deposit liability and long-term debt discount expense of $141,000 and related taxes of $35,000; (iv) provision for credit losses decrease due to removal of the Merger-related non-recurring Day 2 Non-PCD Loan charge of $4.1 million and related taxes of $1 million; and (v) non-interest income decrease due to removal of a non-recurring non-taxable $5 million preliminary bargain purchase gain. Additionally, there were non-interest expense pro forma adjustments, which were primarily comprised of: (i) removal of Merger expenses for both CBOA and the Bank of $4.4 million and related taxes of $962,000; (ii) removal of Merger-related non-recurring change-in-control charges of $654,000 and related taxes of $164,000; and (iii) Core Deposit Intangible amortization expense increase of $221,000 and related taxes of $55,000.

Pro forma amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily reflect the following pro forma adjustments: (i) interest and fee income increase related to loan discount accretion income of $2.3 million and related taxes of $581,000; (ii) interest and fee income decrease due to the removal of CBOA’s pre-Merger loan fee income of $576,000 and related taxes of $144,000; (iii) interest expense increase related to deposit liability and long-term debt discount expense of $246,000 and related taxes of $62,000; (iv) non-interest expense decrease related to removal of Merger expenses for both CBOA and the Bank of $1.8 million and related taxes of $54,000; and (iii) non-interest expense increase related to Core Deposit Intangible amortization expense of $1.3 million and related taxes of $320,000. The pro forma earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, also reflect a $3 million pre-tax provision for credit losses in connection with one troubled real estate credit.

Management prepared these pro forma results for comparative purposes only and these pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been obtained had the Merger actually occurred on January 1, 2023. No assumptions have been applied to the pro forma revenues and pro forma earnings regarding, for example, possible revenue enhancements, expense efficiencies, fixed cost leverage opportunities, or non-earning asset dispositions.

Additionally, the pro forma amounts for Bancorp 34’s weighted average basic and diluted common shares outstanding are based upon: (i) Bancorp 34’s actual weighted average basic and diluted common shares outstanding for each of the periods presented; together with and as adjusted for (ii) Bancorp 34’s approximate 2.7 million common shares issued in connection with the Merger, as if the Merger had occurred on January 1, 2023.

Separately, management has determined that it is impractical to report amounts of revenue and earnings of CBOA after the Merger date of March 19, 2024. Bank core systems and related data conversions occurred, after the Merger date, from March 22, 2024, through March 25, 2024. Accordingly, management believes that reliable, accurate, separate, and complete revenue and earnings information for CBOA is no longer available.

NOTE 3 –SECURITIES

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities have been classified in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent on September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023. The amortized cost of such securities and their approximate fair values were as follows (dollars in thousands):

There was no allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2024, or December 31, 2023.

Securities with unrealized losses on September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, that have not been recognized in income are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Unrealized losses on U.S. Treasury bonds and U.S. Agency bonds have not been recognized through the income statement due to the bonds being backed in full by the United States government. Management has no intent to sell the securities, the Company can hold the securities to maturity, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date.

Unrealized losses on mortgage-backed securities have not been recognized into income. At September 30, 2024, 84% of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio were issued by U.S. government sponsored entities or agencies. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell the mortgage-backed securities, no unrealized losses have been recognized into income.

The remainder of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio includes non-agency structured commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) with a fair value of $5,020,000 which had unrealized losses of $447,000 at September 30, 2024. Each CMBS was rated AAA at September 30, 2024. These bonds have significant credit enhancement and have performed as agreed. Management does not intend to sell the CMBS and it is likely that management will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery.

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale municipal obligation securities have not been recognized through the income statement. As of September 30, 2024, the credit rating for these securities ranges from A+ to AAA. General Obligation bonds represent 30% of the municipal bond portfolio. The remaining 70% of the portfolio consists of revenue bonds, the majority of which are essential purpose or have an insurance wrapper. Management has no intent to sell these securities and can hold the securities to maturity. The decline in fair value is largely due to changes in market interest rates and management expects the fair value to recover as the securities approach their maturity date.

Management evaluated the foregoing available-for-sale securities for potential impairment as of September 30, 2024. Based on this evaluation, including the preceding analysis summary, management has determined that the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are primarily attributable to increases in market interest rates and do not reflect credit losses. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2024, management concluded that an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities is not necessary, as the decline in fair value is not indicative of credit losses. Management will continue to monitor the fair value of these available-for-sale securities and reassess the need for an allowance for credit losses if circumstances change.

Certain information concerning the sale of debt securities available-for-sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, was as follows (dollars in thousands):

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

As of September 30, 2024, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the debt securities portfolio are shown by contractual maturity dates (dollars in thousands).

Securities pledged at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, are comprised of available-for-sale securities and had fair values totaling $55,611,000 and $43,070,000, respectively.

The Company had no investment in securities of issuers outside of the United States as of September 30, 2024, or December 31, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses for HTM Securities

Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. The held-to-maturity investment portfolio consists solely of bank holding company subordinated debt. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $52,000 at September 30, 2024, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Refer to Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies for additional information on the Company’s methodology on estimating credit losses. The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for debt securities held-to-maturity by major security type (dollars in thousands):

The Company monitors the credit quality of held-to-maturity securities on a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2024, there were no held-to-maturity securities past due or on non-accrual.

NOTE 4 –LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the new CECL standard, ASU 2016-13, using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. For comparability, the Company has adjusted certain prior period loan amounts to conform to the current presentation of segmentation under CECL. Refer to Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information related to the Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance for credit losses.

The following presents a summary of the Company’s loans at amortized cost as of the dates noted (dollars in thousands):

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

Beginning January 1, 2023, the allowance for credit losses for loans is measured on the loan’s amortized cost basis, excluding interest receivable. Interest receivable excluded at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was $2.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, presented in accrued interest receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information related to the Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance for credit losses.

Allocation of a portion of the allowance for credit losses to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories. The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, (dollars in thousands):

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in contractually past due loans, as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023. It is shown by class of loans (dollars in thousands):

Credit quality indicators– The following tables represent the credit exposure by internally assigned grades. This grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements in accordance with the loan terms. The Bank’s internal credit risk grading system is based on management’s experiences with similarly graded loans. Credit risk grades are reassessed each quarter based on any recent developments potentially impacting the creditworthiness of the borrower, as well as other external statistics and factors, which may affect the risk characteristics of the respective loan. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass: Strong credit with no existing or known potential weaknesses deserving of management’s close attention.

Special Mention: Potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. Borrower and guarantor’s capacity to meet all financial obligations is marginally adequate or deteriorating.

Substandard: Inadequately protected by the paying capacity of the borrower and/or collateral pledged. The borrower or guarantor is unwilling or unable to meet loan terms or loan covenants for the foreseeable future.

Doubtful: All the weakness inherent in one classified as substandard with the added characteristic that those weaknesses in place make the collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss– Considered uncollectible or no longer a bankable asset. This classification does not mean that the asset has no recoverable value. In fact, a certain salvage value is inherent in these loans. Nevertheless, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off a portion or whole of a perceived asset even though partial recovery may be collected in the future.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans by credit quality indicator, by class of financing receivable, and year of origination for term loans as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023. For revolving lines of credit that are converted to term loans, if the conversion involved a credit decision, such loans are included in the origination year in which the credit decision was made. If revolving lines of credit converted to term loans without a credit decision, such lines of credit are included in the “Revolving lines of credit converted to term” column in the following tables (dollars in thousands).

Non-accrual loans – The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan becomes 90 or more days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection or renewal due to maturity. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual status or charged off if collection of interest or principal is considered doubtful. There was no interest income recognized from non-accrual loans in the income statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, or September 30, 2023. The following presents the amortized cost basis of loans on non-accrual status and loans past due over 89 days still accruing by class as of the date noted (dollars in thousands).

Non-accrual loan balances guaranteed by the SBA are $2,026,000, or 61.5%, and $589,000, or 26.3%, of the nonaccrual loan balances at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Collateral dependent loans – Non-accrual loans are classified as collateral dependent loans and are individually evaluated. The following presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses by class of loans as of the date noted (dollars in thousands):

Loan Modifications Made to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty – The ACL incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and is recorded on each asset upon origination. The analysis includes losses from modifications of receivables to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Because the effect of most modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the ACL allowance for credit losses, a change to the ACL is generally not recorded when a loan is modified. Currently, the bank does not hold any loans having modified terms related to economic distress and none were modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023.

NOTE 5 –PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Components of premises and equipment, net included in the consolidated balance sheets were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $284,000 and $150,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses were $754,000 and $419,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively.

**NOTE 6 –TIME DEPOSITS **

Maturities of time deposits on September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, were (dollars in thousands):

On September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Bank had $82.6 million and $43.9 million, respectively, in time deposits of $250,000 or more. On September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, $61 million and $27.5 million, respectively, of such time deposits mature within one year.

On September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, certificate of deposits included brokered CD balances of $8.1 million and $19.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 7 –BORROWINGS

On March 12, 2023, the Federal Reserve Board announced it would make additional funding available to eligible depository institutions to help ensure banks could meet the needs of depositors made available through the creation of a new Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”). The BTFP is a liquidity resource with capacity based on the pledging of high-quality securities. The intention of the program was to eliminate an institution’s need to quickly sell those securities in times of stress. Effective March 11, 2024, the Federal Reserve ceased lending under the programs terms. Outstanding borrowings were not impacted. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank had pledged available-for-sale securities totaling $55.6 million to secure a borrowing in the amount of $27 million at a rate of 4.76% with a January 10, 2025, maturity date. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, the Bank had approximately $29.2 million in availability at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Discount Window.

The Bank has established a borrowing line at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. As of September 30, 2024, borrowing capacity totaled $229.4 million and collateral consists of a blanket lien on the loan portfolio. There were no outstanding borrowings on the borrowing line as of September 30, 2024, or December 31, 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Bank had available unsecured Federal Funds lines of credit at correspondent banks totaling $49.8 million and $39.8 million, respectively. The terms of the borrowings are overnight at the applicable fed funds borrowing rate. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank hadno borrowings under these lines of credit.

On September 29, 2021, the Company completed a private placement of $25.0 million of 10 year, fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The subordinated notes initially bear interest at 4.00% per annum for five years, floating at Three-Month SOFR plus 328 basis points quarterly thereafter. The ten-year notes mature on July 15, 2031, and are callable at the Company’s option after five years. The subordinated notes have unamortized origination fees of $365,000 at September 30, 2024. As part of the Merger with CBOA, $1.5 million of the subordinated debt was acquired in the transaction and subsequently retired.

As part of the Merger with CBOA, the Company acquired CBOA Financial Statutory Trust #1, a trust formed by CBOA in November 2005. The trust closed a pooled private offering of 5,000 trust preferred securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security. CBOA made a required equity contribution of $155,000 to form the trust and issued $5 million of subordinated debentures to the trust in exchange for ownership of all of the common securities of the trust and the proceeds of the preferred securities sold by the trust. The Company is able to redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest until maturity in 2036. The subordinated debentures are also redeemable in whole or in part from time to time, upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture. Bancorp 34 has the option to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures from time to time, for a period not to exceed five consecutive years. Bancorp 34 has elected not to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures. The trust preferred securities have a variable rate of interest, reset quarterly on the 23rd of each February, May, August, and November, equal to the sum of 3-month CME term SOFR plus 1.70%. As of September 30, 2024, the rate was 7.06%. Bancorp 34’s investment in the common stock of the trust is $155,000, which is included in other assets and is accounted for as an unconsolidated cost-method investment. Bancorp 34 is not considered the primary beneficiary of this trust, and therefore the trust is not consolidated in the financial statements. Rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability. The remaining Merger-related fair value mark on the CBOA Financial Statutory Trust #1 subordinated debt was $972,000 as of September 30, 2024.

Maturities of outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2024, were (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 8 –FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF BALANCE SHEET RISK

In the normal course of business, and from time to time, the Bank has had outstanding commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit which, consistent with U.S. GAAP, are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amounts of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for instruments that are included in the consolidated balance sheets.

Contractual or notional amounts of financial instruments representing off-balance-sheet credit risk are as follows as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

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 many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation Collateral held varies by and may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. Standby letters of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Bank’s policy for obtaining collateral, and the nature of such collateral, is essentially the same as that involved in making commitments to extend credit. The Bank had one standby letter of credit totaling $75,000 at September 30, 2024, andno standby letters of credit at December 31, 2023.

NOTE 9 –LEASES

As of September 30, 2024, the Bank has noncancelable operating leases for office space that expire over the next eight years that require the payment of base lease amounts and executory costs such as taxes, maintenance, and insurance. As of September 30, 2024, the bank has six active operating leases. Rental expenses for leases were $284,000 and $94,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Rental expenses for leases were $740,000 and $270,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively.

The following presents the classification of the right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands):

Approximate future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases as of September 30, 2024, are (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 10 –INCOME TAXES

The Company’s income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 21% to income (loss) before federal income tax expense. These differences, historically, are primarily caused by state income taxes, net of federal tax benefit, income that is not taxable for federal and state income tax purposes, expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, and tax adjustments related to income tax returns.

Specifically, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these differences reflect: (i) a non-taxable $5.0 million preliminary bargain purchase gain in connection with the Merger; and (ii) certain non-deductible merger costs, including success-based fees for completing the Merger of $340,000.

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $477,000, reflecting an effective tax rate of 23.3%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1.2 million and pre-tax income of $365,000.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $603,000 and $426,000, respectively, reflecting an effective tax rate of 21.0% and 19.8%, respectively. The relatively lower income tax rates during these 2023 periods reflect a favorable adjustment to the year-to-date tax accrual.

NOTE 11 –REGULATORY MATTERS

Southwest Heritage 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 discretionary actions by regulators that if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines involving quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts, and classification 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 minimum amounts and ratios of total risk-based capital and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets. Management believes, as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

Banks are also subject to certain restrictions on the dollar amount of dividends that they may declare without prior regulatory approval.

As of September 30, 2024, the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank has to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as disclosed in the table below. There are no conditions or events that management believes have changed the Bank’s prompt corrective action category. The Bank has not opted into the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (“CBLR”) and therefore is required to continue calculating and reporting risk-based capital ratios.

The Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios are as follows as of the dates indicated below (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 12 –RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Bank periodically enters into transactions with its executive officers, directors, significant stockholders, and their affiliates (related parties). Transactions with such related parties included (dollars in thousands):

There was one fully drawn line of credit, totaling $100,000, to one related party on September 30, 2024. There were no additional loans to related parties as of September 30, 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Bancorp 34 paid $216,000 to outgoing directors no longer serving on the board. This amount is included in Merger Costs on the income statement and is also included in the relevant pro forma adjustments in Note 2 herein.

NOTE 13 –STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, was $145,000 and $44,000, respectively.

The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur by reversing any previously accrued compensation expense on forfeited options in accordance with ASC 718,Compensation – Stock Compensation.

On November 17, 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (“2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan provided for the grant of a maximum of 263,127 shares of the Company’s common stock of which up to 187,948 shares of common stock could be granted for stock options and 75,179 shares of common stock could be issued as restricted stock to Directors and employees of the Company. Stock options and restricted stock awards currently issued under the 2017 Plan vest at 20% per year beginning on the first anniversary of date of grant and the options expire seven years after the grant date.

On May 25, 2022, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (“2022 Plan”). The 2022 Plan provided for the grant of a maximum of 252,340 shares of the Company’s common stock of which up to 168,227 shares of common stock could be issued as restricted stock and 84,113 shares of common stock could be granted for stock options to directors and employees of the Company. The board of directors’ compensation committee specified the vesting schedules for the restricted stock and options. Option expiration dates were flexible as well but could not exceed ten years from the grant date.

On September 25, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the termination of the 2017 Plan and the 2022 Plan. While outstanding awards issued under those plans were not affected by the plans’ termination, no further awards may be granted under either the 2017 Plan or the 2022 Plan. In connection with the termination of the 2017 Plan and the 2022 Plan, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the Bancorp 34, Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”). The 2024 Plan provides for the grant of a maximum of 525,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a variety of equity incentive awards, including restricted stock, stock options, and other awards. As of September 30, 2024, no awards had been issued under the 2024 Plan.

The stock option plans allow for net settlement of vested options. In a net settlement, the Company, at the direction of the optionee, net settles the options by issuing new shares to the optionee with a value, at the current per share trading price, equal to the total in-the-money or intrinsic value of the options less any necessary tax withholdings on the disqualifying disposition of Incentive Stock Options. The optionee is granted newly issued shares and a small amount of cash in lieu of partial shares. There were no net settlements for the first nine months of 2024 or 2023.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, no stock compensation was issued under any equity incentive plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023,10,250 stock options were granted and 10,250 shares of restricted stock were issued. Stock option grant-date fair values for 2023 were computed using the Black Scholes Merton options pricing model with the following weighted-average inputs and assumptions:

A summary of stock option activity for the first nine months of 2024 is presented below (Aggregate Intrinsic Value in thousands):

As of September 30, 2024, there was $11,000 and $52,000 of total unrecognized equity-based expense related to unvested stock options and restricted stock awards, respectively, granted under the equity plans that is expected to be recognized over the next five years as follows (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 14 –FAIR VALUE INFORMATION

The following table presents information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair values (dollars in thousands):

The fair values of certain of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows, which involves significant judgments by management and uncertainties. Fair value is the estimated amount at which financial assets or liabilities could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Because no market exists for certain of these financial instruments and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the Bank does not know whether the fair values shown represent values at which the respective financial instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.

There were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, or the year ended December 31, 2023.

The following table presents the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 financial assets measured on a non-recurring basis (dollars in thousands):

The estimated fair values of the Company’s consolidated financial instruments on the dates noted are as follows (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 15 –EARNINGS PER SHARE

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company had voting common stock, restricted stock awards, and non-voting common stock that were all eligible to participate in dividends equal to the voting common stock dividends on a per share basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had voting common stock, restricted stock awards, and non-voting preferred stock that were all eligible to participate in dividends. Securities that participate in dividends 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. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents consist of employee stock options and warrants. 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. The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow:

Participating securities include restricted stock awards since they participate in common stock dividends. Stock options for 112,500 and 125,270 shares of common stock and warrants totaling 211,667 and 211,667 were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for 2024 and 2023, respectively, because they were antidilutive.

NOTE 16 –REAL ESTATE OWNED

Real estate owned activity was as follows (dollars in thousands):

There was no real estate owned activity during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023.

As of September 30, 2023, the Bank experienced a deterioration of one large out of market commercial real estate loan which resulted in this loan becoming nonperforming. As of December 31, 2023, a $3.3 million loss was reflected in the Bank’s operating results, and the remaining $3 million balance was transferred to other real estate owned. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the note associated with this loan was sold for $2.6 million and a $432,000 pre-tax loss was reflected in the Bank’s operating results.

At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, there were no foreclosed residential real estate properties recorded as a result of obtaining physical possession of the properties. In addition, at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, there were no recorded investments of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process.

NOTE 17 –PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK

In December 2022 and January 2023, the Company completed one private placement of common stock and one private placement of preferred stock, respectively. The Company issued 1,359,497 shares of common stock and 820,115 shares of convertible, non-voting Series A perpetual preferred stock at $14.00 per share each, generating net cash proceeds of approximately $28.6 million. The Company used the net proceeds from these private placements to support the acquisition of CBOA Financial, Inc. and to enhance capital ratios.

In conjunction with the private placements, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 211,667 shares of Common Stock at a price of $14.00. The approximate fair value of the warrants was deemed immaterial by management. The Warrants are exercisable at any time after their grant date, and from time to time, in whole or in part, for 7 years from their grant dates, on December 30, 2029, and January 27, 2030. The exercise of such Warrants remains subject to certain contractual provisions and a “cashless exercise” may be executed.

**Non-voting common stock –**In accordance with the capital raise, and in conjunction with shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting that occurred on September 29, 2023, a class of non-voting common stock was created on July 19, 2023. On said date, the State of Maryland approved the Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation for Bancorp 34, Inc. in which a class of authorized stock containing 1,100,000 shares of non-voting common stock was established. In accordance with the stipulations established during the capital raise, the preferred stock issued during the raise was converted to the newly established class of non-voting common stock as of the date the class was created. Except for voting privileges, the new class of non-voting common stock is treated pari-passu with common stock.

NOTE 18 –DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. As such, from time to time, the Company will enter into interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage interest rate risk. Derivative instruments represent contracts between parties that result in one party delivering cash to the other party based on a notional amount and an underlying term (such as a rate, security price or price index) as specified in the derivative contract. The amount of cash delivered from one party to the other is determined based on the interaction of the notional amount of the contract with the underlying term. Derivatives may also be implicit in certain contracts and commitments.

Derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements are recognized at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument. Derivative assets and derivative liabilities on the balance sheet are recorded within other assets and other liabilities, respectively. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in income or in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting and, if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge.

As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, two pay-fixed/receive-floating interest rate swaps (the “Pay Fixed Swap Agreements”) were entered into on August 30, 2024, for a total notional amount of $30 million, both of which were designated as fair value hedges. The Pay Fixed Swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the derivative contracts without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. Each swap agreement was effective immediately and each expire August 30, 2027.

The table below presents fair values of derivative instruments as well as the classification within the consolidated balance sheets:

The table below presents the effect of fair value hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of income (loss) for the periods presented:

The table below presents cumulative basis adjustments of hedged items designated as fair value hedges and related amortized cost of those items as of the date presented:

NOTE 19 –SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to the September 30, 2024, date of this Form 10-Q, the Bank used cash on hand to pay off the entire $27.0 million Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank and purchased $22.8 million in debt securities. The $22.8 million in debt securities purchased were comprised of the following: (i) $12.0 million of agency mortgage-backed securities; (ii) $8.8 million of asset-backed securities; and, (iii) $2.0 million of private label mortgage-backed securities.

The available-for-sale securities pledged to secure the BTFP borrowing were transferred to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Discount Window to increase its available borrowing capacity. In addition, $990,000 of accrued interest payable was paid off in connection with the full pay off of the BTFP borrowing described above.