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 September 30, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-13695
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
16-1213679
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York
13214-1883
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(315) 445-2282
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
CBU
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, a 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 ☒.
Number of shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding as of the close of business on October 31, 2024: 52,560,245 shares
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I.
Financial Information
Page
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Condition September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
3
Consolidated Statements of Income Three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity Three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements September 30, 2024
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
42
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
71
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
73
Part II.
Other Information
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
74
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Item 6.
Exhibits
75
2
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (includes restricted cash of $5,110 and $0, respectively)
$
346,110
190,962
Available-for-sale investment securities, includes pledged securities that can be sold or repledged of $393,137 and $598,873, respectively (cost of $3,203,694 and $3,301,607, respectively)
2,885,943
2,919,992
Held-to-maturity securities (fair value of $1,276,676 and $1,121,816, respectively)
1,319,050
1,172,174
Equity and other securities
82,558
73,146
Loans
10,251,674
9,704,598
Allowance for credit losses
(76,167)
(66,669)
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses
10,175,507
9,637,929
Goodwill
852,493
845,396
Core deposit intangibles, net
5,797
8,159
Other intangibles, net
42,333
44,432
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
900,623
897,987
Premises and equipment, net
178,429
173,418
Accrued interest and fees receivable
50,815
54,534
Other assets
465,665
435,611
Total assets
16,404,700
15,555,753
Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits
3,586,845
3,638,527
Interest-bearing deposits
9,889,326
9,289,594
Total deposits
13,476,171
12,928,121
Overnight borrowings
0
53,000
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term
317,448
304,595
Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowings
630,970
407,603
Accrued interest and other liabilities
195,164
164,497
Total liabilities
14,619,753
13,857,816
Commitments and contingencies (See Note J)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 54,573,437 and 54,372,292 shares issued, respectively
54,573
54,372
Additional paid-in capital
1,069,258
1,060,289
Retained earnings
1,249,793
1,188,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(494,032)
(556,892)
Treasury stock, at cost (2,027,546 shares, including 102,870 shares held by deferred compensation arrangements at September 30, 2024, and 1,045,232 shares including 120,556 shares held by deferred compensation arrangements at December 31, 2023)
(100,492)
(55,592)
Deferred compensation arrangements (102,870 and 120,556 shares, respectively)
5,847
6,891
Total shareholders’ equity
1,784,947
1,697,937
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per-Share Data)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans
140,472
115,138
401,129
322,775
Interest and dividends on taxable investments
20,550
18,969
63,230
61,718
Interest and dividends on nontaxable investments
2,878
3,449
9,238
10,569
Total interest income
163,900
137,556
473,597
395,062
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits
40,592
24,555
117,766
53,431
Interest on borrowings
10,563
5,215
26,687
13,536
Total interest expense
51,155
29,770
144,453
66,967
Net interest income
112,745
107,786
329,144
328,095
Provision for credit losses
7,709
16,565
7,130
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
105,036
104,908
312,579
320,965
Noninterest revenues:
Deposit service fees
14,916
14,026
43,338
40,607
Mortgage banking
1,055
113
3,675
399
Other banking services
4,621
3,452
11,470
10,767
Employee benefit services
33,215
29,997
97,031
87,946
Insurance services
13,652
12,113
38,068
35,495
Wealth management services
8,892
7,934
26,793
24,037
Loss on sales of investment securities
(255)
(487)
(52,329)
Gain on debt extinguishment
242
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities
101
(49)
984
(99)
Total noninterest revenues
76,197
67,586
220,872
147,065
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits
78,022
70,687
224,532
210,208
Data processing and communications
15,894
15,480
45,516
42,900
Occupancy and equipment
10,586
10,358
32,663
31,835
Amortization of intangible assets
3,369
3,576
10,822
10,948
Legal and professional fees
3,723
3,826
11,523
12,129
Business development and marketing
4,365
4,628
11,549
12,096
Acquisition-related contingent consideration adjustments
(156)
80
1,080
Litigation accrual
102
221
Acquisition expenses
66
205
56
Other expenses
8,232
7,869
24,411
22,342
Total noninterest expenses
124,203
116,504
361,286
343,594
Income before income taxes
57,030
55,990
172,165
124,436
Income taxes
13,129
11,861
39,477
26,218
Net income
43,901
44,129
132,688
98,218
Basic earnings per share
0.83
0.82
2.50
1.82
Diluted earnings per share
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
Pension and other post retirement obligations:
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) included in net periodic pension cost, gross
290
(550)
869
(1,648)
Tax effect
(71)
134
(212)
401
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) included in net periodic pension cost, net
219
(416)
657
(1,247)
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, gross
160
480
(39)
(117)
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, net
121
363
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to pension and other post-retirement obligations, net of taxes
340
(295)
1,020
(884)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, gross
120,681
(105,326)
81,317
(58,105)
(29,452)
25,630
(19,845)
14,120
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, net
91,229
(79,696)
61,472
(43,985)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, gross
255
487
52,329
(62)
(119)
(12,714)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net
193
368
39,615
Other comprehensive gain (loss) related to unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities, net of taxes
91,422
61,840
(4,370)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
91,762
(79,991)
62,860
(5,254)
Comprehensive income (loss)
135,663
(35,862)
195,548
92,964
As of
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component:
Unrecognized prior service cost and net actuarial losses on pension and other post-retirement obligations
(34,769)
(36,118)
8,585
8,914
Net unrecognized prior service cost and net actuarial losses on pension and other post-retirement obligations
(26,184)
(27,204)
Unrealized loss on investment securities
(617,186)
(698,990)
149,338
169,302
Net unrealized loss on investment securities
(467,848)
(529,688)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
Three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Accumulated
Common Stock
Additional
Other
Deferred
Shares
Amount
Paid-In
Retained
Comprehensive
Treasury
Compensation
Outstanding
Issued
Capital
Earnings
Loss
Stock
Arrangements
Total
Balance at June 30, 2024
52,522,803
54,549
1,065,937
1,230,133
(585,794)
(100,446)
5,801
1,670,180
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax
Dividends declared:
Common, $0.46 per share
(24,241)
Common stock activity under employee stock plans
24,048
24
1,284
1,308
Stock-based compensation
2,083
Distribution of stock under deferred compensation arrangements
(46)
46
Treasury stock purchased
(960)
Balance at September 30, 2024
52,545,891
Balance at June 30, 2023
53,528,090
54,364
1,054,871
1,159,126
(611,702)
(46,038)
6,785
1,617,406
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Common, $0.45 per share
(24,059)
47
(52)
52
2,515
(101,172)
(5,108)
Balance at September 30, 2023
53,426,989
1,057,433
1,179,196
(691,693)
(51,198)
6,837
1,554,939
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Balance at December 31, 2023
53,327,060
Common, $1.36 per share
(71,764)
201,146
201
2,501
2,702
6,506
20,769
(38)
1,082
(1,044)
(1,003,084)
(45,982)
Balance at December 31, 2022
53,737,249
54,190
1,050,231
1,152,452
(686,439)
(26,485)
7,756
1,551,705
Common, $1.33 per share
(71,474)
173,610
174
537
(163)
163
711
6,709
19,264
(44)
1,126
(1,082)
(503,134)
(25,676)
7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
10,107
9,781
Net amortization on securities, loans and borrowings
6,996
(242)
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
654
Unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities
(984)
99
Income from bank-owned life insurance policies
(1,817)
(1,762)
Net gain on sale of assets
(1,157)
(1,067)
Change in other assets and liabilities
(4,212)
(2,758)
Net cash provided by operating activities
176,538
183,714
Investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and paydowns of available-for-sale investment securities
46,205
582,614
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and paydowns of held-to-maturity investment securities
4,015
72
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of equity and other investment securities, net
261
20,960
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities
57,539
733,789
Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities
(128,811)
(23,933)
Purchases of equity and other securities, net
(8,689)
(4,542)
Net increase in loans
(573,533)
(660,031)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received
(11,553)
(8,301)
Proceeds from sales of premises, equipment and other assets
3,081
5,902
Purchases of premises and equipment
(13,501)
(13,889)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(624,986)
632,641
Financing activities:
Net increase in deposits
548,050
18,480
Net decrease in overnight borrowings
(53,000)
(768,400)
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term
12,853
(16,400)
Proceeds from other Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
250,000
300,000
Payments on and maturities of other Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
(35,415)
(2,713)
Payments of contingent consideration for acquisitions
(2,690)
(1,214)
Redemption of subordinated notes payable
(3,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Purchases of treasury stock
(25,839)
Increase in deferred compensation arrangements
Cash dividends paid
(71,608)
(71,048)
Withholding taxes paid on share-based compensation
(1,314)
(1,184)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
603,596
(570,444)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
155,148
245,911
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
209,896
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
455,807
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
143,072
64,147
Cash paid for income taxes
32,948
29,198
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities:
Dividends declared and unpaid
24,324
24,189
Transfers from loans to other real estate
2,021
232
Transfers from premises and equipment, net to other assets
2,398
1,948
Finance lease right of use asset in exchange for finance lease liability
8,608
Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired, excluding acquired cash and intangibles
447
243
Fair value of liabilities assumed
1,906
18
Contingent consideration in exchange for acquired assets
3,416
1,450
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
NOTE A: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The interim financial data as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of Community Financial System, Inc. (the “Company”), the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 29, 2024.
NOTE B: ACQUISITIONS
Subsequent Period Acquisitions
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company, through its subsidiary OneGroup NY, Inc. (“OneGroup”), completed the acquisition of certain assets of insurance agencies headquartered in New York and Florida, for a total of $4.0 million in cash, plus contingent consideration based on certain levels of revenue achieved in the two years subsequent to acquisition, not to exceed two payments totaling $0.4 million. The effects of the acquired assets and liabilities will be included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition dates.
Current and Prior Period Acquisitions
During the first nine months of 2024, the Company, through its subsidiary OneGroup completed the acquisition of two insurance agencies headquartered in New York and one insurance agency headquartered in Florida, for aggregate consideration of $5.6 million in cash plus contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of $0.4 million at acquisition date. The effects of the acquired assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The contingent consideration arrangement requires additional consideration to be paid by the Company based on a percentage of retained revenue two years after the date of acquisition, up to a maximum of $1.0 million. The fair value of the contingent consideration of $0.4 million at the acquisition date was estimated based on projected retained revenue levels. Net assets acquired were $2.8 million, including $3.2 million of customer list intangible assets, and the company recorded $3.2 million of goodwill in conjunction with the acquisitions. The operations of these acquisitions have been integrated into the Company and discrete reporting of revenues and direct expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 is not practicable.
On February 1, 2024, the Company, through its subsidiary Benefit Plans Administrative Services, LLC (“BPA”), completed the acquisition of certain assets of Creative Plan Designs Limited (“CPD”), a financial services company that provides employee benefit plan design, administration and consulting services. Total consideration was $5.9 million in cash plus contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of $3.0 million at acquisition date. The effects of the acquired assets are included in the consolidated financial statements from that date. Net assets acquired were $4.5 million, including $5.5 million of customer list intangible assets, and the Company recorded $4.4 million of goodwill in conjunction with the acquisition. The operations of this acquisition have been integrated into the Company and discrete reporting of revenues and direct expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 is not practicable.
The acquisition of CPD includes contingent consideration arrangements that require additional consideration to be paid by the Company based on the future revenue levels of CPD over approximately three years and a contract holdback payment. The contract holdback will be paid upon satisfaction of certain customer retention requirements, and will be prorated based on actual results. The contract holdback amount was estimated at the maximum level of $1.5 million at the acquisition date. The revenue-based contingent consideration is payable in four installments, based on future revenue levels of CPD in 2024, 2025, 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. The range of undiscounted amounts the Company could pay under the contingent consideration agreement is between zero and $2.0 million for the first three payments in total and a variable amount for the fourth payment, which is between zero and a percentage of annualized revenue above a threshold for a particular revenue stream in the first quarter of 2027. The fair value of the contingent consideration recognized on the acquisition date of $3.0 million was estimated by applying the income approach, a measure that is based on significant Level 3 inputs not readily observable in the market. Key assumptions at the date of acquisition include (1) a discount rate range of 15.1% to 19.1% to present value the payments and (2) probability of achievement of future revenue levels of 82%.
During 2023, the Company, through its subsidiaries OneGroup, OneGroup Wealth Partners, Inc. (“Wealth Partners”) and Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (“BPAS”), completed the acquisition of certain assets of financial services companies. The acquired companies provide insurance, wealth management and benefit plan recordkeeping services and are headquartered in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. Total aggregate consideration for these acquisitions was $8.3 million, including $6.8 million in cash and $1.5 million in contingent consideration arrangements. The contingent consideration arrangements are based on achieving certain levels of retained revenue over a period ranging from two to five years. The fair value of these arrangements has been recorded based on the assumption that retained revenue levels will meet or exceed the required threshold for the maximum contingent consideration payments. Aggregate assets acquired were $5.3 million, including $5.1 million of customer list intangible assets, and the Company recorded goodwill of $3.0 million. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The operations of these acquisitions have been integrated into the Company and discrete reporting of revenues and direct expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is not practicable.
On March 1, 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary Community Bank, N.A. (“CBNA”), completed the acquisition of certain assets of Axiom Realty Group, which includes Axiom Capital Corp., Axiom Realty Management, LLC and Axiom Realty Advisors, LLC (collectively referred to as “Axiom”), a commercial real estate finance and advisory firm, for $1.8 million in cash. The Company recorded a $1.2 million customer list intangible and recognized $0.6 million of goodwill in conjunction with the acquisition. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. Revenues of approximately $0.6 million and $1.3 million and direct expenses of approximately $0.6 million and $1.9 million were included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Revenues of approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million and direct expenses of approximately $0.5 million and $1.2 million were included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
The assets and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the dates of the acquisitions, and are subject to adjustment based on updated information not available at the time of the acquisitions. During the first quarter of 2024, an additional cash consideration payment of $0.1 million was made in connection with a 2023 acquisition by BPA based upon the receipt of new information resulting in a $0.1 million increase to the carrying value of other intangibles and had no impact on the carrying value of goodwill. During the third quarter of 2024, based on receipt of new information, additional consideration of $0.1 million was paid and adjustments were made to the carrying value of other assets and other liabilities associated with one of the 2024 OneGroup acquisitions which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $0.2 million.
The Axiom acquisition generally expanded the Company’s presence nationwide providing services to arrange financing for commercial real estate customers. The OneGroup and Wealth Partners acquisitions generally expanded the Company’s insurance and wealth management presence in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania. The BPAS and BPA acquisitions generally expanded the Company’s employee benefit services presence in New York. Management expects that the Company will benefit from greater geographic diversity and the advantages of other synergistic business development opportunities.
10
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed after considering the measurement period adjustments described above:
(000s omitted)
CPD
Other(1)
Axiom
Other(2)
Consideration:
Cash
5,861
5,591
11,452
1,819
6,832
8,651
Contingent consideration
3,066
350
Total net consideration
8,927
5,941
14,868
8,282
10,101
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Cash and cash equivalents
33
106
112
25
41
26
309
335
175
177
Other intangibles
5,500
3,221
8,721
1,176
5,064
6,240
Other liabilities
(990)
(916)
(1,906)
(9)
(18)
Total identifiable assets, net
4,542
2,753
7,295
1,194
5,271
6,465
4,385
3,188
7,573
625
3,011
3,636
The other intangibles related to the CPD acquisition are being amortized using an accelerated method over an estimated useful life of twelve years. The other intangibles related to the OneGroup acquisitions completed in 2024 and 2023, the Wealth Partners and BPAS acquisitions completed in 2023 and the Axiom acquisition are being amortized using an accelerated method over an estimated useful life of eight years. The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to the Employee Benefit Services segment for the CPD acquisition and the BPAS acquisition completed in 2023, the Insurance segment for the OneGroup acquisitions completed in 2024 and 2023, the Wealth Management segment for the Wealth Partners acquisition completed in 2023 and the Banking and Corporate segment for the Axiom acquisition. The goodwill arising from the OneGroup acquisition in the second quarter of 2024 is not deductible for tax purposes, while the goodwill arising from all of the acquisitions completed in the first and third quarters of 2024 and 2023 is deductible for tax purposes.
Direct costs related to the acquisitions were expensed as incurred. Merger and acquisition integration-related expenses were $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Merger and acquisition integration-related expenses were immaterial for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023. These expenses have been separately stated in the consolidated statements of income.
NOTE C: ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the Company, as applied in the consolidated interim financial statements presented herein, are substantially the same as those followed on an annual basis as presented on pages 84 through 97 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 except as noted below.
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 September 30, 2024, $36.1 million of accounts receivable, including $8.0 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $2.2 million of unearned revenue, was recorded in the consolidated statements of condition. As of December 31, 2023, $41.7 million of accounts receivable, including $8.1 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $0.8 million of unearned revenue, was recorded in the consolidated statements of condition.
11
Segment Information
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company changed its determination of reportable segments and reportable measure of segment profit or loss in connection with the appointment of the Company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), and changes in the information the CODM regularly reviews and uses to allocate resources and assess performance. The appointment of the Company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer followed the retirement of the Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, who previously served as the Company’s CODM until December 31, 2023. The change in determination of reportable segments was also driven by a change in the disaggregation of segment information that management believes would be useful to readers of the financial statements and to align its reportable segments with financial information communicated to external parties, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the business leaders who regularly meet with the CODM who also review this information at the same level of disaggregation. The change in reportable measure of segment profit or loss aligns with a change in the measurement principles of the internal reporting package used by the CODM to allocate resources and assess performance, which is presented on an operating basis excluding certain items considered non-core to the underlying business. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company has identified (1) Banking and Corporate; (2) Employee Benefit Services; (3) Insurance Services; and (4) Wealth Management Services as its reportable segments and determined that operating income before income taxes is the reportable measure of segment profit or loss that the CODM regularly reviews and uses to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s insurance services revenue and wealth management services revenue are reported separately in the Insurance reportable segment and Wealth Management reportable segment, respectively. The prior period has been recast to conform to the new current period presentation. See Note M for more detail on segment information.
Leases
The Company entered into certain finance leases beginning in the second quarter of 2024. Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. The classification is governed by five criteria in accordance with FASB ASC 842-10-25-2, and if any of the five criteria are met, the lease is classified as a finance lease. All other leases are classified as operating leases. The right-of-use assets associated with finance leases are included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The lease liabilities associated with finance leases are included in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and other borrowings in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current period’s presentation.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, to update reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance by the CODM. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. This update will require enhanced disclosures for noninterest expenses but does not change how an entity identifies operating segments. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2024 and the enhanced disclosures are expected to be initially provided in its December 31, 2024 Form 10-K in alignment with the mandatory effective dates of the ASU.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, to enhance the disclosure of expenses by requiring further disaggregation of relevant expense captions as well as disclosures about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is applicable to all public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements.
12
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The update requires enhancements to the rate reconciliation, including disclosure of specific categories and additional information for reconciling items meeting a quantitative threshold as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes, and individual jurisdictions meeting a quantitative threshold. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and early adoption is permitted. While the guidance will result in expanded disclosures, the Company does not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Fair
(000’s omitted)
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
2,386,644
244,022
2,142,622
2,381,168
300,385
2,080,783
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
430,699
878
29,625
401,952
502,879
1,469
29,985
474,363
Government agency mortgage-backed securities
370,845
116
44,452
326,509
400,062
76
51,612
348,526
Corporate debt securities
8,000
327
7,673
606
7,394
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
7,506
319
7,187
9,498
572
8,926
Total available-for-sale portfolio
3,203,694
994
318,745
3,301,607
1,545
383,160
Held-to-Maturity Portfolio:
1,131,278
43,848
1,087,430
1,109,101
50,866
1,058,235
187,772
1,817
343
189,246
63,073
688
180
63,581
Total held-to-maturity portfolio
44,191
1,276,676
51,046
1,121,816
As of September 30, 2024, equity and other securities on the consolidated statements of condition consists of equity securities with readily determinable fair values carried at $2.1 million and equity securities without readily determinable fair values carried at $80.4 million, including FHLB common stock of $40.7 million, Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) common stock of $33.4 million and other equity securities of $6.3 million.
As of December 31, 2023, equity and other securities on the consolidated statements of condition consists of equity securities with readily determinable fair values carried at $0.4 million and equity securities without readily determinable fair values carried at $72.8 million, including FHLB common stock of $32.5 million, FRB common stock of $33.6 million and other equity securities of $6.7 million.
The investment in FRB stock represents approximately half of the total required subscription, and the remaining half is unpaid and remains subject to call by the FRB.
The amount of upward and downward adjustments to equity securities without readily determinable fair values was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The gains and losses on equity and other securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Net gain (loss) recognized on equity securities
Less: Net gain (loss) recognized on equity securities sold during the period
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized on equity securities still held
13
A summary of investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position is as follows:
As of September 30, 2024
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Longer
19,552
83
302,843
29,542
322,395
23
315,368
315,391
7,174
Total available-for-sale investment portfolio
19,575
2,775,680
318,662
2,795,255
U.S Treasury and agency securities
61,169
334
1,382
62,551
1,088,812
43,857
1,149,981
As of December 31, 2023
63,541
287,191
29,107
350,732
8,586
55
336,266
51,557
344,852
8,907
72,127
933
2,720,541
382,227
2,792,668
536,885
15,953
521,350
34,913
18,951
158
1,393
22
20,344
555,836
16,111
522,743
34,935
1,078,579
The unrealized losses reported pertaining to available-for-sale securities issued by the U.S. government and its sponsored entities include treasuries, agencies, and mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, which are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services, AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The majority of the obligations of state and political subdivisions carry a credit rating of A or better. Additionally, a portion of the obligations of state and political subdivisions carry a secondary level of credit enhancement. The Company holds two corporate debt securities in an unrealized loss position and, based on an analysis of the financial position of the issuers including financial performance, liquidity and regulatory capital ratios, the issuers of the securities show a remote risk of default. Timely interest payments continue to be made on the securities. The unrealized losses in the portfolios are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. As such, management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2024 represents credit losses and no related allowance for credit losses has been recognized. Accordingly, there is no allowance for credit losses on the Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio as of September 30, 2024. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities, included in accrued interest and fees receivable on the consolidated statements of condition, totaled $8.7 million at September 30, 2024 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
14
Securities classified as held-to-maturity are included under the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) methodology. Calculation of expected credit loss under CECL is done on a collective (“pooled”) basis, with assets grouped when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company notes that at September 30, 2024, all securities in the held-to-maturity classification are U.S. Treasury securities and government agency mortgage-backed securities; therefore, they share the same risk characteristics and can be evaluated on a collective basis. The expected credit loss on these securities is evaluated based on historical credit losses of this security type and the expected possibility of default in the future as these securities are guaranteed by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury securities and government agency mortgage-backed securities often receive the highest credit rating by rating agencies and the Company has concluded that the possibility of default is considered remote. The U.S. Treasury securities and government agency mortgage-backed securities held by the Company in the held-to-maturity category carry an AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s, AAA from Moody’s Investor Services, and AA+ from Fitch. The Company concludes that the long history with no credit losses for these securities (adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts) indicates an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. Management has concluded that the prepayment risk associated with these securities is insignificant and it is expected to recover the recorded investment. Accordingly, there is no allowance for credit losses on the Company’s held-to-maturity debt portfolio as of September 30, 2024. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities, included in accrued interest and fees receivable on the consolidated statements of condition, totaled $3.7 million at September 30, 2024 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at September 30, 2024, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, including government agency mortgage-backed securities and government agency collateralized mortgage obligations, are shown separately.
Held-to-Maturity
Available-for-Sale
Due in one year or less
10,716
10,654
Due after one through five years
1,892,504
1,766,022
Due after five years through ten years
562,638
553,223
268,172
244,929
Due after ten years
568,640
534,207
653,951
530,642
Subtotal
2,825,343
2,552,247
Investment securities with a carrying value of $2.46 billion and $2.14 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, were pledged to collateralize certain deposits and borrowings. Securities pledged to collateralize certain borrowings included $393.1 million and $598.9 million of U.S. Treasury securities that were pledged as collateral for securities sold under agreement to repurchase at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. All securities sold under agreement to repurchase as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 have an overnight and continuous maturity.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company sold $26.8 million in book value of available-for-sale obligations of state and political subdivisions securities, recognizing $0.3 million of gross realized losses. The proceeds from these sales of $26.5 million were redeployed entirely towards reducing existing overnight borrowings.
During the second quarter of 2024, the Company sold $31.2 million in book value of available - for - sale obligations of state and political subdivisions securities, recognizing $0.2 million of gross realized gains and $0.4 million of gross realized losses. The proceeds from these sales of $31.0 million were redeployed entirely towards reducing existing overnight borrowings.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Company sold $786.1 million in book value of available-for-sale U.S. Treasury and agency securities, recognizing $52.3 million of gross realized losses. The sales were completed in January and February 2023 as part of a strategic balance sheet repositioning and were unrelated to the negative developments in the banking industry that occurred in March 2023. The proceeds from these sales of $733.8 million were redeployed entirely towards reducing existing overnight borrowings.
15
NOTE E: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are summarized as follows:
CRE – multifamily
694,847
619,794
CRE – owner occupied
870,165
752,774
CRE – non-owner occupied
1,731,850
1,711,198
Commercial & industrial and other business loans
1,094,767
1,000,630
Consumer mortgage
3,427,317
3,285,018
Consumer indirect
1,780,586
1,703,440
Consumer direct
191,178
185,229
Home equity
460,964
446,515
Gross loans, including deferred origination costs
The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost basis of the Company’s past due loans by segment as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Past Due
90+ Days Past
30 – 89
Due and
Days
Still Accruing
Nonaccrual
Current
Total Loans
716
311
1,027
693,820
10,064
10,185
859,980
100
12,230
12,330
1,719,520
923
7,973
8,896
1,085,871
22,466
2,731
26,136
51,333
3,375,984
19,066
585
19,651
1,760,935
1,368
110
1,478
189,700
2,474
407
2,299
5,180
455,784
47,234
3,833
59,013
110,080
10,141,594
1,477
1,953
3,430
749,344
2,311
17,964
20,275
1,690,923
880
336
1,216
999,414
18,434
4,559
26,043
49,036
3,235,982
20,215
776
20,991
1,682,449
1,579
135
1,737
183,492
3,546
416
2,368
6,330
440,185
48,442
5,886
48,687
103,015
9,601,583
16
An immaterial amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and an immaterial amount of accrued interest was written off on nonaccrual loans by reversing interest income.
The Company uses several credit quality indicators to assess credit risk in an ongoing manner. The Company’s primary credit quality indicator for its business lending portfolio is an internal credit risk rating system that categorizes loans as “pass”, “special mention”, “substandard”, or “doubtful”. Credit risk ratings are applied to loans individually based on a case-by-case evaluation. In general, the following are the definitions of the Company’s credit quality indicators:
Pass
The condition of the borrower and the performance of the loans are satisfactory or better.
Special Mention
The condition of the borrower has deteriorated and the loan has potential weaknesses, although the loan performs as agreed. Loss may be incurred at some future date if conditions deteriorate further.
Substandard
The condition of the borrower has significantly deteriorated and the loan has a well-defined weakness or weaknesses. The performance of the loan could further deteriorate and incur loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful
The condition of the borrower has deteriorated to the point that collection of the balance is improbable based on current facts and conditions and loss is likely.
17
The following tables show the amount of business lending loans by credit quality category at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Revolving
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
Converted
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Cost Basis
to Term
CRE – multifamily:
Risk rating
7,692
89,133
143,201
52,068
17,616
138,406
44,616
147,630
640,362
Special mention
13,175
7,259
540
62
4,403
496
14,147
40,082
1,690
149
12,068
14,403
Total CRE – multifamily
102,308
150,460
53,104
17,678
144,499
45,261
173,845
Current period gross charge-offs(1)
CRE – owner occupied:
93,638
51,815
78,220
53,803
38,431
244,268
58,622
197,433
816,230
749
4,940
2,402
1,623
2,032
11,218
429
1,151
24,544
1,952
7,113
883
1,441
10,463
1,066
5,798
28,716
675
Total CRE – owner occupied
94,387
59,382
87,735
56,309
41,904
265,949
60,117
204,382
CRE – non-owner occupied:
84,887
121,211
229,489
103,230
86,692
305,197
363,323
252,680
1,546,709
382
19,297
16,293
1,275
22,958
18,110
3,362
81,835
10,984
133
1,316
253
18,389
27,709
43,558
102,342
964
Total CRE – non-owner occupied
85,045
132,577
248,919
121,803
88,220
346,544
409,142
299,600
412
554
966
Commercial & industrial and other business loans:
201,133
73,240
111,141
74,994
24,287
95,800
377,506
57,960
1,016,061
1,808
1,167
3,588
3,035
2,524
16,311
3,344
33,255
486
16,775
2,762
1,214
204
1,083
18,330
4,597
45,451
Total commercial & industrial and other business loans
203,427
91,182
117,491
77,686
27,526
99,407
412,147
65,901
64
98
21
482
674
Total business lending:
387,350
335,399
562,051
284,095
167,026
783,671
844,067
655,703
4,019,362
2,715
19,664
32,546
19,934
6,404
41,103
35,346
22,004
179,716
29,711
10,008
3,909
1,898
31,625
47,254
66,021
190,912
1,639
Total business lending
390,551
385,449
604,605
308,902
175,328
856,399
926,667
743,728
4,391,629
476
556
1,640
2019
90,888
145,337
52,058
19,982
41,992
112,287
3,237
106,580
572,361
7,317
65
3,522
8,289
32,368
959
551
1,293
150
12,112
15,065
104,063
153,613
20,047
42,543
117,102
3,387
126,981
58,544
89,616
58,798
46,465
80,361
192,345
28,023
158,652
712,804
3,258
2,384
649
639
1,472
11,962
743
6,064
27,171
108
922
1,480
514
7,531
941
423
12,799
62,682
92,108
60,369
48,584
82,347
211,838
29,707
165,139
19
143,106
255,699
111,306
86,560
60,646
275,458
387,559
265,348
1,585,682
827
16,109
1,311
109
29,648
18,806
3,506
70,358
947
136
1,123
2,996
1,248
20,578
27,542
54,670
488
144,095
256,662
128,538
91,355
62,003
325,684
406,465
296,396
146,627
133,529
94,764
34,572
34,714
99,525
337,388
55,222
936,341
15,306
2,071
1,491
1,557
2,553
1,854
16,341
8,045
49,218
38
800
558
477
323
1,305
10,800
770
15,071
161,971
136,400
96,813
36,606
37,590
102,684
364,529
64,037
36
569
765
439,165
624,181
316,926
187,579
217,713
679,615
756,207
585,802
3,807,188
31,781
12,599
18,249
3,572
4,134
46,986
35,890
25,904
179,115
1,865
2,003
2,603
4,953
2,636
30,707
11,991
40,847
97,605
472,811
638,783
337,778
196,592
224,483
757,308
804,088
652,553
4,084,396
588
784
All other loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are monitored collectively on a monthly basis. These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or nonperforming. Performing loans include loans classified as current as well as those classified as 30 - 89 days past due. Nonperforming loans include 90+ days past due and still accruing and nonaccrual loans.
The following tables detail the balances in all other loan categories at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Consumer mortgage:
FICO AB(1)
Performing
232,937
336,417
332,687
429,254
186,884
688,527
111,253
2,317,959
Nonperforming
511
485
667
4,864
184
6,711
Total FICO AB
333,198
429,739
187,551
693,391
111,437
2,324,670
FICO CDE(2)
104,716
142,588
142,134
154,892
95,873
364,724
35,889
39,675
1,080,491
315
1,105
2,671
1,765
2,044
12,783
344
1,129
22,156
Total FICO CDE
105,031
143,693
144,805
156,657
97,917
377,507
36,233
40,804
1,102,647
Total consumer mortgage
337,968
480,110
478,003
586,396
285,468
1,070,898
152,241
Current period gross charge-offs(3)
141
1
20
172
345
Consumer indirect:
532,829
540,576
426,993
179,759
40,487
59,357
1,780,001
199
257
Total consumer indirect
540,775
427,250
179,833
40,539
59,360
738
2,281
2,968
1,272
403
1,007
8,669
Consumer direct:
67,778
55,552
35,273
15,198
4,254
6,241
6,772
191,068
54
32
Total consumer direct
55,606
35,274
15,221
6,804
63
828
586
349
181
2,169
Home equity:
44,479
56,011
56,999
56,217
27,645
59,269
132,008
458,258
35
170
173
96
269
796
794
373
2,706
Total home equity
44,514
56,181
57,172
56,313
27,914
60,065
132,802
26,003
92
115
354,967
353,185
456,871
199,429
157,159
606,591
86,067
2,214,269
371
764
605
279
5,187
195
7,401
353,556
457,635
200,034
157,438
611,778
86,262
2,221,670
148,443
150,585
164,839
103,003
71,710
331,839
39,630
30,098
1,040,147
53
2,629
2,477
1,629
1,785
13,201
367
1,060
23,201
148,496
153,214
167,316
104,632
73,495
345,040
39,997
31,158
1,063,348
503,463
506,770
624,951
304,666
230,933
956,818
117,420
85
584
669
681,824
572,799
273,035
71,428
45,203
58,375
1,702,664
84
443
87
681,908
573,242
273,136
71,470
45,222
58,462
926
3,595
1,969
1,171
570
1,121
9,352
80,169
52,826
26,617
4,604
5,697
6,875
185,071
80,202
52,867
26,664
4,606
5,720
6,887
206
813
450
159
161
2,009
61,065
62,801
63,102
31,094
25,721
44,832
126,939
28,177
443,731
162
260
533
1,053
513
2,784
62,963
63,112
31,347
25,981
45,365
127,992
28,690
44
119
Business lending loans greater than $0.5 million that are on nonaccrual are individually assessed, and if necessary, a specific allocation of the allowance for credit losses is provided. If management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses for collateral dependent loans are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for estimated selling costs as appropriate. A loan is considered collateral dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the loan is expected to be repaid substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. The collateral for individually assessed CRE non-owner occupied loans consists mainly of office properties associated with two customers. A summary of individually assessed business loans as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 follows:
Specifically
Carrying
Contractual
Allocated
Balance
Allowance
Loans with allowance allocation:
1,606
682
10,170
10,270
965
3,484
470
11,776
11,876
1,647
Loans without allowance allocation:
8,268
8,306
1,551
1,620
2,622
13,999
14,014
7,481
200
17,369
18,409
15,750
15,765
The average carrying balance of individually assessed loans was $30.8 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average carrying balance of individually assessed loans was $31.1 million and $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No interest income was recognized on individually assessed loans for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, payment delay, or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses.
In some cases, the Company provides multiple types of modifications on one loan. Typically, one type of modification, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another modification, such as principal forgiveness, may be granted. Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is charged off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted by the same amount. The estimate of allowance for credit losses includes historical losses from loans that were modified due to borrower financial difficulty, therefore a charge to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at September 30, 2024 and 2023 that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, by class and by type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below.
September 30, 2023
Total Class of
Term
Payment
Financing
(000s omitted except for percentages)
Extension
Delay
Receivable
0.11
%
1,401
0.04
17,875
1.03
0.00
300
1,226
0.19
0.01
1,490
0.17
2,150
0.20
3,222
1.22
198
29
5,367
0.23
2,377
0.03
The Company closely monitors the performance of loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table presents the performance of such loans that have been modified in the last 12 months.
Past Due 30 –
Due and Still
Non-
89 Days
Accruing
Accrual
21,097
22,686
23,242
The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:
Weighted-Average
Term Extension
Other Payment Delay
(Years)
1.8
0.0
10.0
0.7
0.5
0.4
2.3
8.3
1.0
1.4
7.1
3.1
9.9
1.7
7.8
There were no loans modified to borrowers with financial difficulty that had a payment default subsequent to modification during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The following presents by segment the activity in the allowance for credit losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Beginning
Charge-
Ending
balance
offs
Recoveries
Provision
Business lending
31,128
(1,114)
3,536
33,749
14,303
(188)
14,794
20,124
1,816
2,146
21,086
3,368
(661)
228
1,037
3,972
1,519
(58)
103
1,566
Unallocated
1,000
Allowance for credit losses – loans
71,442
(5,021)
2,250
7,496
76,167
Liabilities for off-balance-sheet credit exposures
213
Total allowance for credit losses
72,311
77,249
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
25,291
(139)
152
740
26,044
14,553
(143)
14,971
17,808
(2,100)
1,319
1,263
18,290
3,032
(554)
217
351
3,046
1,600
(6)
(2)
1,594
63,284
(2,942)
1,693
2,910
64,945
(32)
901
64,217
65,846
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
26,854
(1,640)
330
8,205
15,333
(345)
39
(233)
18,585
(8,669)
4,956
6,214
3,269
(2,169)
710
2,162
1,628
(115)
48
66,669
(12,938)
6,040
16,396
913
169
67,582
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
23,297
(618)
437
2,928
14,343
(366)
17,852
(6,490)
4,342
2,586
2,973
(1,366)
637
802
(90)
77
61,059
(8,930)
5,464
7,352
(222)
62,182
The allowance for credit losses increased to $76.2 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $66.7 million at December 31, 2023 and $64.9 million at September 30, 2023, reflective of a slightly adverse change in certain asset quality metrics, an increase in loans outstanding, and continued macroeconomic uncertainty primarily concerning the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios.
Accrued interest receivable on loans, included in accrued interest and fees receivable on the consolidated statements of condition, totaled $34.0 million at September 30, 2024 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses and amortized cost basis of loans.
The Company utilizes the historical loss rate on its loan portfolio as the initial basis for the estimate of credit losses using the cumulative loss, vintage loss and line loss methods, which is derived from the Company’s historical loss experience. Adjustments to historical loss experience were made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics and to address current period delinquencies, charge-off rates, risk ratings, lack of loan level data through an entire economic cycle, changes in loan sizes and underwriting standards as well as the addition of acquired loans which were not underwritten by the Company. The Company considered historical losses immediately prior, through and following the Great Recession compared to the historical period used for modeling to adjust the historical information to account for longer-term expectations for loan credit performance. Under CECL, the Company is required to consider future economic conditions to determine current expected credit losses. Management selected an eight-quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period with a four-quarter reversion to the historical mean to use as part of the economic forecast, and utilizes a two-quarter lag adjustment for economic factors that are not dependent on collateral values, and no lag for factors that utilize collateral values. Management determined that these qualitative adjustments were needed to adjust historical information for expected losses and to reflect changes as a result of current conditions.
For qualitative macroeconomic adjustments, the Company uses third-party forecasted economic data scenarios utilizing a base scenario and two alternative scenarios that are weighted, with forecasts available as of September 30, 2024. These forecasts were factored into the qualitative portion of the calculation of the estimated credit losses and include the impact of a decline in residential real estate and vehicle prices as well as inflation. The scenarios utilized forecast stable unemployment levels, modest GDP and real household income growth, offset by some declines in auto, housing and commercial real estate prices.
Management developed expected loss estimates considering factors for segments as outlined below:
At September 30, 2024, loans with a carrying amount of approximately $4.55 billion were pledged for the availability to secure certain borrowings with the FHLB and FRB. There were $621.6 million of borrowings outstanding under these arrangements at September 30, 2024.
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure was $7.0 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company did not purchase any loans, while the Company sold $39.9 million of secondary market eligible residential consumer mortgage loans during the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not purchase any loans and sold $4.6 million of secondary market eligible residential consumer mortgage loans.
NOTE F: GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each type of identifiable intangible asset are as follows:
Net
Amortization
Amortizing intangible assets:
Core deposit intangibles
77,373
(71,576)
(69,214)
132,280
(89,947)
125,919
(81,487)
Total amortizing intangibles
209,653
(161,523)
48,130
203,292
(150,701)
52,591
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ended December 31 is as follows:
Oct - Dec 2024
3,316
2025
11,959
2026
10,515
2027
4,793
2028
3,582
Thereafter
13,965
Shown below are the components of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024:
Additions/
Adjustments
7,097
NOTE G: BORROWINGS
During January 2024, the Company secured $300.0 million in short-term borrowings through the Bank Term Funding Program at the Federal Reserve at a rate of 4.87%, to fund expected net loan growth. These short-term borrowings matured during March 2024 and the Bank Term Funding Program has ceased making new loans as of March 11, 2024.
During June 2024, three $50.0 million putable advances were executed with the FHLB for a total of $150.0 million in new term borrowings. The advances are putable at the option of the FHLB in June 2025 and mature in June 2027 if the option is not exercised, at interest rates ranging from 4.38% to 4.47%.
During August 2024, a $100.0 million fixed rate putable advance with the FHLB was executed at a rate of 3.73%. The advance is putable at the option of the FHLB in August 2025 and matures in August 2027 if the option is not exercised.
NOTE H: BENEFIT PLANS
The Company provides a qualified defined benefit pension to eligible employees and retirees, other post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees, an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain key executives, and an unfunded stock balance plan for certain nonemployee directors. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of these benefits through charges to expense during the years that employees earn these benefits. The service cost component of net periodic benefit income is included in the salaries and employee benefits line of the consolidated statements of income, while the other components of net periodic benefit income are included in other expenses. The Company made a $4.0 million contribution to its defined benefit pension plan in the first quarter of 2024. The Company made a $4.3 million contribution to its defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2023.
27
The post-retirement benefits component of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is immaterial. The pension benefits component of net periodic benefit income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
Pension Benefits
Service cost
1,342
1,108
3,519
3,324
Interest cost
1,895
1,890
5,695
5,670
Expected return on plan assets
(4,541)
(4,020)
(13,801)
(12,060)
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss
(555)
849
(1,665)
Amortization of prior service cost
615
Net periodic benefit income
(882)
(1,372)
(3,123)
(4,116)
NOTE I: EARNINGS PER SHARE
The two class method is used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share. Under the two class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company has determined that all of its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities as of September 30, 2024.
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average of the common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average of the shares outstanding and the assumed exercise of stock options during the year. The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method of accounting. The treasury stock method determines the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all the dilutive options were exercised and the proceeds were used to repurchase common shares in the open market at the average market price for the applicable time period. Weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding were approximately 0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and were immaterial and 0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and were not included in the computation below.
The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
(000’s omitted, except per share data)
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards
(192)
(158)
(524)
(327)
Income available to common shareholders
43,709
43,971
132,164
97,891
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
52,520
53,502
52,807
53,673
Assumed exercise of stock options
104
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted
52,680
53,606
52,911
53,808
28
Stock Repurchase Program
At its December 2023 meeting, the Board approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,697,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2024. Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion. There were 1,000,000 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during the first nine months of 2024 with an average price paid per share of $45.84.
At its December 2022 meeting, the Board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,697,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2023. There were 607,161 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during 2023 with an average price paid per share of $49.44, including 500,000 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during the first nine months of 2023 with an average price paid per share of $51.35.
NOTE J: COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist primarily of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. These commitments consist principally of unused commercial and consumer credit lines. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third-party. The credit risks associated with commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. The fair value of the standby letters of credit is immaterial for disclosure.
The contract amounts of commitments and contingencies are as follows:
Commitments to extend credit
1,682,414
1,494,549
Standby letters of credit
78,105
61,352
1,760,519
1,555,901
On November 16, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) issued a final rulemaking that implemented a special assessment to recover the uninsured deposit losses from bank failures that occurred during 2023. The final rule anticipated collecting the special assessment over eight quarterly assessment periods beginning in 2024 at an annual rate of approximately 13.4 basis points of uninsured deposits that exceeded $5.0 billion as of December 31, 2022. The FDIC has indicated that the amount of the special assessment and number of quarterly assessment periods are subject to adjustment as their loss estimates change. The Company accrued $1.5 million of expense related to the FDIC special assessment in 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company adjusted its accrual for the FDIC special assessment for a net decrease of $0.2 million. The adjustments were made based on the receipt of new information from the FDIC that indicated an update to the special assessment amount and an increase in the number of quarterly assessment periods from eight to ten. Total FDIC insurance expense was $2.0 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and was $6.5 million and $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
During 2024, CBNA entered into agreements to invest a total of $10.0 million in investment tax credits generated by a solar energy producing company. The Company has elected to account for the investment using the proportional amortization method. At September 30, 2024, the balance of the Company’s investment in these tax credits was $10.0 million and the unfunded commitment related to the solar energy tax credit investments was $9.6 million. These amounts were reflected in other assets and accrued interest and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated statements of condition. The Company expects to fund the commitment by December 31, 2025 as capital calls are made. The Company did not recognize any amortization, income tax credits or other income tax benefits related to its solar energy tax credit investments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Legal Contingencies
On at least a quarterly basis, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings or other matters in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses are reasonably estimable, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent such matters could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. The range of losses that are reasonably possible for matters where an exposure is not currently estimable or considered probable is not believed to be material in the aggregate. This is based on information currently available to the Company and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties.
The Company recorded a loss contingency in 2023 related to the anticipated settlement, following mediation, of a threatened collective and class action asserted against CBNA on behalf of certain nonexempt branch employees, regarding unpaid wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state labor laws. On February 5, 2024, following a mediation held on February 1, 2024, the Company agreed to a settlement in the amount of $5.8 million. A settlement agreement has been executed by the parties and the terms of the settlement have been approved by the Court. The Company recorded a $5.8 million litigation accrual at December 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company paid $5.8 million to the qualified settlement fund and the claims administrator mailed a notice and settlement check to class members who are eligible to participate in the settlement. Any funds that remain in the qualified settlement fund after the deadline to negotiate the settlement checks will revert to CBNA during the three months ended December 31, 2024.
30
NOTE K: FAIR VALUE
Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and require certain disclosures about such fair value instruments. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. exit price). Inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
Significant valuation assumptions not readily observable in a market.
A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between any of the levels for the periods presented.
Total Fair
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Available-for-sale investment securities:
2,081,293
61,329
Total available-for-sale investment securities
804,650
Equity securities
2,106
Mortgage loans held for sale
739
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale
329
Interest rate swap agreements asset
5,017
Interest rate swap agreements liability
(5,017)
2,083,399
805,389
2,889,117
2,019,089
61,694
900,903
372
414
Forward sales commitments
2,019,461
901,323
2,920,786
31
The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the table above are as follows:
The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are immaterial.
The fair value information of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis presented below is not as of the period-end, but rather as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded closest to the date presented.
Individually assessed loans
11,767
3,014
Other real estate owned
2,279
1,159
Mortgage servicing rights
493
(3,737)
(5,150)
10,802
(815)
Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using independent appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace, adjusted for non-observable inputs. Thus, the resulting nonrecurring fair value measurements are generally classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value used for other collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and, therefore, such valuations classify as Level 3.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is valued at the time the loan is foreclosed upon and the asset is transferred to OREO. The value is based primarily on third-party appraisals, less estimated costs to sell. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the customer and customer’s business. Such discounts are significant, ranging from 9.0% to 93.1% at September 30, 2024 and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. OREO is reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. The Company recovers the carrying value of OREO through the sale of the property. The ability to affect future sales prices is subject to market conditions and factors beyond the Company’s control and may impact the estimated fair value of a property.
Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of sale of the underlying loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model incorporating inputs that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Such inputs include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds and are considered to be unobservable and contribute to the Level 3 classification of mortgage servicing rights. In accordance with GAAP, the Company records impairment charges, on a nonrecurring basis, when the carrying value of a stratum exceeds its estimated fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in the estimated fair value of a stratum are recorded by reducing the valuation allowance up to an amount that results in the stratum being carried at its remaining amortized cost. There was a valuation allowance of approximately $1.2 million at December 31, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Company recognized a $1.2 million impairment recovery resulting in no valuation allowance at September 30, 2024.
The Company has recorded contingent consideration liabilities that arise from acquisition activity. The contingent consideration is recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. The valuation of contingent consideration is calculated using an income approach method, which provides an estimation of the fair value of an asset or liability based on future cash flows over a discrete projection period, discounted to present value using an appropriate rate of return. The assumptions used in the valuation calculation are based on significant unobservable inputs, therefore such valuations classify as Level 3.
The contingent consideration related to the Fringe Benefits Design of Minnesota, Inc. (“FBD”) acquisition completed in 2021 was revalued at December 31, 2023. The remaining contingent consideration accrual was adjusted to the maximum potential amount of $2.7 million, using a potential probability of achievement of 100%. The Company made the required $2.7 million payment during the third quarter of 2024.
The first of the two required payments were made on the OneGroup acquisition of Thomas Gregory Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“TGA”) contingent consideration in the third quarter of 2023 in the amount of $2.4 million, based on actual retained revenue results. The remaining contingent consideration liability related to the TGA acquisition was revalued at December 31, 2023 for an adjusted fair value of $1.0 million. In the third quarter of 2024, the liability was revalued to $0.8 million based on actual results and the final payment was made.
The first required payment was made on the CPD contingent consideration in the second quarter of 2024 in the amount of $0.9 million and a second payment was made during the third quarter of 2024 in the amount of $0.2 million based on satisfaction of certain customer retention requirements.
The Company determines fair values based on quoted market values, where available, estimates of present values, or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including, but not limited to, the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of fair value of assets classified as Level 3 on a recurring or non-recurring basis are as follows:
Significant Unobservable
Fair Value at
Input Range
(000’s omitted, except per loan data)
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Weighted Average)
Fair value of collateral
Estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment
27.2
9.0% - 93.1% (48.2%)
Discounted cash flow
Embedded servicing value
Weighted average constant prepayment rate
8.5% - 16.6% (9.1%)
Weighted average discount rate
4.6% - 4.9% (4.9%)
Adequate compensation
7/loan
Discount rate
18.4% (18.4%)
Probability of achievement
82.0% (82.0%)
9.0% - 73.8% (45.8%)
4.2% - 5.1% (4.2%)
4.6% - 5.0% (4.9%)
6.7% - 6.9% (6.9%)
100%
The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of the fair value of assets classified as Level 3 have an inherent measurement uncertainty that, if changed, could result in higher or lower fair value measurements of these assets as of the reporting date. The weighted average of the estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment for individually assessed loans was calculated by dividing the total of the book value of the collateral of the individually assessed loans classified as Level 3 by the total of the fair value of the collateral of the individually assessed loans classified as Level 3. The weighted average of the estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment for other real estate owned was calculated by dividing the total of the differences between the appraisal values of the real estate and the book values of the real estate divided by the totals of the appraisal values of the real estate. The weighted average of the constant prepayment rate for mortgage servicing rights was calculated by adding the constant prepayment rates used in each loan pool weighted by the balance in each loan pool. The weighted average of the discount rate for mortgage servicing rights was calculated by adding the discount rates used in each loan pool weighted by the balance in each loan pool. The weighted average of the discount rate for the contingent consideration was calculated by adding the discount rates used for the calculation of the fair value of each payment of contingent consideration, weighted by the amount of the payment as part of the total fair value of contingent consideration. The weighted average of the probability of achievement was determined by calculating the proportion of the probability-weighted payment of the total maximum payment, weighted by the amount of the payment as part of the total fair value of contingent consideration.
34
Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are presented below. The table presented below excludes other financial instruments for which the carrying value approximates fair value including cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable.
Financial assets:
Net loans
9,897,287
9,293,902
Held-to-maturity securities
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
13,463,479
12,907,605
Other Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
622,273
628,532
410,385
The following is a further description of the principal valuation methods used by the Company to estimate the fair values of its financial instruments.
Loans have been classified as a Level 3 valuation. Fair values for variable rate loans that reprice frequently are based on carrying values. Fair values for fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury and agency securities have been classified as a Level 1 valuation. The fair values of held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury and agency investment securities are based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using quoted market prices for similar securities or model-based valuation techniques. Held-to-maturity government agency mortgage-backed securities have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair values of held-to-maturity government agency mortgage-backed securities are based on current market rates for similar products.
Deposits have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing checking deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposit obligations are based on current market rates for similar securities.
Borrowings have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of overnight borrowings and securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term, is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair values for other FHLB borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar securities.
Other financial assets and liabilities – Cash and cash equivalents have been classified as a Level 1 valuation, while accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair values of each approximate the respective carrying values because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities and present relatively low credit risk and interest rate risk.
NOTE L: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of its business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to manage its exposure to fluctuation in interest rates and credit risk. These financial instruments have been limited to interest rate swap agreements and risk participation agreements. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company enters into interest rate swaps to assist customers in managing their interest rate risk. These swaps are considered derivatives, but are not designated in hedging relationships. These instruments have associated interest rate and credit risk. To mitigate the interest rate risk, the Company enters into offsetting interest rate swaps with counterparties, which are also considered derivatives and are not designated in hedging relationships. Interest rate swaps are recorded within other assets or accrued interest and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition at their estimated fair value. The terms of the interest rate swaps with the customer and the counterparties offset each other, with the only difference being counterparty credit risk. Any changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts are reported in other banking services noninterest revenue in the consolidated statements of income.
Risk Participation Agreements
The Company may enter into a risk participation agreement (“RPA”) with another institution as a means to assume a portion of the credit risk associated with a loan structure which includes a derivative instrument, in exchange for fee income commensurate with the risk assumed, referred to as an “RPA sold”. In addition, in an effort to reduce the credit risk associated with an interest rate swap agreement with a borrower for whom the Company has provided a loan structured with a derivative, the Company may purchase an RPA from an institution participating in the facility in exchange for a fee commensurate with the risk shared, referred to as an “RPA purchased”.
Forward Sales Commitments
The Company enters into forward sales commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans, and interest rate lock commitments to fund loans at a specified interest rate. The forward sales commitments are utilized to reduce interest rate risk associated with interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale. Changes in the estimated fair value of the forward sales commitments and interest rate lock commitments subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time. At inception and during the life of the interest rate lock commitment, the Company includes the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan as part of the fair value measurement of the interest rate lock commitments.
Notional values and fair values of derivative instruments as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
Consolidated
Notional
Statement of
Condition Location
Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under Subtopic 815-20:
13,940
Interest rate swaps
170,250
RPA sold
12,389
RPA purchased
46,474
Total derivatives
230,664
5,346
182,639
The Company’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2023 were immaterial.
The notional amount for interest rate swaps represents the underlying principal amount used to calculate interest payments that are exchanged periodically. The notional amount for risk participation agreements represents the amount of exposure assumed or shared in case of borrower default. The notional amount for commitments to originate real estate loans for sale represents the unpaid principal amount of loans that have been committed to originate.
Fee income earned on interest rate swaps and risk participation agreements is recognized in other banking services noninterest revenues in the consolidated statements of income during the period the derivative instrument is executed. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of fee income associated with interest rate swaps and risk participation agreements.
Cash collateral is posted by the Company with counterparties to secure certain derivatives, which is restricted cash and is included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of condition. The amount of such collateral at September 30, 2024 was $5.1 million.
The Company assessed its counterparty risk at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and determined any credit risk inherent in our derivative contracts was not material. Further information about the fair value of derivative financial instruments can be found in Note K to these consolidated financial statements.
NOTE M: SEGMENT INFORMATION
Operating segments are components of an enterprise, which are evaluated regularly by the CODM in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s CODM is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company has identified (1) Banking and Corporate, (2) Employee Benefit Services, (3) Insurance Services, and (4) Wealth Management Services as its reportable segments and determined that operating income before income taxes is the reportable measure of segment profit or loss that the CODM regularly reviews and uses to allocate resources and assess performance. See Note C for further detail on the factors used to identify the Company’s reportable segments and reportable measure of segment profit or loss.
CBNA operates the Banking and Corporate segment that provides a wide array of lending and depository-related products and services to individuals, businesses, and governmental units with branch locations in Upstate New York as well as Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. In addition to these general intermediation services, the Banking and Corporate segment provides treasury management solutions and payment processing services. The Banking and Corporate segment also includes certain corporate overhead-related expenses.
The Employee Benefit Services segment, which includes the operating subsidiaries of Benefit Plans Administrative Services, LLC, BPAS Actuarial and Pension Services, LLC, BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, FBD, Northeast Retirement Services, LLC, Global Trust Company, Inc., and Hand Benefits & Trust Company, provides employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan and health savings account administration, fund administration, transfer agency, actuarial, and health and welfare consulting services.
The Insurance Services segment is comprised of personal and commercial lines of insurance and other risk management products and services provided by OneGroup.
The Wealth Management Services segment is comprised of wealth management services including trust services provided by the Nottingham Trust division within the Bank, broker-dealer and investment advisory services provided by Community Investment Services, Inc., The Carta Group, Inc. and OneGroup Wealth Partners, Inc. as well as asset management services provided by Nottingham Advisors, Inc.
The accounting policies used in the disclosure of business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (See Note A, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the most recent Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024) except as follows. Operating noninterest revenues exclude certain items considered non-core to the underlying business including realized and unrealized gains or losses on investment securities and gains or losses on debt extinguishment. Operating noninterest expenses also exclude certain items considered non-core to the underlying business including amortization of intangible assets, acquisition expenses, acquisition-related contingent consideration adjustments, litigation accrual and restructuring expenses. Both operating noninterest revenues and operating noninterest expenses include certain intersegment activity associated with transactions between the segments and are eliminated in consolidation. Segment assets include certain segment cash balances held as deposits with CBNA and are eliminated in consolidation.
37
Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of the information to the consolidated financial statements follows:
Wealth
Banking and
Employee
Insurance
Management
Corporate
Benefit Services
Services
111,846
723
138
Operating noninterest revenues
20,478
34,135
13,671
9,242
77,526
Operating noninterest expenses
84,170
19,621
10,830
7,376
121,997
Operating income before income taxes
40,445
15,237
2,879
2,004
60,565
Assets
16,171,950
221,671
71,014
36,253
16,500,888
732,598
89,293
27,167
3,435
Core deposit intangibles & other intangibles, net
6,577
25,069
15,156
1,328
Reconciliation of total segment operating income before income taxes to total consolidated income before income taxes:
Total segment operating income before income taxes
Unrealized gain on equity securities
(711)
(1,715)
(774)
(169)
(3,369)
(66)
156
(100)
(102)
Total consolidated income before income taxes
Reconciliation of total segment operating noninterest revenues to total consolidated noninterest revenues:
Total segment operating noninterest revenues
Elimination of intersegment revenues
(1,175)
Total consolidated noninterest revenues
Reconciliation of total segment operating noninterest expenses to total consolidated noninterest expenses:
Total segment operating noninterest expenses
Elimination of intersegment expenses
Total consolidated noninterest expenses
Reconciliation of total segment assets to total consolidated assets:
Total segment assets
Elimination of intersegment cash and deposits
(96,188)
Total consolidated assets
107,169
17,580
30,741
12,139
8,257
68,717
79,027
18,305
10,246
6,352
113,930
42,844
12,923
1,921
2,007
59,695
15,166,161
237,310
63,237
33,302
15,500,010
85,381
23,979
3,438
10,110
28,258
15,185
2,385
55,938
Unrealized loss on equity securities
(1,004)
(1,596)
(787)
(189)
(3,576)
(80)
(113,688)
15,386,322
326,595
2,048
105
396
58,165
99,756
38,122
27,897
223,940
240,582
60,160
31,598
21,419
353,759
127,613
41,644
6,629
6,874
182,760
(2,539)
(5,221)
(2,494)
(568)
(10,822)
(50)
(155)
(205)
(219)
(221)
(3,565)
40
326,621
97
248
51,746
90,312
35,574
25,063
202,695
233,094
54,639
28,729
18,492
334,954
138,143
36,802
6,942
6,819
188,706
(3,370)
(4,861)
(2,142)
(575)
(10,948)
(1,180)
(1,080)
(16)
(40)
(56)
(3,444)
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) primarily reviews the financial condition and results of operations of Community Financial System, Inc. (the “Company” or “CFSI”) as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, although in some circumstances the second and first quarters of 2024 are also discussed in order to more fully explain recent trends. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that appear on pages 3 through 41. All references in the discussion of the financial condition and results of operations refer to the consolidated position and results of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Unless otherwise noted, the term “this year” and equivalent terms refers to results in calendar year 2024, “last year” and equivalent terms refer to calendar year 2023, “third quarter” refers to the three months ended September 30, 2024, “YTD” refers to the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and earnings per share (“EPS”) figures refer to diluted EPS.
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements are set herein under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 67.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
As a result of the complex and dynamic nature of the Company’s business, management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying the most appropriate accounting policies for its various areas of operations. The policy decision process not only ensures compliance with the current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), but also reflects management’s discretion with regard to choosing the most suitable methodology for reporting the Company’s financial performance. It is management’s opinion that the accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity in the selection process. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as disclosures of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could meaningfully differ from these estimates. Management considers its critical accounting estimates those that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Management believes that the critical accounting estimates include the allowance for credit losses; actuarial assumptions associated with the pension, post-retirement and other employee benefit plans; and the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets. A summary of the critical accounting policies and estimates used by management is disclosed in the MD&A on pages 32-34 of the most recent Form 10-K (fiscal year ended December 31, 2023) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 29, 2024, and there have been no material changes other than those described below regarding the Allowance for Credit Losses. A summary of new accounting policies used by management is disclosed in Note C, “Accounting Policies” beginning on page 11 of this Form 10-Q.
The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) represents management’s judgment of an estimated amount of lifetime losses expected to be incurred on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date. This is estimated using relevant available information from internal and external sources relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The determination of the appropriateness of the ACL is complex and applies significant and highly subjective estimates. The ACL is measured on a collective (pooled) basis for loan segments that share similar risk characteristics, including collateral type, credit ratings/scores, size, duration, interest rate structure, origination vintage and payment structure. The Company utilizes three methods for calculating the ACL: cumulative loss, vintage loss and line loss. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected future credit losses in all three methodologies. Qualitative adjustments are made for differences in loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, acquisition status, current levels of delinquencies, net charge-offs and risk ratings, as well as actual and forecasted macroeconomic variables. Macroeconomic data includes unemployment rates, changes in collateral values such as home prices, commercial real estate prices including office property-specific price forecasts, office property-specific vacancy rates, automobile prices, gross domestic product, median household income net of inflation and other relevant factors. Management utilizes judgment in determining and applying the qualitative factors and weighting the economic scenarios used, which include baseline, upside and downside forecasts. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company updated the ACL model to add 2023 results into the historical data used for calculating the quantitative and qualitative factors as part of the annual model update procedures. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company updated the ACL model to incorporate office property-specific price forecasts and office property-specific vacancy forecasts to provide greater precision to the model. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company applied an additional qualitative overlay to the factor for volume and size of business lending loans and risk rating trends to capture future loss expectations in that portfolio. The combination of these factors, loan balance increases, and other qualitative factors drove a $4.7 million net increase in the ACL during the third quarter.
One of the most significant estimates and judgments influencing the results of the ACL calculation is the macroeconomic forecasts. Changes in these economic forecasts could significantly affect the estimated expected credit losses and lead to materially different amounts from one period to the next. To illustrate the sensitivity of the ACL calculation to these economic forecasts, management performed a hypothetical sensitivity analysis using a weighting of 100% to the downside forecast, rather than the existing weighting of baseline, upside and downside of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively. The scenario-weighted average unemployment rate and GDP growth forecasts used in the ACL model at September 30, 2024 were 4.8% and 1.9%, respectively, compared to 4.6% and 1.8% at June 30, 2024, respectively. The hypothetical downside forecast includes assumptions of a weakening economy represented by a cumulative decline in real GDP of 2.6%, enhanced geopolitical tensions, elevated inflation, a peak unemployment rate of 8.3% and an average unemployment rate of 6.9%. The Company calculated that this hypothetical scenario would increase the ACL and provision for credit losses as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 by approximately $4.9 million, and decrease net income by $3.7 million (net of tax). This change is reflective of the sensitivity of the various economic factors used in the ACL model. The resulting difference is not intended to represent an expected increase in allowance levels, as future conditions are uncertain and there are several other quantitative and qualitative factors that will also fluctuate concurrent with changing economic conditions, which would affect the results of the ACL calculation. The impact that the economic factors have on the model is affected by the upside or downside severity of the scenarios used, the product type mix, and the interaction of the economic factors with other quantitative and qualitative factors in the model, as changes in any particular factor or input may not occur at the same rate or be directionally consistent across all loan segments. Improvements in one factor may offset deterioration in other factors, both qualitative and quantitative. The third-party downside economic forecast used in the hypothetical scenario described does not predict a severe economic downturn, but rather a moderate recessionary environment. The Company’s geographic distribution of loans primarily outside of major metropolitan areas, combined with low statistical correlation between its historical losses and national economic indicators, results in economic-related changes to the allowance that are less significant as compared to national economic activity.
43
Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Results of Operations
The Company also provides supplemental reporting of its results on an “operating” or “tangible” basis. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company modified the presentation of its non-GAAP operating results to exclude amortization of intangible assets which the Company believes better reflects core performance across its segments and enhances comparability to both banking and non-banking organizations. The prior period has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. Results on an “operating” basis exclude the after-tax effects of acquisition expenses, litigation accrual, gain on debt extinguishment, loss on sales of investment securities, unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities and amortization of intangible assets. Results on a “tangible” basis exclude goodwill and intangible asset balances, net of accumulated amortization and applicable deferred tax amounts. Although these items are non-GAAP measures, the Company’s management believes this information helps investors and analysts measure underlying core performance and improves comparability to other organizations that have not engaged in acquisitions or restructuring activities. In addition, the Company provides supplemental reporting for “operating pre-tax, pre-provision net revenues,” which excludes the provision for credit losses, acquisition expenses, litigation accrual, gain on debt extinguishment, loss on sales of investment securities, unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities and amortization of intangible assets from income before income taxes. Although operating pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue is a non-GAAP measure, the Company’s management believes this information helps investors and analysts measure and compare the Company’s performance through a credit cycle by excluding the volatility in the provision for credit losses associated with the impact of CECL, helps investors and analysts measure underlying core performance and improves comparability to other organizations that have not engaged in acquisitions or restructuring activities. The Company also provides supplemental reporting of its interest income, net interest income and net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis, which includes an adjustment to interest income and net interest income that represents taxes that would have been paid had nontaxable investment securities and loans been taxable. Although fully tax-equivalent interest income, net interest income and net interest margin are non-GAAP measures, the Company’s management believes this information helps enhance comparability of the performance of assets that have different tax liabilities. Reconciliations of GAAP amounts with corresponding non-GAAP amounts are presented in Table 14.
Executive Summary
The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services, including employee benefit services, insurance services and wealth management services, to retail, commercial, institutional and municipal customers. The Company’s banking subsidiary is Community Bank, N.A. (the “Bank” or “CBNA”). The Company’s Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (“BPAS”) subsidiary is a leading provider of employee benefits administration, trust services, collective investment fund administration and actuarial consulting services to customers on a national scale. In addition, the Company offers comprehensive financial planning, trust administration and wealth management services through its Community Bank Wealth Management Group operating unit and insurance services through its OneGroup NY, Inc. (“OneGroup”) operating unit.
The Company’s core operating objectives are: (i) optimize the branch network and digital banking delivery systems, primarily through disciplined acquisition strategies, certain selective de novo expansions and divestitures/consolidations, (ii) increase the noninterest component of total revenues through growth in existing banking, employee benefit services, insurance services and wealth management services business units, and the acquisition of additional financial services and banking businesses, (iii) build profitable loan and deposit volume using both organic and acquisition strategies, (iv) manage an investment securities portfolio to complement the Company’s loan and deposit strategies and mitigate interest rate and liquidity risk and optimize net interest income generation, and (v) utilize technology to deliver customer-responsive products and services and improve efficiencies.
Significant factors reviewed by management to evaluate achievement of the Company’s operating objectives and results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share; return on assets and equity; components of net interest margin; noninterest revenues; noninterest expenses; credit metrics; loan and deposit growth; capital management; performance of individual banking and financial services units; performance of specific product lines and customers; liquidity and interest rate sensitivity; enhancements to customer products and services and their underlying performance characteristics; technology advancements; market share; peer comparisons; and the performance of recently acquired businesses.
Third quarter 2024 net income decreased $0.2 million, or 0.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2023, while YTD net income increased $34.5 million, or 35.1% compared to the equivalent 2023 timeframe. Earnings per share of $0.83 for the third quarter of 2024 was $0.01 more than the third quarter of 2023, while 2024 YTD earnings per share of $2.50 was $0.68 higher than 2023 YTD earnings per share. Although net income decreased slightly between the quarterly periods due to increases in noninterest expenses, the provision for credit losses and income taxes, partially offset by increases in noninterest revenues and net interest income, earnings per share increased between the quarterly periods as the number of fully-diluted shares outstanding decreased reflective of share repurchases between the periods. The YTD increase in net income and earnings per share was primarily the result of a $52.3 million pre-tax realized loss on the sale of certain available-for-sale investment securities during the first quarter of 2023 in connection with a balance sheet repositioning. Increases in income taxes, noninterest expenses and the provision for credit losses were partially offset by increases in noninterest revenues excluding realized investment security losses and net interest income and a decrease in the number of fully-diluted shares outstanding. Third quarter and YTD operating net income, a non-GAAP measure, decreased $0.4 million, or 0.9%, as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and decreased $7.9 million, or 5.3%, compared to September YTD 2023. Third quarter and YTD operating earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, increased $0.01 compared to the third quarter of 2023 and decreased $0.11 compared to September YTD 2023. Third quarter and YTD operating pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share, a non-GAAP measure, increased $0.13 compared to the third quarter of 2023 and increased $0.12 compared to September YTD 2023, demonstrating improvement in the Company’s core operating performance between the periods.
Net interest margin decreased four basis points between the third quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024 and decreased 13 basis points on a YTD basis. Fully tax-equivalent net interest margin, a non-GAAP measure, decreased five basis points between the third quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024 and decreased 14 basis points on a YTD basis. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 49 basis points compared to the prior year third quarter and 54 basis points compared to the prior YTD period, as the yield on average loans and average investments both improved. The yield on average loans for the third quarter of 2024 increased 59 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 62 basis points between comparable YTD periods. The increase in yield on average loans was driven by higher interest rates on new loans and an increase in variable and adjustable-rate loan yields. The yield on average investments, including cash equivalents, increased eight basis points compared to the prior year’s third quarter and 10 basis points on a YTD basis, primarily reflective of the purchases of certain higher-yielding government agency mortgage-backed securities between the periods. The Company’s total cost of funds increased 56 basis points from last year’s third quarter and 71 basis points YTD, as the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits and the rate paid on borrowings both increased largely due to market-driven increases in deposit and borrowing rates, as well as the higher proportion of funding coming from comparatively higher rate time deposits and external borrowings.
Loan balances increased on both an average and ending basis as compared to the prior year third quarter and YTD period, reflective of continued strong organic loan growth. Deposit balances also increased on both an average and ending basis as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and YTD due primarily to growth in municipal deposit balances. Investment book balances, including cash equivalents, decreased on both an average and ending basis as compared to the prior year third quarter and YTD period. The decrease on an average YTD basis was primarily due to the maturities and sales of certain available-for-sale investment securities between the periods while the decrease on an ending basis was driven by a decrease in cash equivalents due in part to the funding of strong loan growth. Borrowing balances increased on both an average and ending basis compared to the third quarter of 2023 and YTD as the Company secured certain fixed rate Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) term borrowings between the periods, reflective of the Company’s net earning asset growth exceeding the increase in deposit balances.
Reflective of a slightly adverse change in certain asset quality metrics, an increase in loans outstanding and continued macroeconomic uncertainty primarily concerning the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios, the Company recorded a $7.7 million provision for credit losses during the third quarter and $16.6 million for YTD 2024 resulting in a $4.8 million and $9.4 million higher provision for credit losses than comparable prior year periods, respectively, as the Company increased credit loss reserves primarily related to the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios. Asset quality remained favorable relative to long-term historical averages during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2024 although certain metrics did weaken as compared to the prior year periods. Net charge-offs were $2.8 million, or an annualized 0.11% of average loans, for the third quarter and $6.9 million, or an annualized 0.09% of average loans, for the first nine months of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $1.2 million, or an annualized 0.05% of average loans, for the prior year’s third quarter and $3.5 million, or an annualized 0.05% of average loans, for the first nine months of 2023. The nonperforming loan ratio of 0.61% at September 30, 2024 increased 22 basis points from September 30, 2023 primarily driven by the business loans associated with five loan relationships being downgraded from accruing to nonaccrual status. The nonperforming loan ratio increased 11 basis points from June 30, 2024 primarily driven by the business loans associated with one customer being downgraded from accruing to nonaccrual status. The 30 to 89 day delinquent loan ratio remained low at 0.46%, down from 0.51% at the end of the third quarter of 2023 and up slightly from 0.45% at the end of the prior quarter.
45
Banking noninterest revenues, comprised of deposit service fees, mortgage banking and other banking services revenues, increased $3.0 million, or 17.1%, as compared to the prior year’s third quarter, and increased $6.7 million, or 13.0%, between the comparable YTD periods. The growth between both periods included increases in mortgage banking revenues that reflected higher sales volumes of secondary market eligible residential mortgage loans, higher valuation of mortgage servicing rights and increases in other banking services revenues associated with higher interest rate swap fees due to the recent implementation of this product offering, as well as increased revenues from commercial real estate transaction services. Financial services business revenues, comprised of employee benefit services, insurance services and wealth management services revenues, increased $5.7 million, or 11.4%, as compared to the prior year’s third quarter and increased $14.4 million, or 9.8%, compared to the prior YTD period, reflecting revenue growth in all three segments between both periods.
Noninterest expenses increased $7.7 million, or 6.6%, between the third quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024 and increased $17.7 million, or 5.1%, between September YTD 2023 and September YTD 2024. The increases were primarily driven by salaries and employee benefits that increased $7.3 million, or 10.4%, and $14.3 million, or 6.8%, for the third quarter and YTD periods of 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2023, reflective of merit and market-related increases in employee wages, higher incentive plan costs and acquisitions between the periods, partially offset by the impact of the previously announced retail customer service workforce optimization plan. The remaining increase in noninterest expenses were largely due to higher data processing and communications expenses reflective of the Company’s continued investment in customer-facing and back-office technologies including investments in additional technology to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure, including the detection and prevention of customer payment-related fraud combined with an increase in other expenses driven by increases in insurance expenses and property-related write-downs and a decrease in the net periodic pension benefit credit due to lower non-service related components.
The Company’s deposit base and liquidity position continues to be strong, as the Company had total immediately available liquidity sources of $4.49 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024, approximately double its estimated uninsured deposits, net of collateralized and intercompany deposits. Estimated insured deposits, net of collateralized and intercompany deposits, represent greater than 80% of total deposits at the end of the third quarter. The Company’s deposit base is well diversified across customer segments, which as of September 30, 2024 was comprised of approximately 58% consumer, 27% business and 15% municipal, and broadly dispersed, illustrated by an average deposit balance per account that was under $20,000. Since the Federal Reserve began raising the federal funds rate in March 2022 in an effort to combat inflation, the deposit beta (change in the Company’s cost of funds as a proportion of the change in the federal funds rate) for the Company was 24% and the cycle-to-date total funding beta was 28% of the cumulative 475 basis point increase in the federal funds rate. The lower betas are reflective of a comparatively high proportion of non-interest-bearing deposits, representing approximately 27% of total ending third quarter deposits, and the composition and stability of the customer base. In addition, 65% of the Company’s total deposits were in noninterest checking, interest checking and savings accounts at the end of the third quarter. The Company did not utilize brokered or wholesale deposits.
Net Income and Profitability
As shown in Table 1, net income for the third quarter and September YTD of $43.9 million and $132.7 million, respectively, decreased $0.2 million, or 0.5%, as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and increased $34.5 million, or 35.1%, compared to September YTD 2023. Earnings per share of $0.83 for the third quarter was $0.01 higher than the third quarter of 2023, while earnings per share for the first nine months of 2024 of $2.50 was $0.68 higher than the first nine months of 2023. The decrease in net income for the quarter was the result of increases in noninterest expenses, the provision for credit losses and income taxes, partially offset by increases in net interest income and noninterest revenues. The increase in earnings per share for the quarter was the result of a decrease in fully diluted shares outstanding, which offset the slight decline in net income. The increase in net income and earnings per share for the YTD period as compared to the prior year was primarily the result of the realized loss on the sales of investment securities that was recognized in the first quarter of 2023 as part of a balance sheet repositioning. Additionally, an increase in all other noninterest revenues and net interest income, as well as a decrease in fully diluted shares outstanding, was partially offset by an increase in noninterest expenses, income taxes and the provision for credit losses. Operating net income, a non-GAAP measure, of $46.6 million and $140.9 million for the third quarter and September YTD 2024, respectively, decreased $0.4 million, or 0.9%, as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and decreased $7.9 million, or 5.3%, compared to September YTD 2023. Operating earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, of $0.88 for the third quarter increased $0.01 compared to the third quarter of 2023, while operating earnings per share of $2.65 for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $0.11 compared to the first nine months of 2023. See Table 14 for Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures.
As reflected in Table 1, third quarter net interest income of $112.7 million increased $5.0 million, or 4.6%, from the comparable prior year period. The quarterly improvement resulted from an increase in the balance of and yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by an increase in the balance of and rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the first nine months of 2024 increased $1.0 million, or 0.3%, versus the first nine months of 2023. The YTD increase was primarily the result of a higher balance and yield on interest-earning assets due in part to a higher proportion of those assets being comprised of loan balances due to strong organic loan growth, and the sales and maturities of certain lower-yielding available-for-sale investment securities, partially offset by an increase in the balance and cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
Reflective of slight adverse changes in certain asset quality metrics, an increase in loans outstanding and continued macroeconomic uncertainty primarily concerning the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios, the provision for credit losses of $7.7 million for the third quarter and $16.6 million for September YTD increased $4.8 million and $9.4 million as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was primarily related to the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios.
Third quarter and year-to-date noninterest revenues were $76.2 million and $220.9 million, respectively, an increase of $8.6 million, or 12.7%, from the third quarter of 2023 and an increase of $73.8 million, or 50.2%, from the first nine months of 2023. Total operating noninterest revenues, a non-GAAP measure, for the third quarter and September YTD were $76.4 million and $220.4 million, respectively, an increase of $8.7 million, or 12.9%, and $21.1 million, or 10.6%, from the prior third quarter and YTD period, respectively. The increase over the prior year third quarter was driven by a $5.7 million, or 11.4%, increase in financial services business revenues and a $3.0 million, or 17.1%, increase in banking noninterest revenues. The increase over the prior September YTD period was driven by a $14.4 million, or 9.8%, increase in financial services business revenues and a $6.7 million, or 13.0%, increase in banking noninterest revenues.
Noninterest expenses of $124.2 million and $361.3 million for the third quarter and September YTD periods, respectively, reflected an increase of $7.7 million, or 6.6%, from the third quarter of 2023 and an increase of $17.7 million, or 5.1%, from the first nine months of 2023. The increase in noninterest expenses for the third quarter and September YTD periods was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, data processing and communications and other expenses. Operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure, increased $8.0 million, or 7.1%, from the prior year third quarter, and $18.7 million, or 5.6%, from the prior September YTD.
The effective income tax rates were 23.0% and 22.9% for third quarter and YTD 2024, respectively, as compared to 21.2% and 21.1% for the comparable prior year periods, primarily due to a higher full year projected pre-tax income result and a higher proportion of income from fully taxable sources.
A condensed income statement is as follows:
Table 1: Condensed Income Statements
Noninterest revenues excluding loss on sales of investment securities
76,452
221,359
199,394
Noninterest expenses
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
53,798
53,120
53,988
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the amount by which interest, dividends and fees on interest-earning assets (loans, investments and cash equivalents) exceeds the cost of funds, which consists primarily of interest paid to the Company’s depositors and interest paid on borrowings. Net interest margin is the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of interest-earning assets.
Net interest income totaled $112.7 million for the third quarter of 2024 and was a new quarterly record for the Company. This compares to $107.8 million of net interest income for the third quarter of 2023. As shown in Table 2a, fully tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, for the third quarter was $113.6 million, also a new quarterly record for the Company, compared to $108.8 million for the third quarter of the prior year. The increase was driven by a 49 basis point increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets and an $850.4 million increase in average interest-earning asset balances, partially offset by a 70 basis point increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities and a $986.0 million increase in average interest-bearing liability balances in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. As reflected in Table 3 for the quarter, the favorable net interest income impacts of the increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $17.4 million and the volume increase in average interest-earning asset balances of $8.8 million were partially offset by the unfavorable net interest income impacts of the increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities of $17.9 million and the volume increase in average interest-bearing liability balances of $3.5 million.
Net interest income totaled $329.1 million for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $328.1 million for the first nine months of 2023. As reflected in Table 2b, September YTD fully tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, of $332.0 million, increased $0.7 million, or 0.2%, from the year-earlier period. The September YTD increase resulted from a 54 basis point increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets and a $631.0 million increase in average interest-earning asset balances, partially offset by a 91 basis point increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities and an $877.2 million increase in average interest-bearing liability balances. As reflected in Table 3 for September YTD, the favorable impacts of the increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $59.7 million and the volume increase in average interest-earning asset balances of $18.5 million were partially offset by the unfavorable net interest income impacts of the increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities of $70.7 million and the volume increase in average interest-bearing liability balances of $6.8 million.
Net interest margin of 3.03% for the third quarter of 2024 was four basis points lower as compared to the third quarter of 2023. The fully tax-equivalent net interest margin, a non-GAAP measure, of 3.05% for the third quarter of 2024 was five basis points lower as compared to the prior year’s third quarter. Net interest margin of 3.00% and fully tax-equivalent net interest margin, a non-GAAP measure, of 3.02% for the first nine months of 2024 were lower by 13 basis points and 14 basis points, respectively, than the comparable period of 2023. The decreases were the result of the increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by the increase in the yield on average interest-earnings assets and a higher proportion of those assets being comprised of loan balances due to strong organic loan growth and the sales and maturities of certain lower-yielding available-for-sale investment securities between the YTD periods. The decline in noninterest and low rate checking and savings deposit balances combined with an increase in time and money market deposit balances also had an adverse impact on the net interest margin and fully tax-equivalent net interest margin, a non-GAAP measure, between both periods.
The 49 basis point increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter was the result of increases in both the yield on average loans and the yield on average investments, including cash equivalents. The yield on average loans for the third quarter increased by 59 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter of 2024 yield on average investments, including cash equivalents, increased eight basis points compared to the prior year while the yield on average investments, excluding cash equivalents, increased nine basis points for the same timeframe. The 54 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets for the first nine months of 2024 was the result of a 62 basis point increase in the yield on average loans and a 10 basis point increase in the yield on average investments, including cash equivalents, compared to the prior YTD period. Excluding cash equivalents, the yield on average investments increased five basis points compared to the prior YTD period. The increase in loan yields were reflective of higher interest rates on new loans and an increase in certain variable and adjustable-rate loan yields. As the majority of the Company’s investment portfolio, excluding cash equivalents, is comprised of fixed yield securities, the increase in investment yields were driven by the sales and maturities of certain lower-yielding available-for-sale investment securities and the purchases of certain higher-yielding government agency mortgage-backed securities between the periods.
The third quarter and YTD average book balance of investments, including cash equivalents, decreased $1.4 million and $252.4 million, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The YTD decrease was primarily due to declines in the investment securities portfolio driven by scheduled maturities and the sales of certain available-for-sale investment securities. Investment purchases outpaced sales, maturities, calls and principal payments during the current third quarter and YTD periods, driven by $128.8 million of YTD government agency mortgage-backed securities purchases classified as held-to-maturity. The cash equivalents component of average interest-earning assets decreased $14.8 million and increased $69.0 million for the third quarter and YTD periods, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. Average loan balances increased $851.9 million for the quarter and $883.4 million YTD as compared to the prior year, with increases in all five major loan portfolios between both periods due to high levels of organic growth.
The rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities increased by 70 basis points compared to the prior year quarter as the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased 60 basis points and the average rate paid on external borrowings increased 74 basis points from the comparable prior period. For the first nine months of 2024, the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities increased by 91 basis points from the comparable prior year period as the rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits increased 85 basis points and the rate paid on average external borrowings increased 96 basis points. The increase in the rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits was due to interest rates on certain interest-bearing deposits being raised in response to market conditions, including the effects of a 100 basis point increase in the Federal Funds rate during 2023 as a result of the Federal Reserve Bank’s (“Federal Reserve” or “FRB”) efforts to lower elevated inflation, and a shift in deposit mix as customers responded to changes in market interest rates by moving funds into higher yielding account types. The increase in the rate paid on average borrowings was primarily the result of the Company securing $400.0 million of fixed rate FHLB term borrowings in the third and fourth quarters of 2023, $150.0 million of additional fixed rate FHLB term borrowings in the second quarter of 2024 and $100.0 million of additional fixed rate FHLB term borrowings in the third quarter of 2024 to help meet the Company’s funding needs, which reduced the proportion of lower rate securities sold under agreement to repurchase (customer repurchase agreements) to total borrowings.
Average interest-bearing deposits increased $575.3 million compared to the prior year quarter and $579.1 million compared to the prior YTD period. The quarterly and YTD increases in average interest-bearing deposits were due to increases in time and money market deposits, partially offset by decreases in savings and interest checking deposits reflective of the aforementioned shift in deposit mix and net municipal deposit balance inflows. The average borrowing balance, which primarily includes borrowings at the FHLB and customer repurchase agreements, increased $410.7 million and $298.1 million for the quarter and YTD periods, respectively. The increase in average borrowings from the prior year quarter and YTD periods was primarily due to the aforementioned increase in FHLB term borrowings to meet the Company’s funding needs, as earning asset growth outpaced the increase in deposit balances.
Tables 2a and 2b below sets forth information related to average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and their associated yields and rates for the periods indicated. Interest income and yields are on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis using a marginal income tax rate of 24.4% in 2024 and 24.2% in 2023. Average balances are computed by totaling the daily ending balances in a period and dividing by the number of days in that period. Loan interest income and yields include amortization of deferred loan income and costs, loan prepayment, late and other fees and the accretion of acquired loan purchase discounts and premiums. Average loan balances include acquired loan purchase discounts and premiums, nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
49
Table 2a: Quarterly Average Balance Sheet
Avg.
Average
Yield/Rate
(000’s omitted except yields and rates)
Interest
Paid
Interest-earning assets:
Cash equivalents
38,481
474
4.90
53,279
4.97
Taxable investment securities (1)
4,165,783
20,075
1.92
4,080,835
18,301
1.78
Nontaxable investment securities (1)
436,762
3,586
3.27
508,356
4,325
3.38
Loans (net of unearned discount) (2)
10,155,343
140,637
5.51
9,303,479
115,295
4.92
Total interest-earning assets
14,796,369
164,772
4.43
13,945,949
138,590
3.94
Noninterest-earning assets
1,261,850
1,177,277
16,058,219
15,123,226
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest checking, savings, and money market deposits
7,462,225
20,732
1.11
7,584,361
14,899
0.78
Time deposits
2,074,978
19,860
3.81
1,377,534
9,656
2.78
Customer repurchase agreements
241,454
1,054
1.74
269,309
823
1.21
212,520
3,008
5.63
163,800
2,265
5.48
FHLB and other borrowings
576,225
6,501
4.49
186,401
2,127
4.53
Total interest-bearing liabilities
10,567,402
1.93
9,581,405
1.23
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest checking deposits
3,611,755
3,810,542
169,271
125,481
Shareholders’ equity
1,709,791
1,605,798
Net interest earnings
113,617
108,820
Net interest spread (FTE) (non-GAAP)
2.71
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets
3.03
3.07
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets (FTE) (non-GAAP)
3.05
3.10
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment (3)
872
1,034
50
Table 2b: Year-to-Date Average Balance Sheet
105,638
4,178
5.28
36,609
1,211
4.42
4,119,145
59,052
1.91
4,382,445
60,507
1.85
463,867
11,517
3.32
522,002
13,288
3.40
9,971,843
401,689
5.38
9,088,402
323,261
4.76
14,660,493
476,436
4.34
14,029,458
398,267
3.80
1,218,185
1,183,013
15,878,678
15,212,471
7,570,758
61,864
1.09
7,804,824
33,945
0.58
1,988,687
55,902
3.75
1,175,526
19,486
2.22
269,037
3,481
1.73
302,270
1,947
0.86
111,226
4,686
242,226
9,157
5.05
465,464
15,877
4.56
74,415
2,394
4.30
Federal Reserve short-term borrowings
72,263
2,643
4.88
Subordinated notes payable
1,023
4.96
10,477,435
1.84
9,600,284
0.93
3,572,534
3,895,939
153,623
110,973
1,675,086
1,605,275
331,983
331,300
2.87
3.00
3.13
3.02
3.16
2,839
3,205
51
As discussed above and disclosed in Table 3 below, the change in net interest income (FTE basis) may be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of the changes in interest income and interest expense for each underlying category.
Table 3: Rate/Volume
Three months ended September 30, 2024
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
versus September 30, 2023
Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in (1)
Volume
Rate
Net Change
Interest earned on:
(183)
(12)
(195)
2,688
2,967
Taxable investment securities
387
1,387
1,774
(3,720)
(1,455)
Nontaxable investment securities
(591)
(148)
(739)
(1,449)
(322)
(1,771)
Loans (net of unearned discount)
11,100
14,242
25,342
33,184
45,244
78,428
Total interest-earning assets (2)
8,793
17,389
26,182
18,529
59,640
78,169
Interest paid on:
Interest checking, savings and money market deposits
(244)
6,077
5,833
(1,048)
28,967
27,919
5,927
4,277
10,204
18,154
18,262
36,416
(92)
231
(235)
1,769
1,534
(5,419)
948
(4,471)
FHLB borrowings
4,398
(24)
4,374
13,330
153
13,483
Total interest-bearing liabilities (2)
3,470
17,915
21,385
6,818
70,668
77,486
Net interest earnings (2)
6,552
(1,755)
4,797
14,582
(13,899)
683
Noninterest Revenues
The Company’s sources of noninterest revenues are of four primary types: 1) general banking services related to loans, including mortgage banking, deposits and other core customer activities typically provided through the branch network and digital banking channels (performed by CBNA); 2) employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, transfer agency, actuarial, benefit plan administration and recordkeeping services (performed by BPAS and its subsidiaries); 3) wealth management services, comprised of trust services (performed by the Nottingham Trust division within CBNA), broker-dealer and investment advisory products and services (performed by Community Investment Services Inc. (“CISI”), OneGroup Wealth Partners, Inc. and The Carta Group, Inc.) and asset management services (performed by Nottingham Advisors, Inc.); and 4) insurance and risk management products and services (performed by OneGroup). Additionally, the Company has other transactions that impact noninterest revenues, including realized and unrealized gains or losses on investment securities and gains or losses on debt extinguishment.
Table 4: Noninterest Revenues
Deposit service charges and fees
7,294
23,233
21,293
Debit interchange and ATM fees
6,757
6,732
20,105
19,314
Other banking revenues
76,351
67,635
220,375
199,251
Noninterest revenues/total revenues
40.3
38.5
40.2
31.0
Operating noninterest revenues/operating revenues (FTE basis) (non-GAAP) (1)
38.3
39.9
37.8
As displayed in Table 4, noninterest revenues totaled $76.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $220.9 million for the first nine months of 2024. This represents an increase of $8.6 million, or 12.7%, for the quarter and an increase of $73.8 million, or 50.2%, for the YTD period in comparison to the equivalent 2023 periods. Noninterest revenues for the YTD periods of 2024 included a $1.0 million unrealized gain on equity securities primarily associated with the conversion of certain Visa Class B shares to Visa Class C shares and a $0.5 million loss on sales of investment securities associated with the sales of certain available-for-sale investment securities. Noninterest revenues for the first nine months of 2023 included a $52.3 million pre-tax realized loss on the sale of certain available-for-sale securities in connection with a strategic balance sheet repositioning executed during the prior year’s first quarter, a $0.1 million unrealized loss on equity securities and a $0.2 million gain on debt extinguishment. Operating noninterest revenues, a non-GAAP measure as defined in the table above, totaled $76.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $8.7 million, or 12.9%, from the prior year’s third quarter and totaled $220.4 million for the first nine months of 2024, an increase of $21.1 million, or 10.6%, from the first nine months of 2023. The increases between both periods reflected growth in all of the primary business categories: employee benefit services revenues, the four banking noninterest revenue lines, insurance services revenues and wealth management services revenues.
Employee benefit services revenues increased $3.2 million, or 10.7%, and $9.1 million, or 10.3%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the equivalent prior year periods, driven by new business and increases in the total participants under administration, growth in asset-based fee revenues, resulting from market appreciation and the acquisition of certain assets of Creative Plan Designs Limited, a provider of employee benefit plan design, administration and consulting, on February 1, 2024.
Banking noninterest revenues increased $3.0 million, or 17.1%, between the third quarter of 2023 and 2024 and increased $6.7 million, or 13.0%, between the first nine months of 2023 and 2024. The growth between both periods was driven by increases in mortgage banking revenues (increased $0.9 million for the quarter and $3.3 million YTD), deposit service charges and fees (increased $0.9 million for the quarter and $1.9 million YTD), debit interchange and ATM fees (increased $0.8 million YTD) and other banking revenues (increased $1.2 million for the quarter and $0.7 million YTD). The increases in mortgage banking revenues reflected higher sales volumes of secondary market eligible residential mortgage loans and an increase in the value of mortgage servicing rights. The increases in other banking revenues were associated with higher interest rate swap fee revenues due to the recent implementation of this product offering and other commercial banking-related fees.
Insurance services revenues increased $1.5 million, or 12.7%, and $2.6 million, or 7.2%, for the third quarter and YTD periods, respectively, due to organic and acquired growth in commissions revenues, including the incremental revenues resulting from the acquisition of a New York-based insurance agency for $4.6 million in total consideration on April 1, 2024.
Wealth management services revenues increased $1.0 million, or 12.1%, for the third quarter of 2024 and $2.8 million, or 11.5%, for September 2024 YTD as compared to the same time periods of 2023, as more favorable investment market conditions drove an increase in the value of assets under management between the periods.
The ratio of noninterest revenues to total revenues was 40.3% for the third quarter of 2024 and 40.2% for September YTD 2024, compared to 38.5% for the prior year’s third quarter and 31.0% for September YTD 2023. The quarterly increase was due to noninterest revenues increasing 12.7% while net interest income increased 4.6%. The YTD increase was primarily the result of the $73.8 million, or 50.2%, increase in total noninterest revenues due to the aforementioned $52.3 million realized loss on sales of investment securities recognized in the prior year’s first quarter, while net interest income increased 0.3%.
The ratio of operating noninterest revenues to operating revenues (FTE), a non-GAAP measure as defined in the table above, was 40.2% for the quarter and 39.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, versus 38.3% and 37.8% for the comparable periods of 2023. The increase between the quarterly periods was due to a 12.9% increase in operating noninterest revenues, a non-GAAP measure, due to the factors noted above, while fully tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, increased 4.4%. The year-to-date increase was the result of a 10.6% increase in operating noninterest revenues, a non-GAAP measure, due to the factors noted above, while fully tax-equivalent net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, increased 0.2%.
Noninterest Expenses
Table 5 below sets forth the quarterly and YTD results of the major noninterest expense categories for the current and prior year, as well as efficiency ratios (defined below), a standard measure of expense utilization effectiveness commonly used in the banking industry.
Table 5: Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expenses/average assets
3.08
3.06
3.04
Operating noninterest expenses(1)/average assets (non-GAAP)
2.99
2.96
2.95
2.91
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)
65.7
66.4
72.3
Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)(2)
63.6
64.0
63.4
62.5
As shown in Table 5, the Company recorded noninterest expenses of $124.2 million and $361.3 million for the third quarter and YTD periods of 2024, respectively, representing an increase of $7.7 million, or 6.6%, and an increase of $17.7 million, or 5.1%, from the prior year periods, respectively. The increases were primarily driven by salaries and employee benefits that increased $7.3 million, or 10.4%, and $14.3 million, or 6.8%, for the third quarter and YTD periods of 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2023. The remaining change to noninterest expenses is attributable to increases in data processing and communications (up $0.4 million for the quarter and $2.6 million YTD), occupancy and equipment (up $0.2 million for the quarter and $0.8 million YTD), acquisition expenses (up $0.1 million for the quarter and YTD), litigation accrual (up $0.1 million for the quarter and $0.2 million YTD) and other expenses (up $0.3 million for the quarter and $2.1 million YTD). The increases were partially offset by decreases in amortization of intangible assets (down $0.2 million for the quarter and $0.1 million YTD), legal and professional fees (down $0.1 million for the quarter and $0.6 million YTD), business development and marketing (down $0.3 million for the quarter and $0.5 million YTD) and acquisition-related contingent consideration adjustments (down $0.2 million for the quarter and $1.2 million YTD).
The increases in salaries and benefits expense were driven by merit and market-related increases in employee wages, higher incentive plan costs and acquisitions between the periods, partially offset by the impact of the previously announced retail customer service workforce optimization plan. The increases in data processing and communications expenses are reflective of the Company’s continued investment in customer-facing and back-office technologies including investments in additional technology to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure, in part related to the detection and prevention of customer payment-related fraud. The increase in other expenses on a YTD basis was primarily due to increases in insurance expenses, property-related writedowns and non-service related components lowering the net periodic pension benefit credit. The increase in insurance expenses included $0.2 million associated with an additional expected increase to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) special assessment to recover the loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund associated with protecting uninsured depositors following the closures of certain banks in the first quarter of 2023, along with the impact of a higher FDIC insurance assessment rate.
The Company’s GAAP efficiency ratio was 65.7% for the third quarter of 2024, 0.7 percentage points favorable to the comparable quarter of 2023. This resulted from total revenues increasing 7.7%, due to increases in both noninterest revenues and net interest income, while total noninterest expenses increased 6.6% due to the factors noted above. The GAAP efficiency ratio of 65.7% for September YTD 2024 was 6.6 percentage points favorable to the 72.3% GAAP efficiency ratio for September YTD 2023. The improvement in the GAAP efficiency ratio between the comparable YTD periods was the result of total revenues increasing 15.8% primarily due to the $52.3 million pre-tax realized loss on the sale of certain available-for-sale securities during the first quarter of 2023, while total noninterest expenses increased 5.1% due to the factors noted above.
Annualized current quarter noninterest expenses as a percentage of average assets increased 0.02 percentage points versus the third quarter of the prior year as noninterest expenses increased 6.6% while average assets increased 6.2%. On a YTD basis, annualized noninterest expenses as a percentage of average assets also increased 0.02 percentage points as noninterest expenses increased 5.1% while average assets increased 4.4%. Noninterest expenses increased between both periods due to the factors noted above and average assets increased between both periods primarily due to the aforementioned organic loan growth.
The Company’s operating efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure as defined in the table above, was 63.6% for the third quarter, 0.4 percentage points favorable to the comparable quarter of 2023. This resulted from operating revenues (FTE), a non-GAAP measure, increasing 7.7% while operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure, increased 7.1%. The Company’s operating efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, of 63.4% for the first nine months of 2024 was 0.9 percentage points unfavorable compared to the first nine months of 2023 due to 5.6% higher operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure as described above, while operating revenues (FTE), a non-GAAP measure as described above, increased by 4.1%.
Annualized current year operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure as described above, as a percentage of average assets increased 0.03 percentage points versus the prior year quarter and increased 0.04 percentage points versus the prior year-to-date period as operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure as described above, increased at a higher rate than average assets on both a quarterly and YTD basis. Operating noninterest expenses, a non-GAAP measure, increased 7.1% for the quarter and 5.6% for the year-to-date period, while average assets increased 6.2% for the quarter and 4.4% for the year-to-date period.
Income Taxes
The third quarter and YTD 2024 effective income tax rates were 23.0% and 22.9%, respectively, as compared to 21.2% and 21.1% for the comparable periods of 2023. The increase in the third quarter and YTD 2024 effective income tax rates are primarily attributable to an increase in the full-year 2024 pre-tax income projection as compared to the prior year, as the prior YTD included a $52.3 million realized loss on sales of investment securities and a higher proportion of pre-tax income being generated from fully taxable sources.
Investment Securities
The carrying value of investment securities was $4.29 billion at the end of the third quarter, an increase of $122.2 million, or 2.9%, from December 31, 2023 and an increase of $327.5 million, or 8.3%, from September 30, 2023. The book value of investment securities (excluding unrealized gains and losses) of $4.60 billion at the end of the third quarter increased $57.4 million from December 31, 2023 and increased $97.1 million from September 30, 2023. During the first nine months of 2024, the Company purchased $128.8 million of government agency mortgage-backed securities with an average yield of 5.62%, which the Company classified as held-to-maturity. The Company also participated in a Visa Class B share exchange during the second quarter of 2024, in which half of its Visa Class B shares were converted into Visa Class C shares that are convertible (with certain timing restrictions) to NYSE-traded Visa Class A shares, resulting in a $0.9 million unrealized gain on equity securities. These additions were offset by proceeds of $53.4 million from sales of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions available-for-sale investment securities, proceeds of $4.1 million from sales of taxable obligations of state and political subdivisions available-for-sale investment securities and $50.2 million of investment maturities, calls and principal payments during the first nine months of 2024. A realized loss of $0.5 million was recognized on the sales of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions available-for-sale investment securities during the first nine months of 2024. Additionally, there was $28.5 million of net accretion on investment securities during the first nine months of 2024. The effective duration of the investment securities portfolio was 6.4 years at the end of the third quarter of 2024, as compared to 7.0 years at the end of 2023 and 7.2 years at the end of the third quarter of 2023.
The change in the carrying value of investment securities is also impacted by the amount of net unrealized gains or losses. At September 30, 2024, the investment portfolio (excluding held-to-maturity investment securities) had a $315.9 million net unrealized loss, as compared to a $380.7 million net unrealized loss at December 31, 2023 and a $546.4 million net unrealized loss at September 30, 2023. These changes in the net unrealized position of the portfolio were principally driven by the movements in medium to long-term interest rates, as well as the volume and rates associated with the securities purchases, sales and maturities that have occurred over the past 12 months.
The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Company’s investment securities portfolio:
Table 6: Investment Securities
1,979,439
434,465
337,071
9,487
2,767,636
1,101,679
23,861
1,125,540
Equity and Other Securities:
Equity securities, at fair value
320
Federal Home Loan Bank common stock
40,717
32,526
26,524
Federal Reserve Bank common stock
33,442
33,568
Other equity securities, at adjusted cost
6,293
6,680
6,413
Total equity and other securities
66,825
Total investments
4,287,551
4,165,312
3,960,001
Loans ended the third quarter at $10.25 billion, $547.1 million, or 5.6%, higher than December 31, 2023 ending loans and $801.6 million, or 8.5%, higher than the September 30, 2023 balance.
Mortgages on commercial property combined with general-purpose business lending to commercial, industrial, non-profit and municipal customers and vehicle dealer floor plan financing is characterized as the Company’s business lending activity. The business lending portfolio increased $476.7 million, or 12.2%, from September 30, 2023, and $307.2 million, or 7.5%, from December 31, 2023, driven by net organic growth over both periods. Business non-real estate loans, including commercial and industrial lending, increased $94.1 million, or 9.4%, owner-occupied commercial real estate increased $117.4 million, or 15.6%, multifamily increased $75.0 million, or 12.1%, and non-owner occupied commercial real estate increased $20.7 million, or 1.2%, as compared to December 31, 2023. While certain macroeconomic concerns are persisting related to non-owner occupied and multifamily commercial real estate and construction loans, the Company’s exposure to these portfolios remains diverse both geographically and by property type, and remains relatively low at 15% of total assets, 24% of total loans and 199% of total bank-level regulatory capital. Commercial real estate lending represents 75.1% of the total business lending portfolio at September 30, 2024 while other business lending, including commercial and industrial loans represents the remaining 24.9% of total business lending. The Company’s largest non-owner occupied commercial real estate lending concentration by property type is multifamily at 21.1% of total commercial real estate lending, followed by office at 11.3% and commercial construction, at 10.5%. The Company’s largest owner-occupied commercial real estate lending concentration by industry is retail trade at 9.0% of total commercial real estate lending, followed by arts, entertainment and recreation and health care and social assistance, both at 2.7%. These levels demonstrate the Company’s diversity in the business lending portfolio, as there are no significant industry or geographic concentrations, no metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”) that accounts for more than 13% of the CRE portfolio and a very low level of commercial real estate lending being conducted in major metropolitan areas. See Table 7 below for concentrations of CRE lending by borrower type and Table 8 below for concentrations of CRE by property location.
The business loan balance increases are reflective of continued high demand for multi-family housing, expansion of internal resources and proactive business development and pricing in the Company’s market areas, as well as the Company’s strong liquidity profile relative to competitors that creates opportunities to gain market share. The Company strives to generate growth in its business portfolio in a manner that adheres to its goals of maintaining strong asset quality and producing profitable margins. The Company expects the composition of its growth in its business lending portfolio over the remaining quarter of 2024 to be proportionally higher for business non-real estate lending than commercial real estate lending compared to what was experienced by the Company over the past several years, in order to keep the concentration of its CRE portfolio relatively constant. The Company continues to invest in additional personnel, technology and business development resources to further strengthen its capabilities in this important product category.
To assist our business lending customers in managing their interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps which have associated interest rate and credit risk; for additional detail on the Company’s use of interest rate swaps, see Note L beginning on page 35 of this Form 10-Q.
57
The following table presents the concentration by borrower type of the Company’s CRE loan balances as of September 30, 2024:
Table 7: Concentrations of CRE Lending by Borrower Type
(000’s omitted, except percentages)
Amortized Cost
Percentage of Total CRE
Multifamily and non-owner occupied CRE by property type:
Multifamily
21.1
Office
374,023
11.3
Commercial Construction
345,376
10.5
Lodging
344,161
10.4
Retail
261,341
7.9
Other Lessors of CRE
202,489
6.1
Warehouse/Industrial
135,260
4.1
Nursing/Assisted Living
56,897
Residential Construction
3,964
0.1
All Other
8,339
Total multifamily and non-owner occupied CRE
2,426,697
73.6
Owner-occupied CRE by industry:
Retail Trade
295,923
9.0
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
88,769
2.7
Health Care and Social Assistance
87,416
Other Services
81,418
2.5
Real Estate Rental and Leasing
78,550
2.4
Manufacturing
52,669
1.6
Agriculture and Forestry
50,127
1.5
Accommodation and Food Services
40,096
1.2
Wholesale Trade
25,676
0.8
Construction
15,654
Transportation and Warehousing
11,864
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
8,177
0.2
Educational Services
4,685
29,141
Total owner occupied CRE
26.4
Total CRE
3,296,862
100.0
58
The following table presents the geographic concentrations of the Company’s CRE loan balances by property location (MSA) as of September 30, 2024:
Table 8: Concentrations of CRE by Property Location
Multifamily CRE
Owner occupied CRE
Non-owner occupied CRE
Percentage
of Total
CRE
MSA:
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
94,017
2.9
102,343
230,796
7.0
427,156
13.0
Burlington-South Burlington, VT
168,438
5.1
40,766
150,900
4.6
360,104
10.9
Rochester, NY
28,691
0.9
104,604
3.2
143,112
4.3
276,407
8.4
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
36,881
1.1
58,931
169,523
265,335
8.0
Syracuse, NY
11,752
70,602
2.1
148,631
4.5
230,985
Scranton Wilkes-Barre, PA
61,085
1.9
59,081
102,294
222,460
6.8
Utica-Rome, NY
39,744
36,597
60,181
136,522
Ithaca, NY
31,156
12,286
23,805
67,247
2.0
All Other MSA - NY(1)(2)
87,005
2.6
51,682
106,057
244,744
7.4
All Other MSA - PA(1)(2)
17,421
74,572
94,997
186,990
5.7
All Other MSA(1)
39,799
42,735
1.3
241,623
7.3
324,157
9.8
Non-MSAs:
NY
52,631
163,600
5.0
199,219
415,450
12.7
All Other Non-MSA
26,227
52,366
60,712
139,305
4.2
52.5
(1)
The MSAs within these captions are individually less than 2% of total CRE exposure.
The MSAs within these captions include certain counties in adjacent states with a high degree of economic and social integration to the respective core city in New York or Pennsylvania.
Consumer mortgages increased $230.6 million, or 7.2%, from one year ago and increased $142.3 million, or 4.3%, from December 31, 2023, with the increases over both periods representing net organic growth and included the impact of certain secondary market sales. The Company sold $27.4 million and $39.9 million of consumer mortgage production during the three and nine months ended 2024, respectively. Over the past year, the Company produced organic growth in the consumer mortgage segment due to the Company’s competitive product offerings, recruitment of additional mortgage loan originators and proactive business development efforts, while also benefitting from the comparatively stable housing market conditions in the Company’s primary markets relative to the national environment. Reflective of the higher interest rate environment and consumer expectations of future interest rate movements, the consumer mortgage growth produced over the last quarter is comprised of a higher proportion of adjustable rate loans than experienced in recent periods. During the first nine months of 2024, approximately 21% of new consumer mortgage loan originations was comprised of adjustable rate loans compared to approximately 7% over the first nine months of 2023. The Company expects this trend to continue during the remainder of 2024. Home equity loans increased $16.2 million, or 3.6%, from one year ago and increased $14.4 million, or 3.2%, from December 31, 2023, in part a result of lower levels of payoffs and paydowns related to consumer mortgage refinancing in the higher interest rate environment.
Consumer installment loans, both those originated directly in the branches and online (referred to as “consumer direct”) and indirectly in automobile, marine and recreational vehicle dealerships (referred to as “consumer indirect”), increased $78.2 million, or 4.1%, from one year ago, and increased $83.1 million, or 4.4%, from December 31, 2023. The increases were primarily due to the Company offering competitive pricing, benefitting from reduced participation by certain competitors and capturing an increased share of the sales volumes that existed in its market area and dealer network, which resulted in growth in the Company’s consumer installment portfolio. Although the consumer indirect loan market is highly competitive, the Company is focused on maintaining a profitable in-market and contiguous market indirect portfolio, while continuing to pursue the expansion of its dealer network. Consumer direct loans have provided a key source of credit to the Company’s retail customers across its branch network for an extended period of time, and the Company is committed to continuing to offer competitive loan products in this segment. Despite the strong competition the Company faces from the financing subsidiaries of vehicle manufacturers and other financial intermediaries, the Company will continue to strive to grow these key portfolios through varying market conditions over the long term.
59
Asset Quality
The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for credit losses by loan category as of the end of the periods indicated, as well as the proportional share of each category’s loan balance to total loans. This allocation is based on management’s assessment, as of a given point in time, of the risk characteristics of each of the component parts of the total loan portfolio and is subject to change when the risk factors of each component part change. The allocation is not indicative of the specific amount of future net charge-offs that is expected to be incurred in each of the loan categories, nor should it be taken as an indicator of future loss trends. The allocation of the allowance to each category does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category. As shown in Table 9, total allowance for credit losses at the end of the third quarter was $76.2 million, an increase of $11.2 million, or 17.3%, from one year earlier and up $9.5 million, or 14.2%, from the end of 2023.
Table 9: Allowance for Credit Losses by Loan Type
Percent of
for Credit
Loan
(000’s omitted except for ratios)
Balances
42.8
42.1
41.4
33.4
33.9
33.8
17.4
17.5
18.1
4.7
As demonstrated in Table 9, the consumer direct and indirect installment loan portfolios carry higher credit risk than the business lending, consumer mortgage and home equity portfolios and therefore the Company allocates a higher proportional allowance to these portfolios. The unallocated allowance is maintained for potential inherent losses in the specific portfolios that are not captured due to model imprecision. The unallocated allowance of $1.0 million at September 30, 2024 was consistent with December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023. The changes in allowance allocations reflect management’s continued refinement of its loss estimation techniques. Management considers the allocated and unallocated portions of the allowance for credit losses to be prudent and reasonable.
Allowance for credit losses and loan net charge-off ratios are as follows:
Table 10: Loan Ratios
Allowance for credit losses/total loans
0.74
0.69
Allowance for credit losses/nonperforming loans
122
176
Nonaccrual loans/total loans
0.50
0.35
Allowance for credit losses/nonaccrual loans
129
137
196
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding (quarterly):
0.08
0.02
0.27
0.18
0.92
0.96
0.73
0.05
Total loans
0.10
60
Net charge-offs during the third quarter of 2024 were $2.8 million, an increase of $1.5 million compared to the third quarter of 2023. Compared with the third quarter of 2023, all loan portfolios experienced higher levels of net charge-offs. The total net charge-off ratio (net charge-offs annualized as a percentage of average loans outstanding for the quarter) for the third quarter was 0.11%, one basis point higher than the ratio for the fourth quarter of 2023 and six basis points higher than the ratio for the third quarter of 2023. Net charge-off ratios for the third quarter of 2024 for all loan portfolios were above the Company’s average for the trailing eight quarters.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) at September 30, 2024 was $2.3 million. This compares to $1.2 million at December 31, 2023 and $0.6 million at September 30, 2023. At September 30, 2024, OREO consisted of 34 residential properties with a total value of $2.3 million. This compares to 21 residential properties with a total value of $1.1 million and one commercial property with a value of $0.1 million at December 31, 2023, and 10 residential properties with a total value of $0.6 million at September 30, 2023. The increase in OREO over the last twelve months was primarily driven by the Company working through a backlog of residential foreclosures that arose due to pandemic-related moratoriums that have since been lifted.
Approximately 49% of the nonperforming loans at September 30, 2024 were related to the business lending portfolio, which is comprised of business loans broadly diversified by industry and property type. Of the nonperforming loans in the business lending portfolio, non-owner occupied commercial real estate represents 40% of the balance, owner-occupied commercial real estate represents 33% of the balance, other commercial and industrial loans represents 26% of the balance, and multifamily represents the remaining 1% of the balance. The level of nonperforming business loans increased from the prior year primarily due to changes in the financial conditions and loan repayment performance of five business lending relationships, including one business lending relationship with total loan balances of $14.5 million, that were individually assessed for a specific allocation of the allowance for credit losses.
Approximately 46% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2024 were comprised of consumer mortgages. Collateral values of residential properties within most of the Company’s market areas have generally remained stable or increased over the past several years. Although high levels of inflation has had some adverse impact on consumers, the unemployment rate remains low and this has contributed to the credit performance in the consumer mortgage loan portfolio remaining favorable. The remaining 5% of nonperforming loans relate to consumer installment and home equity loans, with home equity nonperforming loan levels being driven by the same factors that were identified for consumer mortgages. The allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans ratio, a general measure of coverage adequacy, was 121% at the end of the third quarter, as compared to 122% at year-end 2023 and 176% at September 30, 2023. The decrease in this ratio versus one year ago was due to nonperforming loans increasing proportionally more than the allowance for credit losses, primarily driven by the aforementioned increase in a limited number of nonperforming business loans.
The Company’s senior management, special asset officers and business lending management review all delinquent and nonaccrual loans and OREO regularly in order to identify deteriorating situations, monitor known problem credits and discuss any needed changes to collection efforts, if warranted. Based on this analysis, a relationship may be assigned a special assets officer or other senior lending officer to review the loan, meet with the borrowers, assess the collateral and recommend an action plan. This plan could include foreclosure, restructuring loans, issuing demand letters or other actions. The Company’s larger criticized credits are also reviewed on a quarterly basis by senior management, senior credit administration management, special assets officers and business lending management to monitor their status and discuss relationship management plans. Business lending management reviews the criticized business loan portfolio on a monthly basis.
Delinquent loans (defined as loans 30 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status) as a percent of total loans was 1.07% at the end of the third quarter, one basis point above the 1.06% level at year-end 2023 and 17 basis points above the 0.90% level at September 30, 2023. The business lending delinquency ratio at the end of the third quarter of 0.74% was 13 basis points above the level of 0.61% at December 31, 2023 and 25 basis points above the level of 0.49% at September 30, 2023. The delinquency rates for all loan portfolios except for business lending and consumer mortgage decreased as compared to the levels at December 31, 2023. The delinquency rates for all loan portfolios except for home equity increased as compared to the levels at September 30, 2023.
61
The Company recorded a $7.7 million provision for credit losses in the third quarter of 2024. The third quarter provision for credit losses was $4.8 million higher than the equivalent prior year period’s provision for credit losses of $2.9 million. The allowance for credit losses of $76.2 million as of September 30, 2024 increased $11.2 million from one year ago. The current quarter provision for credit losses is reflective of a slight adverse movement in certain asset quality metrics, an increase in loan balances and continued macroeconomic uncertainty primarily concerning the business lending and consumer indirect portfolios. The allowance for credit losses to total loans ratio was 0.74% at September 30, 2024, five basis points higher than the levels at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023. Refer to Note E: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of management’s methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses.
As of September 30, 2024, the net purchase discount related to the $934.7 million of remaining non-purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loan balances acquired through prior period acquisition transactions was approximately $18.3 million, or 2.0% of that portfolio.
As shown in Table 11, average deposits of $13.15 billion in the third quarter were $376.5 million, or 2.9%, higher than the third quarter of 2023 and increased $175.3 million, or 1.4%, from the fourth quarter of last year. On an ending basis, total deposits increased $548.1 million, or 4.2%, from December 31, 2023 and were $445.4 million, or 3.4%, higher than one year prior, primarily driven by higher municipal deposit balances. The mix of average deposit balances changed as the weighting of non-maturity deposits (noninterest checking, interest checking, savings and money markets) to total deposits has decreased from the prior year levels. Average noninterest checking deposits as a percentage of average total deposits was 27.5% in the third quarter compared to 29.8% in the third quarter of 2023 and 28.6% in the fourth quarter of last year. Average non-maturity deposits represented 84.2% of the Company’s average deposit funding base in the third quarter of 2024, while time deposits represented 15.8% of total average deposits. In comparison, time deposits represented 10.8% of total average deposits during the third quarter of 2023 and 12.3% of total average deposits during the fourth quarter of last year, due in part to customers responding to changes in market interest rates by moving funds into higher yielding time deposit accounts. The quarterly average cost of deposits was 1.23% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 0.76% in the third quarter of 2023, reflective of the increase in the average interest rate paid on interest-bearing deposits in response to market conditions, as well as a decline in the proportion of noninterest and low-rate deposit balances. The quarterly average cost of deposits was consistent with the second quarter of 2024 as funding cost pressures slowed in concert with the modest declines in short-term market interest rates during the current quarter. The Company continues to focus on expanding its deposit relationship base through its competitive product offerings and high-quality customer service.
The Company’s deposit base is well diversified across customer segments, which as of September 30, 2024 is comprised of approximately 58% consumer, 27% business and 15% municipal. The Company’s deposit base is also broadly dispersed with an average consumer deposit balance per account of approximately $12,000 and average business deposit relationship of approximately $71,000, while the Company’s total average deposit balance per account is under $20,000. In addition, at the end of the quarter, 65% of the Company’s total deposit balances were in checking and low-rate savings accounts and the weighted-average age of the Company’s non-maturity deposit accounts was approximately 15 years. The total estimated amount of deposits that exceeded the $250,000 insured limit provided by the FDIC, net of collateralized and intercompany deposits, was approximately $2.26 billion at September 30, 2024. This amount is determined by adjusting the amounts reported in the Bank Call Report by intercompany deposits, which are not external customers and are therefore eliminated in consolidation, and municipal deposits whose uninsured balances are collateralized by certain pledged investment securities. The Bank Call Report estimated uninsured deposit balances at September 30, 2024 are reported gross at $4.55 billion, which includes intercompany account balances of $404.9 million, and collateralized deposits of $1.88 billion. Estimated insured deposits, net of collateralized and intercompany deposits, represent greater than 80% of ending total deposits at September 30, 2024. These estimates are based on the determination of known deposit account balances of each depositor and the insurance guidelines provided by the FDIC.
Average non-municipal deposits for the third quarter of 2024 increased $87.2 million versus the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased $0.4 million versus the year-earlier period, primarily due to increases in time deposits as customers move to higher yielding deposit products. Average municipal deposits for the third quarter increased $88.0 million, or 5.4%, from the fourth quarter of 2023 and $376.2 million, or 27.7%, from the third quarter of 2023, reflective of seasonal inflows of municipal deposit balances as well as competitive offerings and expansion of the Company’s municipal deposit relationship base due in part to additional business development efforts. Average municipal deposits as a percentage of total average deposits increased from 10.6% in the third quarter of 2023 to 13.2% in the third quarter of 2024.
Table 11: Quarterly Average Deposits
3,706,781
Interest checking deposits
2,829,111
2,931,200
2,951,592
Savings deposits
2,212,598
2,297,117
2,344,630
Money market deposits
2,420,516
2,445,595
2,288,139
1,592,996
13,148,958
12,973,689
12,772,437
Non-municipal deposits
11,416,443
11,329,198
11,416,091
Municipal deposits
1,732,515
1,644,491
1,356,346
Borrowings
Borrowings, excluding securities sold under agreement to repurchase, at the end of the third quarter of 2024 totaled $631.0 million. This was $170.4 million higher than borrowings at December 31, 2023 and $314.1 million above the level at the end of the third quarter of 2023. The increase from the prior year third quarter was primarily due to an increase in other FHLB borrowings of $305.4 million, as the Company secured fixed rate FHLB term borrowings to support the funding of continued loan growth that was not covered by increases in deposit balances. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily related to additional FHLB term borrowings being secured during the current year to date and $8.7 million of finance lease liabilities commencing in the third quarter of 2024 in connection with the Company’s de novo branch expansions, partially offset by a decrease in overnight borrowings of $53.0 million.
During January 2024, the Company secured $300.0 million in short-term borrowings through the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program at a rate of 4.87% to fund expected net loan growth. These short-term borrowings matured during March 2024 and the Bank Term Funding Program has ceased making new loans as of March 11, 2024.
During August 2024, a $100.0 million fixed rate putable advance was executed with the FHLB at a rate of 3.73%. The advance is putable at the option of the FHLB in August 2025 and matures in August 2027 if the option is not exercised.
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase, also referred to as customer repurchase agreements, represent collateralized municipal and commercial funding from customers that price and operate similar to a deposit instrument. Customer repurchase agreements totaled $317.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024, $12.9 million higher than December 31, 2023, due primarily to the seasonal characteristics of this portfolio, and $12.8 million lower than September 30, 2023.
Shareholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital
Total shareholders’ equity of $1.78 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024 represents an increase of $87.0 million, or 5.1%, from the balance at December 31, 2023. The increase was driven by net income of $132.7 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $62.9 million, stock-based compensation of $6.5 million and net activity under the Company’s employee stock plans of $2.7 million, partially offset by common stock repurchased of $45.8 million and common stock dividends declared of $71.8 million. The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss was comprised of $61.9 million of other comprehensive gain related to the Company’s investment securities portfolio, including a net increase in the after-tax market value adjustment on the available-for-sale investment portfolio as medium and long-term market interest rates decreased, and $1.0 million of other comprehensive income associated with adjustments to the overfunded status of the Company’s employee retirement plans. Over the past 12 months, total shareholders’ equity increased $230.0 million, or 14.8%, as net income, the issuance of common stock in association with the employee stock plans, adjustments to the overfunded status of the Company’s employee retirement plans and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s investment securities portfolio more than offset common stock dividends declared and common stock repurchase activity.
The dividend payout ratio (dividends declared divided by net income) for the first nine months of 2024 was 54.1%, compared to 72.8% for the first nine months of 2023. Excluding the after-tax impact of the loss on sales of investment securities, the dividend payout ratio for the first nine months of 2023 was 51.3%. Third quarter dividends declared increased 0.8% versus one year earlier, as the Company’s quarterly dividend per share was raised from $0.44 to $0.45 in the third quarter of 2023, and from $0.45 to $0.46 in the third quarter of 2024, while total shares outstanding decreased 1.6% as common stock repurchases outweighed issuances from the Company’s employee stock plans. The one cent, or 2.2%, increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share on the Company’s common stock declared in the third of quarter of 2024 marked the 32nd consecutive year of dividend increases.
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by 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 Company’s dividend paying ability and financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action (“PCA”), the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital ratio guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets and certain liabilities and off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about the treatment of capital components, the risk weightings of assets and other factors.
The Company and the Bank are required to maintain a capital conservation buffer (“CCB”), composed entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital, in addition to capital sufficient to meet minimum risk-based capital ratios. The required capital conservation buffer was 2.5% as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Therefore, to satisfy both the PCA adequately capitalized minimum risk-based capital ratios and the CCB as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company and the Bank must maintain:
In addition, the Company and Bank must maintain a ratio of ending Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (“Tier 1 leverage ratio”) of at least 5.0% to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action (not subject to CCB requirements).
As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company and Bank met all applicable capital adequacy requirements to be considered “well capitalized”. As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and Bank are presented below.
Table 12: Regulatory Ratios
Community
Financial
System, Inc.
Bank, N.A.
Tier 1 leverage ratio
9.12
7.55
9.34
7.70
9.44
7.83
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio
14.07
11.69
14.75
12.11
14.98
12.37
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
14.76
Total risk-based capital ratio
14.83
12.46
15.46
12.82
15.68
13.07
The Company’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.12% at the end of the third quarter, down 22 basis points from December 31, 2023 and 32 basis points below its level one year earlier. The decrease in the Tier 1 leverage ratio in comparison to December 31, 2023 was the result of an increase in average assets, excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment on available-for-sale investment securities, of 3.8%, primarily due to organic loan growth, while ending shareholders’ equity, excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income or loss items, increased 1.4%, reflecting heightened level of share repurchases in the first half of 2024. The Tier 1 leverage ratio decreased compared to the prior year’s third quarter as average assets, excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment, increased 5.9% primarily due to organic loan growth, while shareholders’ equity, excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income or loss items, increased 2.3% as the impact of net earnings retention outweighed share repurchases.
The shareholders’ equity-to-assets ratio was 10.88% at the end of the third quarter of 2024 compared to 10.92% at December 31, 2023 and 10.11% at September 30, 2023. The tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio, a non-GAAP measure, of 5.97% increased 0.22 percentage points from December 31, 2023 and increased 1.16 percentage points versus September 30, 2023 (see Table 14 for Reconciliation of Quarterly GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures). The increase in the tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio, a non-GAAP measure, from one year prior was driven by a $230.0 million, or 32.9%, increase in tangible equity, a non-GAAP measure, as net income retention (net income minus dividends declared) and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily associated with the investment securities portfolio outweighed the impact of share repurchases between the periods, while tangible assets, a non-GAAP measure, increased $1.02 billion, or 7.0%, due primarily to organic loan growth. The increase in the tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio, a non-GAAP measure, from December 31, 2023 was driven by an increase in tangible equity, a non-GAAP measure, of $83.0 million, or 9.8%, as net income retention and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily associated with the investment securities portfolio outweighed the impact of share repurchases between the periods, while tangible assets, a non-GAAP measure, increased $844.9 million, or 5.7%, primarily due to organic loan growth.
Liquidity
Liquidity risk is a measure of the Company’s ability to raise cash when needed at a reasonable cost and minimize any loss. The Company maintains appropriate liquidity levels in both normal operating conditions as well as stressed environments. The Company must be capable of meeting all obligations to its customers at any time and, therefore, the active management of its liquidity position remains an important management objective. The Bank has appointed the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) to manage liquidity risk using policy guidelines and limits on indicators of potential liquidity risk. The indicators are monitored using a scorecard with three risk level limits. These risk indicators measure core liquidity and funding needs, capital at risk and change in available funding sources. The risk indicators are monitored using such metrics as the core basic surplus ratio, unencumbered securities to average assets, free loan collateral to average assets, loans to deposits, deposits to total funding and borrowings to total funding ratios.
Given the uncertain nature of the Company’s customers’ demands, as well as the Company’s desire to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities, the Company must have adequate sources of on and off-balance sheet funds available that can be utilized when needed. Accordingly, in addition to the liquidity provided by balance sheet cash flows, liquidity must be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines from correspondent banks and borrowings from the FHLB and the FRB. Other funding alternatives may also be appropriate from time to time, including wholesale and retail repurchase agreements, large certificates of deposit and the brokered CD market. The primary sources of funds are deposits, which totaled $13.48 billion at September 30, 2024. The primary sources of non-deposit funds are customer repurchase agreements, and FHLB and FRB overnight advances and term borrowings. At September 30, 2024, there were $317.4 million of customer repurchase agreements, no overnight borrowings, and $622.3 million of FHLB term borrowings outstanding.
The Company’s primary sources of available liquidity include unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, borrowing capacity at the FHLB and FRB, as well as net unpledged investment securities that could be sold, subject to market conditions, or used to collateralize additional funding. Table 13 below details the available sources of liquidity at September 30, 2024. In addition, there was $25.0 million available in an unsecured line of credit with a correspondent bank at September 30, 2024. The Company’s sources of immediately available liquidity of $4.50 billion as of September 30, 2024 represent nearly 200% of the Company’s estimated uninsured deposits (deposits in excess of FDIC limits), net of collateralized and intercompany deposits (“net estimated uninsured deposits”), estimated to be approximately $2.26 billion.
During October 2024, the Company pledged additional loans with the FRB which increased its total sources of available liquidity by approximately $1.45 billion.
Table 13: Sources of Liquidity
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents
341,001
FHLB borrowing capacity
1,272,973
1,370,085
FRB borrowing capacity
1,191,235
1,106,806
Net unpledged investment securities
1,691,165
2,165,590
Total sources of liquidity
4,496,374
4,833,443
Net estimated uninsured deposits
2,263,747
2,184,635
Total sources of liquidity/net estimated uninsured deposits
The Company’s primary approach to measuring short-term liquidity is known as the Basic Surplus/Deficit model. It is used to calculate liquidity over two time periods: first, the amount of cash that could be made available within 30 days (calculated as liquid assets less short-term liabilities as a percentage of average assets); and second, a projection of subsequent cash availability over an additional 60 days. As of September 30, 2024, this ratio was 9.0% for 30-days and 8.4% for 90-days, excluding the Company’s capacity to borrow additional funds from the FHLB and other sources. This is considered to be a sufficient amount of liquidity based on the Company’s internal policy requirement of 7.5%.
To measure intermediate risk over the next twelve months, the Company reviews a sources and uses projection. As of September 30, 2024, there is sufficient liquidity available during the next year to cover projected cash outflows. In addition, stress tests on the cash flows are performed for various scenarios ranging from high probability events with a low impact on the liquidity position to low probability events with a high impact on the liquidity position. The results of the stress tests as of September 30, 2024 indicate the Company has sufficient sources of liquidity for the next year in all simulated stressed scenarios.
To measure longer-term liquidity, a baseline projection of growth in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for five years is made to reflect how liquidity levels could change over time. This five-year measure reflects ample liquidity for loan and other asset growth over the next five years.
The possibility of a funding crisis exists at all financial institutions. A funding crisis would most likely result from a shock to the financial system which disrupts orderly short-term funding operations or from a significant tightening of monetary policy that limits the national money supply. Accordingly, management has addressed this issue by formulating a Liquidity Contingency Plan, which has been reviewed and approved by both the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Company’s ALCO. The plan addresses the actions that the Company would take in response to both a short-term and long-term funding crisis. Triggers within the plan and liquidity risk monitor are not by themselves definitive indicators of insufficient liquidity, but rather a mechanism for management to monitor conditions and possibly provide advance warning which could avert or reduce the impact of a crisis. Liquidity triggers are set based on a variety of factors, including Company history, trends, and current operating performance, industry observations, and, as warranted, changes in internal and external economic factors. Indicators include: core liquidity and funding needs such as the core basic surplus, unencumbered securities to average assets, and free FHLB and FRB loan collateral to average assets; heightened funding needs indicators such as average loans to average deposits, average municipal and nonmunicipal deposits to total funding, and average borrowings to total funding; capital at risk indicators including regulatory ratios; asset quality indicators; and decrease in funds availability indicators which are a combination of internal and external factors such as increased restrictions on borrowing or downturns in the credit market. The Company has established three risk levels for these liquidity triggers that inform the response based on the severity of the circumstances. Responses vary from an assessment of possible funding deficiencies with no impact on normal business operations to immediate action required due to impending funding problems. For more information regarding the risk factor associated with the possibility of a funding crisis, refer to the discussion under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “could,” “target,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “believe,” or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, the Company’s plans, objectives and intentions are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: (1) adverse developments in the banking industry related to recent bank failures and the potential impact of such developments on customer confidence and regulatory responses to these developments; (2) current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of changes in housing or vehicle prices, higher unemployment rates, disruptions in the commercial real estate market, labor shortages, supply chain disruption, inability to obtain raw materials and supplies, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters and conflicts, and any changes in global economic growth; (3) the effect of, and changes in, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including future changes in Federal and state statutory income tax rates and interest rate and other policy actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (4) the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on the Company’s funding costs and net interest margin including the possibility of a sudden withdrawal of the Company’s deposits due to rapid spread of information or disinformation regarding the Company’s well-being; (5) future provisions for credit losses on loans and debt securities; (6) changes in nonperforming assets; (7) the effect of a fall in stock market or bond prices on the Company’s fee income businesses, including its employee benefit services, wealth management, and insurance businesses; (8) risks related to credit quality; (9) inflation, interest rate, liquidity, market and monetary fluctuations; (10) the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies where the Company conducts its business; (11) the timely development of new products and services and customer perception of the overall value thereof (including features, pricing and quality) compared to competing products and services; (12) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (13) technological changes and implementation and financial risks associated with transitioning to new technology-based systems involving large multi-year contracts; (14) the ability of the Company to maintain the security, including cybersecurity, of its financial, accounting, technology, data processing and other operating systems, facilities and data, including customer data; (15) effectiveness of the Company’s risk management processes and procedures, reliance on models which may be inaccurate or misinterpreted, the Company’s ability to manage its credit or interest rate risk, the sufficiency of its allowance for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing the Company’s financial statements and disclosures; (16) failure of third parties to provide various services that are important to the Company’s operations; (17) any acquisitions or mergers that might be considered or consummated by the Company and the costs and factors associated therewith, including differences in the actual financial results of the acquisition or merger compared to expectations and the realization of anticipated cost savings and revenue enhancements; (18) the ability to maintain and increase market share and control expenses; (19) the nature, timing and effect of changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, including changes in laws and regulations concerning taxes, accounting, banking, service fees, risk management, securities, capital requirements and other aspects of the financial services industry; (20) changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans and in the availability of, and compensation levels for, employees in its geographic markets; (21) the outcome of pending or future litigation and government proceedings; (22) the effect of opening new branches to expand the Company’s geographic footprint, including the cost associated with opening and operating the branches and the uncertainty surrounding their success including the ability to meet expectations for future deposit and loan levels and commensurate revenues; (23) the effects of natural disasters could create economic and financial disruption; (24) other risk factors outlined in the Company’s filings with the SEC from time to time; and (25) the success of the Company at managing the risks of the foregoing.
The foregoing list of important factors is not all-inclusive. For more information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, refer to the discussion under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. If the Company does update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that the Company will make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
67
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Table 14: GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Operating pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)
Net income (GAAP)
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)
64,739
58,868
188,730
131,566
(101)
68,274
62,573
199,325
195,836
Operating pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share (non-GAAP)
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
0.25
0.22
0.49
1.08
1.04
3.24
2.31
0.15
0.32
0.13
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share (non-GAAP)
3.56
2.44
0.97
(0.02)
0.06
0.07
1.29
1.16
3.63
Operating net income (non-GAAP)
Tax effect of acquisition expenses
(15)
Subtotal (non-GAAP)
43,952
132,847
98,262
Tax effect of acquisition-related contingent consideration adjustments
(17)
(231)
43,831
44,192
132,726
99,111
Tax effect of litigation accrual
(23)
43,910
132,898
Tax effect of loss on sales of investment securities
(110)
(11,171)
44,107
133,275
140,269
Tax effect of gain on debt extinguishment
140,079
Tax effect of unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities
(10)
220
(21)
44,029
44,231
132,511
140,157
Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets
(762)
(757)
(2,413)
(2,333)
46,636
47,050
140,920
148,772
68
Operating diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)
(0.21)
2.51
2.60
2.49
(0.01)
(0.04)
0.88
0.87
2.65
2.76
Return on assets
Average total assets
Return on assets (GAAP)
1.12
Operating return on assets (non-GAAP)
1.19
1.31
Return on equity
Average total equity
Return on equity (GAAP)
10.21
10.90
10.58
8.18
Operating return on equity (non-GAAP)
10.85
11.62
11.24
12.39
Net interest margin
Total average interest-earning assets
Net interest margin (FTE) (non-GAAP)
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP)
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)
69
Operating noninterest revenues (non-GAAP)
Noninterest revenues (GAAP)
Total operating noninterest revenues (non-GAAP)
Operating noninterest expenses (non-GAAP)
Noninterest expenses (GAAP)
Total operating noninterest expenses (non-GAAP)
120,822
112,848
350,194
331,510
Operating revenues (non-GAAP)
Net interest income (GAAP)
Total revenues (GAAP)
188,942
175,372
550,016
475,160
Total operating revenues (non-GAAP)
189,096
175,421
549,519
527,346
Total noninterest revenues (GAAP) – numerator
Total revenues (GAAP) – denominator
Noninterest revenues/total revenues (GAAP)
Operating noninterest revenues/operating revenues (FTE) (non-GAAP)
Total operating noninterest revenues (non-GAAP) – numerator
Total operating revenues (FTE) (non-GAAP) – denominator
189,968
176,455
552,358
530,551
37.6
Total noninterest expenses (GAAP) – numerator
Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)
Total operating noninterest expenses (non-GAAP) – numerator
(000's omitted)
Return on tangible equity (non-GAAP)
Average shareholders’ equity
Average goodwill and intangible assets, net
(903,281)
(900,562)
(903,542)
(900,405)
Average deferred taxes on goodwill and intangible assets, net
44,376
44,798
44,515
45,362
Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
850,886
750,034
816,059
750,232
20.53
23.34
21.72
17.50
Operating return on tangible equity (non-GAAP)
21.80
24.89
23.07
26.51
70
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)
Total assets (GAAP)
(900,623)
(897,987)
(901,334)
Deferred taxes on goodwill and intangible assets, net
43,832
45,198
44,593
15,547,909
14,702,964
14,529,581
Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
Shareholders’ equity (GAAP)
928,156
845,148
698,198
Shareholders’ equity-to-assets ratio at quarter end
Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) – numerator
Total assets (GAAP) – denominator
Shareholders’ equity-to-assets ratio at quarter end (GAAP)
10.88
10.92
10.11
Tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio at quarter end (non-GAAP)
Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) – numerator
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP) – denominator
5.97
5.75
4.81
Book value (GAAP)
Period end common shares outstanding – denominator
52,546
53,327
53,427
33.97
31.84
29.10
Tangible book value (non-GAAP)
17.66
15.85
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market rates, prices or credit risk. Credit risk associated with the Company’s loan portfolio has been previously discussed in the asset quality section of the MD&A. Management believes that the tax risk of the Company’s municipal investments associated with potential future changes in statutory, judicial and regulatory actions is minimal. Treasury, agency, mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligation securities issued by government agencies comprise 90.3% of the total portfolio and are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services and AA+ by Standard & Poor’s. Obligations of state and political subdivisions account for 9.5% of the total portfolio, of which 95.7% carry a minimum rating of A-. The remaining 0.2% of the portfolio is comprised of other investment grade securities. The Company does not have material foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure. Therefore, almost all the market risk in the investment portfolio is related to interest rates.
The ongoing monitoring and management of both interest rate risk and liquidity over the short and long term time horizons is an important component of the Company’s asset/liability management process, which is governed by guidelines established in the policies reviewed and approved annually by the Company’s Board. The Board delegates responsibility for carrying out the policies to the ALCO, which meets each month. The committee is made up of the Company’s senior management, corporate finance and risk personnel as well as regional and line-of-business managers who oversee specific earning asset classes and various funding sources. As the Company does not believe it is possible to reliably predict future interest rate movements, it has maintained an appropriate process and set of measurement tools, which enables it to identify and quantify sources of interest rate risk in varying rate environments. The primary tool used by the Company in managing interest rate risk is income simulation. This begins with the development of a base case scenario, which projects net interest income (“NII”) over the next twelve month period. The base case scenario NII may increase or decrease significantly from quarter to quarter reflective of changes during the most recent quarter in the Company’s: (i) earning assets and liabilities balances, (ii) composition of earning assets and liabilities, (iii) earning asset yields, (iv) cost of funds and (v) various model assumptions including loan and time deposit spreads and core deposit betas, as well as current market interest rates, including the slope of the yield curve and projected changes in the slope of the yield curve over the twelve month period. The direction of interest rates, the slope of the yield curve, the modeled changes in deposit balances and the cost of funds, including the Company’s deposit and funding betas, are not easily predicted in the current market environment, and therefore a wide variety of strategic balance sheet and treasury yield curve scenarios are modeled on an ongoing basis.
The following reflects the Company’s estimated NII sensitivity as compared to the base case scenario over the subsequent twelve months based on:
Net Interest Income Sensitivity Model
Calculated annualized increase
(decrease) in projected net interest
income at September 30, 2024
Interest rate scenario
(%)
+200 basis points
(7,639)
(1.6)
+100 basis points
(4,098)
(0.9)
-100 basis points
5,584
-200 basis points
6,700
Projected NII over the 12-month forecast period decreases in the up 100 and up 200 rate environments largely due to deposits and overnight borrowings repricing higher in year 1, which are only partially offset by loans repricing higher.
Projected NII increases in the down 100 and down 200 rate environments due to lower funding costs which are partially offset by lower income on loans.
The analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions: the nature and timing of interest rate levels (including yield curve shape), prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and other factors. While the assumptions are developed based upon a reasonable outlook for national and local economic and market conditions, the Company cannot make any assurances as to the predictive efficacy of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that the ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates and other developments.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a -15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”), designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, it has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation referenced in the paragraph above that occurred during the Company’s quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II.Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings or other matters in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Information on current legal proceedings and other matters is set forth in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There has not been any material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table presents stock purchases made during the third quarter of 2024:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total Number of Shares
Maximum Number of
Number of
Purchased as Part of
Shares That May Yet Be
Price Paid
Publicly Announced
Purchased Under the Plans
Period
Purchased
Per Share
Plans or Programs
or Programs
July 1-31, 2024
960
47.79
1,697,000
August 1-31, 2024
September 1-30, 2024
Total (1)
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.Other Information
a)Not applicable.
b)Not applicable.
c)Certain of the Company’s officers or directors have made elections to participate in, and are participating in, the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan and 401(k) plan, and have made, and may from time to time make, elections to have shares withheld to cover withholding taxes or pay the exercise price of options or the settlement of restricted stock, each of which may be designed to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or may constitute non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
Item 6.Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 17, 2024, by and among Community Financial System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Dimitar A. Karaivanov. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2024 (Registration No. 001-13695). (1)
10.2
Community Financial System, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, as amended, July 17, 2024. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2024 (Registration No. 001-13695). (1)
10.3
Change in Control Agreement, dated January 1, 2024, by and among Deresa F. Durkee, Community Financial System, Inc., and Community Bank, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2024 (Registration No. 001-13695). (1)
14.1
Community Financial System, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, dated July 17, 2024. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 14.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2024 (Registration No. 001-13695).
31.1
Certification of Dimitar A. Karaivanov, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (2)
31.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (2)
32.1
Certification of Dimitar A. Karaivanov, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (3)
32.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (3)
101.INS
Inline 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. (2)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (2)
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (2)
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (2)
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (2)
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (2)
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) (2)
SIGNATURES
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.
Community Financial System, Inc.
Date: November 12, 2024
/s/ Dimitar A. Karaivanov
Dimitar A. Karaivanov, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Joseph E. Sutaris
Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer