Forward-Looking Statements
When used in this filing and in future filings by the Company with theSecurities and Exchange Commission , in the Company's press releases or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases, "anticipate," "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "projected," "believes", or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks previously disclosed by the Company in Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K as may be supplemented by Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with theSEC , general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition, technological developments, retention and recruitment of qualified personnel, and market acceptance of the Company's pricing, products and services, and with respect to the loans extended by the Company and real estate owned, the following: risks related to the economic environment in the market areas in which the Bank operates, particularly with respect to the real estate market inNew Jersey ; the risk that the value of the real estate securing these loans may decline in value; and the risk that significant expense may be incurred by the Company in connection with the resolution of these loans. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including regional and national economic conditions, substantial changes in levels of market interest rates, credit and other risks of lending and investing activities, and competitive and regulatory factors, could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Critical accounting policies may involve complex subjective decisions or assessments. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies.
Allowance for Loan Loss. The allowance for loan losses is the amount estimated by management as necessary to cover credit losses in the loan portfolio both probable and reasonably estimable at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses which is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and has identified this policy as one of our most critical. Due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses, the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuations of properties are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly affect the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans. 25 Table of Contents
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. We consider a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates by management that may be susceptible to significant change based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions. The evaluation has a specific and general component. The specific component relates to loans that are delinquent or otherwise identified as impaired through the application of our loan review process and our loan grading system. All such loans are evaluated individually, with principal consideration given to the value of the collateral securing the loan and discounted cash flows. Specific impairment allowances are established as required by this analysis. However, the Bank's Federal and State regulators generally require that the specific reserve against impaired collateral-dependent loans be charged-off, reducing the carrying balance of the loan and allowance for loan loss. The general component is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. We analyze historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and geographic and industry concentrations in establishing the general portion of the reserve. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan groups to determine the amount of the general component of the allowance for loan losses.
Actual loan losses may be significantly greater than the allowances we have established, which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.
We intend to adopt the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) Methodology effectiveOctober 1, 2023 . The adoption of the CECL standard for determining the amount of our allowance for credit losses may increase our allowance for loan and lease losses upon adoption and cause our historic allowance for loan and lease losses not to be indicative of how we will maintain our allowance for credit losses beginningOctober 1, 2023 . Deferred Income Taxes. The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Deferred tax assets are likely to be realized and therefore do not have a valuation allowance.
Comparison of Financial Condition at
Total Assets. Total assets increased$23.1 million , or 2.9%, to$821.6 million atDecember 31, 2022 compared with$798.5 million atSeptember 30, 2022 . The increase was attributable to higher balances of loans receivable, net of allowance for loan loss, partially offset by lower interest-earning deposits with banks. Cash and interest-earning deposits with banks decreased$23.1 million , or 74.5% to$7.9 million atDecember 31, 2022 from$30.9 million atSeptember 30, 2022 resulting primarily from deployment of these funds into loans receivable during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 . Loans Receivable. Total loans receivable increased$46.8 million , or 7.4%, to$675.7 million atDecember 31, 2022 from$628.9 million for the year endedSeptember 30, 2022 . Growth occurred in commercial real estate loans, which increased$46.5 million , or 13.6%, to$389.2 million , in construction loans, which increased$2.6 million , or 17.4%, to$17.9 million , in one-to four-family residential mortgage loans (including home equity lines of credit), which increased$653,000 , or 0.3%, to$233.7 million and in other consumer loans, which increased$130,000 , or 4.2%, to$3.3 million . Offsetting these increases was a$3.0 million , or 8.8%, decrease in commercial business loans to$31.6 million . Total loans receivable atDecember 31, 2022 were comprised of$389.2 million (57.6%) in commercial real estate loans,$215.3 million (31.9%) in one-to four-family residential mortgage loans,$31.6 million (4.7%) in commercial business loans,$17.9 million (2.6%) in construction loans,$18.5 million (2.7%) in home equity lines of credit, and$3.2 million (0.5%) in other loans. For comparison, total loans receivable atSeptember 30, 2022 were comprised of$342.8 million (54.5%) in commercial real estate loans,$214.4 million (34.1%) in one- to four- family residential mortgage loans,$34.7 million (5.5%) in commercial business loans,$15.2 million (2.4%) in construction loans, and$21.8 million (3.5%) in home equity lines of credit and other loans. 26 Table of Contents Total non-performing loans increased$1.1 million , or 37.5%, to$3.9 million atDecember 31, 2022 from$2.8 million atSeptember 30, 2022 . The addition of one consumer loan secured by shares of Johnson & Johnson stock totaling$676,000 and one commercial real estate loan totaling$387,000 accounted for the increase in non-performing loans during the quarter. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 0.58% atDecember 31, 2022 from 0.45% at September
30, 2022. The allowance for loan losses increased$317,000 during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 to$8.8 million . The$46.8 million increase in loans receivable as well as the increase in non-performing loans accounted for the increase in the Company's allowance for loan loss. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans decreased to 224.4% atDecember 31, 2022 from 297.5% atSeptember 30, 2022 . Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.29% atDecember 31, 2022 compared with 1.34% atSeptember 30, 2022 . Future increases in the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on possible future increases in non-performing loans and charge-offs, the possible deterioration of collateral values, and the possible deterioration of the current economic environment.Investment Securities .AtDecember 31, 2022 , investment securities totaled$99.8 million , reflecting a decrease of$1.0 million , or 1.0% from$100.9 million
atSeptember 30, 2022 . The Company did not purchase or sell any new investment securities during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 . The Company received payments from mortgage-backed securities totaling$1.2 million during the quarter that were used to fund new loan originations. Investment securities atDecember 31, 2022 consisted of$63.3 million in mortgage-backed securities issued byU.S. government agencies andU.S. government-sponsored enterprises,$24.8 million inU.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities,$8.0 million in corporate notes,$3.5 million in municipal bonds, and$220,000 in private-label mortgage-backed securities. There were no other-than-temporary-impairment charges for the Company's investment securities for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 .Bank-Owned Life Insurance .The Company's carrying value of its life insurance policies held for directors and officers ofMagyar Bank increased$95,000 , or 0.5%, to$17.8 million atDecember 31, 2022 from$17.7 million atSeptember 30, 2022 . The increase was attributable to an increase in the cash surrender value of the policies during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 .
Other Real Estate Owned. OREO increased
Deposits. Total deposits increased
The increase in deposits during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 occurred in money market accounts, which increased$11.5 million , or 5.2%, to$233.7 million , in non-interest bearing checking accounts, which increased$6.0 million , or 3.3%, to$188.4 million , and in certificates of deposit (including individual retirement accounts), which increased$1.8 million , or 2.2%, to$84.4 million . Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in savings accounts, which decreased$5.7 million , or 7.0%, to$76.1 million and in interest-bearing checking accounts (NOW), which decreased$5.2 million , or 5.3%, to$93.5 million . Included in the certificates of deposit were$11.4 million in brokered certificates of deposit.
Borrowed Funds. Borrowings increased
The Company borrowed$11.1 million in overnight advances and$3.0 million in term advances from theFederal Home Loan Bank of New York during the quarter to fund its loan originations.
Stockholders' Equity. Stockholders' equity increased$1.4 million , or 1.4%, to$99.9 million atDecember 31, 2022 from$98.5 million atSeptember 30, 2022 . The increase was due to net income of$1.8 million during the quarter, partially offset by$744,000 in dividends paid and 2,194 shares repurchased during the quarter at an average share price of$12.54 . The Company's book value per share increased to$14.82 atDecember 31, 2022 from$14.60 atSeptember 30, 2022 , and 6,742,934 shares were outstanding atDecember 31, 2022 . 27
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Average Balance Sheet for the Three Months Ended
The following table presents certain information regarding the Company's financial condition and net interest income for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 and 2021. The table presents the annualized average yield on interest-earning assets and the annualized average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. We derived the yields and costs by dividing annualized income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. We derived average balances from daily balances over the period indicated. Interest income includes fees that we consider adjustments to yields. For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 2021 Interest Interest Average Income/ Yield/Cost Average Income/ Yield/Cost Balance Expense (Annualized) Balance Expense (Annualized) (Dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Interest-earning deposits$ 14,984 $ 109 2.88%$ 84,088 $ 35 0.17% Loans receivable, net 643,206 7,959 4.91%
579,131 6,721 4.60% Securities Taxable 97,121 395 1.61% 71,946 226 1.25% Tax-exempt (1) 3,370 18 2.15% 2,198 9 1.63% FHLBNY stock 1,613 24 6.00% 1,676 20 4.81%
Total interest-earning assets 760,294 8,505 4.44% 739,039 7,011 3.76% Noninterest-earning assets 48,415 44,299 Total assets$ 808,709 $ 783,338 Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings accounts (2)$ 78,263 82 0.41%$ 84,542 36 0.17% NOW accounts (3) 325,295 1,177 1.44% 263,626 140 0.21% Time deposits (4) 79,535 215 1.07% 111,911 275 0.98% Total interest-bearing deposits 483,093 1,474 1.21% 460,079 451 0.39% Borrowings 19,067 136 2.83% 21,877 119 2.16% Total interest-bearing liabilities 502,160 1,610 1.27% 481,956 570 0.47% Noninterest-bearing liabilities 206,197 202,334 Total liabilities 708,357 684,290 Retained earnings 100,352 99,048 Total liabilities and retained earnings$ 808,709 $ 783,338 Tax-equivalent basis adjustment (4 ) (2 ) Net interest and dividend income$ 6,891 $ 6,439 Interest rate spread 3.17% 3.29% Net interest-earning assets$ 258,134 $ 257,083 Net interest margin (5) 3.60% 3.46% Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 151.40% 153.34%
(1) Calculated using the Company's 21% federal tax rate. (2) Includes passbook savings, money market passbook and club accounts. (3) Includes interest-bearing checking and money market accounts. (4) Includes certificates of deposits and individual retirement accounts. (5) Calculated as annualized net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
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Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended
Net Income. Net income increased
Net Interest and Dividend Income. Net interest and dividend income increased$453,000 , or 7.0%, to$6.9 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from$6.4 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The increase was attributable to a 14 basis point increase in the Company's net interest margin to 3.60% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from 3.46% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased$1.5 million , or 21.3%, to$8.5 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared with$7.0 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The increase was attributable to a 68 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets to 4.44% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from 3.76% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 as well as a$21.3 million , or 2.9%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets. There were no Paycheck Protection Program loan fees included in interest income on loans receivable for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 , compared with$407,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The average balance of loans receivable, net of allowance for loan loss, increased$64.1 million to$643.2 million during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from$579.1 million during the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 while the yield on loans receivable increased 31 basis points to 4.91% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from 4.60% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 due to higher market interest rates. The higher average balance and yield accounted for a$1.2 million , or 18.4%, increase in loan interest income between periods. Interest earned on investment securities, including interest-earning deposits and excluding FHLB stock, increased$250,000 , or 93.3%, to$518,000 for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2022 from$268,000 for the prior year quarter. A 111 basis point increase in the yield on such assets to 1.79% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from 0.69% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 , partially offset by a$42.7 million , or 27.0%, decrease in the average balance of investment securities and interest-earning deposits to$115.5 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2022 , accounted for the increase. Interest Expense.Interest expense increased$1.0 million , or 182.5%, to$1.6 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from$570,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 80 basis points to 1.27% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared with 0.47% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 resulting primarily from higher market interest rates. Between periods, the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased$20.2 million , or 4.2%, to$502.2 million . The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased$23.0 million , or 5.0%, to$483.0 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2022 from$460.0 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2021 , while the average cost of such deposits increased 82 basis points to 1.21% from 0.39%. As a result, interest paid on interest-bearing deposits increased$1.0 million to$1.5 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared with$451,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 due to higher market interest rate environment. Interest paid on borrowings increased$17,000 , or 14.3%, to$136,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from$119,000 for the prior year period. The increase was the result of a 67 basis point increase in the cost of borrowings to 2.83% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from 2.16% for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 , partially offset by a$2.8 million decrease in the average balance of such borrowings to$19.1 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2022 from$21.9 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2021 . Provision for Loan Losses.We establish provisions for loan losses, which are charged to earnings, at a level necessary to absorb known and inherent losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the consolidated financial statements. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. 29 Table of Contents After an evaluation of these factors, management recorded a provision of$317,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared to$101,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The higher provision for loan losses resulted from growth in the Company's loan portfolio and an increase in non-performing loans during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 . The Company did not record any loan charge-offs or recoveries for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared with$52,000 in net recoveries during the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses necessarily involves a high degree of judgment. Management reviews the level of the allowance on a quarterly basis, and establishes the provision for loan losses based on the factors set forth in the preceding paragraph. As management evaluates the allowance for loan losses, the increased risk associated with larger non-homogenous construction, commercial real estate and commercial business loans may result in larger additions to the allowance for loan losses in future periods. Other Income. Other income decreased$52,000 , or 8.0%, to$598,000 during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 compared to$650,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . Gains from the sale ofSmall Business Administration 7(a) loans decreased$101,000 to$180,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 from$281,000 for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . Partially offsetting this decrease were$57,000 in interest rate swap fees received during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 , compared with no fees during the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 .
Other Expenses. Other expenses decreased
The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in professional fees, which decreased$208,000 , or 53.7%, to$179,000 , due to lower legal and consulting fees related to the collection and foreclosure of non-performing loans, and OREO expenses, which decreased$18,000 to$16,000 , from fewer OREO properties between periods. Offsetting the decrease was higher compensation and benefit expense, which increased$121,000 , or 4.5%, to$2.8 million , due to stock award and stock option expenses related to the Company's 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. Income Tax Expense.The Company recorded tax expense of$780,000 on pre-tax income of$2.6 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 , compared to$674,000 on pre-tax income of$2.4 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2021 . The Company's effective tax rate for the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 was 30.1% compared with 28.5% for the three months ended December
31, 2021.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity The Company's liquidity is a measure of its ability to fund loans, pay withdrawals of deposits, and other cash outflows in an efficient, cost-effective manner. The Company's short-term sources of liquidity include maturity, repayment and sales of assets, excess cash and cash equivalents, new deposits, other borrowings, and new advances from theFederal Home Loan Bank . There has been no material adverse change during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 in the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to fund their operations. AtDecember 31, 2022 , the Company had commitments outstanding under letters of credit of$740,000 , commitments to originate loans of$15.5 million , and commitments to fund undisbursed balances of closed loans and unused lines of credit of$85.7 million . There has been no material change during the three months endedDecember 31, 2022 in any of the Company's other contractual obligations or commitments to make future payments. Capital Requirements
At
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