Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2024
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-40607
CULLMAN BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Maryland
61-1990996
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
316 Second Avenue, SW, Cullman, Alabama
35055
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(256) 734-1740
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and formal fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, per value $0.01 per share
CULL
The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), Yes ☒ No ☐ .
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 7,247,375 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, were issued and outstanding as of May 14, 2024.
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report
PART I
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
31
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
37
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
39
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
40
SIGNATURES
41
1
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
December 31,2023
ASSETS
Interest bearing cash and cash equivalents
$
173
229
Non-interest bearing cash and cash equivalents
3,655
4,157
Federal funds sold
13,525
8,650
Total cash and cash equivalents
17,353
13,036
Securities available for sale
27,722
28,356
Loans, net of allowance of $2,937 and $3,271 respectively
343,392
339,402
Premises and equipment, net
15,362
13,957
Accrued interest receivable
1,299
1,260
Restricted equity securities
3,257
2,782
Bank owned life insurance
9,311
9,239
Deferred tax asset, net
2,471
2,440
Other assets
563
1,169
Total assets
420,730
411,641
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
Non-interest bearing
13,423
12,297
Interest bearing
255,015
256,704
Total deposits
268,438
269,001
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
45,000
35,000
Accrued interest payable
381
239
Other liabilities
5,578
5,666
Total liabilities
319,397
309,906
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 7,265,689 and 7,301,282 and shares outstanding at March 31, 2024 and Decemeber 31, 2023
71
Additional paid-in capital
47,972
48,081
Retained earnings
59,182
59,344
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(3,076
)
(2,913
Unearned ESOP shares, at cost
(2,816
(2,848
Total shareholders' equity
101,333
101,735
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME (unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
For the Three MonthsEnded March 31,
2024
2023
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees
4,633
4,133
Non taxable securities
6
8
Taxable securities
220
241
FHLB dividends
36
18
Federal funds sold and other
185
252
Total interest income
5,080
4,652
Interest expense:
1,102
476
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
457
283
Total interest expense
1,559
759
Net interest income
3,521
3,893
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans
(34
Provision for (reversal of) unfunded commitments
(6
68
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
3,561
3,819
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts
273
257
Income on bank owned life insurance
72
67
Gain on sales of mortgage loans
Other
38
42
Total noninterest income
389
372
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
2,067
1,923
Occupancy and equipment
256
Data processing
289
227
Professional and supervisory fees
221
215
Office expense
52
44
Advertising
30
24
FDIC deposit insurance
26
117
119
Total noninterest expense
3,053
2,834
Income before income taxes
897
1,357
Income tax expense
183
342
Net income
714
1,015
Earnings per share:
Basic
0.11
0.15
Dilutive
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available for sale
(217
436
Income tax benefit
54
76
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(163
512
Comprehensive income
551
1,527
4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
Shares
CommonStock
AdditionalPaid-InCapital
RetainedEarnings
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome (Loss)
UnearnedESOPShares
Total
Balance at January 1, 2024
7,301,282
—
Other comprehensive income
Share repurchase
(35,593
(373
ESOP shares earned
32
Dividend paid
(876
Stock-based compensation expense
264
Balance at March 31, 2024
7,265,689
Balance at January 1, 2023
7,394,615
74
50,161
56,561
(3,558
(3,056
100,182
Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 1)
(284
Balance at January 1, 2023 (as adjusted for change in accounting principal)
56,277
99,898
(11,843
(135
(886
139
Balance at March 31, 2023
7,382,772
50,165
56,406
(3,046
(3,019
100,580
5
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
(Recovery)/provision for credit losses
(40
Depreciation and amortization, net
116
Deferred income taxes
23
Losses on disposal of fixed assets
12
Gains on sales of repossessions
Capital improvements to foreclosed real estate
(12
Gains from change in fair value of equity securities
(18
(72
(67
Gains on sale of mortgage loans
Mortgage loans originated for sale
(199
(186
Mortgage loans sold
205
192
ESOP compensation expense
Stock based compensation expense
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
(Increase)/decrease in accrued interest receivable
(39
Increase/(decrease) in accrued interest payable
142
(4
Decrease in other assets
518
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,661
1,467
Cash flows from investing activities
Net purchases of premises and equipment
(1,531
Redemption of equity securities
437
Proceeds from maturities, prepayments and calls of available for sale securities
424
462
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate
Purchases of restricted equity securities
(475
(470
Loan originations and payments, net
(3,950
(3,293
Net cash used in investing activities
(5,532
(2,903
Cash flows from financing activities
Net decrease in deposits
(563
(16,492
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
10,000
Cash payment of dividends
Payments from share repurchases
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
8,188
(7,513
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
4,317
(8,949
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
36,645
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
27,696
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid
1,417
763
Income taxes paid
Supplemental noncash disclousres
Day 1 impact of Current Expected Credit Losses
(379
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements of Cullman Bancorp, Inc. (“the Bancorp”) include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Cullman Savings Bank (“the Bank”), together referred to as “the Company”.
The Company provides financial services through its offices in Cullman County, Alabama. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term certificate accounts, and its primary lending products are residential mortgage, commercial, and installment loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. However, the customers ability to repay their loans is dependent on the real estate and general economic conditions in the area. The unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP interim reporting requirements and general banking industry guidelines, and therefore, do not include all information and notes included in the annual consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risk and Uncertainties: The ongoing economic challenges, including issues such as rising inflation and effects of related governmental responses continue to evolve, in addition to the risk related to recent and potential bank failures. Because of the significant uncertainties related to the inflation and its potential effects on customers and prospects, and on the national and local economy as a whole, there can be no assurances as to how it may ultimately affect the Company. Related to potential bank failures, there can be no assurance on how our customers will react. It is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of these conditions, including expected credit losses on loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures as well as run off of deposits.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUCEMENTS AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES
As an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”), the Company is permitted an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards affecting public companies. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the end of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more, (ii) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering (December 31, 2026), (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt and (iv) the end of the fiscal year in which the market value of our equity securities that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of June 30 of that year. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included herein, as well as any financial statements that we file in the future, will not be subject to all new or revised accounting standards generally applicable to public companies for the transition period for so long as we remain an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act. If we do so, we will prominently disclose this decision in the first periodic report following our decision, and such decision is irrevocable. As a filer under the JOBS Act, we will implement new accounting standards subject to the effective dates required for non-public entities.
7
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS:
The Company did not modify or adopt any new accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2024 that were not disclosed in the Company's 2023 audited consolidated financial statements included on the Form 10-K.
The Company has reviewed newly issued not yet effective accounting standards and concluded as of March 31, 2024, there are none that are likely to impact the Company's financial statements or disclosures.
(Continued)
NOTE 2 – SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Debt Securities
The fair value of available for sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
March 31, 2024
AmortizedCost
GrossUnrealizedGains
GrossUnrealizedLosses
EstimatedFairValue
U.S Government sponsored entities
5,990
(728
5,262
Municipal – taxable
14,295
(2,645
11,655
Municipal – tax exempt
945
906
Residential mortgage-backed
9,249
(665
8,584
Commercial mortgage-backed
995
(13
982
SBA(1) guaranteed debenture
356
(23
333
31,830
(4,113
December 31, 2023
(704
5,286
14,305
9
(2,522
11,792
(28
917
9,543
(600
8,943
992
(16
976
SBA guaranteed debenture
472
(30
442
32,247
(3,900
(1) Small Business Administration
The Company’s mortgage-backed securities are primarily issued by agencies such as Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae. There were no sales or calls of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
The amortized cost and fair value of the investment securities portfolio are shown below by expected maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.
Due within one year
676
669
Due after one to five years
3,492
3,456
Due after five to ten years
4,072
3,565
Due after ten years
12,990
10,133
NOTE 2 – SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE (CONTINUED)
Carrying amounts of securities pledged to secure public deposits as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $9,066 and $9,350, respectively. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders’ equity.
Securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows:
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
FairValue
UnrealizedLoss
10,955
Total temporarily impaired
27,022
11,087
250
(1
667
(27
27,401
(3,899
27,651
Unrealized losses have not been recognized into income because the issuers bonds are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is likely that management will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continues to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
All of the securities except for two municipal-taxable securities have unrealized losses at March 31, 2024. None of the unrealized losses for these securities have been recognized into net income for the period ended March 31, 2024 because the issuer's bonds are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is likely that management will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or reset date.
10
NOTE 3 – LOANS
Loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Real Estate Loans:
One-to-four family
178,867
178,861
Multi-family
3,401
3,458
Commercial
104,691
101,268
Construction
19,178
19,705
Total real estate loans
306,137
303,292
Commercial loans
30,326
29,354
Consumer loans:
Home equity loans and lines of credit
6,296
6,291
Other consumer
3,578
3,744
Total consumer loans
9,874
10,035
Total loans
346,337
342,681
Net deferred loans fees
(8
Allowance for credit losses
(2,937
(3,271
Loans, net
The following table present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the period ending March 31, 2024.
Real Estate
One-to-Four Family
Multi-Family
Consumer
Beginning balance January 1, 2024
1,602
25
855
138
456
195
3,271
Charge offs
(300
Recoveries
Provisions
300
(326
Total ending balance March 31, 2024
1,902
529
137
163
197
2,937
11
NOTE 3 – LOANS (CONTINUED)
The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023. The recorded investment in loans in any of the following tables does not include accrued and unpaid interest or any deferred loan fees or costs, as amounts are not significant.
Beginning balance January 1, 2023, prior to adoption of ASC 326
1,710
17
654
145
204
111
2,841
Impact of adopting 326
130
(21
(75
94
246
(11
16
13
29
(241
338
(10
166
Total ending balance December 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
(5
(26
Total ending balance March 31, 2023
1,822
745
161
92
245
3,082
For collateral-dependent loans, the allowance for credit losses is individually assessed based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs of sale. The following table presents the amortized cost bases of collateral-dependent loans by class of loans as March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Real estate loans:
1,090
254
3,774
4,152
Consumer:
4,864
4,706
The difference between interest income recognized and cash basis interest income recognized was not material.
The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 by portfolio class of loans:
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days or More Past Due
Total Past Due
Current
Total Loans
3,180
495
3,675
175,192
104,528
3,343
3,838
302,299
30,286
6,258
Other consumer loans
20
3,558
3,440
3,936
342,401
30-59 Days Past due
60-89 Days Past due
1,410
960
2,515
176,346
300,777
29,344
70
80
6,211
3,726
1,508
970
2,623
340,058
A loan need not be placed in nonaccrual status if the loan is a consumer loan (loans to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures) or the loan is secured by a one- to four family residential property. Such loans should be subject to other alternative methods of evaluation to assure that the Bank's interest income is not materially overstated. The loans that were past due 90 days or more were accruing interest as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 due to the fact that they were well secured and in the process of collection. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no loans on nonaccrual.
Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty:
Occasionally, the Company may make certain modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
These modifications may be in the form of an interest rate reduction, a term extension or a combination thereof.
Upon the Company's determination that a modified loan has subsequently been uncollectible, the portion of the loan
deemed uncollectible is charged off against the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment.
The Company closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of these modifications efforts. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company had no modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
Credit Quality Indicators:
The Company utilizes a grading system whereby all loans are assigned a grade based on the risk profile of each loan. Loan grades are determined based on an evaluation of relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. All loans, regardless of size, are analyzed and are given a grade based upon the management’s assessment of the ability of borrowers to service their debts. The analysis is performed on a quarterly basis.
The Company uses the following definitions for loan grades:
Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loans not meeting the criteria above are graded Pass. These loans are included within groups of homogeneous pools of loans based upon portfolio segment and class for estimation of the allowance for credit losses on a collective basis.
14
At March 31, 2024, based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows:
Term Loans by Origination Year
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving Loans
Risk rating
Pass
4,113
25,398
58,631
29,480
16,695
43,460
177,777
Special mention
Substandard
296
597
Doubtful
Total one-to-four family
25,595
16,991
44,057
732
876
1,268
525
Total multi-family
Commercial real estate
6,273
14,016
33,454
11,056
11,801
20,898
3,419
100,917
1,679
2,095
Total commercial real estate
35,133
22,993
2,499
11,777
3,791
1,111
Total construction
15
1,164
5,147
6,876
1,162
524
4,256
11,197
Total commercial
Commercial loans:
Current period gross write offs
Home equity and lines of credit
Total home equity and lines of credit
659
1,617
815
330
157
Total consumer
14,708
58,152
105,978
44,015
30,741
71,831
20,912
At December 31, 2023, based on the most recent analysis performed, the loan grade for each loan by portfolio class is as follows:
2019
25,792
60,210
30,458
17,155
6,515
38,477
178,607
38,731
744
893
1,281
540
14,695
36,189
11,297
12,022
1,997
17,722
3,194
97,116
2,463
1,689
4,460
19,411
9,105
9,489
5,304
7,260
1,304
617
48
4,278
10,140
28,951
103
5,407
1,604
2,171
984
418
171
57,170
114,876
45,781
31,246
11,023
62,960
19,625
NOTE 4- PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Land
1,924
Buildings and improvements
20,775
19,264
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
2,576
2,556
25,275
23,744
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(9,913
(9,787
As of March 31, 2024, building and improvements included construction in process for the Hanceville branch and a new 278 drive-through for $36 and $6,135 respectively. As of December 31, 2023, building and improvements included construction in process for the Hanceville branch, South branch and the new 278 drive through for $8, $55, and $4,676 respectively. The address of the new drive-through is 515 4th Street N.W. Cullman, Alabama 35055. Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $150 and $128, respectively.
NOTE 5 – DEPOSITS
Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $42,228 and $36,395, respectively. Scheduled maturities of time deposits at March 31, 2024 for the next five years were as follows:
50,623
2025
42,400
2026
2,445
2027
1,607
2028
836
2029
77
At March 31, 2024 and 2023, overdraft demand and savings deposits reclassified to loans totaled $55 and $42, respectively.
NOTE 6 – FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND OTHER DEBT
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank were as follows:
Maturities October 2025 through January 2029, fixed rate at rates from 4.12% to 4.61%, averaging 4.26%
Maturities October 2025 through March 2028, fixed rate at rates from 4.12% to 4.61%, averaging 4.26%
19
NOTE 6 – FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND OTHER DEBT (CONTINUED)
Each advance, in the table above, is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by $80,678 and $80,011 of eligible first mortgage one-to-four family, multi-family, and commercial loans under a blanket lien arrangement at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company is eligible to borrow funds of $123,007 at March 31, 2024.
Payments over the next five years are as follows:
5,000
Thereafter
The Company had approximately $10,000 available in a line of credit for federal funds (or the equivalent thereof) with correspondent banks at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were no amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
NOTE 7 - EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
With the conversion to the stock holding company, 354,599 shares were sold to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP borrowed from the Company to purchase the shares of the Company’s common stock at $10. The Company combined the preexisting loan with the current loan.
The Company will make discretionary contributions to the ESOP, as well as paying dividends on unallocated shares to the ESOP, and the ESOP uses funds it receives to repay the loan. When loan payments are made, ESOP shares are allocated to participants based on relative compensation and expense is recorded. Dividends on allocated shares increase participant accounts.
Participants receive the shares at the end of employment. A participant may require stock received to be repurchased unless the stock is traded on an established market.
The ESOP compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $38 and $75, respectively. At March 31, 2024, there were 282,557 shares not yet released having an aggregate market value of $2,811 based on the closing price of $9.95.
NOTE 8 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
In May 2020, the stockholders approved the Cullman Bancorp, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Equity Incentive Plan”) for employees and directors of the Company. The Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with no more than 80,000 of shares as restricted stock awards and 120,000 as stock options, either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. These amounts have been subsequently converted at the exchange ratio of 2.8409-to-one for the mutual-to-stock conversion, rounding down for fractional shares. The exercise price of options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan may not be less than the fair market value on the date the stock option is granted. The compensation committee of the board of directors has sole discretion to determine the amount and to whom equity incentive awards are granted.
In May 2023, the stockholders approved the Cullman Bancorp, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2023 Equity Incentive Plan") for employees and directors of the Company. The 2023 Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 620,548 shares of the Company's common stock, with no more than 177,299 of shares as restricted stock awards and 443,249 as stock options, either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. The exercise price of the options granted under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan may not be less than the fair market value on the date the stock options is granted. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has sole discretion to determine the amount and to whom equity incentive awards are granted.
As of March 31, 2024, there were no shares available for future grants under these plans, except in the event of forfeitures.
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
Options
Weighted-Avg ExercisePrice/Share
Weighted-AverageRemainingContractualLife (inyears)
AggregateIntrinsicValue(1)
Outstanding Beginning of period
784,152
10.24
8.50
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Outstanding End of Period
8.25
Vested or expected to vest
(227
Exercisable at period end
204,531
(59
(1) Based on the closing price of $9.95 as of March 31, 2024. Intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price multiplied by the number of in-the-money options.
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NOTE 8 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
Stock based compensation expense for stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $27 for each quarter in relation to the 340,903 options. Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options at March 31, 2024 was $144 and is expected to be recognized over 1.33 years related to the 2020 Equity Plan.
In relation to the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, there were no options vested as of March 31, 2024. Stock based compensation expense for the stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $30 and no expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options at March 31, 2024 was $504 and is expected to be recognized over 4.25 years.
The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2024:
Nonvested Shares
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Balance – January 1, 2024
268,200
10.42
Vested
Balance – March 31, 2024
The following table summarizes the restricted stock fair value:
Date of Awards
Converted Shares
Vesting Period (years)
Converted Fair Value
August 2020
80,000
227,266
9.86
August 2023
177,299
10.70
Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock included in noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $112 for each quarter in relation to the 2020 Equity Plan. Unrecognized compensation expense for nonvested restricted stock awards was $597 as of March 31, 2024 and is expected to be recognized over 1.33 years related to the 2020 Equity Plan.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock included in noninterest expense was $95 in relation to the 2023 Equity Plan. Unrecognized compensation expense for nonvested restricted stock awards was $1,644 as of March 31, 2024 and is expected to be recognized over 4.33 years related to the 2023 Equity Plan.
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NOTE 9 - REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS
Banks are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The net unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes as of March 31, 2024, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. The Bancorp is not subject to regulatory capital requirements due to its size.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.
The community bank leverage ratio framework (CBLR framework) provides qualifying community banking organizations an optional, simplified measure to determine capital adequacy. The Bank initially made the CBLR election as of December 31, 2020.
The community bank leverage ratio removes the requirement for qualifying banking organizations to calculate and report risk-based capital but rather only requires a Tier 1 to average assets (leverage) ratio. Qualifying banking organizations that elect to use the community bank leverage rate framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than required minimums will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk based and leverage capital requirements in the agencies’ capital rules (generally applicable rule) and, if applicable, will be considered to have met the well capitalized ratio requirements for purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. The community bank leverage ratio minimum requirement is currently 9.00%.
An eligible banking organization can opt out of the CBLR framework and revert back to the risk-weighting framework without restriction. As of March 31, 2024 the Bank was a qualifying community banking organization as defined by the federal banking agencies and elected to measure capital adequacy under the CBLR framework.
NOTE 9 - REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS (CONTINUED)
Actual and required capital amounts for the Bank and ratios at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are presented below:
Actual
To be well CapitalizedUnder Prompt CorrectiveAction Regulations(CBLR Framework)
Amount
Ratio
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to average total assets
80,180
19.08
%
37,823
9.00
79,101
19.04
37,384
Dividend Restrictions - The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from the Bank as well as proceeds retained from the mutual-to-stock conversion. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described above. During 2024, the Bank could, without prior approval from its regulators, declare dividends of approximately $7,136 plus any 2024 net profits retained to the date of the dividend declaration.
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (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. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability; or generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:
Investment Securities: The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2), using matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique commonly used to price debt securities that are not actively traded, values debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). Equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. This investment is considered an equity security with readily determinable fair value not held for trading (Level 3).
For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3). The Company’s taxable municipal investment securities’ fair values are determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis prepared by an independent third party.
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
Collateral Dependent Loans: For collateral dependent loans, fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Collateral dependent loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis and associated specific reserves are adjusted accordingly.
Foreclosed Real Estate: Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
Appraisals for loans where the value is $100 or above (for both collateral-dependent loans and other real estate owned) are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, a member of the Loan Department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. In accordance to company policy, if the Company holds the property for over two years, an updated appraisal or validation would be obtained in order to determine if the fair value amount should be adjusted.
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurement Using
Quoted Prices inActive markets forIdentical Assets(Level 1)
Significant OtherObservable Inputs(Level 2)
SignificantUnobservable Inputs(Level 3)
U.S. Government sponsored agencies
Municipal – taxable exempt
Total investment securities available for sale
SignificantUnobservableInputs (Level 3)
There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023. There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.
27
Our state and municipal securities valuations are supported by analysis prepared by an independent third party. Their approach to determining fair value involves using recently executed transactions for similar securities and market quotations for similar securities. As these securities are not rated by the rating agencies and trading volumes are thin, it was determined that these were valued using Level 3 inputs. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's taxable municipal securities are discount rates and credit spreads that the market would require for taxable municipal securities with similar maturities and risk characteristics. Significant increases/(decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower/(higher) fair value measurement.
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are included in the table below as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (amounts in thousands):
Fair Value MeasurementsUsing SignificantUnobservable Inputs(Level 3)
Individually evaluated Loans:
RE loans:
One-to four family
28
The Company has estimated the fair values of these assets using Level 3 inputs, specifically the appraised value of the collateral. Impaired loan balances represent those collateral dependent impaired loans where management has estimated the credit loss by comparing the loan’s carrying value against the expected realizable fair value of the impaired loan for the amount of the credit loss. The Company had no Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. For Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 appraisals were used for the valuation technique. For the significant unobservable input, the appraisal discounts and the weighted average input of 15% to 20% were used. This is for the period ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s on-balance sheet financial instruments at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurements atMarch 31, 2024 Using:
Carrying Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Loan, net
331,693
177
1,122
N/A
Financial liabilities:
170,450
96,311
266,761
45,561
370
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023 Using:
335,144
210
1,050
178,239
89,265
267,504
36,522
NOTE 11 – EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The factors used in the earnings per common share computation follow:
Earnings per share
Less: Distributed earning allocated to participating securities
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities
(3
Net earnings allocated to common stock
726
1,012
Weighted common shares outstanding including participating securities
7,286,684
7,384,240
Less: Participating securities
(268,200
(181,811
Less: Average unearned ESOP shares
(282,541
(303,308
Weighted average shares
6,735,943
6,899,121
Basic earnings per share
Add: dilutive effects of assumed exercises of stock options
46,603
50,699
Average shares and dilutive potential common shares
6,782,546
6,949,820
Dilutive earnings per share
Stock options for 268,200 and 136,356 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per share for 2024 and 2023, respectively because they were antidilutive.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “continue” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. You should not place undue reliance on such statements. We are under no duty to and do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Total assets increased $9.1 million, or 2.2%, to $420.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $411.6 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was due to increases in cash, loans held for investment, and premises and equipment.
Cash and cash equivalents increased $4.3 million, or 33.1%, to $17.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $13.0 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an increase in fed funds, as we have held excess cash to increase liquidity.
Gross loans held for investment increased $3.6 million, or 1.1%, to $346.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $342.7 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in commercial real estate loans, which increased $3.4 million, or 3.4%, to $104.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $101.3 million at December 31, 2023.
Securities available for sale decreased $634 thousand, or 2.2%, to $27.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $28.3 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease is primarily due to the paydowns received in mortgaged-backed securities. The decrease is additionally due an increase in the unrealized loss.
Total deposits decreased $563 thousand, or 0.2%, to $268.4 million at March 31, 2024 from $269.0 million at December 31, 2023. We experienced decreases in interest-bearing demand deposits of $5.0 million, or 4.7%, to $101.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $106.3 million at December 31, 2023, and regular savings and other deposits of $4.1 million, or 7.2%, to $53.2 million at March 31, 2024 from $57.3 million at December 31, 2023. The decreases were due a decrease in public funds as well as cyclical decreases. The decreases were offset by an increase in time deposits of $7.2 million, or 8.0%, to $98.0 million at March 31, 2024 from $90.8 million at December 31, 2023. This increase is primarily due to a $5 million brokered certificate.
Borrowings increased $10.0 million, or 28.6%, to $45.0 million at March 31, 2024, from $35.0 million at December 31, 2023. We increased our borrowings due to loan demand and to increase liquidity. We regularly review our liquidity position based on alternative uses of available funds as well as market conditions.
Stockholders’ equity decreased $402 thousand, or 0.4%, to $101.3 million at March 31, 2024 from $101.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was mainly due to share repurchases of $373 thousand and the decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale) of $163 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Stockholders' equity (book value) per share at March 31, 2024 was $13.95 compared to $13.93 at December 31, 2023.
Average Balance Sheets
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as the effects would be immaterial. All average balances are daily average balances. Nonaccrual loans were included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense. Loan balances exclude loans held for sale. We had no intangible assets at March 31, 2024.
33
AverageOutstandingBalance
Interest
AverageYield/Rate(1)
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans
344,013
5.39
336,250
4.92
Securities
28,194
226
3.21
30,289
249
3.29
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
3,141
4.58
2,091
3.44
13,616
5.43
22,581
4.46
Total interest-earning assets
388,964
5.22
391,211
4.76
Noninterest-earning assets
28,336
24,264
417,300
415,475
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits
102,441
164
0.64
108,546
0.20
Regular savings and other deposits
55,181
55
0.40
75,870
88
0.46
Money market deposits
2,630
0.76
2,945
0.27
Certificates of deposit
95,331
878
3.68
80,410
332
1.65
Total interest-bearing deposits
255,583
1.72
267,771
0.71
42,472
4.30
26,111
4.34
Total interest-bearing liabilities
298,055
2.09
293,882
1.03
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
11,378
15,529
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
6,333
5,696
315,766
315,107
Total shareholders’ equity
101,534
100,368
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Net interest rate spread (2)
3.13
3.73
Net interest-earning assets (3)
90,909
97,329
Net interest margin (4)
3.62
3.98
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
1.31x
1.33x
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The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume. There were no out-of-period items or adjustments required to be excluded from the table below.
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2024 vs. 2023
Increase (Decrease) Due to
Total Increase
Volume
Rate
(Decrease)
(In thousands)
382
118
500
(69
46
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve stock
(400
(51
479
428
Interest-bearing demand Deposits
122
110
(95
62
(33
546
488
626
710
(536
174
Total interest bearing liabilities
848
(48
800
Change in net interest income
(899
527
(372
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
General. Net income was $714 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $301 thousand from net income of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $428 thousand, or 9.2%, to $5.1 million for three months ended March 31, 2024 from $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was due primarily to an increase in interest income on loans, which is our primary source of interest income. Interest income on loans increased $500 thousand, or 12.1%, to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our average balance of loans increased $7.7 million, or 2.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $344.0 million for three months ended March 31, 2024 from $336.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase is due to our increase in loan demand. Our weighted average yield on loans increased 47 basis points to 5.39% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 4.92% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was a reflection of the current rate environment.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $800 thousand or 105.4% to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $759 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was due to increases in rates for deposits as well an increase in certificates of deposits and borrowings.
Interest expense on deposits increased $626 thousand, or 131.5%, to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $476 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The
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increase was due primarily to an increase in expense on certificates of deposit. Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $546 thousand, or 164.5%, to $878 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $332 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. We experienced increases in both the average balance of certificates of deposit ($14.9 million, or 18.6%) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and rates paid on certificates of deposit (203 basis points, to 3.68%) for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Rates have increased during the current interest rate environment.
Interest expense on borrowings increased $174 thousand, to $457 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $283 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average balance of borrowings increased $16.4 million, or 62.7% to $42.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $26.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average rate paid on borrowings decreased four basis points to 4.30% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 4.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was due an increase in the duration of the new advances in 2024.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $372 thousand, or 9.6%, to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our interest rate spread decreased 60 basis points to 3.13% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 3.73% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our interest margin decreased 36 basis points to 3.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 3.98% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recorded a reversal of provision of $40 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to provision of credit losses of $74 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The reversal was $6 related to unfunded commitments and $34 related to loans. Our allowance for credit losses was $2.9 million at March 31, 2024 compared to the $3.2 million at December 31, 2023 and $3.1 million at March 31, 2023. The ratio of our allowance for credit losses to total loans was 0.85% at March 31, 2024 compared to 0.95% at December 31, 2023 and 0.92% at March 31, 2023, while the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans was 593.3% at March 31, 2024 compared to 2,255.9% at December 31, 2023. We had $300 thousand of charge-offs and no recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $11 thousand of charge-offs and no recoveries during the three months ended March 31, 2023.The decrease in the allowance for credit losses was driven primarily by a decrease in required reserves as a result of changes in expected cashflows due to updates to quantitative models made during the first quarter of 2024.
Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $17 thousand to $389 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $372 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was due an increase in service charges on deposit accounts.
Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $219 thousand, or 7.7%, to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits related to an increase in the number of full-time employees throughout the year of 2023.
Income Tax Expense. We recognized income tax expense of $183 thousand and $342 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, resulting in effective rates of 20.4% and 25.2%, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rate for the two years is primarily due to the lower taxable income in 2024 causing our tax credits to greater affect the effective tax rate than when our income was higher.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of our customers and to fund current and planned expenditures. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, proceeds from the sale of loans, and proceeds from maturities of securities. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had a $123.0 million and $124.8 million line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, and had $45 million and $35 million outstanding as of those dates, respectively. In addition, at March 31, 2024, we had an unsecured federal funds line of credit of $10.0 million. No amount was outstanding on this line of credit at March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, we had approximately $43 million of uninsured/uncollateralized deposits. With our sources of funds mentioned above, we anticipate that we will have sufficient funds to meet liquidity needs.
While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are cash and short-term investments including interest-bearing demand deposits. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending, and investing activities during any given period.
Our cash flows are comprised of three primary classifications: cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities, which consists primarily of disbursements for loan originations and the purchase of investment securities and bank owned life insurance, offset by principal collections on loans, proceeds from the sale of securities and proceeds from maturing securities and pay downs on securities, was $5.5 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities, consisting primarily of activity in deposit accounts and proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, offset by repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, was $8.2 million and ($7.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We are committed to maintaining a strong liquidity position. We monitor our liquidity position on a daily basis. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds to meet our current funding commitments. Based on our deposit retention experience and current pricing strategy, we anticipate that a significant portion of maturing time deposits will be retained.
At March 31, 2024, Cullman Savings Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements, and was categorized as well capitalized. Management is not aware of any conditions or events since the most recent notification that would change our category.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange
Act) as of the end of the period covered by the quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
As of March 31, 2024, we were not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not applicable as Cullman Bancorp, Inc. is a smaller company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets forth information in connection with repurchases of our shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs for the Quarter
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2024
268,090
February 1, 2024 through February 28, 2024
25,000
10.50
243,090
March 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024
10,593
10.49
35,593
232,497
(1)On October 18, 2022, the Board of Directors announced a repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 555,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The repurchase program has no expiration date.
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
Item 5 – Other Information
Item 6 – Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
31.1
Certification of John A. Riley, III, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Katrina I. Stephens, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).
Certification of John A. Riley, III, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Katrina I. Stephens, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
The following materials from Cullman Bancorp Inc.’s Form 10-Q report for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Net Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CULLMAN BANCORP INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 14, 2024
/s/ John A. Riley, III
John A. Riley, III
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Katrina I. Stephens
Katrina I. Stephens
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer