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SHORE BANCSHARES INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 10, 2025.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Mar 10, 2025

SHBI$22.89+2.0%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1– Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to in these Notes as the “Company”), with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For purposes of comparability, certain reclassifications have been made to amounts previously reported to conform with the current period presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or stockholders’ equity.

Nature of Operations

The Company engages in the banking business through Shore United Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), a Maryland commercial bank with trust powers. The Company’s primary source of revenue is derived from interest earned on commercial, residential mortgage and other loans, and fees charged in connection with lending and other banking services located in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The Company engages in financial service offerings through Wye Financial Partners and offers corporate trustee services through Wye Trust, a division of Shore United Bank, N.A. The Bank also conducts secondary market lending activities through a division of the Bank. Mid-Maryland Title Company, Inc. (the “Title Company”), engages in title work related to real estate transactions.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and affect the reported amounts of revenues earned and expenses incurred during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates that could change significantly relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans, loans acquired in business combinations, valuation of deferred tax assets and the subsequent evaluation of goodwill for impairment.

Investments - Debt Securities

Investments in debt securities are classified as either held to maturity (“HTM”), available for sale (“AFS”), or trading, based on management’s intent. Currently, the Company has classified its debt securities within the AFS and HTM classifications. Debt securities purchased with the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as HTM and are recorded at amortized cost, net of any allowance for credit losses (“ACL”). Debt securities not classified as HTM are classified as AFS and are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

Gains or losses are recognized in net income on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. Purchase premiums are recognized in interest income using the effective interest rate method over the period from purchase to maturity or, for callable securities, the earliest call date, and purchase discounts are recognized in the same manner from purchase to maturity.

The Company has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis and fair value of its HTM and AFS debt securities and has included such accrued interest of $2.5 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, within accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has securities that have been pledged as collateral for obligations to federal, state and local government agencies, and other purposes as required or permitted by law, or sold under agreements to repurchase. At December 31, 2024, the aggregate carrying value of pledged AFS and HTM pledged securities was $67.9 million and $197.5 million, respectively. The comparable amounts as of December 31, 2023 were $54.5 million and $185.9 million, respectively.

Investments - Equity Securities

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Any equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments. Restricted equity securities are carried at cost and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. The entirety of any impairment on equity securities is recognized in earnings.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities

The Company evaluates its available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities portfolios for expected credit losses as of the valuation date under ASC 326. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criterion is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income during the current period. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other driving factors. If the Company's 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, an ACL is recorded for the credit loss (which represents the difference between the expected cash flows and amortized cost basis), limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The entire amount of an impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; or (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of the Company's amortized cost basis; or (3) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In all other situations, only the portion of the impairment loss representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in shareholders' equity as comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.

Changes in the ACL are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the ACL when the Company believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment not recorded through an allowance for credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income as a noncredit-related impairment

As part of its estimation process, the Company have made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of available for sale debt securities and report accrued interest separately in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Available for sale debt securities are placed on nonaccrual status when we no longer expect to receive all contractual amounts due, which is generally at 90 days past due. Accrued interest receivable is reversed against interest income when a security is placed on nonaccrual status. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize an allowance for credit loss against accrued interest receivable. This approach is consistent with the Company’s nonaccrual policy implemented for its loan portfolio.

The Company separately evaluates its held to maturity investment securities for any credit losses. If it determines that a security indicates evidence of deteriorated credit quality, the security is individually-evaluated and a discounted cash flow analysis is performed and compared to the amortized cost basis. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $424.7 million classified as held to maturity at estimated fair value with an amortized cost basis of $481.3 million with the remainder of the securities portfolio held as available for sale.

Loans Held for Investment

The Company’s recorded investment in loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally is reported at the unpaid principal balances adjusted for charges-offs, unearned discounts, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and the ACL. The Company has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of its loans held for investment and has included such accrued interest of $16.7 million and $16.8 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, within accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest on loans is recorded to interest income based on the contractual rates and the amount of outstanding principal of the loans. Loan fees and origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using the level-yield method.

Loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition. In the case of loans that have experienced more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination as of the acquisition date, the loan’s amortized cost basis is increased above estimated fair value by the amount of expected credit losses as of the acquisition date, and a corresponding ACL is also recorded.

A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain. Any accrued interest receivable on loans placed on nonaccrual status is reversed by an adjustment to interest income. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets when they are funded.

In the normal course of banking business, risks related to specific loan segments are as follows:

Commercial Real Estate – Commercial real estate loans consist of both loans secured by owner occupied properties and non-owner occupied properties where an established banking relationship exists and involves investment properties for multi-family(5+), warehouse, retail, and office space with a history of occupancy and cash flow. These loans are subject to adverse changes in the local economy and commercial real estate markets. Credit risk associated with owner occupied properties arises from the borrower’s financial stability and the ability of the borrower and the business to repay the loan. Non-owner occupied properties carry the risk of a tenant’s deteriorating credit strength, lease expirations in soft markets and sustained vacancies which can adversely impact cash flow.

Residential Real Estate – Residential real estate loans are typically made to consumers and are secured by residential real estate. Credit risk arises from the borrower’s continuing financial stability, which can be adversely impacted by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy, among other factors. Also impacting credit risk would be a shortfall in the value of the residential real estate in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default or subsequent liquidation of the real estate collateral.

Construction– Construction loans are offered primarily to builders and individuals to finance the construction of single-family dwellings. In addition, the Bank periodically finances the construction of commercial projects. Credit risk factors include the borrower’s ability to successfully complete the construction on time and within budget, changing market conditions which could affect the value and marketability of projects, changes in the borrower’s ability or willingness to repay the loan and potentially rising interest rates which can impact both the borrower’s ability to repay and the collateral value.

Commercial – Commercial loans are secured or unsecured loans for business purposes. Loans are typically secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and/or other assets of the business. Credit risk arises from the successful operation of the business which may be affected by competition, rising interest rates, regulatory changes and adverse conditions in the local and regional economy.

Consumer – Consumer loans include installment loans and personal lines of credit. Credit risk is similar to residential real estate loans above as it is subject to the borrower’s continuing financial stability and the value of the collateral securing the loan.

Credit Cards - Unsecured credit card loans were offered to our commercial and consumer customers. Credit risk factors include the borrower’s continuing financial stability, which can be adversely impacted by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy, among other factors. In 2024, the Company discontinued the issuance of new credit cards (except to select existing customers) and only services the existing portfolio at December 31, 2024.

Transfers of Loans Held for Sale (“LHFS”) to Loans Held for Investment (“LHFI”)

The Company may, from time to time, transfer LHFS to LHFI. Transfers of LHFS to LHFI are accounted for in accordance with the underlying accounting applied to the loan prior to its transfer. For loans where the fair value option had been elected, the Company continues to account for the loan at fair value in the LHFI portfolio. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans are recorded in interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 the Company hadno transfers from LHFS to LHFI.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Held for Investment

An ACL is estimated on loans held for investment, excluding loans carried at fair value. The ACL on loans is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the ACL for the difference between the carrying value of the loan and the estimated net realizable value or fair value of the collateral, if collateral dependent, when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance represents management’s current estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual term of loans held for investment, and is recorded at an amount that, in management’s judgment, reduces the recorded investment in loans to the net amount expected to be collected. No ACL is recorded on accrued interest receivable and amounts written-off are reversed by an adjustment to interest income. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of historical loan losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts relevant to the collectability of loans. The methodology for estimating the amount reported in the ACL is the sum of two main components, an allowance assessed on a collective basis for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and an allowance assessed on individual loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. Loans that share common risk characteristics are evaluated collectively using a cash flow approach. The cash flow approach used by the Company utilizes loan-level cash flow projections and pool-level assumptions. For loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans, the ACL is measured based on the net realizable value, that is, the difference between the expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the loan. When a loan is collateral-dependent and the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral.

Cash flow projections and estimated expected losses on loans which share common risk characteristics are based in part on forecasts economic independent variables, namely, the national unemployment rate, 10-year Treasury rate and changes in GDP that are reasonable and supportable over a 12-month period and incorporated into the estimate of expected credit losses using a statistical regression analysis. For periods beyond those for which reasonable and supportable forecasts are available, projections are based on a 12-month straight-line reversion of the corresponding economic independent variable from the last forecast to a historical average level.

Management’s estimate of the ACL on loans that are collectively evaluated also includes a qualitative assessment of available information relevant to assessing collectability that is not captured in the quantitative loss estimation process. Factors considered by management include concentrations of loans to specific industry segments, the volume and severity of delinquencies and adversely classified loan balances and the value of underlying collateral, and a number of other economic indicators intended to account for the imprecision inherent in forecasting economic conditions.This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The Company records a reserve, reported in other liabilities, for expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit that are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The reserve for unfunded commitments is measured based on the principles utilized in estimating the ACL on loans and an estimate of the amount of unfunded commitments expected to be advanced. Changes in the reserve for unfunded commitments are recorded through the provision for credit losses. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses associated with its unfunded commitments of $104 thousand and $436 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Loans Held For Sale

The Company has elected to carry its mortgage loans originated for sale at fair value. Fair value is determined based on outstanding investor commitments or, in the absence of such commitments, on current investor yield requirements or third-party pricing models. Fair value adjustments are recorded at each balance sheet date with the changes in fair value recognized in mortgage banking revenue in the consolidated statements of income. Gains and losses on loan sales are determined based on the differential between a loan’s carrying value and sales price and are recognized through mortgage-banking revenue in the consolidated statements of income. LHFS are sold either with the mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) released or retained by the Bank.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, the MSRs are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains or losses of loan held for sale. Fair value is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The Company measures servicing rights at fair value at each reporting date and records the changes in fair value of servicing assets in earnings in the period in which the changes occur. Servicing fee income is recorded in the mortgage banking revenue line item.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost and premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives range from three toten for furniture, fixtures and equipment; three tofive years for computer hardware and data handling equipment; andten to 40 years for buildings and building improvements. Land improvements are amortized over a period of 15 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the respective lease or useful life, whichever is shorter. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements which extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the asset.

Long-lived assets are evaluated periodically for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the expected undiscounted future cash flows of a long-lived asset are less than its carrying value. In that event, the Company recognizes a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset.

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of a business about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. The Bank is the Company’s only reportable operating segment upon which management makes decisions regarding how to allocate resources and assess performance. While the Company’s chief operating decision maker has some limited financial information about its various financial products and services including the Title Company, that information is not complete since it does not include a full allocation of revenue, costs, and capital from key corporate functions; therefore, the Company evaluates financial performance on a company-wide basis. Management continues to evaluate the Company's business units for separate reporting as facts and circumstances change.

Business Combination

The Company accounts for business combinations utilizing the acquisition method of accounting, which necessitates that purchased assets and assumed liabilities be recorded at their respective fair values. In numerous instances, the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities are ascertained by estimating the anticipated cash flows from those assets and liabilities and discounting them at appropriate market rates. The Company determines the fair values of loans, core deposit intangibles, and deposits with the assistance of a third-party vendor.

The most significant assessment of fair value in our accounting for business combinations relates to the valuation of an acquired loan portfolio. At acquisition, loans are classified as either (i) purchase credit-deteriorated (“PCD”) loans or (ii) non-PCD loans and are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. PCD loans are those for which there is more than insignificant evidence of credit deterioration since origination. Fair values are determined primarily through a discounted cash flow approach which considers the acquired loans’ underlying characteristics, including account types, remaining terms, annual interest rates, interest types, timing of principal and interest payments, current market rates, and remaining balances. Estimates of fair value also include estimates of default, loss severity, and estimated prepayments.

At acquisition, an allowance for PCD loans is determined based upon the Company’s methodology for estimating the ACL on loans. This allowance is credited to the ACL on loans with a corresponding adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan on the date of the acquisition. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the unpaid principal balance is either a noncredit discount or premium that is amortized or accreted to interest income over the remaining life of the loan. Disposals of PCD loans, which may include sale of loans to third parties, receipt of payments in full or in part from the borrower or foreclosure of the collateral, result in removal of the loan from the loan portfolio at its carrying amount. For non-PCD loans, an ACL is established in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s originated loans. The ACL is determined using the Company’s methodology and the related ACL for non-PCD loans is recorded through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the period in which the loans are purchased or acquired. The entirety of any purchase discount or premium on non-PCD loans is amortized or accreted to interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially required to be recorded at fair value. Determining fair value is subjective, requiring the use of estimates, assumptions and management judgment.

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment, usually during the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis if circumstances dictate. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and also are subject to impairment testing.

If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than book value, an expense may be required to write down the related goodwill to record an impairment loss. As of December 31, 2024, the Company hadone operating segment, the Banking segment.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible assets arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions and are amortized using an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives, which range from seven toten years.

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, goodwill and other intangible assets were subjected to assessments for impairment. No impairment charges were recognized in either year. Our assessment of goodwill concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

Borrowings

Short-term and long-term borrowings are comprised primarily of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings. The Company’s short-term borrowings may also include advances on other lines of credit with correspondent banks or repurchase agreements with customers. The repurchase agreements are securities sold to the Company’s customers, at the customers’ request, under a continuing “roll-over” contract that matures in one business day. The underlying securities sold are U.S. government agency securities, which are segregated from the Company’s other investment securities by its safekeeping agents.

Subordinated Debt

Subordinated debt is carried at its outstanding principal balance, net of any unamortized issuance costs and acquisition related fair value adjustments. For additional information on the Company’s subordinated debt, refer to Note 9 – “Borrowings.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities fewer than 90 days and federal funds sold. Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging

We account for derivatives in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) literature on accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. When we enter into a derivative contract, we designate the derivative as held for trading, an economic hedge, or a qualifying hedge as detailed in the literature. The designation may change based upon management’s reassessment or changing circumstances. Derivatives utilized by the Company include interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) and forward settlement contracts. IRLCs occur when we originate mortgage loans with interest rates determined prior to funding. Forward settlement contracts are agreements to buy or sell a quantity of a financial instrument, index, currency, or commodity at a predetermined future date, rate, or price.

We designate at inception whether a derivative contract is considered hedging or non-hedging. All of our derivatives are nonexchange traded contracts, and as such, their fair value is based on dealer quotes, pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques for which the determination of fair value may require significant management judgement or estimation.

For qualifying hedges, we formally document at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various accounting hedges. We primarily utilize derivatives to manage interest rate sensitivity.

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any designated hedges.

Fair Value

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value and also makes disclosures about certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. 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. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement regarding interest rates, credit risk, and other factors, particularly in the absence of broad markets for specific terms. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates. See Note 17 – “Fair Value Measurements” for a further discussion of fair value.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiary file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with required accounting guidance. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by applying the applicable federal and state income tax rates to cumulative temporary differences. These temporary differences represent differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the corresponding tax bases of certain assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes result from such temporary differences.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the expected amount most likely to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income, recoverable taxes paid in prior years and tax planning strategies. The Company evaluates all positive and negative evidence before determining if a valuation allowance is deemed necessary regarding the realization of deferred tax assets. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties as a component of tax expense.

The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes in the reserves that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties. In addition, the Company is subject to the continuous examination of its income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities which may assert assessments against the Company. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations and assessments to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. The Company remains subject to examination for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2021.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and does not include the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. Included in this calculation due to dividend participation rights are restricted stock awards which have been granted. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.

Transfers of Financial Assets

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

Share-Based Compensation

The Company may grant share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock options. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Bank’s holding company common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for service-based awards. The fair value of RSUs is initially valued based on the closing price of the Bank’s holding company common stock on the date of grant and is amortized in the statement of income over the vesting period. The RSUs are subsequently remeasured in each reporting period until settlement based on the quantity of awards for which it is probable that the performance conditions will be achieved. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and related assumptions. The Company uses historical data to predict option exercise and employee termination behavior. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Bank’s holding company common stock. The expected term of options granted is derived from actual historical exercise activity and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant based on the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is equal to the dividend yield of the Bank’s holding company common stock at the time of grant. Expense related to shared-based compensation is recorded in the statements of income as a component of salaries and employee benefits for employees and as a component of other noninterest expense for non-employee directors, with a corresponding increase to capital surplus in shareholders’ equity.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of approximately $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale securities, net of any gains recognized from the sale of available for sale securities. There wereno reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The amendments in this ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). Additionally, this ASU requires that at least one of the reported segment profit and loss measures should be the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles used in an entity’s consolidated financial statements. Lastly, this ASU requires public business entities with a single reportable segment to provide all disclosures required by these amendments in this ASU and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard as of December 31, 2024 and the Company did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. See Note 23: Segment Reporting for more details.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU Update 2023-09 – In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, which is greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income by the entity’s applicable statutory rate, on an annual basis. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions that are equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). Lastly, the amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis; however, retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 2– Business Combination

On July 1, 2023 (the “Acquisition Date”), the Company completed the acquisition of TCFC (“the merger”), a Maryland charted commercial bank, in accordance with the definitive agreement that was entered into on December 14, 2022, by and among the Company and TCFC. The primary reasons for the merger included: expansion of the branch network and commanding market share positions in attractive Maryland markets and a growing presence in Virginia and Delaware; attractive low-cost funding base; strong cultural alignment and a deep commitment to shareholders, customers, employees, and communities served by Shore United Bank and TCFC, meaningful value creation to shareholders; and increased trading liquidity for both companies and increased dividends for TCFC shareholders. In connection with the completion of the merger, former TCFC shareholders received 2.3287 shares of the Company’s common stock. The value of the total transaction consideration was approximately $153.6 million. The consideration included the issuance of 13,201,693 shares of the Company’s common stock, which had a value of $11.56 per share, which was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2023, the last trading day prior to the consummation of the acquisition. Also included in the total consideration were cash in lieu of any fractional shares, converted share-based payment awards, and debt of TCFC that was effectively settled upon closing.

The acquisition of TCFC was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration paid are recorded at estimated fair values on the Acquisition Date. The amount of bargain purchase gain as of the Acquisition Date was approximately $8.8 million. The bargain purchase gain is not included as taxable income for tax purposes. The exchange ratio was determined at the time of announcement of the merger between the Company and TCFC in December of 2022 when the stock price of the Company was much higher than at the legal merger date. The decline in the Company’s stock price was the primary driver in recording a bargain purchase gain on this transaction. The decline in stock price for the Company was comparable to other financial institutions similar to the Company leading up to the merger due to bank failures in the first quarter of 2023 and increases to overnight borrowing rates by the Fed which resulted in continued pressure on net interest margins.

As a result of the integration of operations of TCFC, it is not practicable to determine revenue or net income included in the Company’s consolidated operating results relating to TCFC since the Acquisition Date, as TCFC’s results cannot be separately identified. Comparative pro-forma financial statements for the prior year period were not presented, as adjustments to those statements would not be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2022. In particular, adjustments that would have been necessary to be made to record the loans at fair value, the provision of credit losses or the core deposit intangible would not be practical to estimate.

($ in thousands, except per share data)
Purchase Price Consideration:
Fair value of common shares issued (13,201,693 shares) based on Shore Bancshares, Inc. share price of $11.56$152,612
Effective settlement of pre-existing debt (1)500
Cash consideration (cash in lieu for fractional shares)5
Fair value of converted restricted stock units (2)475
Total purchase price$153,592
Identifiable assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$25,377
Total securities454,468
Loans, net1,765,255
Premises and equipment, net29,277
Core deposit intangible asset48,648
Other assets89,808
Total identifiable assets$2,412,833
Identifiable liabilities:
Deposits$2,131,141
Total debt97,545
Other liabilities21,739
Total identifiable liabilities$2,250,425
Fair value of net assets acquired$162,408
Bargain purchase gain$(8,816)

(1)SHBI held $500,000 in subordinated debt of TCFC. The debt was effectively settled.

(2)Represents the number of TCFC restricted stock units outstanding and the equity exchange ratio, further multiplied by the price per share of SHBI common stock of $11.56 and the estimated ratio of the completed service period relative to the total service period of the underlying awards.

The acquired assets and assumed liabilities of TCFC were measured at fair value as of the Acquisition Date. Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgement in accounting for the acquisition of TCFC. The following is a brief description of the valuation methodologies used to estimate the fair values of major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company utilized a valuation specialist to assist with the determination of fair values for certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

The Company recorded all loans acquired at the estimated fair value on the Acquisition Date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The Company determined the net discounted value of cash flows on gross loans totaling $1.9 billion, including 3,858 of purchased performing loans and 323 PCD loans. The valuation took into consideration the loans’ underlying characteristics, including account types, remaining terms, annual interest rates, interest types, past delinquencies, timing of principal and interest payments, current market rates and remaining balances. Valuations also considered default rates, loss severity estimates, and estimates related to expected prepayments over the contractual lives of the loans. The effect of the valuation process was a total net discount $120.9 million at the Acquisition Date.

The core deposit intangible was valued using an income approach focused on cost savings, which recognizes the cost savings represented by the expense of maintaining the core deposit base versus the cost of an alternative funding source. The valuation incorporates assumptions related to account retention, discount rates, deposit interest rates, deposit maintenance costs and alternative funding rates.

The fair value of premises acquired was based on recent third-party appraised values of the properties, with fair value adjustments made to both the buildings and any associated parcels of land. Acquired equipment was based on the remaining net book value of TCFC, which approximated fair value.

The fair value of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest checking, money market and savings deposit accounts from TCFC were assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand. Certificates of deposit were valued at the present value of the certificates’ expected contractual payments discounted at market rates for certificates with similar terms.

The estimated fair value of the acquired portfolio of debt securities was based on quoted market prices and dealer quotes. Substantially all the acquired portfolio was sold following the acquisition.

The estimated fair value of short-term borrowings was determined to approximate their stated value. Subordinated debt and trust preferred debt were valued using a discounted cash flow approach incorporating a discount rate that considered market terms, maturities, and credit ratings.

Note 3– Investment Securities

The following tables provide information on the amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesEstimated Fair Value
Available for sale securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$22,984$4$2,786$20,202
Mortgage-backed securities130,439848,139122,384
Other debt securities6,170469136,626
Total$159,593$557$10,938$149,212
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$23,472$5$3,002$20,475
Mortgage-backed securities91,28057,25884,027
Other debt securities6,080591206,019
Total$120,832$69$10,380$110,521

No AFS securities were sold from the Company’s legacy securities portfolios during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company sold virtually all of the AFS securities portfolio acquired from TCFC immediately after the legal merger with the proceeds of $434.2 million, and recognized gross losses of $2.2 million from the sale of securities in 2023.

($ in thousands)Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesEstimated Fair ValueAllowance for Credit Losses
Held to maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$132,560$—$8,555$124,005$—
Mortgage-backed securities336,755—47,234289,521—
Obligations of states and political entities1,46519341,450—
Other debt securities10,500—7429,758203
Total$481,280$19$56,565$424,734$203
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$143,442$—$10,377$133,065$—
Mortgage-backed securities357,870—43,864314,006—
Obligations of states and political entities1,47057191,508—
Other debt securities10,500—1,2499,25194
Total$513,282$57$55,509$457,830$94

Equity securities with aggregate fair values of $5.8 million and $5.7 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value adjustments recorded through earnings totaled $55 thousand and $54 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASC 326, which made changes to accounting for AFS debt securities whereby credit losses should be presented as an allowance, rather than as a write-down, when management does not intend to sell and does not believe that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell prior to maturity. In addition, ASC 326 requires an ACL to be recorded on HTM debt securities measured at amortized cost.

The following table summarizes the activity in the ACL on HTM securities.

Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)20242023
Balance, beginning of period$94$—
Provision for credit losses, other debt securities10994
Balance, end of period$203$94

A provision for credit losses of $109 thousand and $94 thousand was recorded on HTM corporate and municipal bonds for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The following tables provide information about gross unrealized losses and fair value by length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Less than 12 MonthsMore than 12 MonthsTotal
($ in thousands)Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized Losses
Available for sale securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$207$—$17,422$2,786$17,629$2,786
Mortgage-backed securities56,91371048,7827,429105,6958,139
Other debt securities——1,988131,98813
Total$57,120$710$68,192$10,228$125,312$10,938
Less than 12 MonthsMore than 12 MonthsTotal
($ in thousands)Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized Losses
Available for sale securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities$74$—$17,750$3,002$17,824$3,002
Mortgage-backed securities24,40515052,8647,10877,2697,258
Other debt securities——1,8901201,890120
Total$24,479$150$72,504$10,230$96,983$10,380

There were 111 AFS debt securities with a fair value below the amortized cost basis, with unrealized losses totaling $10.9 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company concluded that a credit loss does not exist in its AFS securities portfolio as of December 31, 2024, and no impairment loss has been recognized based on the fact that (1) changes in fair value were primarily caused by fluctuations in interest rates, (2) securities with unrealized losses had generally high credit quality, (3) the Company intends to hold these investments in debt securities to maturity and it is more-likely-than-not the Company will not be required to sell these investments before a recovery of its investment, and (4) issuers have continued to make timely payments of principal and interest. Additionally, the Company’s mortgage-backed securities are issued by either U.S. government agencies or U.S. government sponsored enterprises. Collectively, these entities provide a guarantee, which is either explicitly or implicitly supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, that investors in such mortgage-backed securities will receive timely principal and interest payments.

All HTM and AFS securities were current withno securities past due or on nonaccrual as of December 31, 2024.

All of the securities with unrealized losses in the portfolio have modest duration risk, low credit risk and minimal losses when compared to total amortized cost. The unrealized losses on debt securities that exist are the result of market changes in interest rates since original purchase and are not related to credit concerns. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity for debt securities, the Company considers the unrealized losses to be temporary. There were 111 available for sale securities and 187 held to maturity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024. There were 115 available for sale securities and a 185 held to maturity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023. Net unrealized losses of the AFS securities totaled $10.4 million as of December 31, 2023.

The following table provides information on the amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities by contractual maturity date at December 31, 2024.

Available for SaleHeld to Maturity
($ in thousands)Amortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair Value
Due in one year or less$2,454$2,456$7,000$6,962
Due after one year through five years15,25013,655118,246111,752
Due after five years through ten years10,99310,2837,9127,175
Due after ten years45743411,3679,324
29,15426,828144,525135,213
Mortgage-backed securities130,439122,384336,755289,521
Total$159,593$149,212$481,280$424,734

The maturity dates for debt securities are determined using contractual maturity dates.

The Company has securities that have been pledged as collateral for obligations to federal, state and local government agencies, and other purposes as required or permitted by law, or sold under agreements to repurchase. At December 31, 2024, the aggregate carrying value of pledged AFS and HTM pledged securities was $67.9 million and $197.5 million, respectively. The comparable amounts for December 31, 2023 were $54.5 million and $185.9 million, respectively.

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities which have been pledged as collateral for obligations to federal, state and local government agencies, and other purposes as required or permitted by law, or sold under agreements to repurchase at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

20242023
($ in thousands)Amortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair Value
Pledged available for sale securities$76,280$67,926$62,290$54,489
Pledged held to maturity securities197,474173,248185,876167,649

There were no obligations to any issuer exceeding 10% of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024 or 2023.

Note 4– Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASC 326. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables. For further discussion on the most significant accounting policies that the Company follows see Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

The Company classifies loans as commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction, commercial, consumer and credit cards, and the customers are primarily in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, Howard County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Caroline County, Talbot County, Dorchester County and Worcester County in Maryland, Kent and Sussex County, Delaware and in Accomack County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and Fredericksburg city in Virginia. The Company makes loans to certain officers, directors and their affiliated interests. See Note 20 – “Related Party Transactions” for more information.

The following table provides information about the principal classes of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands) · December 31, 2024 · % of Total Loans · December 31, 2023 · % of Total Loans
Commercial real estate$2,557,80653.59%$2,536,86154.67%
Residential real estate1,329,40627.861,239,73126.71
Construction335,9997.04299,0006.44
Commercial237,9324.99229,9394.95
Consumer303,7466.37328,8967.09
Credit cards7,0990.156,5830.14
Total loans4,771,988100.00%4,641,010100.00%
Allowance for credit losses(57,910)(57,351)
Total loans, net$4,714,078$4,583,659

Loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding, net of any purchase premiums/discounts, deferred fees and costs. Included in loans were deferred costs, net of fees, of $3.2 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, loans included $1.69 billion and $1.94 billion, respectively, of aggregate loans that were acquired as part of the acquisitions of Severn Bancorp, Inc. (“Severn”) and TCFC. These balances were presented net of the related aggregate discounts, which totaled $92.0 million and $113.1 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

At December 31, 2024, the Bank was servicing $366.5 million in loans for the Federal National Mortgage Association and $116.6 million in loans for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

The following tables provide information on amortized cost basis on nonaccrual loans by loan class as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit LossNonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit LossTotal Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial real estate$8,192$2,194$10,386
Residential real estate6,7418737,614
Construction360—360
Commercial4585491,007
Consumer7617121,473
Credit cards—168168
Total$16,512$4,496$21,008
Interest income$274$65$339
($ in thousands)Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit LossNonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit LossTotal Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial real estate$4,795$—$4,795
Residential real estate5,4344805,914
Construction626—626
Commercial176368544
Consumer216689905
Total$11,247$1,537$12,784
Interest income$399$53$452
($ in thousands)Nonaccrual Delinquent LoansNonaccrual Current LoansTotal Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial real estate$7,268$3,118$10,386
Residential real estate3,9793,6357,614
Construction360—360
Commercial709371,007
Consumer1,431421,473
Credit cards14622168
Total$13,254$7,754$21,008
($ in thousands)Nonaccrual Delinquent LoansNonaccrual Current LoansTotal Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial real estate$1,215$3,580$4,795
Residential real estate4,1371,7775,914
Construction221405626
Commercial28516544
Consumer9032905
Total$6,504$6,280$12,784

The overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio is primarily assessed using the Bank’s risk-grading scale. This review process is assisted by frequent internal reporting of loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and nonperforming and potential problem loans. Credit quality indicators are adjusted based on management’s judgment during the quarterly review process.

Consumer credit cards are monitored based on a borrower payment history. Credit card loans are classified as performing and are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due when, or in the opinion of management, the collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. As of December 31, 2024, there were 7 credit cards that were evaluated based on economic conditions specific to the loans or borrowers, and were downgraded to substandard and nonperforming.

Loans subject to risk rating are graded on a scale of one to ten.

Ratings 1 thru 6 – Pass - Ratings 1 thru 6 have asset risks ranging from excellent-low to adequate. The specific rating assigned considers customer history of earnings, cash flows, liquidity, leverage, capitalization, consistency of debt service coverage, the nature and extent of customer relationship and other relevant specific business factors such as the stability of the industry or market area, changes to management, litigation or unexpected events that could have an impact on risks.

Rating 7 – Special Mention - These credits have potential weaknesses due to economic conditions, less than adequate earnings performance or other factors which require the lending officer to direct more than normal attention to the credit. Financing alternatives may be limited and/or command higher risk interest rates. Special mention loan relationships are reviewed at least quarterly.

Rating 8 – Substandard - Substandard assets are assets that are inadequately protected by the sound worth or paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. Substandard loans are the first adversely classified loans on the Bank’s watchlist. These assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified substandard. The loans may have a delinquent history or combination of weak collateral, weak guarantor or operating losses. When a loan is assigned to this category the Bank may estimate a specific reserve in the loan loss allowance analysis and/or place the loan on nonaccrual. These assets listed may include assets with histories of repossessions or some that are nonperforming bankruptcies. These relationships will be reviewed at least quarterly.

Rating 9 – Doubtful - Doubtful assets have many of the same characteristics of substandard with the exception that the Bank has determined that loss is not only possible but is probable. The amount of loss is not discernible due to factors such as merger, acquisition, or liquidation; a capital injection; a pledge of additional collateral; the sale of assets; or alternative refinancing plans. Credits receiving a doubtful classification are required to be on nonaccrual. These relationships will be reviewed at least quarterly.

Rating 10 – Loss – Loss assets are uncollectible or of little value.

The following table provides information on loan risk ratings as of December 31, 2024 and gross write-offs during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Term Loans by Origination Year · Revolving Loans · Revolving Converted to Term Loans · Total
($ in thousands) · Prior · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Commercial real estate
Pass$822,391$297,098$435,084$534,936$250,482$136,891$24,966$14,084$2,515,932
Special mention7,514—2,96419,746——417—$30,641
Substandard7,684—2,991———558—11,233
Total$837,589$297,098$441,039$554,682$250,482$136,891$25,941$14,084$2,557,806
Gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$—$—$—
Residential real estate
Pass$291,306$78,568$211,938$295,402$220,753$101,005$119,367$613$1,318,952
Special mention1,529518——————2,047
Substandard5,414—1,342290885—476—8,407
Total$298,249$79,086$213,280$295,692$221,638$101,005$119,843$613$1,329,406
Gross charge-offs$(1)$—$—$—$—$—$—$—$(1)
Construction
Pass$31,884$8,191$8,628$56,685$70,232$131,383$26,785$1,851$335,639
Special mention—————————
Substandard360———————360
Total$32,244$8,191$8,628$56,685$70,232$131,383$26,785$1,851$335,999
Gross charge-offs$—$—$(12)$—$—$—$—$—$(12)
Commercial
Pass$25,214$11,088$40,817$29,142$29,458$39,489$57,982$874$234,064
Special mention116—————70311830
Substandard515—81,257500—2575013,038
Total$25,845$11,088$40,825$30,399$29,958$39,489$58,942$1,386$237,932
Gross charge-offs$(54)$(11)$—$(56)$(69)$—$—$—$(190)
Consumer
Pass$1,315$10,469$60,718$114,639$61,652$52,798$682$—$302,273
Special mention—————————
Substandard2—48860563———1,473
Total$1,317$10,469$60,766$115,499$62,215$52,798$682$—$303,746
Gross charge-offs$(1,287)$(12)$(389)$(1,764)$(177)$—$(17)$—$(3,646)
Total
Pass$1,172,110$405,414$757,185$1,030,804$632,577$461,566$229,782$17,422$4,706,860
Special mention9,1595182,96419,746——1,1201133,518
Substandard13,975—4,3892,4071,948—1,29150124,511
Total loans by risk category$1,195,244$405,932$764,538$1,052,957$634,525$461,566$232,193$17,934$4,764,889
Total gross charge-offs$(1,342)$(23)$(401)$(1,820)$(246)$—$(17)$—$(3,849)

The following tables present the amortized cost in credit card loans based on performing status and gross charge-off as of December 31, 2024 and gross write-offs during the year ended December 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans consisted of nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.

Term Loans by Origination Year · Revolving Loans · Revolving Converted to Term Loans · Total
($ in thousands) · Prior · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Credit cards
Performing$—$—$—$—$—$—$6,931$—$6,931
Nonperforming——————168—168
Total$—$—$—$—$—$—$7,099$—$7,099
Gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$(584)$—$(584)
Total loans evaluated by performing status$—$—$—$—$—$—$7,099$—$7,099
Total gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$(584)$—$(584)
Total recorded investment$1,195,244$405,932$764,538$1,052,957$634,525$461,566$239,292$17,934$4,771,988

The following tables provide information on loan risk rating as of December 31, 2023 and gross write-offs during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Term Loans by Origination Year · RevolvingLoans · RevolvingConverted toTerm Loans · Total
($ in thousands) · Prior · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Commercial real estate
Pass$710,211$196,706$335,855$455,887$524,943$251,922$28,304$2,138$2,505,966
Special mention14,986331—5,5014,446—10040925,773
Substandard2,1192,029—542——432—5,122
Total$727,316$199,066$335,855$461,930$529,389$251,922$28,836$2,547$2,536,861
Gross charge-offs$(512)$—$(814)$—$—$—$—$—$(1,326)
Residential real estate
Pass$277,359$48,434$81,394$222,132$295,675$198,907$106,346$874$1,231,121
Special mention154256564503——192—1,669
Substandard6,000—————941—6,941
Total$283,513$48,690$81,958$222,635$295,675$198,907$107,479$874$1,239,731
Gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$(119)$—$(119)
Construction
Pass$23,450$15,721$14,773$34,325$101,426$100,620$8,056$—$298,371
Substandard199——12418———629
Total$23,649$15,721$14,773$34,337$101,844$100,620$8,056$—$299,000
Gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$—$—$—
Commercial
Pass$23,771$12,946$14,464$41,621$35,897$27,901$49,160$22,284$228,044
Special mention143——425——251—819
Substandard16069——487—314461,076
Total$24,074$13,015$14,464$42,046$36,384$27,901$49,725$22,330$229,939
Gross charge-offs$(1)$—$—$—$—$—$—$(242)$(243)
Consumer
Pass$621$961$14,158$76,629$143,507$91,415$699$—$327,990
Special mention——————2—2
Substandard—38580780—1—904
Total$621$999$14,163$76,709$144,287$91,415$702$—$328,896
Gross charge-offs$(522)$—$(16)$(17)$(8)$(4)$(7)$—$(574)
Total
Pass$1,035,412$274,768$460,644$830,594$1,101,448$670,765$192,565$25,296$4,591,492
Special mention15,2835875646,4294,446—54540928,263
Substandard8,4782,13656341,685—1,6884614,672
Total loans byrisk category$1,059,173$277,491$461,213$837,657$1,107,579$670,765$194,798$25,751$4,634,427
Total grosscharge-offs$(1,035)$—$(830)$(17)$(8)$(4)$(126)$(242)$(2,262)

The following tables present the amortized cost in credit card loans based on performing status and gross charge-offs as of December 31, 2023, and gross write-offs during the year ended December 31, 2023. Nonperforming loans consisted of nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.

Term Loans by Origination Year · RevolvingLoans · RevolvingConverted toTerm Loans · Total
($ in thousands) · Prior · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Credit cards
Performing$—$—$—$—$—$—$6,583$—$6,583
Nonperforming—————————
Total$—$—$—$—$—$—$6,583$—$6,583
Gross charge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$(111)$—$(111)
Total loans evaluatedby performing status$—$—$—$—$—$—$6,583$—$6,583
Total grosscharge-offs$—$—$—$—$—$—$(111)$—$(111)
Total recordedinvestment$1,059,173$277,491$461,213$837,657$1,107,579$670,765$201,381$25,751$4,641,010

The following tables provide information on the aging of the Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)30‑59 DaysPast Due60‑89 DaysPast Due90 Days PastDue and StillAccruing30-89 DaysPast Due andNot Accruing90 Days PastDue and NotAccruingTotal PastDueCurrentAccrualLoans(1)CurrentNonaccrualLoansTotal
Commercial real estate$75$—$—$2,328$4,940$7,343$2,547,345$3,118$2,557,806
Residential real estate3,8282461276553,3248,1801,317,5913,6351,329,406
Construction30———360390335,609—335,999
Commercial1522——70224236,771937237,932
Consumer4,06855—1,1802515,554298,15042303,746
Credit cards161190167—1466646,413227,099
Total$8,314$493$294$4,163$9,091$22,355$4,741,879$7,754$4,771,988
Percent of total loans0.17%0.01%0.01%0.09%0.19%0.47%99.37%0.16%100.00%

(1)Includes loans measured at fair value of $9.5 million at December 31, 2024. Loan were transferred from loans held for sale.

($ in thousands)30‑59 DaysPast Due60‑89 DaysPast Due90 Days PastDue and StillAccruing30-89 DaysPast Due andNot Accruing90 Days PastDue and NotAccruingTotal PastDueCurrentAccrualLoans(1)CurrentNonaccrualLoansTotal
Commercial real estate$82$—$—$—$1,215$1,297$2,531,984$3,580$2,536,861
Residential real estate2,3542711081,4692,6686,8701,231,0841,7771,239,731
Construction1,919———2212,140296,455405299,000
Commercial48—488—28564228,859516229,939
Consumer3,2241,391—248795,518323,3762328,896
Credit cards3536142——2136,370—6,583
Total$7,662$1,698$738$1,493$5,011$16,602$4,618,128$6,280$4,641,010
Percent of total loans0.17%0.04%0.02%0.03%0.10%0.36%99.50%0.14%100.00%

(1)Includes loans measured at fair value of $9.9 million at December 31, 2023. Loan were transferred from loans held for sale.

The following tables provide a summary of the activity in the ACL allocated by loan class for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one loan class does not include its availability to absorb losses in other loan classes.

($ in thousands)Beginning BalanceCharge-offsRecoveriesProvisionEnding Balance
Year ended December 31, 2024
Commercial real estate$23,015$—$—$(169)$22,846
Residential real estate19,909(1)71,86121,776
Construction3,935(12)13(1,082)2,854
Commercial2,671(190)156423,138
Consumer(1)7,601(3,646)3172,6176,889
Credit cards220(584)9762407
Total$57,351$(4,433)$361$4,631$57,910

(1)Gross charge-offs of consumer loans for the year ended December 31, 2024 included $699 thousand of demand deposit overdrafts.

($ in thousands)BeginningBalanceImpact ofASC326AdoptionMergerAdjustments (2)Charge-offsRecoveriesProvisionEndingBalance
Year ended December 31, 2023
Commercial real estate$5,238$3,922$986$(1,326)$—$14,195$23,015
Residential real estate2,2834,794214(119)4412,69319,909
Construction2,9731,2223—15(278)3,935
Commercial1,652401278(243)115722,671
Consumer(1)4,49745214(574)2842,9287,601
Credit cards——18(111)—313220
Total$16,643$10,791$1,513$(2,373)$354$30,423$57,351

(1)Gross charge-offs of consumer loans for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $239 thousand of demand deposit overdrafts.

(2)Merger adjustments consist of gross-up for acquired PCD loans in the TCFC merger.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by loan portfolio segment.

($ in thousands)Real Estate CollateralOther CollateralTotal
Commercial real estate$12,835$—$12,835
Residential real estate9,023—9,023
Construction360—360
Commercial—3,0393,039
Consumer—1,4831,483
Total$22,218$4,522$26,740
($ in thousands)Real Estate CollateralOther CollateralTotal
Commercial real estate$6,566$—$6,566
Residential real estate7,615—7,615
Construction662—662
Commercial—1,1061,106
Consumer—904904
Total$14,843$2,010$16,853

Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty may include interest rate reduction, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, term extensions, and other combination of actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, one loan modification in the form of a monthly payment reduction was made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. During the year ended December 31, 2023, three loan modifications, each of which were in the form of a one-year term extension, were made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, there wereno defaults on loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

As of December 31, 2024, loan modification balances with borrowers experiencing financial diff iculty that were modified during the preceding 12 months were classified as current nonaccrual, of which $97 thousand were for commercial real estate loans and $203 thousand were for commercial loans, and current accrual which had a balance of $1.4 million in commercial real estate; compared to December 31, 2023, which had current nonaccrual balances of $125 thousand and $89 thousand for commercial real estate and commercial loans, respectively, and current accrual balances of $153 thousand in commercial loans.

Foreclosure Proceedings

There were $124 thousand and $175 thousand of consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that were in the process of foreclosure as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) and Repossessed Assets

OREO and repossessed assets are adjusted for fair value upon transfer from loans to foreclosed assets establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value. The Company had OREO and repossessed asset balances of $179 thousand and $3.3 million as of December 31, 2024 and $179 thousand andzero as of December 31, 2023, respectively.

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”)

Mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained and the MSRs are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in mortgage banking revenue. The Company recognized net servicing income of $898 thousand and $866 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The following table presents activity in MSRs for the year ended December 31, 2024.

($ in thousands)Year EndedDecember 31, 2024
Beginning balance$5,926
Servicing rights resulting from sales of loans309
Valuation adjustment(361)
Ending balance$5,874

The fair value of MSRs were determined using discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 11.0% at December 31, 2024 and 2023. Depending on the stratification of the specific mortgage servicing right, prepayment speeds ranged from 6.0% to 52.2% and 6.0% to 25.1% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The associated weighted-average default rates were 1.2% and 1.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 5– Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table provides information on the significant components of goodwill and other acquired intangible assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)GoodwillCore depositintangible
Gross carrying amount$65,476$59,151
Additions——
Accumulated impairment charges(1,543)—
Accumulated amortization(667)(20,840)
Net carrying amount$63,266$38,311
($ in thousands)GoodwillCore depositintangible
Gross carrying amount$65,476$10,503
Additions—48,648
Accumulated impairment charges(1,543)—
Accumulated amortization(667)(11,061)
Net carrying amount$63,266$48,090

The aggregate amortization expense for the core deposit intangible was $9.8 million and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

At December 31, 2024, the estimated future remaining amortization for core deposit intangible assets within the years ending December 31 is as follows:

($ in thousands)Amortization Expense
2025$8,589
20267,398
20276,208
20285,060
20293,980
Thereafter7,076
Total amortizing intangible assets$38,311

Note 6– Leases

Lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments and are presented at each reporting date as the net present value of the remaining contractual cash flows. Cash flows are discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate in effect at the commencement date of the lease. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and are calculated as the sum of the lease liability and if applicable, prepaid rent, initial direct costs and any incentives received from the lessor.

The Company’s long-term lease agreements for branches and offices are classified as operating leases. Some of these leases offer the option to extend the lease term and the Company has included such extensions in its calculation of the lease liabilities to the extent the options are reasonably certain of being exercised. The lease agreements do not provide for residual value guarantees and have no restrictions or covenants that would impact dividends or require incurring additional financial obligations.

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company acquired long-term branch leases and equipment leases due to the acquisition of TCFC. These leases were reassessed by management as of the Acquisition Date, which included updating the incremental borrowing rates and remaining lease terms.

The following tables present information about the Company’s leases as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Lease liabilities$11,844$12,857
Right-of-use assets$11,385$12,487
Weighted-average remaining lease term10.20 years10.88 years
Weighted-average discount rate3.29%3.24%
Remaining lease term - minimum0.01 years0.39 years
Remaining lease term - maximum16.68 years17.68 years
Year Ended December 31,
Lease cost ($ in thousands)20242023
Operating lease cost$1,916$1,645
Short-term lease cost——
Total lease cost$1,916$1,645
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities$1,809$1,553

The following table presents a maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and a reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to total operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2024.

Lease payments due ($ in thousands)December 31, 2024
2025$1,713
20261,677
20271,568
20281,538
20291,268
Thereafter6,025
Total undiscounted cash flows$13,789
Less: Imputed interest1,945
Lease liabilities$11,844

Total gross rental income was $1.1 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 7– Premises and Equipment

The following table provides information on premises and equipment at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Land$18,266$19,041
Buildings and land improvements71,72167,506
Furniture and equipment11,78314,820
101,770101,367
Accumulated depreciation(19,964)(18,981)
Total$81,806$82,386

Depreciation expense totaled $4.4 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 8– Deposits

Deposits consist of the following categories as of the dates indicated:

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Balance% of Total DepositsBalance% of Total Deposits
Noninterest-bearing$1,562,81528.27%$1,258,03723.36%
Interest-bearing:
Interest-bearing checking978,07617.691,165,54621.64
Money market and savings1,805,88432.671,777,92733.01
Time deposits1,181,56121.371,184,61021.99
Total interest-bearing3,965,52171.734,128,08376.64
Total deposits$5,528,336100.00%$5,386,120100.00%

The Company holds deposits of certain officers, directors and their associates. See Note 20 – “Related Party Transactions” for more information.

The following table provides information on the approximate maturities of total time deposits at December 31, 2024.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024
Within one year$1,073,795
Year 283,177
Year 313,092
Year 45,904
Year 55,589
Thereafter4
Total$1,181,561

The approximate amount of certificates of deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 or more was $374.1 million and $354.6 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 9– Borrowings

The Company may periodically borrow from a correspondent federal funds line of credit arrangement, under a secured reverse repurchase agreement, or from the FHLB, to meet short-term liquidity needs.

The following table summarizes certain information of the Company’s borrowings as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
($ in thousands)AmountRateAmountRate
Average for the year
FHLB advances - variable$37,6485.66%$111,3924.95%
FHLB advances - fixed32,6504.87——
At year end
FHLB advances - fixed(1)50,0004.79——

(1) Fixed-rate advance with an option of terminating at predetermined dates, without incurring a prepayment fee.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are securities sold to customers, at the customers’ request, under a “roll-over” contract that matures in one business day. The underlying securities sold are U.S. government agency securities, which are segregated in the Company’s custodial accounts from other investment securities.

The Bank had $95.0 million and $45.0 million in federal funds lines of credit and a reverse repurchase agreement available on a short-term basis from correspondent banks at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the Bank had secured credit availability of approximately $737.5 million from the FHLB at December 31, 2024. The Bank has pledged as collateral, under a blanket lien, all qualifying residential loans under borrowing agreements with the FHLB. The Bank had letters of credit with FHLB of $6.1 million and $86.1 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These letters of credit are used to secure public deposits held with various municipal customers.

The following table summarizes certain information of the Company’s long-term debt at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023Issue DateStated Maturity DateEarliest Call DateInterest Rate
September 2030 Subordinated Debentures25,00025,0002020203020255.375% through September 2025, 3-month SOFR + 5.265% thereafter
October 2030 Subordinated Debentures19,50019,5002020203020254.75% through October 2025, 3-month SOFR + 4.58% thereafter
Total subordinated debentures44,50044,500
Severn Capital Trust I20,61920,619200420353-month SOFR + 2.00%
Tri-County Capital Trust I7,2177,2172004203490-day SOFR + 2.60%
Tri-County Capital Trust II5,1555,1552005203590-day SOFR + 1.70%
Total trust preferred securities32,99132,991
Less: net discount and unamortized issuance costs(3,774)(4,822)
Total long-term debt$73,717$72,669

At December 31, 2024, subordinated notes consisted of $25.0 million of long-term debt issued by the Company in August 2020, and $19.5 million of long-term debt assumed as a result of the merger with TCFC. As of December 31, 2024, the recorded balance of subordinated debt issued by the Company and the assumed subordinated debt from TCFC, net of unamortized issuance costs and fair value discounts, were $24.9 million and $19.0 million, respectively.

The Company also assumed trust preferred securities in the aggregate of $33.0 million as a result of the merger with TCFC in 2023 and the acquisition of Severn in 2021. Trust preferred securities consisted of $20.6 million issued to Severn Capital Trust I, $7.2 million issued by Tri-County Capital Trust I and $5.2 million issued by Tri-County Capital Trust II. The recorded balance of the debt acquired from Severn at December 31, 2024 was $18.8 million, net of the unamortized fair value adjustment of $1.8 million. At December 31, 2024, the junior subordinated debt securities of Tri-County Capital Trust I and Tri-County Capital Trust II had a recorded balance of $6.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively, which are presented as net of the unamortized fair value adjustments of $568 thousand and $731 thousand, respectively.

As both the Capital Trust I and Capital Trust II variable-rate capital securities were originally London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) linked instruments that matured after June 30, 2023, the interest rate transitioned from a LIBOR-based rate to an alternative reference rate. Both instruments were subject to the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act (the “LIBOR Act”) and neither instrument contains fallback provision or a clearly practicable fallback provision in the event that LIBOR was no longer published or quoted. The interest rate on both the Capital Trust I and Capital Trust II transitioned pursuant to the LIBOR Act to a rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) on July 1, 2023.

Note 10– Benefit Plans

401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan -The Company has a 401(k) and profit sharing plan covering substantially all full-time employees. The Company currently matches 100% of the first 3% of each employee’s contributions, and 50% of the next 2% of each employee’s contributions, each plan year. The Company may also make discretionary contributions based on profits. The Company’s contributions to this plan included in noninterest expense totaled $1.9 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan - Prior to the closing of the acquisition of TCFC during 2023, TCFC paid into its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and adopted resolutions to (i) terminate the ESOP and (ii) provide for full vesting of all account balances in the ESOP. A determination letter has been filed with the IRS to terminate the ESOP and the ESOP will be terminated if and when the IRS issues a favorable determination letter.

Note 11– Stock-Based Compensation

At the 2016 annual meeting, stockholders approved the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Stock and Incentive Plan (“2016 Equity Plan”), replacing the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Stock and Incentive Plan, which expired on that date. The Company may issue shares of common stock or grant other equity-based awards pursuant to the 2016 Equity Plan. Stock-based awards granted to date generally are time-based, vest in equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date and range over aone- tothree-year period of time, and, in the case of stock options, expireten years from the grant date. As part of the 2016 Equity Plan, a performance equity incentive award program, known as the “Long-term incentive plan” allows participating officers of the Company to earn incentive awards of performance share/restricted stock units if certain pre-determined targets are achieved at the end of athree-year performance cycle. Stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards and reflects forfeitures as they occur. The 2016 Equity Plan originally reserved 750,000 shares of common stock for grant, and 190,166 shares remained available for grant at December 31, 2024.

The Company assumed 3,977 shares of restricted stock and 90,783 of restricted stock units at a fair value of $11.56 per share as a result of the merger with TCFC. The vesting period for the outstanding restricted stock grants is between three andfive years. The vesting period for restricted stock units and performance stock units is betweenone tothree years. The recipients of restricted stock units do not have any stockholder rights, including voting, dividend, or liquidation rights, with respect to the shares underlying awarded restricted stock units, until the recipient becomes the record holder of those shares.

The following table presents stock-based compensation expense related to the 2016 Equity Plan, included in the consolidated statements of income, for each of the periods indicated.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Stock-based compensation expense$1,730$1,174

The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards that has not yet been recognized at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the weighted-average period over which the expense will be recognized.

($ in thousands)Restricted StockRestricted Stock UnitsPerformance Stock Units
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense$214$855$359
Weighted-average period unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized0.4 years1.1 years2.2 years
($ in thousands)Restricted StockRestricted Stock Units
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense$175$1,684
Weighted-average period unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized0.5 years1.3 years

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Restricted StockRestricted Stock UnitsPerformance Stock Units
Number of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per ShareNumber of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per ShareNumber of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding at December 31, 202345,322$15.42165,055$11.56—$—
Granted51,61011.3953,27911.3143,65111.32
Vested(45,322)15.39(79,974)11.56——
Forfeited——(3,256)11.56——
Outstanding at December 31, 202451,61011.42135,10411.4643,65111.32

There wereno stock options outstanding as of or granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023.

The fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $588 thousand and $615 thousand, respectively. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $914 thousand and $178 thousand, respectively. No performance stock unit awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Note 12– Derivatives

The Company maintains and accounts for derivatives, in the form of IRLCs and mandatory forward contracts, in accordance with the FASB guidance on accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company recognizes gains and losses through mortgage-banking revenue in the consolidated statements of income.

IRLCs on mortgage loans that we intend to sell in the secondary market are considered derivatives. We are exposed to price risk from the time a mortgage loan is locked in until the time the loan is sold. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment, closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 14 days to 120 days. For these IRLCs and our closed inventory in loans held for sale, we attempt to protect the Bank from changes in interest rates through the use of to be announced (“TBA”) securities, which are forward contracts, as well as, to a significantly lesser degree, loan level commitments in the form of best efforts and mandatory forward contracts. These assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively.

The following table provides information pertaining to the carrying amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
($ in thousands)Notional AmountEstimated Fair ValueNotional AmountEstimated Fair Value
Asset - IRLCs$7,527$113$6,785$110
Asset - TBA securities22,1001641,0002
Liability - TBA securities7,5502318,000176

Note 13– Deferred Compensation

The Company has multiple deferred compensation agreements with current and former employees. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is reserved for members of management and highly compensated employees of the Company and the Bank. During 2019, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan was expanded to include additional officers who had not previously participated. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan permits a participant to elect, each year, to defer receipt of up to 100% of their salary and bonus to be earned in the following year. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan also permits the participant to defer the receipt of performance-based compensation not later than six months before the end of the period for which it is to be earned. The deferred amounts are credited to an account maintained on behalf of the participant and are invested at the discretion of each participant in certain deemed investment options selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of the Company. The actual investments purchased are owned by the Company and held in a Rabbi Trust. The accounts of the Rabbi Trust are consolidated and the investments are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company and the Bank may also make matching, mandatory and discretionary contributions for certain participants. A participant is fully vested at all times in the amounts that they elect to defer. Any contributions made by the Company are subject to vesting over afive-year period.

The following table provides information on Shore Bancshares, Inc.’s contributions and participant deferrals to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the related deferred compensation liability at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Elective deferrals$276$273
Deferred compensation liability1,5061,576

During 2019, the Company introduced a new supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for executive officers of the Company and the Bank. The related liability is unfunded; however, bank-owned life insurance was purchased to offset the benefit costs. The following table provides information on the expense recognized during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, as well as the balance of the unfunded SERP liability and the cash surrender value of policies purchased to offset the SERP benefit costs as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The unfunded SERP liability and cash surrender value were included on the consolidated balance sheets in other liabilities and other assets, respectively.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Cash surrender value$100,517$98,140
Deferred compensation liability - SERP13,34912,869
SERP expense1,0501,405

Lastly, in 2016, the Bank assumed agreements held by the former Centreville National Bank (“CNB”) under which its former directors had elected to defer part of their fees and compensation while serving on the former board of CNB. The amounts deferred were invested in insurance policies on the lives of the respective individuals. Amounts available under the policies are to be paid to the individuals as retirement benefits over future years.

The following table includes information on the deferred compensation liability and cash surrender value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Deferred compensation liability$331$388
Cash surrender value2,2572,322

Note 14– Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The Company records unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, on investment securities AFS as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The following table provides information on the changes in the component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)20242023
Beginning of period$(7,494)$(9,021)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(51)1,527
End of period$(7,545)$(7,494)

Note 15– Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the State of Maryland. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2021.

The following table provides information on components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Current tax expense:
Federal$4,264$172
State1,68163
5,945235
Deferred income tax expense:
Federal6,5701,692
State2,3001,029
8,8702,721
Total income tax expense$14,815$2,956

The following table provides a reconciliation of tax computed at the statutory federal tax rate to the actual tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Tax at federal statutory rate21.0%21.0%
Tax effect of:
Tax-exempt income(1.4)(3.6)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit5.46.1
Bargain purchase gain—(13.1)
Nondeductible compensation costs0.13.9
Nondeductible merger-related expenses—2.6
Other0.13.9
Actual income tax expense rate25.2%20.8%

The following table provides information on significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for credit losses$14,888$14,534
Write-downs of OREO—33
Nonaccrual loan interest578344
Lease liabilities3,0353,326
Deferred compensation4,0784,160
Federal net operating loss—6,528
State net operating loss2,0662,448
Deferred loan fees2,0781,775
Acquisition fair value adjustments24,98830,452
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities2,8442,825
Other1,2331,398
Total deferred tax assets55,78867,823
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation4,1154,320
Right-of-use assets2,9183,229
Mortgage servicing rights1,5051,541
Acquisition fair value adjustments1,6512,401
Intangibles11,22313,611
Other575999
Total deferred tax liabilities21,98726,101
Less: valuation allowance$(1,944)$(1,015)
Net deferred tax assets$31,857$40,707

Management of the Company has determined a full valuation allowance is required for the holding company’s state deferred tax assets, largely associated with its state net operating losses. As the holding company files in the state of Maryland on separate entity basis and has not had and does not expect to have taxable income in that jurisdiction for the foreseeable future, the Company believes, at the current and prior period end, it was more likely than not that the holding company’s state deferred tax assets will not be realized. This valuation allowance increased from $1.0 million to $1.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. Based on the Company’s analysis, no other valuation allowances have been recorded as the Company expects to realize its remaining federal and state deferred tax assets.

The Company has analyzed the tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its income tax returns for the periods ending December 31, 2024 and 2023, and has recorded no liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in accordance with the applicable guidance in ASC 740, Income Taxes.

Note 16–Regulatory Capital Requirements

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Banks’ assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Banks’ 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 Company and Bank to maintain amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (leverage ratio). As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, management believes that the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.

As of December 31, 2024, the most recent notification from our primary regulator categorized Shore United Bank, N.A. as “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes would change the Bank’s classification. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, the Bank must maintain minimum common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios, and Tier 1 leverage ratios, which are outlined in the table below.

The following tables present the actual and required capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Bank at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

December 31, · Regulatory Minimum Ratio + Capital Conservation Buffer · To Be Well-Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulation(1)
($ in thousands) · 2024 · 2023
The Company Amounts
Common Tier 1 Capital to RWA$458,258$408,317
Tier 1 Capital to RWA488,105437,847
Total Capital to RWA591,228539,572
Tier 1 Capital to AA (Leverage)(2)488,105437,847
The Company Ratios
Common Tier 1 Capital to RWA9.44%8.69%7.00%
Tier 1 Capital to RWA10.069.328.50
Total Capital to RWA12.1811.4910.50
Tier 1 Capital to AA (Leverage)(2)8.027.754.00
The Bank Amounts
Common Tier 1 Capital to RWA$521,453$470,200
Tier 1 Capital to RWA521,453470,200
Total Capital to RWA580,706528,786
Tier 1 Capital to AA (Leverage)(2)521,453470,200
The Bank Ratios
Common Tier 1 Capital to RWA10.75%10.02%7.00%6.50%
Tier 1 Capital to RWA10.7510.028.508.00
Total Capital to RWA11.9711.2710.5010.00
Tier 1 Capital to AA (Leverage)(2)8.588.334.005.00

(1)Applies to Bank only.

(2)Tier 1 Capital to AA (Leverage) has no capital conservation buffer defined. The PCA well-capitalized threshold is defined as 5.00%.

The Company is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, the Company is responsible for paying any dividends declared to its common stockholders and interest and principal on outstanding debt. The Company’s primary source of income is dividends received from the Bank. The amount of dividends that the Bank may declare and pay to

Parent Company in any calendar year, without the receipt of prior approval from the Federal Reserve Bank, cannot exceed net income for that year to date plus retained net income (as defined) for the preceding two calendar years. At December 31, 2024, the Bank could pay dividends to the Company to the extent of its earnings so long as it maintained required capital ratios.

Note 17– Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance under GAAP defines fair value 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. This accounting guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available for sale and equity securities with readily determinable fair values are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, along with other mortgage related items identified in the recurring fair value table below. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as collateral dependent loans, repossessed assets and OREO (foreclosed assets). These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

Under fair value accounting guidance, assets and liabilities are grouped at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine their fair values. These hierarchy levels are:

Level 1 inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Fair value measurement for investment securities available for sale is based on quoted prices from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include present value of future cash flows, prepayment assumptions, credit loss assumptions and other factors. The Company classifies its investments in U.S. Treasury securities, if any, as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, and it classifies its investments in U.S. government agency securities and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored entities as Level 2.

Equity Securities

Fair value measurement for equity securities is based on quoted market prices retrieved by the Company via online resources. Although these securities have readily available fair market values, the Company deems that they be classified as level 2 investments in the fair value hierarchy due to not being considered traded in a highly active market.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are carried at fair value, which is determined based on Mark to Trade for allocated/committed loans or Mark to Market analysis for unallocated/uncommitted loans based on third-party pricing models (Level 2).

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The fair value of MSRs is determined using a valuation model administered by a third party that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income (Level 3). The model incorporates assumptions that market participants use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of prepayment speeds, discount rate, default rates, cost to service (including delinquency and foreclosure costs), escrow account earnings, contractual servicing fee income, and other ancillary income such as late fees. Management reviews all significant assumptions on a quarterly basis. Mortgage loan prepayment speed, a key assumption in the model, is the annual rate at which borrowers are forecasted to repay their mortgage loan principal. The discount rate used to determine the present value of estimated future net servicing income, another key assumption in the model, is an estimate of the required rate of return investors in the market would require for an asset with similar risk. Both assumptions can, and generally will, change as market conditions and interest rates change.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the reporting entity’s residential MSRs are prepayment speeds, probability of default, rate of return, and cost of servicing. Significant increases/decreases in any of those inputs in isolation would have resulted in a significantly lower/higher fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for prepayment speeds would have been accompanied by a directionally similar change in the markets (i.e., the 10-Year Treasury) and in the probability of default.

IRLCs

We utilize a third-party specialist model to estimate the fair value of our IRLCs, which are valued based upon mortgage securities (TBA) prices less estimated costs to process and settle the loan. Fair value is adjusted for the estimated probability of the loan closing with the borrower (Level 3).

($ in thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRange
MSRs(1)$5,874Market ApproachWeighted-average prepayment speed (PSA)(2)140
IRLCs - net asset$113Market ApproachRange of pull through rate78% - 100%
Average pull through rate98%
($ in thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRange
MSRs(1)$5,926Market ApproachWeighted-average prepayment speed (PSA)(2)129
IRLCs - net asset$110Market ApproachRange of pull through rate78% - 100%
Average pull through rate98%

(1)The weighted-average was calculated with reference to the principal balance of the underlying mortgages.

(2)PSA = Public Securities Association Standard Prepayment Model.

The following table presents activity in the IRLCs for the year ended December 31, 2024.

($ in thousands)Year EndedDecember 31, 2024
Beginning balance$110
Valuation adjustment3
Ending balance$113

Forward Contracts

To avoid interest rate risk, we hedge the open locked/closed position with TBA forward trades. On a regular basis, we allocate disbursed loans to mandatory commitments with government-sponsored enterprises and private investors delivering the loans within 120 days of origination to maximize interest earnings. For a small percentage of our business, we enter into best efforts forward sales commitments with investors at the time we make an IRLC to a borrower. Once a loan has been closed and funded, the best efforts commitments convert to mandatory forward sales commitments. The mandatory commitments are derivatives, and we measure and report them at fair value. Fair value is based on the gain or loss that would occur if we were to pair-off the transaction with the investor at the measurement date. This is a level 2 input. We have elected to measure and report best efforts commitments at fair value using a valuation methodology similar to that used for mandatory commitments.

Market assumptions utilized in the fair value measurement of the reporting entity’s residential mortgage derivatives, inclusive of IRLCs, Closed Loan Inventory, TBA derivative trades, and Mandatory Forwards may be subject to investor overlays that may result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. Generally such overlays are announced with advanced notice in order to include the risk adjuster, however there are times when announcements are mandated resulting in a lower fair value measurement. Additionally market assumptions such as spec pool payups may result in a significantly higher fair value measurement at time of loan allocation to specific trades.

The following tables present the recorded amount of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. No assets were transferred from one hierarchy level to another during the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023.

($ in thousands)Fair ValueQuoted Prices(Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agency securities$20,202$—$20,202$—
Mortgage-backed securities122,384—122,384—
Other debt securities6,626—6,626—
149,212—149,212—
Equity securities5,814—5,814—
TBA forward trades164—164—
Loans held for sale19,606—19,606—
Loans held for investment, at fair value9,466—9,466—
MSRs5,874——5,874
IRLCs113——113
Total assets at fair value$190,249$—$184,262$5,987
Liabilities:
TBA forward trades$23$—$23$—
Total liabilities at fair value$23$—$23$—
($ in thousands)Fair ValueQuoted Prices(Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agency securities$20,475$—$20,475$—
Mortgage-backed securities84,027—84,027—
Other debt securities6,019—6,019—
110,521—110,521—
Equity securities5,703—5,703—
TBA forward trades2—2—
Loans held for sale8,782—8,782—
Loans held for investment, at fair value9,944—9,944—
MSRs5,926——5,926
IRLCs110——110
Total assets at fair value$140,988$—$134,952$6,036
Liabilities:
TBA securities$176$—$176$—
Total liabilities at fair value$176$—$176$—

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Individually Evaluated Collateral-Dependent Loans

Loans for which repayment is substantially expected to be provided through the operation or sale of collateral are considered collateral dependent, and are valued based on the estimated fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell at the reporting date, where applicable. Accordingly, collateral dependent loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

OREO (Foreclosed Assets)

Foreclosed assets are adjusted for fair value upon transfer of loans to foreclosed assets establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value. The estimated fair value for foreclosed assets included in Level 3 are determined by independent market based appraisals and other available market information, less costs to sell, that may be reduced further based on market expectations or an executed sales agreement. If the fair value of the collateral deteriorates subsequent to the initial recognition, the Company records the foreclosed asset as a non-recurring Level 3 adjustment. Valuation techniques are consistent with those techniques applied in prior periods.

Repossessed Assets

The Company records repossessed assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. All repossessed assets are recorded at lower of the estimated fair value of the properties, less expected selling costs, or the carrying amount of the defaulted loans. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on current appraised value of an asset. The Company considers any valuation inputs related to repossessed assets to be Level 3 inputs.

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial and nonfinancial assets subject to fair value adjustments (impairment) on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 that are valued at the lower of cost or market. Assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRangeWeighted-Average
Nonrecurring measurements:
Individually evaluated collateral dependent loans:
Commercial real estate$2,220Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)62%10%38%10%
Residential real estate817Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)55% - 100%10%17%10%
Commercial—Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)14% - 100% 10%0%10%
Consumer624Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)80% - 86%10%15%10%
Other real estate owned179Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)N/A0%
Repossessed assets3,315Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)N/A39%
Assets held for sale900Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)N/A0%
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
($ in thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRangeWeighted-Average
Nonrecurring measurements:
Individually evaluated collateral dependent loan
Commercial real estate$—Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)0%0%0%0%
Residential real estate288Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)53%10%24%10%
Commercial—Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)15% - 100%0%0%0%
Consumer345Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)Liquidation expense(2)80% - 100%0%46%0%
Other real estate owned179Appraisal of collateral(1)Appraisal adjustment(2)0% - 20%0%

(1)Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments.

(2)Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses. The range of liquidation expenses and other appraisal adjustments are presented as a percent of the appraisal.

Note 18– Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments require disclosure of fair value information, whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, when it is practical to estimate the fair value. A financial instrument is defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity or a contractual obligation which requires the exchange of cash. Certain items are specifically excluded from the financial instrument fair value disclosure requirements, including the Company’s common stock, OREO, premises and equipment and other assets and liabilities.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Fair values for December 31, 2024 and 2023 were estimated using an exit price notion.

December 31, 2024 · Carrying Amount · Fair Value · Fair Value Measurements
($ in thousands) · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$459,851$459,851$459,851$—$—
Available for sale investment securities149,212149,212—149,212—
Held to maturity investment securities481,077424,734—424,734—
Equity securities5,8145,814—5,814—
Restricted securities20,25320,253—20,253—
Loans held for sale19,60619,606—19,606—
TBA securities164164—164—
Loans held for investment, at fair value9,4669,466—9,466—
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost, net4,704,6124,551,983——4,551,983
Mortgage servicing rights5,8745,874——5,874
Accrued interest receivable19,57019,570—19,570—
IRLCs113113——113
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$1,562,815$1,562,815$—$1,562,815$—
Interest-bearing checking978,076978,076—978,076—
Money market and savings1,805,8841,805,884—1,805,884—
Time deposits1,181,5611,179,716—1,179,716—
FHLB advances50,00050,201—50,201—
TRUPS29,84727,952—27,952—
Subordinated debt43,87043,669—43,669—
TBA securities2323—23—
Accrued interest payable3,3983,398—3,398—
December 31, 2023 · Carrying Amount · Fair Value · Fair Value Measurements
($ in thousands) · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$372,413$372,413$372,413$—$—
Available for sale investment securities110,521110,521—110,521—
Held to maturity investment securities513,188457,830—457,830—
Equity securities5,7035,703—5,703—
Restricted securities17,90017,900—17,900—
Loans held for sale8,7828,782—8,782—
TBA securities22—2—
Cash surrender value on life insurance101,704101,704—101,704—
Loans held for investment9,9449,944—9,944—
Loans, net4,573,7154,477,468——4,477,468
Mortgage servicing rights5,9265,926——5,926
Accrued interest receivable19,21719,217—19,217—
IRLCs110110——110
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$1,258,037$1,258,037$—$1,258,037$—
Interest-bearing checking1,165,5461,165,546—1,165,546—
Money market and savings1,777,9271,777,927—1,777,927—
Time deposits1,184,6101,184,447—1,184,447—
TRUPS29,15828,266—28,266—
Subordinated debt43,13942,579—42,579—
TBA securities176176—176—
Accrued interest payable4,7114,711—4,711—

Note 19– Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, to meet the financial needs of its customers, the Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. 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. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Letters of credit and other commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the letters of credit and commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments to make loans are generally made for a periods of 90 days or less. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s outstanding fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 6.50% -9.75%.

The following table provides information on commitments outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Commitments to extend credit$704,768$613,266
Letters of credit27,96128,519
Total$732,729$641,785

The Bank had a reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures of $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The reserve was estimated based on the historic losses experienced by the Company. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the required funding of these exposures is uncollectible. While this evaluation is completed on a regular basis, it is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

In the normal course of business, Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries may become involved in litigation arising from banking, financial, and other activities. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the future liability, if any, arising out of current proceedings will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, or liquidity.

Note 20– Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of banking business, loans are made to officers, directors and their affiliated interests. These loans are made on substantially the same terms and conditions as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons who are not related to the Company and are not considered to involve more than the normal risk of collectability. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, such loans outstanding, both direct and indirect (including guarantees), to directors, their associates and policy-making officers, totaled approximately $54.3 million and $53.1 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, loan additions were approximately $8.2 million and $35.9 million, of which $27.4 million were due to the 2023 acquisition of TCFC, and loan repayments and no longer reportable loans were approximately $7.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, deposits, both direct and indirect, from executive officers and directors, their associates and policy-making officers, totaled approximately $35.8 million and $35.6 million, respectively.

The Company leases a portion of one of its facilities to a law firm, in which the Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank is a partner. In January 2022, the lease entered the final five-year renewal option under the leasing agreement. The total rent payments received were $318 thousand and $311 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The law firm also reimburses the Company for its share of common area maintenance and utilities. In addition, the law firm represents the Company and the Bank in certain legal matters.

Note 21– Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents (stock-based awards). The following table provides information relating to the calculation of earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

(In thousands, except per share data)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Net income$43,889$11,228
Average number of common shares outstanding33,26726,572
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents182
Average number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per common share33,28526,574
Anti-dilutive shares——
Earnings per common share
Basic$1.32$0.42
Diluted$1.32$0.42

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there wereno unvested common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Note 22– Revenue Recognition

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as trust and asset management income, deposit related fees, interchange fees and merchant income. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided.

Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or at the end of the month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Trust and Investment Fee Income

Trust and investment fee income are primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days after month end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives.

Optional services such as real estate sales and tax return preparation services are also available to existing trust and asset management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e., as incurred). Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.

Title Company Revenue

Title Company revenue consists of revenue earned on performing title work for real estate transactions. The revenue is earned when the title work is performed. Payment for such performance obligations generally occurs at the time of the settlement of a real estate transaction. As such settlement is generally within 90 days of the performance of the title work, we recognize the revenue at the time of the settlement.

All contract issuance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company had no contract assets or liabilities at December 31, 2024.

Other Noninterest Income

Other noninterest income consists of: fees, exchange, other service charges, safety deposit box rental fees, and other miscellaneous revenue streams. Fees and other service charges are primarily comprised of debit and credit card income, automated teller machine (“ATM”) fees, merchant services income, and other service charges. Debit and credit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Mastercard and Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. Other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month. Safe deposit box rental fees are charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized upon receipt of payment. The Company determined that rentals and renewals of safe deposit boxes will be recognized on a monthly basis consistent with the duration of the performance obligation.

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Noninterest income
In-scope of Topic 606:
Service charges on deposit accounts$6,149$5,501
Trust and investment fee income3,3673,608
Interchange income6,7415,714
Title Company revenue402551
Other noninterest income4,2512,961
Noninterest income (in-scope of Topic 606)20,91018,335
Noninterest income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)10,23714,824
Total noninterest income$31,147$33,159

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

Note 23– Segment Reporting

The Company’s reportable segment is determined by the Chief Executive Officer, who is designated the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), based upon information provided about the Company’s product and services offered. The segment is also distinguished by the level of information provided to the CODM, who uses such information to review performance of various components of the business, which are then aggregated if operating performance of product and customers are similar. The CODM evaluates the financial performance of the Company’s business components such as revenue streams, significant expenses, and budget to actual results in assessing the Company’s segment and in determination of allocated resources. While the CODM monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial services operations are considered by management to be aggregated inone reportable operating segment. Refer to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 24– Parent Company Financial Information

The following tables provide condensed financial information for Shore Bancshares, Inc. (Parent Company only) at and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Condensed Balance Sheets

($ in thousands)December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Assets
Cash$5,257$7,345
Investment in subsidiaries605,286571,298
Other assets9,2897,926
Total assets$619,832$586,569
Liabilities
Accrued interest payable$1,027$1,050
Deferred tax liability251—
Other liabilities3,7712,087
Long-term debt73,71772,297
Total liabilities78,76675,434
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock333332
Additional paid in capital358,112356,007
Retained earnings190,166162,290
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(7,545)(7,494)
Total stockholders’ equity541,066511,135
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$619,832$586,569

Condensed Statements of Income

Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)20242023
Income
Dividends from subsidiaries$17,000$22,000
Company owned life insurance income206141
Bargain purchase gain—8,816
Total income17,20630,957
Expenses
Interest expense5,7684,454
Salaries and employee benefits598358
Occupancy and equipment expense—1
Legal and professional fees, including merger expenses1,6365,164
Other operating expenses1,032775
Total expenses9,03410,752
Income before income tax benefit and equity (deficit) in undistributed net income of subsidiaries8,17220,205
Income tax benefit(1,678)(1,557)
Income before equity (deficit) in undistributed net income of subsidiaries9,85021,762
Equity (deficit) in undistributed net income of subsidiaries34,039(10,534)
Net income$43,889$11,228

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)20242023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$43,889$11,228
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries(34,039)10,534
Bargain purchase gain—(8,816)
Amortization of debt issuance costs122122
Stock-based compensation expense1,7301,174
Company owned life insurance income(406)(141)
Acquisition accounting adjustments926557
Net increase in other assets(957)(1,267)
Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities2,284(682)
Net cash provided by operating activities13,54912,709
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of company owned life insurance—(249)
Cash acquired in the acquisition of TCFC, net of cash paid—88
Net cash used in investing activities—(161)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Common stock dividends paid(16,013)(12,733)
Issuance of common stock376385
Net cash used in financing activities(15,637)(12,348)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(2,088)200
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year7,3457,145
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$5,257$7,345
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