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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
           ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

           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:  000-32891

1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New Jersey 22-3665653
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 (IRS Employer Identification Number)
2650 Route 130P.O. Box 634CranburyNew Jersey08512
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)(609)655-4500



Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par valueFCCYNASDAQ Global Market

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes      No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes      No 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes      No 





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
Yes   No   ý

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common stock, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, is $110,411,286.

As of February 26, 2021, 10,241,100 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

    Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2021 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 2021 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.




    




FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
 
 PART II 
 
 
 PART III 
 
 
 PART IV 
 
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary
 
 
 




When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (this "Form 10-K"), the words the "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refer to 1ST Constitution Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless we indicate otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to, without limitation, our future economic performance, plans and objectives for future operations, and projections of revenues and other financial items that are based on our beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. The words "may," "will," "anticipate," "should," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "project," "predict," "expect," "estimate," "continue," and "intend," as well as other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon our opinions and estimates as of the date they are made and are not guarantees of future performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may be beyond our control, which could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from results, performance and achievements projected, expected, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
 
Examples of factors or events that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated,
expressed or implied include, without limitation, changes in the overall economy and interest rate changes; inflation, market and monetary fluctuations; the ability of our customers to repay their obligations; the accuracy of our financial statement estimates and assumptions, including the adequacy of the estimates made in connection with determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; increased competition and its effect on the availability and pricing of deposits and loans; significant changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices and requirements; changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values; the enactment of legislation or regulatory changes; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government; changes to the method that LIBOR rates are determined and to the phasing out of LIBOR after 2021; changes in loan delinquency rates or in our levels of nonperforming assets; our ability to declare and pay dividends; changes in the economic climate in the market areas in which we operate; the frequency and magnitude of foreclosure of our loans; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; the effects of the health and soundness of other financial institutions, including the need of the FDIC to increase the Deposit Insurance Fund assessments; technological changes; the effects of climate change and harsh weather conditions, including hurricanes and man-made disasters; the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, acts of war or threats thereof and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks; our ability to integrate acquisitions and achieve cost savings; other risks described from time to time in our filings with the SEC; and our ability to manage the risks involved in the foregoing. Further, the foregoing factors may be exacerbated by the ultimate impact of the Novel Coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, which is unknown at this time.

In addition, statements about the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential effects and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that actual results may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in such forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and, in many cases, beyond our control, including the scope, duration and extent of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on our employees, customers, business and third-parties with which we conduct business.

Although management has taken certain steps to mitigate any negative effect of the aforementioned factors and the COVID-19 pandemic, significant unfavorable changes could severely impact the assumptions used and have an adverse effect on profitability. Additional information concerning the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Item 1. "Business," Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC. However, other factors besides those listed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” or discussed in this Annual Report also could adversely affect our results and you should not consider any such list of factors to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, except as required by law.
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PART I
Item 1.  Business.
 
1ST Constitution Bancorp
 
1ST Constitution Bancorp is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. 1ST Constitution Bancorp was organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey in February 1999 for the purpose of acquiring all of the issued and outstanding stock of 1ST Constitution Bank (the "Bank") and thereby enabling the Bank to operate within a bank holding company structure. The Company became an active bank holding company on July 1, 1999. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has four employees, all of whom are full-time. The Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Other than its investment in the Bank, the Company currently conducts no other significant business activities.

The main office of the Company and the Bank is located at 2650 Route 130 Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, and the telephone number is (609) 655-4500.
 
1ST Constitution Bank
 
The Bank is a commercial bank formed under the laws of the State of New Jersey and engages in the business of commercial and retail banking. As a community bank, the Bank offers a wide range of services (including demand, savings and time deposits and commercial and consumer/installment loans) to individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations principally in the Fort Lee area of Bergen County and in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties of New Jersey. The Bank conducts its operations through its main office located in Cranbury, New Jersey, and operates 24 additional branch offices in Asbury Park, Cranbury, Fair Haven, Fort Lee, Freehold, Hamilton, Hightstown, Hillsborough, Hopewell, Jackson, Jamesburg, Lawrenceville, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manahawkin, Neptune City, Perth Amboy, Plainsboro, Princeton, Rumson, Shrewsbury, Skillman and Toms River (2), New Jersey. The Bank also operates a residential mortgage loan production office in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable legal limits by the FDIC. 
 
Management efforts focus primarily on positioning the Bank to meet the financial needs of the communities in the Fort Lee area of Bergen County and in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties and to provide financial services to individuals, families, institutions and small businesses. To achieve this goal, the Bank is focusing its efforts on:
 
expansion of the Bank;
personal service; and
technological advances and e-commerce.

Expansion of the Bank
 
On November 8, 2019, the Company completed the merger of Shore Community Bank ("Shore"), a New Jersey chartered bank, with and into the Bank, with the Bank being the surviving entity (the "Shore Merger"). At the time of the Shore Merger, Shore had approximately $284.2 million in assets, approximately $209.6 million in loans, and approximately $249.8 million in deposits. Shore operated five branch offices located in Ocean County, New Jersey which became branches of the Bank as a result of the Shore Merger.

On April 11, 2018, the Company completed the merger of New Jersey Community Bank ("NJCB"), a New Jersey-chartered bank, with and into the Bank, with the Bank being the surviving entity (the "NJCB Merger"). At the time of the NJCB Merger, NJCB had approximately $95 million in assets, approximately $75 million in loans, and approximately $87 million in deposits. NJCB operated two branch offices in Monmouth County, New Jersey which became branches of the Bank as a result of the NJCB Merger.

The Bank continually evaluates opportunities to expand its products and services to existing and new customers and expand into new markets through the acquisition of other banks and bank branch offices within and contiguous to its existing markets and/or by opening new branch offices.

Human Capital Resources

At December 31, 2020, the Bank employed 211 full-time equivalent employees. The Bank strives to recruit and retain an outstanding and diverse team. We believe that the highest-performing teams are diverse and the most productive workplaces are inclusive. An engaged employee base is critical to our success, as is diversity and inclusion, which is why it is one of
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Bank’s corporate values and an integral part of our talent and leadership development strategy. We also know that to most effectively compete in our primary market areas and to best serve our customers and communities, our employee base must reflect our increasingly diverse customer base. As a local based and managed main street bank, the Bank is committed to meeting the needs of all of our constituencies—customers, employees, communities and shareholders—as the success of one is intricately linked to the others.

We provide competitive compensation, attractive benefits and assist our employees to prepare for retirement. The Bank continues to invest in our employees’ ongoing career development, including the continuation of education by providing career skills training, mentoring and opportunities to interact with senior management. We have a comprehensive continuing education program with courses that are relevant to the banking industry and job function, as well as courses that touch on changing demographics trends that impact both our customers and employees.


We are committed and focused on the health, safety and well-being of our employees and customers. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented safety protocols in all our offices and branch locations beginning in March 2020, which we continually review and adjust based on applicable guidance and regulations. Our pandemic response included modifying our banking center hours, lobby usage and allowing employees to work remotely where possible during the pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we made a one-time special bonus to all of our staff to reward them for their resiliency and contributions during this pandemic. In addition, beginning in the first quarter of 2021, the Bank offered paid time off to employees to obtain the COVID-19 vaccinations.

1ST Constitution Bank employees continue to support numerous civic and charitable causes by donating time, resources and financial support. At 1st Constitution, we are a concerned corporate citizen, with long lasting ties to the communities that we serve. Our long term goal is to make these communities a better place in which to work and live.

Personal Service
 
The Bank provides a wide range of commercial and consumer banking services to individuals, families, institutions and small businesses in central and coastal New Jersey and the Fort Lee area of Bergen County. We prioritize understanding and anticipating the needs of our customers and the communities we serve and tailoring our products, services and advice to meet those needs. The Bank seeks to provide a high level of personalized banking services, emphasizing quick and flexible responses to customer demands.
 
Technological Advances and e-Commerce
 
 The Bank recognizes that retail and business customers want to receive service via their most convenient delivery channel, be it the traditional branch office, by mobile device, ATM, or the Internet. For this reason, the Bank continues to enhance its e-commerce capabilities. At www.1stconstitution.com, customers have easy access to online banking, including account access, and to the Bank’s bill payment system. Consumers and businesses may also access their accounts and make deposits through their mobile devices. The Bank introduced several features to enhance customers’ mobile and online banking experience, including real time account alerts and fraud monitoring on debit cards. Consumers can take advantage of Momentum Mortgage, our digital mortgage platform introduced in 2018, to apply online for loans and interact with management through the online portal. Business customers have access to cash management information and transaction capability through the Bank’s online Cash Manager product which permits business customers to make deposits, originate ACH payments, initiate wire transfers, retrieve account information and place “stop payment” orders. During 2020, the Bank replaced many of its automated teller machines with the state of the art equipment to keep pace with the ever changing technology. Our increased service offerings in electronic banking provide our customers with the means to access the Bank’s services easily and at their own convenience.

 Competition
 
 The Bank experiences substantial competition in attracting and retaining deposits and in making loans. In attracting deposits and borrowers, the Bank competes with commercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations, as well as regional and national insurance companies and non-bank financial institutions, mutual funds, regulated small loan companies and local credit unions, regional and national sponsors of money market funds and corporate and government borrowers.  Within the direct market area of the Bank, there are a significant number of offices of competing financial institutions.  In New Jersey generally, and in the Bank’s local market specifically, the Bank’s most direct competitors are large
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commercial banks, including Bank of America, PNC Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Santander Bank, as well as savings banks and savings and loan associations, including Provident Bank and Investors Bank.

The Bank is at a competitive disadvantage compared with these larger national and regional commercial and savings banks.  By virtue of their larger capital, asset size and reserves, many of such institutions have substantially greater lending limits (ceilings on the amount of credit a bank may provide to a single customer that are linked to the institution’s capital) and other resources than the Bank. Many such institutions are empowered to offer a wider range of services, including trust services, than the Bank and, in some cases, have lower funding costs (the price a bank must pay for deposits and other borrowed monies used to make loans to customers) than the Bank. In addition to having established deposit bases and loan portfolios, these institutions, particularly large national and regional commercial and savings banks, have the financial ability to finance extensive advertising campaigns and to allocate considerable resources to locations and products perceived as profitable.
 
In addition, non-bank financial institutions offer services that compete for customers’ investable funds and deposits with the Bank. For example, brokerage firms and insurance companies offer such instruments as short-term money market funds, corporate and government securities funds, mutual funds and annuities. It is expected that competition in these areas will continue to increase. Some of these competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulation and supervision as the Company and the Bank and therefore may be able to offer customers more attractive products than the Bank.
 
However, management of the Bank believes that loans to small and mid-sized businesses and professionals, which represent the main commercial loan business of the Bank, are not always of primary importance to the larger banking institutions. The Bank competes for this segment of the market by providing responsive personalized services, making timely local decisions, and acquiring in depth knowledge of its customers and their businesses.
 
Lending Activities
 
 The Bank’s lending activities include both commercial and consumer loans. Loan originations are derived from a number of sources, including real estate broker referrals, mortgage loan companies, direct solicitation by the Bank’s loan officers, existing depositors and borrowers, builders, attorneys, walk-in customers and, in some instances, other lenders. The Bank has established disciplined and systematic procedures for approving and monitoring loans that vary depending on the size and nature of the loans.

Commercial Business
 
 The Bank offers a variety of commercial loan services, including term loans, lines of credit, and loans secured by equipment and receivables. A broad range of short-to-medium term commercial loans, both secured and unsecured, are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisition and development of real estate and improvements), and the purchase of equipment and machinery. Commercial loans are granted based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flow to support its debt obligations and other cash related expenses. A borrower’s ability to repay commercial loans is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and on the quality of its management. As a general practice, the Bank takes, as collateral, a security interest in any available real estate, equipment, inventory, receivables or other personal property of its borrowers, although the Bank occasionally makes commercial loans on an unsecured basis. Generally, the Bank requires personal guarantees of its commercial loans to reduce the risks associated with such loans. The Bank also offers loans of which a portion, generally 75% to 85%, are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"), which is a United States government agency. The Bank generally sells the guaranteed portion of these loans into the secondary market.

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate loans are made to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate operators to finance the acquisition of income producing properties. The Company's loan policy requires that borrowers have sufficient cash flow to meet the debt service requirements and the value of the property meets the loan-to-value criteria set forth in the loan policy. The Company monitors loan concentrations by borrower, by type of property and by location and other criteria. The Company's commercial real estate portfolio is largely secured by real estate collateral located in the State of New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area.


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Commercial Construction Financing
 
Construction financing is provided to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential and commercial properties. First mortgage construction loans are made to developers and builders primarily for single family homes, multi-family buildings or other commercial income producing properties that are presold, or are to be sold or leased on a speculative basis. The Bank lends to builders and developers with established relationships, successful operating histories and sound financial resources.
 
Residential Lending
 
 A portion of the Bank’s lending activities consists of the origination of fixed and adjustable rate residential first mortgage loans secured by owner-occupied property located primarily in the Bank’s market areas. Home mortgage lending is unique in that a broad geographic territory may be serviced by originators working from strategically placed offices either within the Bank’s traditional banking facilities or from office locations in commercial buildings. Customers may also access and apply for residential mortgage loan through our dedicated website www.momentummortgage.com. The Bank also offers construction loans, reverse mortgages, second mortgage home improvement loans and home equity lines of credit.
 
The Bank finances the construction of individual, owner-occupied single-family houses on the basis of written underwriting and construction loan management guidelines. These loans are made to qualified individual borrowers and are generally supported by a take-out commitment from a permanent lender. The construction phase of these loans has certain risks, including the viability of the contractor, the contractor’s ability to complete the project within the budget and changes in interest rates.
 
The Bank will generally sell its originated residential mortgage loans in the secondary market. The decision to sell is made prior to origination. The sale into the secondary market allows the Bank to mitigate its interest rate risks related to such lending operations. This allows the Bank to accommodate its clients’ demands while eliminating the interest rate risk for the 15 to 30-year period generally associated with such loans.
 
For commercial and residential mortgage loans, the Bank, in most cases, requires borrowers to obtain and maintain title, fire, and extended casualty insurance, and, where required by applicable regulations, flood insurance. The Bank maintains its own errors and omissions insurance policy to protect against loss in the event of failure of a mortgagor to pay premiums on fire and other hazard insurance policies. Mortgage loans originated by the Bank customarily include a "due on sale" clause, which gives the Bank the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in certain circumstances, including, without limitation, upon the sale or other disposition by the borrower of the real property subject to a mortgage. In general, the Bank enforces "due on sale" clauses.

Non-Residential Consumer Lending
 
Non-residential consumer loans made by the Bank include loans for automobiles, recreation vehicles, and boats, as well as personal loans (secured and unsecured) and deposit account secured loans. Non-residential consumer loans are attractive to the Bank because they typically have a shorter term and carry higher interest rates than are charged on other types of loans. However, non-residential consumer loans pose an additional risk of collectability when compared to traditional loans, such as residential mortgage loans.
 
Consumer loans are granted based on employment and financial information solicited from prospective borrowers, as well as credit records collected from various reporting agencies.  The stability of the borrower, willingness to pay and credit history are the primary factors to be considered. The availability of collateral is also a factor considered in making such a loan. The Bank seeks collateral that can be assigned and has good marketability with a clearly adequate margin of value. The geographic area of the borrower is another consideration, with preference given to borrowers in the Bank’s primary market areas.
 
Supervision and Regulation

Banking is a complex, highly-regulated industry. The primary goals of the bank regulatory scheme are to maintain a safe and sound banking system and to facilitate the conduct of monetary policy. In furtherance of those goals, Congress has created several largely autonomous regulatory agencies and enacted a myriad of legislation that governs banks, bank holding companies and the banking industry. This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and not for the protection of the Company’s shareholders or creditors. Descriptions of, and references to, the statutes and regulations below are brief summaries thereof, and do not purport to be complete. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by
5


reference to the specific statutes and regulations discussed.

Regulation of the Bank Holding Company

The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"). As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") and is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an annual report and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the BHCA. The Federal Reserve Board may also make examinations of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company is subject to capital standards similar to, but separate from, those applicable to the Bank.

Under the BHCA, bank holding companies that are not financial holding companies generally may not acquire the ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares, or substantially all of the assets, of any company, including a bank or another bank holding company, without the Federal Reserve Board’s prior approval. The Company has not applied to become a financial holding company but did obtain such approval to acquire the shares of the Bank. A bank holding company that does not qualify as a financial holding company is generally limited in the types of activities in which it may engage to those that the Federal Reserve Board had recognized as permissible for bank holding companies prior to the date of enactment of the Gramm-Leach- Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999. For example, a holding company and its banking subsidiary are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit or lease or sale of any property or the furnishing of services. At present, the Company does not engage in any significant activity other than owning the Bank.

In addition to federal bank holding company regulation, the Company is registered as a bank holding company with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the "NJ Banking Department"). The Company is required to file with the NJ Banking Department copies of the reports it files with the federal banking and securities regulators.

Regulation of the Bank Subsidiary

As a New Jersey-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to supervision and examination by the NJ Banking Department. The Bank is also subject to regulation and examination by the FDIC, which is its principal federal bank regulator.

The Bank must comply with various requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including the maintenance of reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged thereon, limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the services that may be offered, and restrictions on dividends as described in the below section titled "Restrictions on Dividends and Redemption of Stock for the Company and the Bank." The Bank must also comply with the capital regulations promulgated by the FDIC as described in the section below titled "Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank." Consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Bank. In addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve Board which influence the money supply and credit availability in the national economy.

For additional information on laws and regulations affecting the Bank, please refer to the below section titled "Banking Legislation and Regulations."

Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank

The Company is required to comply with minimum capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve Board. There are two basic measures of capital adequacy for bank holding companies and the depository institutions that they own: a risk based measure and a leverage measure. All applicable capital standards must be satisfied for a bank holding company to be considered in compliance.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") requires each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital standards to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and the risks of non-traditional activities. In addition, pursuant to FDICIA, each federal banking agency has promulgated regulations specifying the levels at which a bank would be considered "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," or "critically undercapitalized" and requiring that certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions be taken based on the capital level of the institution.

In December 2010, the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervisors of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision,
6


the oversight body of the Basel Committee, published its “calibrated” capital standards for major banking institutions, referred to as Basel III. Subsequently, in July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC approved revisions to their capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules that implemented and addressed the revised standards of Basel III and addressed relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Federal Reserve Board’s and the FDIC’s rules apply to all depository institutions, top-tier bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $500 million or more (which was subsequently increased to $1 billion or more in May 2015), and top-tier savings and loan holding companies (collectively referred to herein as, "banking organizations"). Among other things, the rules established a new Common Equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets) and increased the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted assets). Banking organizations are also required to have a total capital ratio of at least 8% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4%. The rules also limit a banking organization’s ability to pay dividends, engage in share repurchases or pay discretionary bonuses if the banking organization does not hold a "capital conservation buffer" consisting of 2.5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The rules became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for certain components). As of January 1, 2019, the capital conservation buffer requirement is fully phased in.

With respect to the Bank, the FDIC’s regulations implementing these provisions of FDICIA provide that an institution will be classified as "well capitalized" if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (iii) has a Common Equity Tier 1, or CET1, ratio of at least 6.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and (v) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as "adequately capitalized" if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 4.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4.0 percent, and (v) does not meet the definition of "well capitalized." An institution will be classified as "undercapitalized" if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 4.5 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4.0 percent. An institution will be classified as "significantly undercapitalized" if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 3.0 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0 percent. An institution will be classified as "critically undercapitalized" if it has a Tier 1 leverage ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a lower capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. Similar categories apply to bank holding companies. Because the capital conservation buffer is now fully phased in, the capital ratios applicable to depository institutions will exceed the ratios to be considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations.

Under these capital rules, the Bank’s CET1 risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and leverage capital ratios were 11.11%, 11.11% ,12.15%, and 9.40%, respectively, at December 31, 2020. The Bank is classified as a non-advanced approaches bank for regulatory purposes and has permanently opted out of including the amount of accumulated other comprehensive income in the computation of regulatory capital.

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule providing simplified capital requirements for certain community banking organizations (banks and holding companies) with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, implementing provisions of The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under the proposal, a qualifying community banking organization would be eligible to elect the community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) framework, or continue to measure capital under the existing Basel III requirements. The new rule took effect on January 1, 2020, and qualifying community banking organizations may elect to opt into the new CBLR in their call report for the first quarter of 2020. We did not elect to use the CBLR framework.

Restrictions on Dividends and Redemption of Stock for the Company and the Bank

The primary source of cash to pay dividends, if any, to the Company’s shareholders and to meet the Company’s obligations are dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. Dividend payments by the Bank to the Company are subject to the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948 (the "Banking Act") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"). Under the Banking Act, the Bank may not pay dividends unless, following the dividend payment, the capital stock of the Bank will be unimpaired and (i) the Bank will have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock or, if not, (ii) the payment of such dividend will not reduce the surplus of the Bank. Under the FDIA, the Bank may not pay any dividends if, after paying the dividend, it would be undercapitalized under applicable capital requirements. In addition to these explicit limitations, the federal regulatory agencies are authorized to prohibit a banking subsidiary or bank holding company from engaging in an unsafe or unsound banking practice. Depending upon the circumstances, the agencies could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice. The Bank is also limited in paying dividends if it does not maintain the
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necessary capital conservation buffer” as discussed below and above under the section titled Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank.”

Dividend payments by the Company to its shareholders are subject to a the policy of the Federal Reserve Board which provides that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the immediately preceding year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides further that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiary. A bank holding company may not pay dividends when it is insolvent.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued a supervisory letter to bank holding companies that contains guidance on when the board of directors of a bank holding company should eliminate or defer or severely limit dividends, including, for example, when net income available for shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends. The letter also contains guidance on the redemption of stock by bank holding companies which urges bank holding companies to advise the Federal Reserve Board of any such redemption or repurchase of common stock for cash or other value that results in the net reduction of a bank holding company’s capital at the beginning of the quarter below the capital outstanding at the end of the quarter. The Company’s payment of cash dividends to date were within the guidelines set forth in the Federal Reserve Board’s supervisory letter.

Subsequent to the issuance of the supervisory letter, the Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations requiring bank holding companies to give prior written notice to the Federal Reserve Board before purchasing or redeeming its stock if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when aggregated with the net consideration (i.e., gross consideration paid for purchases and redemptions minus gross consideration received for all stock sold) paid for all purchases or redemptions of stock during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the bank holding company’s consolidated net worth. However, if a bank holding company (i) will be well-capitalized before and immediately after the purchase or redemption, (ii) is well-managed and (iii) is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues, then the bank holding company will not be required to give any prior written notice to the Federal Reserve Board. At this time, the Company fits within the above exception and is not required to give prior written notice to the Federal Reserve Board before purchasing or redeeming its stock.

The Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy rules also limit a banking organization’s ability to pay dividends or to engage in share repurchases if the banking organization does not hold a "capital conservation buffer" consisting of 2.5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. For further discussion of regulatory capital rules, please refer to the discussion under the above section titled "Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank."

The timing and the amount of the payment of future dividends, if any, on the Company's common shares will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will be determined after consideration of various factors, including the level of earnings, cash requirements, regulatory capital and financial condition.

Priority on Liquidation

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The rights of the Company as the sole shareholder of the Bank, and therefore the rights of the Company’s creditors and shareholders, to participate in the distributions and earnings of the Bank when the Bank is not in receivership under Federal banking laws, are subject to various state and federal law restrictions as discussed above under the heading "Restrictions on Dividends and Redemption of Stock for the Company and the Bank." In the event of a liquidation or other resolution of an insured depository institution such as the Bank, the claims of depositors and other general or subordinated creditors are entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of holders of an obligation of the institution to its shareholders (the Company) or any shareholder or creditor of the Company. The claims on the Bank by creditors include obligations in respect of federal funds purchased and certain other borrowings, as well as deposit liabilities.

Financial Institution Legislation

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act has had a broad impact on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance requirements, including, among other things, (i) enhanced resolution authority of troubled and failing banks and
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their holding companies; (ii) increased capital and liquidity requirements; (iii) increased regulatory examination fees; (iv) changes to assessments to be paid to the FDIC for federal deposit insurance; and (v) numerous other provisions designed to improve supervision and oversight of, and strengthen safety and soundness for, the financial services sector. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act established a framework for systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among federal regulatory agencies, including the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC.

Effective July 2011, the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. As of the date of this Form 10-K, the Bank does not pay interest on demand deposits. This significant change to existing law has not had an adverse impact on our net interest margin for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

The Dodd-Frank Act also changed the base for FDIC deposit insurance assessments. Assessments are based on average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than on deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act also increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per account owner. However, if an Interest on Lawyer Trust Account ("IOLTA") qualifies for pass-through coverage as a fiduciary account, then each separate client for whom a law firm holds funds in such IOLTA may be insured up to $250,000 for his or her funds. The legislation also increased the required minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund, from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits, and directed the FDIC to offset the effects of increased assessments on depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, including the Bank.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give their shareholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation ("say on pay") and so-called "golden parachute" payments. It also provides that the listing standards of the national securities exchanges shall require listed companies to implement and disclose "clawback" policies mandating the recovery of incentive compensation paid to executive officers in connection with accounting restatements. Such listing standards have yet to be implemented. For further discussion of incentive compensation rules, please refer to the discussion under the below section titled "Incentive Compensation."

The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit "unfair, deceptive or abusive" acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, which authority does not extend to the Bank at this time since we do not meet the asset threshold.

The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable to national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws. The Dodd-Frank Act requires minimum leverage (Tier 1) and risk based capital requirements for bank and savings and loan holding companies, which exclude certain instruments that previously have been eligible for inclusion by bank holding companies as Tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities; however, bank holding companies with assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009 are permitted to include trust preferred securities that were issued before May 19, 2010 as Tier 1 capital.

The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act have impacted the Bank, as well as all community banks, by increasing our operating and compliance costs. To the extent the Dodd-Frank Act remains in place, it is likely to further increase our operating and compliance costs as certain yet to be written implementing rules and regulations are enacted.

Volcker Rule

On December 10, 2013, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the SEC issued final rules to implement the Volcker Rule contained in Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which became effective on July 21, 2015, for investments in covered funds made after December 31, 2013. The Volcker Rule prohibits an insured depository institution and its affiliates from: (i) engaging in "proprietary trading" and (ii) investing in or sponsoring certain types of funds (defined as "Covered Funds") subject to certain limited exceptions. The rule also effectively prohibits short-term trading strategies by any U.S. banking entity if those strategies involve instruments other than those specifically permitted for trading and prohibits the use of some hedging strategies. In July 2019, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the SEC adopted a final rule to exempt certain community banks, including the Bank, from the Volcker Rule, consistent with The
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Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under the final rule, community banks with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets and total trading assets and liabilities of 5.0% or less of total consolidated assets are excluded from the restrictions of the Volcker Rule.

Incentive Compensation

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities with at least $1 billion in total assets, such as the Company and the Bank, that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. In addition, these agencies must establish regulations or guidelines requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements. The agencies proposed such regulations in April 2011 and subsequently proposed revised regulations in May 2016, but the revised regulations have not been finalized. If the revised regulations are adopted in the form proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which the Company may structure compensation for its executives and employees.

In 2010, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based on the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of its regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not "large, complex banking organizations." These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (the "Modernization Act") became effective in early 2000. The Modernization Act:

allows bank holding companies meeting management, capital and Community Reinvestment Act standards to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking activities, including insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments in commercial and financial companies; if a bank holding company elects to become a financial holding company, it files a certification, effective in 30 days, and thereafter may engage in certain financial activities without further approvals;
allows banks to establish subsidiaries to engage in certain activities that a financial holding company could engage in, provided that the bank meets certain management, capital and Community Reinvestment Act standards; and
allows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks and removes various restrictions applicable to bank holding company ownership of securities firms and mutual fund advisory companies; and establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to financial holding companies that also engage in insurance and securities operations.

The Modernization Act also amended the BHCA and the Bank Merger Act to require the federal banking agencies to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when reviewing an application under these acts. The Modernization Act modified other laws, including laws related to financial privacy and community reinvestment.

Additional proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the banking and financial services industry are
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frequently introduced in Congress, in state legislatures and before the various bank regulatory agencies. The likelihood and timing of any such changes and the impact such changes might have on the Company cannot be determined at this time.

Public Company Legislation

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), which became law on July 30, 2002, added legal requirements affecting corporate governance, accounting and corporate reporting for companies with publicly traded securities.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides for, among other things:

a prohibition on personal loans made or arranged by the issuer to its directors and executive officers (except for loans made by a bank subject to Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board);
independence requirements for audit committee members;
disclosure of whether at least one member of the audit committee is a "financial expert" (as such term is defined by the SEC and if not, why not;
independence requirements for outside auditors;
a prohibition on a company’s registered public accounting firm from performing statutorily mandated audit services for the company if the company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, comptroller, chief accounting officer or any person serving in equivalent positions had been employed by such firm and participated in the audit of such company during the one-year period preceding the audit initiation date;
certification of financial statements and annual and quarterly reports by the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer;
the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement due to corporate misconduct;
disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions;
two-business day filing requirements for insiders filing Forms 4;
disclosure of a code of ethics for financial officers and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code;
"real time" filing of periodic reports;
posting of certain SEC filings and other information on the company’s website;
the reporting of securities violations "up the ladder" by both in-house and outside attorneys;
restrictions on the use of non-GAAP financial measures;
the formation of a public accounting oversight board; and
various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

Additionally, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), include in its annual report (i) a management’s report on internal control over financial reporting assessing the company’s internal controls, and (ii) if the company is an "accelerated filer" or a "large accelerated filer", an auditor’s attestation report, completed by the registered public accounting firm that prepares or issues an accountant’s report which is included in the company’s annual report, attesting to the effectiveness of management’s internal control assessment.

Under applicable rules, the Company is a smaller reporting company and no longer qualifies as an accelerated filer. As a result, the Company is not required to include an attestation report of its independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in this Form 10-K.

Each of the national stock exchanges, including the Nasdaq Global Market where the Company’s common stock is listed, have in place corporate governance rules, including rules requiring director independence, and the adoption of charters for the nominating, corporate governance, and audit committees. These rules are intended to, among other things, make the board of directors independent of management and allow shareholders to more easily and efficiently monitor the performance of companies and directors. These burdens increase the Company’s legal and accounting fees and the amount of time that the Board of Directors and management must devote to corporate governance issues.
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Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to certify that the Company’s Quarterly and Annual Reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Among other things, these officers must certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in the Company’s Quarterly and Annual Reports about their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures and whether there have been significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Banking Legislation and Regulations
Anti-Money Laundering

As part of the USA PATRIOT Act, signed into law on October 26, 2001, Congress adopted the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "FATA"). The FATA authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to adopt special measures applicable to financial institutions such as banks, bank holding companies, broker-dealers and insurance companies. Among its other provisions, the FATA requires each financial institution: (i) to establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) to establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering in United States private banking accounts and correspondent accounts maintained for non-United States persons or their representatives; and (iii) to avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign shell bank that does not have a physical presence in any country. In addition, the FATA expands the circumstances under which funds in a bank account may be forfeited and requires covered financial institutions to respond under certain circumstances to requests for information from federal banking agencies within 120 hours.

The Department of Treasury has issued regulations implementing the due diligence requirements. These regulations require minimum standards to verify customer identity and maintain accurate records, encourage cooperation among financial institutions, federal banking agencies, and law enforcement authorities regarding possible money laundering or terrorist activities, prohibit the anonymous use of "concentration accounts," and require all covered financial institutions to have in place an anti-money laundering compliance program.

Community Reinvestment Act

Under the Community Reinvestment Act (the "CRA"), as implemented by FDIC regulations, a bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions, nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with CRA. The CRA requires the FDIC to assess an institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by the applicable institution. The CRA requires public disclosure of an institution’s CRA rating and requires that the FDIC provide a written evaluation of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. An institution’s CRA rating is considered in determining whether to grant charters, branches and other deposit facilities, relocations, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. Performance less than satisfactory may be the basis for denying an application. At its last CRA examination, the Bank was rated "satisfactory" under the CRA.

Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989

Under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA"), a depository institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution in danger of default. These provisions have commonly been referred to as FIRREA’s "cross guarantee" provisions. Further, under FIRREA, the failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of enforcement remedies available to federal regulatory authorities.

FIRREA also imposes certain independent appraisal requirements upon a bank’s real estate lending activities and further imposes certain loan-to-value restrictions on a bank’s real estate lending activities. Banking regulators have promulgated
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regulations in these areas.

Insurance of Deposits

The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. This limit is $250,000 per account owner. FDICIA is applicable to depository institutions and deposit insurance. The FDIC established a risk-based assessment system for all insured depository institutions and established an insurance premium assessment system based upon: (i) the probability that the insurance fund will incur a loss with respect to the institution, (ii) the likely amount of the loss, and (iii) the revenue needs of the insurance fund. The resulting matrix sets the assessment premium for a particular institution in accordance with its capital level and overall rating by the primary regulator.

As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC modified its assessment rules so that an institution’s deposit insurance assessment base changed from total deposits to total assets less tangible equity. These assessment base rates range from 2.5 to 9 basis points for Risk Category I banks and up to 45 basis points for Risk Category IV banks. Risk Category II and III banks have assessment base rates ranging from 9 to 33 basis points, respectively. If the risk category of the Bank changes adversely, our FDIC insurance premiums could increase.

Lending Limits

In January 2013, the NJ Banking Department issued an order requiring a New Jersey-chartered bank’s calculation of lending limits to any person or entity to include credit exposure to such person or entity arising from a derivative transaction, repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, securities lending transaction or securities borrowing transaction. Previously, such credit exposure was not included in a New Jersey-chartered bank’s calculation of lending limits. New Jersey-chartered banks must comply with the operative provisions of the order, which include compliance with all of the rules set forth in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s rules on lending limits (codified at 12 C.F.R pts. 32, 159 and 160). This change in the calculation of lending limits did not have a significant impact on the Bank’s operations.

Information about our Executive Officers

Robert F. Mangano, 75, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Bank, in which roles he has served since 1996. Prior to joining the Bank in 1996, Mr. Mangano was President and Chief Executive Officer of Urban National Bank, a community bank in northern New Jersey, for a period of three years and a Senior Vice President of another bank for one year. Prior to such time, Mr. Mangano held a senior position with Midlantic Corporation for 21 years. Mr. Mangano is Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Englewood Hospital Medical Center and serves on the Board of Trustees of Englewood Hospital Medical Center and its parent board.

Stephen J. Gilhooly, 68, has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank and as the Treasurer of the Company since April 1, 2014. Prior to April 1, 2014, Mr. Gilhooly served as the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Gilhooly most recently served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Florida Community Bank, Weston, Florida, from May 2011 to June 2013. Prior to joining Florida Community Bank, Mr. Gilhooly served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the banking subsidiaries of Capital Bank Financial Corporation (formerly North American Financial Holdings) (“CBF”) beginning in September 2010. Mr. Gilhooly served as Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of TIB Financial Corp. (“TIB”), Naples, Florida, from 2006 to 2010, prior to its acquisition by CBF. Before joining TIB, Mr. Gilhooly worked for 15 years with Advest, Inc. in New York as Director in its Financial Institutions Group. Mr. Gilhooly earned a B.S. degree in Economics and a M.S. degree in Accounting from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
John T. Andreacio, 58, has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending and Credit Officer of the Company since January 2018 and of the Bank since September 2014. Mr. Andreacio joined the Company in March 2012 and has used his extensive management and credit knowledge to enhance the Company’s credit and lending function. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Andreacio was President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern State Bank, a community bank in northern New Jersey, for a period of three years. Prior to that time, Mr. Andreacio held senior positions with National Penn Bank/KNBT and First Union Bank.

Naqi A. Naqvi, 64, has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and the Bank since May 7, 2018. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Naqvi served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NJCB from March 3, 2012 to April 11, 2018, when NJCB was merged with and into the Bank.  Prior to joining NJCB in early
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2010, Mr. Naqvi held a number of senior management roles at financial institutions, including Greater Community Bancorp and Village Bank of South Orange. Mr. Naqvi started his career at First Virginia Bank before joining Village Bank of South Orange in 1983. He then joined Greater Community Bancorp in 1986 as Treasurer and was subsequently elevated to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer during his 22 years of service with Greater Community Bancorp. Mr. Naqvi is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in accounting and finance.

There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers named above and there is no arrangement or understanding between any of such officers and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as an executive officer. Each of the executive officers named above was elected by the Board of Directors to hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal.

Available Information

The Internet website address of the Company is www.1stconstitution.com. The content on any website referred to in this Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K unless expressly noted. The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and amendments to those reports, and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available free of charge, on or through our Internet website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

We also make available, free of charge, through the investors page on our website, charters of the committees of our Board of Directors, as well as other information and materials, including information about how to contact our Board of Directors, its committees and their members.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The following are certain factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those referred to or implied in any forward-looking statement. These are in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K and the Company’s other filings with the SEC.

Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented in response intended to prevent its spread have adversely affected, and are likely to continue to adversely affect, our customers, employees, and third-parties with which we conduct business, which has consequently affected our business, results of operations and financial condition, the ultimate impact of which will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict at this time, but could be significant.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China and its rapid spread has caused global disruption in the financial markets and our primary market is increasingly threatened by the continued spread of this virus. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 is uncertain at this time, but the known effects of, and risks posed by, the pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition are discussed below.

In response to public health concerns resulting from the pandemic, governments around the world have implemented a variety of precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including travel restrictions and bans, instructions to residents to practice social distancing, quarantine advisories, shelter-in-place orders and required closures of non-essential businesses. These government mandates have forced many of our customers and vendors, which are primarily located in northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore and the New York City metropolitan area, to seek government support in order to continue operating, to curtail drastically their service offerings or to cease operations entirely.

In addition, these measures have negatively affected, and may further affect, consumer sentiment and discretionary spending patterns, economies and financial markets, and our workforce, operations and customers. Among other measures, we have implemented a work-from-home policy for our employees whose jobs can be performed remotely, provided employees who are not working remotely with appropriate protective equipment and supplies, adjusted branch hours and temporarily closed all of our branch lobbies, except on an appointment only basis. However, in mid-June we re-opened the interior access to all of our branch offices to customers. These changes in our operations in response to COVID-19 have impacted the way that we operate and conduct business, and have resulted in inefficiencies or delays, including additional costs related to business
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continuity initiatives, employees working remotely or teleconferencing technologies. The pandemic and widespread responses thereto have also caused significant volatility in financial markets, including the market price of our common stock.

The known consequences of and responses to the pandemic, including the public health problems resulting from COVID-19 and precautionary measures instituted by governments and businesses to mitigate its spread, particularly in our primary market areas, have raised the prospect of an extended global recession, which would adversely impact the businesses of our customers, clients, counterparties and service providers, as well as other market participants, and could further disrupt our operations. Other known impacts and anticipated risks of the COVID-19 pandemic include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.We primarily operate in northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore and the New York City metropolitan area, which are among some of the most affected areas in the U.S. and, accordingly, are the most likely geographies to remain subject to governmental restrictions aimed at curtailing household and non-essential business activity to contain COVID-19 for a prolonged period. The longer that our clients, customers, communities and business partners remain subject to such restrictions, the greater the likelihood that economic and demand uncertainty will increase, which could negatively impact, among other things, demand for and profitability of the Bank’s products and services and our liquidity, regulatory capital and growth strategy.
b.Concern about the spread of COVID-19 and the measures enacted to mitigate its spread have already caused and are likely to continue to cause business shutdowns and interruptions, increased unemployment, labor shortages and commercial property vacancies, and supply chain disruptions, all of which contribute to economic and financial market instability and which, in turn, could impact the ability of our customers to make scheduled loan payments. If the pandemic results in widespread and sustained repayment shortfalls on loans in our portfolio, we could incur significant delinquencies, foreclosures and credit losses, particularly if the available collateral is insufficient to cover our exposure.
c.Our financial performance, the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans, and the value of the collateral securing such loans is highly dependent upon the business environment in the U.S. generally and in northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore and the New York City metropolitan area in particular. Further economic downturn resulting from the pandemic, particularly in our primary market areas, could negatively impact the collateral values associated with our existing loans, the ability to liquidate the real estate collateral securing our residential and commercial real estate loans, our ability to maintain loan origination volume and to obtain additional financing, and the financial condition and credit risk of our customers, among other credit risks.
d.Future legislative responses and regulatory policy changes to protect borrowers, such as forbearance, waiver of late payment and other fees, and the suspension of foreclosures, may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. We may need to further increase the allowance for loan losses if borrowers experience financial difficulties beyond forbearance periods, which would adversely affect our net income.
e.Our ability to meet customer servicing expectations may be limited due to certain operational risks as a result of our reduced hours, branch lobby closures and work-from-home policy, as described above, including reduced productivity in our workforce, less reliable and more limited access to the networks, information systems, applications and other tools available to employees, as well as increased cybersecurity and information security risk.
f.In addition, our reliance on third-party service providers and vendors exposes us to certain operational risks to the extent that such service providers and vendors continue to have limited capacities for a prolonged period or if additional limitations or potential disruptions in these services materialize. By way of example, our business depends on vendors that supply essential services such as loan servicers, providers of financial information, systems and analytical tools and providers of electronic payment and settlement systems, among others. Without these services, we have experienced and will continue to experience delays in originating and closing loans.
g.During this challenging economic environment, our communities are increasingly relying on us to access necessary capital and our customers are more dependent on our credit commitments. Increased borrowings under these commitments could adversely impact our liquidity. Moreover, our management has been focused on meeting clients’ needs and mitigating the impact of the pandemic on our business, which has required and will continue to require a substantial investment of time and resources across our enterprise. This has resulted and can be expected to continue to result in a diversion of management attention.
h.Historically low interest rates caused by uncertainties stemming from COVID-19 could negatively impact our net interest income, lending activities, deposits and profitability.

The duration, extent and impact of the pandemic, including resurgences in our primary market areas, sporadic resurgences following a period of containment and restrictions, the severity of newly identified strains of the virus and the timing, availability and efficacy of the various COVID-19 vaccines, continue to be nearly impossible to estimate at this time. However, each of these risks and uncertainties can be expected to persist at least until the pandemic is demonstrably and sustainably
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contained, authorities cease curbing household and business activity, and consumer and business confidence recover. The COVID-19 pandemic and the volatile economic conditions stemming from it could also precipitate, enhance or contribute to the other risk factors identified in this Form 10-K, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations, prospects, and stock price, and may also affect our business in a manner that is not presently known or that we currently do not consider to present significant risks to our business, financial position, results of operations or prospects.

As a participating lender in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), we are exposed to additional litigation risk and credit risks.

To support our customers, businesses and communities, we are participating in the PPP established under the CARES Act, notwithstanding that our participation in this federal relief program exposes the Company and the Bank to additional litigation risk. Several national banking associations have already been subject to litigation regarding their respective procedures for processing PPP applications. The Company and the Bank may be exposed to the risk of litigation, from both clients and non-clients that approached the Bank regarding PPP loans, regarding the manner in which we processed PPP applications. Any such litigation regardless of the outcome, may result in significant financial liability or adversely affect the Company’s reputation.

Our participation in the PPP and any other relief programs established under the CARES Act further exposes us to certain credit risks. Among other regulatory requirements, PPP loans are subject to forbearance of loan payments for a six-month period to the extent that loans are not eligible for forgiveness. If PPP borrowers fail to qualify for loan forgiveness, we have a greater risk of holding these loans at unfavorable interest rates as compared to the loans to customers that we would have otherwise extended credit. Additionally, there is risk that the SBA could conclude there is a deficiency in the manner in which the Bank originated, funded, or serviced PPP loans, which may or may not be related to the ambiguity in the CARES Act or the rules and guidance promulgated by the SBA and the U.S. Department of the Treasury thereunder regarding the operation of the PPP.

Risks Related to Changes in Interest Rates and Market Volatility

Changes in interest rates and historically low interest rates could adversely affect our net interest income and profitability.

The Company’s earnings are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed funds. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest the Company receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but could also affect (i) the Company’s ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio. If the spread between the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings and the interest rates received on loans and other investments narrows, the Company’s net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. This also includes the risk that interest-earning assets may be more responsive to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing liabilities, or vice versa (repricing risk), the risk that the individual interest rates or rate indices underlying various interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities may not change in the same degree over a given time period (basis risk), and the risk of changing interest rate relationships across the spectrum of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability maturities (yield curve risk).

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board acted to decrease the targeted fed funds interest rates to 0%-0.25% in March 2020, and it is anticipated that interest rates could remain near zero through 2023. This may cause our net interest margin to decline, which may have an adverse effect on our profitability. Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on the Company’s results of operations, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The price of our common stock has fluctuated widely and may continue to fluctuate as a result of recent market uncertainty and volatility.

The price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market constantly changes and recently, given the uncertainty in the financial markets, has fluctuated widely. From the beginning of fiscal year 2019 through the end of fiscal year 2020, our closing stock price fluctuated between a high of $22.46 per share and a low of $9.88 per share. We expect that the market closing price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate. Consequently, the current market price of our common stock may
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not be indicative of future market prices, and we may be unable to sustain or increase the value of an investment in our common stock regardless of our operating results. Our common stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control and include:

quarterly fluctuations in our operating and financial results;
operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors;
changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;
events negatively impacting the financial services industry which result in a general decline in the market valuation of our common stock;
announcements of material developments affecting our operations or our dividend policy;
future sales of our equity securities;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
interest rate changes or credit loss trends; and
general domestic economic and market conditions.

Risks Related to the Company’s Lending Activities

A downturn in economic conditions in general, or the economic conditions and/or real estate market in our primary market areas in particular, would adversely affect our loan portfolio, which is secured primarily by real estate in a concentrated geographic area, and our growth potential.

Substantially all of the loans the Company originates are secured by properties located in, or are made to businesses that operate in, northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore and the New York City metropolitan area. As a result of this geographic concentration, a significant broad-based deterioration in economic conditions in our primary market areas could have a material adverse impact on the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, results of operations and future growth potential. A prolonged decline in economic conditions in our primary market areas could result in increased unemployment, downward pressure on the value of residential or commercial real estate, or other conditions that limit or restrict borrowers’ ability to pay outstanding principal and interest on loans when due, and consequently, adversely affect the cash flows and results of operations of the Company’s business and our earnings.

In addition, conditions in the real estate markets in which the collateral for the Company’s loans are located strongly influence the level of the Company’s non-performing loans and results of operations. A downturn in the real estate markets in the Company’s primary market areas could result in an increase in the number of borrowers who default on loans and a reduction in the value of the collateral securing loans, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability and asset quality. Further, if the Company is required to liquidate collateral securing a loan to satisfy the related debt during a period of reduced real estate values, the Company may experience higher loan losses than expected and its earnings and shareholders’ equity could be adversely affected. Any declines in real estate prices in the Company’s primary markets may also result in increases in delinquencies and losses in its loan portfolios. Unanticipated decreases in real estate prices coupled with a prolonged economic downturn and elevated levels of unemployment could drive loan losses beyond the level provided for in the Company’s allowance for loan losses. If this occurs, the Company’s earnings could be adversely affected.

For a discussion of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our loan portfolio and lending activities, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—COVID-19 Impact and Response.”

Our construction loan, commercial business and commercial real estate loan portfolio exposes us to increased lending risks.

At December 31, 2020, $129.2 million, or 9.0%, of our loan portfolio consisted of construction loans, and $807.7 million, or 56.3%, of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial business and commercial real estate loans. Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied residential real estate. These risks include the borrower’s inability to complete the construction process on time and within budget, the sale of the project within projected absorption periods, the economic risks associated with real estate collateral, and the potential of a rising interest rate environment. Because the sale and leasing of developed properties is integral to the success of developer’s business, loan repayments may be especially subject to changes in economic conditions, the volatility of real estate market values and the marketability of a construction project. Management has established underwriting and monitoring criteria to minimize the inherent risks of speculative commercial real estate construction lending and concentrates lending efforts with developers demonstrating successful performance on marketable projects within the Bank’s lending areas. However, this concentration of constructions loans exposes us to additional risk in the event of an adverse development with respect to one
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credit relationship. Further, there can be no assurance that any actions taken or policies implemented by management with respect to construction loans will successfully mitigate these risks.

As with our construction loans, the inherent primary risks of our commercial business and commercial real estate loans are deteriorating credit quality, a decline in the economy, and a decline in real estate market values in our primary market areas. Any one, or a combination, of these events may adversely affect the loan portfolio and may result in increased delinquencies, loan losses and increased future provision levels.

At December 31, 2020, one construction loan totaling $7.5 million and eleven commercial business and commercial real estate loans totaling $7.8 million were considered non-performing and on nonaccrual status. For more information about the quality of our construction loan and commercial business and real estate loan portfolio, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Non-Performing Assets.”

Our emphasis on mortgage warehouse lines of credit is generally subject to unique risks than other lending activities.

At December 31, 2020, $388.4 million, or 27.1%, of our loan portfolio consisted of mortgage warehouse lines of credit. Our emphasis on mortgage warehouse lines of credit exposes us to additional risks that include, without limitation, (i) credit risks relating to the mortgage bankers that borrow from us, (ii) the risk of intentional misrepresentation or fraud by any of such mortgage bankers, (iii) changes in the market value of mortgage loans originated by the mortgage banker, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit, due to changes in interest rates during the time in warehouse, and (iv) unsalable or impaired mortgage loans so originated, which could lead to decreased collateral value and the failure of a purchaser of the mortgage loan to purchase the loan from the mortgage banker.

The impact of interest rates on our mortgage warehouse business can be significant. Changes in interest rates can impact the number of residential mortgages originated and initially funded under mortgage warehouse lines of credit and thus our mortgage warehouse related revenues. A decline in mortgage rates generally increases the demand for mortgage loans. Conversely, in a constant or increasing rate environment, we would expect fewer loans may be originated. Although we use models to assess the impact of interest rates on mortgage related revenues, the estimates of net income produced by these models are dependent on estimates and assumptions of future loan demand, prepayment speeds and other factors which may overstate or understate actual subsequent experience. Further, the concentration of our loan portfolio on loans originated through our mortgage warehouse business increases the risk associated with our loan portfolio generally because of the concentration of loans in a single line of business, namely one-to-four family residential mortgage lending, and in a particular segment of that business, namely mortgage warehouse lending.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could materially decrease.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loan and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions. If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. In addition, bank regulators periodically review our loan portfolio and our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs or reclassify loans. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs or loan reclassifications could materially decrease our net income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and social disruption, we significantly increased our allowance for loan losses, which has resulted in a $6.4 million increase in the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. For more information about our allowance for loan losses, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Provision for Loan Losses.”

Risks Related to Strategic Activities and the Company’s Operations

The expected benefits from acquiring another entity may not be realized if we do not successfully integrate acquired banks and the combined bank does not achieve certain cost savings and other benefits.

While focusing on organic growth, our strategy also includes, in part, growth through acquisitions. The Company may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates, or complete acquisitions. Further, the success of any acquisition depends on the ability to effectively integrate the acquired business, including integrating operations and achieving synergies and cost efficiencies. We may experience difficulties in accomplishing this integration or in effectively managing the combined bank
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after any future acquisition. The integration of any acquired entity will also divert the attention of our management. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in integrating any future acquisitions into our own business.

Our belief that cost savings and revenue enhancements are achievable in any future acquisition is a forward-looking statement that is inherently uncertain. The combined bank’s actual cost savings and revenue enhancements, if any, for any future acquisition cannot be quantified at the time of acquisition. Any actual cost savings or revenue enhancements will depend on future expense levels and operating results, the timing of certain events and general industry, regulatory and business conditions. Many of these events will be beyond the control of the combined bank.

As a community bank, we face significant competition from both other banks and non-bank financial institutions for customers and the Bank's products and services, which compete against the rapidly changing technologies offered in the financial services industry.

The Company faces significant competition from many other banks, savings institutions and other financial institutions that have branch offices or otherwise operate in the Company’s market area. Non-bank financial institutions, such as securities brokerage firms, insurance companies and money market funds, engage in activities which compete directly with traditional bank business, which has also led to greater competition. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources than the Company, including larger capital bases that allow them to attract customers seeking larger loans than the Company is able to accommodate, to aggressively advertise their products and to allocate considerable resources to locations and products perceived as profitable.

These competitors also have more resources and to invest in technological improvements. The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and may reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or to successfully market these products and services to its customers. Failure to keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry, or otherwise successfully compete with these entities in the future, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, due to loss of market share and income generated from loans, deposits and other financial products.

The Company is subject to operational risk due to our reliance on third party vendors and service providers.

We rely on certain external vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain our day-to-day operations. These third parties provide key components of our business operations such as data processing, recording and monitoring transactions, online banking interfaces and services, internet connections and network access. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any complications caused by these third parties, including those resulting from disruptions in communication or electrical services provided by a vendor, failure of a vendor to handle current or higher volumes, cyber-attacks and security breaches at a vendor, failure of a vendor to provide services for any reason or poor performance of services, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and otherwise conduct our business. Financial or operational difficulties of a third party vendor could also hurt our operations if those difficulties interfere with the vendor’s ability to provide services. Furthermore, our vendors could also be sources of operational and information security risk, including from breakdowns or failures of their own systems or capacity constraints. Replacing these third party vendors could also create significant delay and expense. Problems caused by external vendors could be disruptive to our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Protecting against evolving cybersecurity and electronic fraud risks demands significant resources, and the loss of, or failure to adequately safeguard, confidential or proprietary information may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial operations or reputation.

Information security risks have generally increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. Although cybersecurity incidents in the financial services industry are on the rise, we have not experienced any losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches. However, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer such losses in the future. A failure in or breach of the Company’s operational or information security systems, or those of the Company’s third-party service providers, as a result of cyber-attacks or information security breaches or due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions could adversely affect its business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage its reputation, increase its
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costs and/or cause losses. Mishandling, misuse or loss of confidential or proprietary information could also result in significant regulatory consequences, reputational damage, civil litigation and financial loss. In addition, the Company may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify its protective measures, to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures or to make required notifications or disclosure.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain of the Company’s employees have been working remotely, which arrangements contribute to heightened cybersecurity, information security and operational risks. The Company has not experienced any material impact to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting due to the fact that most of the Company’s employees responsible for financial reporting are working mostly in the office during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Company is continually monitoring and assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to minimize any impact on the design and operating effectiveness.

As a result of such risks, the Company has significantly increased the resources dedicated to this effort and believes that further increases may be required in the future, in anticipation of increases in the sophistication and persistency of such attacks. The Company has and is likely to continue to incur additional costs in preparing its infrastructure and maintaining it to resist any such attacks. For example, the Company has introduced and continues to introduce systems and software to prevent cyber incidents and continues to review and strengthen its defenses to cybersecurity threats through the use of various services, programs and outside vendors. In addition to personnel dedicated to overseeing the infrastructure and systems to defend against cybersecurity incidents, senior management is regularly briefed on issues, preparedness and any incidents requiring response. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors are periodically briefed and brought up to date on cybersecurity matters. The Company also continually reviews its internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, corporate governance policies and procedures and cyber security policy to ensure that its systems and procedures remain up to date. However, any system of controls, regardless of how well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the Company's controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

Notwithstanding the precautions we take to safeguard confidential and proprietary information, these measures do not provide absolute assurance that mishandling, misuse, loss and theft of the information will not occur, or that if mishandling, misuse loss of theft of the information did occur, those events would be promptly detected and addressed. Nor is there any guarantee that the Company's cybersecurity efforts will be successful in discovering or preventing a security breach, and any failure or failures to safeguard against such security breaches may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial results, or reputation. In the event that the Company experiences a material cybersecurity incident or identifies a material cybersecurity threat, the Company will make all reasonable efforts to properly disclose it in a timely fashion. However, it is impossible for the Company to know when or if such incidents may arise or the business impact of any such incident.

Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory and Policy Matters

The Company and the Bank operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely impacted by changes in law, regulations, and accounting policies.

The operations of the Company and the Bank are subject to examination, supervision and comprehensive regulation and will be affected by present and future legislation and by the policies established from time to time by various federal and state regulatory authorities. Any change in the laws or regulations, failure by the Company to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or a change in regulators’ supervisory policies or examination procedures, whether by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board, other state or federal regulators, the U.S. Congress, or the New Jersey State Legislature could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Changes in accounting policies, practices and standards, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and other accounting standard setters, could also impact the Company’s financial results. It is not possible to predict what changes, if any, will be made to the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board or to existing federal and state legislation or the effect that such changes may have on the future business and earnings prospects of the Company. Compliance with the rules and regulations of these agencies may be costly and may limit growth and restrict certain activities, including payment of dividends, investments, loans and interest rate charges, interest rates paid on deposits, and locations of offices.

The capital requirements applicable to the Bank, and changes thereto, may inhibit our future growth and operating results.

For the Bank to be considered well-capitalized for prompt corrective action purposes under federal regulatory requirements regarding the capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, the Bank is required to maintain the following ratios: (1) a
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Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital ratio of at least 6.5% of risk-weighted assets; (2) a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8.0% of risk-weighted assets; (3) a total capital ratio of a least 10.0% of risk-weighted assets; and (4) a leverage ratio of at least 5.0%. The Bank’s CET1 risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and leverage capital ratios were 11.11%, 11.11%, 12.15%, and 9.40%, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. In addition, there is a requirement to maintain a capital conservation buffer, comprised of CET1capital, in an amount greater than 2.5% of risk-weighted assets over the minimum capital required by each of the minimum risk-based capital ratios in order to avoid limitations on the organization’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase shares or pay discretionary bonuses. The capital conservation buffer requirement has been fully implemented and the Company's capital conservation buffer was at a level above 2.5% at December 31, 2020.

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies adopted a final rule, effective January 1, 2020, creating a CBLR framework for institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion and that meet other qualifying criteria. The CBLR framework provides for a simpler measure of capital adequacy for qualifying institutions. Qualifying institutions that elect to use the CBLR framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9% will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the federal banking agencies’ capital rules and to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements. The Company and the Bank did not elect to use the framework.

Changes to these capital requirements could increase the Company’s required capital levels and the cost of capital, among other things. Any permanent significant increase in the Company’s cost of capital could have significant adverse impacts on the profitability of many of our products, the types of products we could offer profitably, our overall profitability, and our overall growth opportunities, among other things. Implementation of changes to asset risk weightings for risk-based capital calculations or items included or deducted in calculating regulatory capital and/or additional capital conservation buffers could also result in management modifying the Company’s business strategy and limiting the Company’s ability to repurchase our common stock.

In addition, to the extent our future operating results erode capital or we elect to expand through loan growth or acquisition, we may be required to raise additional capital. Our ability to raise capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets, which are outside of our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to raise capital when needed or on favorable terms. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, we will be subject to increased regulatory supervision and the imposition of restrictions on our growth and business. These actions could negatively impact our ability to operate or further expand our operations and may result in increases in operating expenses and reductions in revenues that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, if we are able to raise capital through the capital markets, our common shareholders would be diluted from any stock issuances.

Higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments could adversely affect our financial condition.

The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC-insured financial institutions, including the Bank. The FDIC charges insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund at a specific level. The Bank's FDIC insurance premiums are based on the risk category assigned to the Bank. If the risk category of the Bank or the FDIC’s assessment rates change adversely, our FDIC insurance premiums could increase, which could have an adverse effect on the Bank's earnings. The FDIC may further increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule in order to manage the Deposit Insurance Fund to prescribed statutory target levels. The FDIC may terminate deposit insurance for an institution if it determines that such institution has engaged in or is engaging in unsafe or unsound banking practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or has violated applicable laws, regulations or orders. In addition, insured depository institution failures, as well as deterioration in banking and economic conditions, could significantly increase the loss provisions of the FDIC, resulting in a decline in the designated reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund, currently at 2.00%, to historical lows.

Changes to and replacement of the LIBOR Benchmark Interest Rate may have an impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a regulator of financial services firms in the United Kingdom, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. The FCA and submitting LIBOR banks have indicated they will support the LIBOR indices through 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate. Subsequently, on November 30, 2020, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (commonly referred to as “ICE”) announced its plan to extend the date that most U.S. dollar LIBOR values would cease being computed and announced a change from December 31, 2021 to June 30, 2023. On the same date, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC issued a Joint Statement on LIBOR transition, which instructs banks to cease entering into new contracts that use U.S. dollar LIBOR as a reference rate by no later than December 31, 2021, and if practicable, as far in advance of that deadline as possible, notwithstanding its publication until June 30, 2023. In the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates include proposals by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee of the Federal Reserve Board. Other financial services regulators and industry groups are evaluating the phase-out of LIBOR and the development of alternate
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reference rate indices or reference rates. Some of our assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR. We are evaluating the potential impact of the possible replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, but are not able to predict whether the alternative rates the Federal Reserve Board proposes to publish will become market benchmarks in place of LIBOR, or what the impact of such a transition will have on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Reform of, or the replacement or phasing out of LIBOR and proposed regulation of LIBOR and other “benchmarks” may materially adversely affect the amount of interest paid on any LIBOR-based loans, investment securities and borrowings of the Company and the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that overnight 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month LIBOR settings will end on June 30, 2023. Reform of, or the replacement or phasing out of, LIBOR and proposed regulation of LIBOR and other “benchmarks” may materially adversely affect the amount of interest paid on any LIBOR-based loans, investment securities and borrowings of the Company and the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to detect money laundering and other illegal or improper activities fully or on a timely basis, which could expose us to additional liability and could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are required to comply with anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism and other laws and regulations in the United States. These laws and regulations require us, among other things, to adopt and enforce “know-your-customer” policies and procedures and to report suspicious and large transactions to applicable regulatory authorities. These laws and regulations have become increasingly complex and detailed, require improved systems, sophisticated monitoring and compliance personnel and have become the subject of enhanced government supervision.

While we have adopted policies and procedures aimed at detecting and preventing the use of our banking network for money laundering and related activities, those policies and procedures may not completely eliminate instances in which we may be used by customers to engage in money laundering and other illegal or improper activities. To the extent we fail to fully comply with applicable laws and regulations, the FDIC and/or with other banking agencies have the authority to impose fines and other penalties on us. In addition, our business and reputation could suffer if customers use our banking network for money laundering or illegal or improper purposes. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors are periodically briefed and brought up to date on money laundering and related matters.

Claims and litigation could result in losses and damage to the Company’s reputation and other financial liability.

From time to time as part of the Company’s normal course of business, current and former customers, bankruptcy trustees, contractual counterparties, third parties and current and former employees make claims and take legal actions against the Company based on actions or inactions of the Company. If such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, they may result in financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company and its products and services. This may also impact customer demand for the Company’s products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Liquidity

The Bank is subject to liquidity risk.

Liquidity risk is the potential that the Bank will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due, capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise, or pay regular dividends because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding in a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit commitments to borrowers, mortgage and other loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of borrowings, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments on investment securities; sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations and access to other funding sources.

Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole. If we become unable to obtain funds when needed, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and in turn, our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
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The Company is subject to liquidity risk.

Our recurring cash requirements, at the holding company level, primarily consist of interest expense on junior subordinated debentures issued to a capital trust. Holding company cash needs are routinely satisfied by dividends collected from the Bank. While we expect that the holding company will continue to receive dividends from the Bank sufficient to satisfy holding company cash needs, in the event that the Bank has insufficient resources or is subject to legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends, the Bank may be unable to provide dividends or a sufficient level of dividends to the holding company; in that event, the holding company may have insufficient funds to satisfy its obligations as they become due.

Risks Related to Financial and Accounting Matters

The Company's accounting policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the value of the Company's assets and liabilities and results of operations, and if actual events differ from the Company's estimates and assumptions, or if new accounting standards are adopted, the Company's results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding its financial results and condition. Some of these policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of the Company’s assets or liabilities and financial results. The Company identified its accounting policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, security impairment, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes to be critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Under each of these policies, it is possible that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions, using different assumptions, or as new information becomes available.

From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the form and content of the Company’s external financial statements. FASB recently adopted new accounting standards related to fair value accounting, measurement of credit losses on financial instruments and accounting for leases that could materially change the Company’s financial statements in the future. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret the accounting standards (such as the FASB, SEC, banking regulators and the Company’s independent auditors) may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. Changes in financial accounting and reporting standards and changes in current interpretations may be beyond the Company’s control, can be hard to predict and could materially impact how the Company reports its financial results and condition. In certain cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively or apply an existing standard differently (also retroactively), which may result in the Company restating prior period financial statements in material amounts.

For example, in 2016, the FASB released a new standard for determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses. The new standard will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2023. The new credit loss model will be a significant change from the standard in place today, as it requires the allowance for credit losses to be calculated based on current expected credit losses (commonly referred to as the “CECL model”) rather than losses inherent in the portfolio as of a point in time. Because the new CECL model focuses on the life of the loan concept, more data will be required to support allowance estimates, including that loan portfolios will need to be broken down by origination year. As a result, audit and disclosure requirements will increase. The extent of the increase is under evaluation, but will depend upon the nature and characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio at the adoption date, and the macroeconomic conditions and forecasts at that date. As a result, the potential financial impact is currently unknown.

Failure to maintain effective systems of internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition disclosures.

We must have effective internal controls over financial reporting in order to provide reliable financial reports, to effectively prevent fraud, and to operate successfully as a public company. If we were unable to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of our ongoing monitoring of our internal controls over financial reporting, we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies requiring remediation. A "material weakness" is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal controls over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We continually work to improve our internal controls; however, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure appropriate and adequate controls over our future financial processes and reporting. Any failure to maintain effective controls
23


or to timely implement any necessary improvement of our internal controls could, among other things, result in losses from fraud or error, harm our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and the market value of our common stock.

The fair value of our investment securities can fluctuate due to market conditions out of our control.

As of December 31, 2020, approximately 79% of our investment securities portfolio was comprised of U.S. government agency and sponsored enterprises obligations, U.S. government agency and sponsored enterprises' mortgage backed securities and municipal securities. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of our investment portfolio was approximately $220.8 million. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, ratings agency downgrades of the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, changes in market interest rates and instability in the credit markets. Any of these mentioned factors, among others, could cause other-than-temporary impairments in future periods and result in a realized loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. The process for determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary usually requires complex, subjective judgements about the future financial performance of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.

Because of changing economic and market conditions affecting issuers and the performance of underlying collateral, we may recognize realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank’s fee-based services may lose appeal with customers during an economic downturn, resulting in increased funding costs and a reduction of the Company’s net interest income and net income.

Economic downturns could affect the volume of income earned from and demand for the Bank’s fee-based services. Checking, savings, and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, the Company could lose a relatively low-cost source of funds, increasing its funding costs and reducing the Company’s net interest income and net income.

Risks Related to Environmental and Social Matters and Human Capital Management

Our financial and operating performance could be adversely impacted by disruptions to business conducted, or declines in property values, in northern, central and coastal New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area, caused by severe weather, changes in climate and other natural disasters, acts of terrorism, public health crises and other external events.

A significant portion of our primary market includes counties in New Jersey with extensive coastal regions. These areas may be vulnerable to flooding, wind or other damage resulting from severe weather, such as hurricanes and other natural disasters, or changes in climate. As a result of a major natural disaster or changes in climate, our borrowers may suffer uninsured property damage, experience interruption of their businesses or lose their jobs, which may negatively impact the ability of these borrowers to make deposits with us or repay their loans or impair the values of collateral securing our loans, any of which could result in losses and increased provisions for credit losses. Our operations may also be disrupted by the occurrence of natural disasters through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of our computer systems, which could interfere with our ability to gather deposits and originate loans, as well as through the destruction of facilities and our operational, financial and management information systems.

In addition, our primary market includes areas that are central targets of potential acts of terrorism and the concentration of our retail and commercial banking activities makes our business susceptible to disruptions resulting from public health crises and other external events, including trade disruptions caused by increased tariffs. These and other catastrophic events could affect the stability of our deposit base and impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans as a result of quarantines, business closures, shortages in labor or raw materials and overall economic instability, which could result in the loss of revenue. Although the Company has established disaster recovery policies and procedures, the occurrence of any such event in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on our executive officers and key personnel to implement our strategy and to maintain the trust and confidence of customers and other market participants and our reputation, which could be harmed by the loss of their services.

24


Our success depends in large part on the skills and performance of our executive management team and our ability to motivate and retain these and other key personnel. Accordingly, the loss of service of one or more of our executive officers or key personnel could reduce our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and materially and adversely affect us. Leadership changes will occur from time to time, and if significant resignations occur, we may not be able to recruit additional qualified personnel. We believe our executive management team possesses valuable knowledge about the banking industry and that their knowledge and relationships would be very difficult to replicate. Although each of our Chief Executive Officer and President, our Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer and Chief Credit Officer and our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has entered into an employment agreement with us, it is possible that they may not complete the terms of their respective employment agreements or may choose not to exercise options to renew such terms.

As a community bank, our customers also rely on us to deliver personalized financial services. Our success depends on the experience of our branch managers and lending officers and on their relationships with the customers and communities they serve. The loss of the service of these individuals could undermine the confidence of our customers in our ability to provide such personalized services. We need to continue to attract and retain these individuals and to recruit other qualified individuals to ensure continued growth. In addition, competitors may recruit these individuals in light of the value of the individuals’ relationships with their customers and communities and we may not be able to retain such relationships absent the individuals. If we are unable to attract and retain our branch managers and lending officers, and recruit individuals with appropriate skills and knowledge to support our business, our business strategy, business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Investment in Our Securities

Our directors and executive officers own a meaningful percentage of our stock, which may enable them to influence matters subject to shareholder approval.

As of December 31, 2020, our directors and executive officers, together with their affiliates and related persons, beneficially owned, in the aggregate, approximately 12.9% of our outstanding shares of common stock. These shareholders, if acting together, may have the ability to determine the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors and any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, these persons, acting together, may have the ability to control the management and affairs of our Company. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may harm the market price of our common stock by:

delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control;
entrenching our management and/or the board of directors;
impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving us; or
discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

Future offerings of debt or other securities may adversely affect the market price of our stock.

In the future, the Company may attempt to increase its capital resources or, if the Company’s or the Bank’s capital ratios fall below the required minimums, the Company or the Bank could be forced to raise additional capital by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities, including medium-term notes, trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock.

The Company may issue additional shares of common stock which may dilute the ownership and voting power of our shareholders and the book value of our common stock.

The Company is currently authorized to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 10,241,100 shares were outstanding on February 26, 2021. We may decide to issue additional shares of common stock for any corporate purposes. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock in public offerings or up to 20% of our outstanding common stock in non-public offerings. Any issuance of shares of our common stock will dilute the percentage ownership interest of our common shareholders and may reduce the market price of our common stock or dilute the book value of our common stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
Not applicable. 
25


Item 2.  Properties.
     
We currently operate 25 bank branch offices in New Jersey, including the Bank’s main office in Cranbury, New Jersey. In addition, there is an Operations Center which is leased in Cranbury, New Jersey. The following table provides certain information with respect to our bank branch offices as of February 26, 2021:
LocationLeased or
Owned
Original Year Leased or AcquiredYear of Lease
Expiration
Main Office   
2650 Route 130
Cranbury, New Jersey
Leased19892027
Village Office   
74 North Main Street
Cranbury, New Jersey
Owned2005
Plainsboro Office   
Plainsboro Village Center
11 Shalks Crossing Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey
Leased1998
2021(1)
Hamilton Square Office   
3659 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, New Jersey
Leased19992024
Princeton Office   
The Windrows at Princeton Forrestal
2000 Windrow Drive
Princeton, New Jersey
Leased20012021
Perth Amboy Office   
145 Fayette Street
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Leased20032026
Jamesburg Office   
1 Harrison Street
Jamesburg, New Jersey
Owned2002
Fort Lee Office   
180 Main Street
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Leased20062024
Hightstown Office   
140 Mercer Street
Hightstown, New Jersey
Leased20072024
Lawrenceville Property   
150 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Owned2009
South River Operations Center
1246 South River Road, Bldg. 2
Cranbury, New Jersey
Leased20102025
Rocky Hill Office   
995 Route 518
Skillman, New Jersey
Owned2011
Hopewell Office   
86 East Broad Street
Hopewell, New Jersey
Owned2011
Hillsborough Office   
32 New Amwell Road
Hillsborough, New Jersey
Owned2011
Rumson Office   
20 Bingham Avenue
Rumson, New Jersey
Leased20142026
26


LocationLeased or
Owned
Original Year Leased or AcquiredYear of Lease
Expiration
Fair Haven Office   
636 River Road
Fair Haven, New Jersey
Leased20142022
Asbury Park Office   
511 Cookman Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Owned2014
Shrewsbury Office   
500 Broad Street
Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Leased20142031
Little Silver Office   
517 Prospect Avenue
Little Silver, New Jersey
Leased20152024
Freehold Office
3441 US Highway 9
Freehold, New Jersey
Leased20182022
Neptune City Office
118 3rd Avenue
Neptune City, New Jersey
Leased20182022
Long Branch
444 Ocean Boulevard North
Long Branch, New Jersey
Leased20192024
Route 37
1216 Route 37 East
Toms River, New Jersey
Leased20192024
Hooper Avenue
1012 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, New Jersey
Owned2019
Jackson
1130 East Veterans Highway
Jackson, New Jersey
Leased20192026
Manahawkin
280 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Leased20192023

Management believes the foregoing facilities are suitable for the Company’s and the Bank’s present and projected operations.

(1) The current lease period expires on April 30, 2021 and the lease involves two lease extensions for a period of five years each. The Company is expected to exercise the lease extension option.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
 
The Company may, in the ordinary course of business, become a party to litigation involving collection matters, contract claims and other legal proceedings relating to the conduct of its business. Management is not aware of any material pending legal proceedings against the Company which, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable.


27


PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
The common stock of the Company trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol, “FCCY.”  On February 26, 2021, there were approximately 346 shareholders of record.


Performance

The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a hypothetical $100 investment made on December 31, 2015 in (a) the Company's common stock; (b) the SNL US Bank & Thrift Index; (c) the SNL US NASDAQ Banks Index; and (d) the SNL US Bank $1B-$5B Index. The graph is calculated assuming that all dividends are reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100 investment would increase or decrease in value over time, based on dividends (stock or cash) and increases or decreases in the market price of the stock. The performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or incorporated by reference into any filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

fccy-20201231_g1.jpg


      Period Ending
Index12/31/201512/31/201612/31/201712/31/201812/31/201912/31/2020
1st Constitution Bancorp100.00 153.55 151.62 167.17 188.68 138.57 
SNL US Bank & Thrift100.00 126.25 148.45 123.32 166.67 144.61 
SNL US NASDAQ Banks100.00 138.65 145.97 123.04 154.47 132.56 
SNL US Bank $1B-$5B100.00 143.87 153.37 134.37 163.35 138.81 

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On December 31, 2020, the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock was $15.87.
 
The timing and the amount of the payment of future cash dividends, if any, on the Company's common shares will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will be determined after consideration of various factors, including the level of earnings, cash requirements, regulatory capital and financial condition.

Dividend Policy
The Company began declaring and paying cash dividends on its common stock in September 2016 and has declared and paid a cash dividend each quarter since then. Although the Company intends to continue to pay comparable cash dividends, the timing and the amount of the payment of future cash dividends, if any, on the Company's common stock will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will be determined after consideration of various factors, including the level of earnings, cash requirements, regulatory capital and financial condition.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On January 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a new common stock repurchase program. Under the new common stock repurchase program, the Company may repurchase in open market or privately negotiated transactions up to five (5%) percent of its common stock outstanding on the date of approval of the stock repurchase program, which limitations will be adjusted for any future stock dividends. The Company's common stock repurchase program covers a maximum of 396,141 shares of common stock of the Company, representing 5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company on January 21, 2016, as adjusted for subsequent common stock dividends. There were no repurchases under the plan during 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company withheld 14,411 shares of common stock in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.
PeriodTotal
Number of
 Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased As Part of
Publicly Announced
Program
Maximum
Number of
Shares That
May Yet be
Purchased Under the Program
BeginningEnding    
October 1, 2020October 31, 2020— $— — 394,141 
November 1, 2020November 30, 2020— — — 394,141 
December 1, 2020December 31, 2020— — — 394,141 
Total— $— — 394,141 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities


None.


29


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

As of and for the years ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)20202019201820172016
Summary earnings:
Interest income$69,146 $60,090 $51,473 $41,663 $39,135 
Interest expense10,643 12,754 8,041 5,498 5,158 
Net interest income58,503 47,336 43,432 36,165 33,977 
Provision (credit) for loan losses6,698 1,350 900 600 (300)
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses51,805 45,986 42,532 35,565 34,277 
Non-interest income14,643 8,237 7,918 8,240 6,922 
Non-interest expense41,755 35,549 34,085 31,006 27,291 
Income before income tax expense24,693 18,674 16,365 12,799 13,908 
Income tax expense6,607 5,040 4,317 5,871 4,623 
Net income$18,086 $13,634 12,048 $6,928 $9,285 
Per share data:
Earnings per share - basic$1.77 $1.54 $1.45 $0.86 $1.17 
Earnings per share - diluted1.76 1.53 1.4 0.83 1.14 
Cash dividends declared0.36 0.30 0.26 0.16 0.10 
Book value end-of-period (1)
18.32 16.74 14.77 13.81 13.11 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding10,220,319 8,875,237 8,320,718 8,049,981 7,962,121 
Common stock equivalents (dilutive)40,646 58,234 272,791 262,803 215,318 
Fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding
10,260,965 8,933,471 8,593,509 8,312,784 8,177,439 
Balance sheet data (at period end):
Total assets$1,806,909 $1,586,262 $1,177,833 $1,079,274 $1,038,213 
Securities, available for sale125,197 155,782 132,222 105,458 103,794 
Securities, held to maturity92,552 76,620 79,572 110,267 126,810 
Total loans1,433,706 1,216,028 883,164 789,906 724,808 
Allowance for loan losses(15,641)(9,271)(8,402)(8,013)(7,494)
Total deposits1,562,839 1,277,362 950,672 922,006 834,516 
Shareholders' equity187,657 170,578 127,085 111,653 104,801 
Common cash dividends3,676 2,593 2,120 1,289 800 
Selected performance ratios:
Return on average total assets1.05 %1.06 %1.06 %0.67 %0.93 %
Return on average shareholders' equity10.20 %9.87 %10.11 %6.36 %9.21 %
Dividend payout ratio (2)
20.33 %19.02 %17.60 %18.61 %0.0862
Net interest margin3.71 %4.00 %4.09 %3.81 %3.70 %
Non-interest income to average assets0.85 %0.64 %0.70 %0.80 %0.69 %
Non-interest expenses to average assets2.43 %2.77 %3.00 %3.01 %2.72 %
Non-performing loans to total loans1.20 %0.37 %0.75 %0.90 %0.72 %
Non-performing assets to total assets0.96 %0.32 %0.77 %0.66 %0.52 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans90.77 %206.16 %127.69 %112.64 %144.17 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans1.09 %0.76 %0.95 %1.01 %1.03 %
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans(0.02)%(0.05)%(0.06)%(0.01)%0.03 %
30


As of and for the years ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)20202019201820172016
Liquidity and capital ratios:
Average loans to average deposits92.30 %90.64 %87.28 %81.8 %84.58 %
Total shareholders' equity to total assets10.39 %10.75 %10.79 %10.35 %10.09 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets12.16 %11.69 %13.17 %12.84 %13.24 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets11.12 %11.01 %12.39 %12.02 %12.41 %
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets9.92 %9.70 %10.72 %10.19 %10.4 %
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.41 %10.56 %11.73 %11.23 %10.93 %
(1) Book value at end-of-period calculated by dividing shareholders' equity by number of outstanding common shares at end of period.
(2) Dividend payout ratio calculated by dividing dividends declared during the year by net income.


31


Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Overview

The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide information about the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes and supplemental financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.

The Company, which was incorporated in 1999, is the parent holding company for 1ST Constitution Bank, a commercial bank formed in 1989 that provides a wide range of financial services to consumers, businesses and government entities. The Bank's branch network primarily serves central and coastal New Jersey and offers consumer and business banking products delivered through a network of well-trained staff dedicated to a positive client experience and enhancing shareholder value. Much of the Company's lending activity is in northern, central and coastal New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. For purposes of the discussion below, 1ST Constitution Capital Trust II (Trust II), a subsidiary of the Company, is not included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as it is a variable interest entity and the Company is not the primary beneficiary.

On November 8, 2019, the Company completed the merger of Shore with and into the Bank. The Shore Merger contributed approximately $284.2 million in assets, approximately $209.6 million in loans, and approximately $249.8 million in deposits.

On April 11, 2018, the Company completed the merger of NJCB with and into the Bank. The NJCB Merger contributed approximately $95 million in assets, approximately $75 million in loans, and approximately $87 million in deposits.

COVID-19 Impact and Response

The sudden emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 created widespread uncertainty, social and economic disruption, highly volatile financial markets and unprecedented increases in unemployment levels in a short period of time. Mandated business and school closures, restrictions on travel and social distancing have resulted in almost all businesses and employees being adversely impacted, including those located in the Bank’s primary market areas of northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore, and the New York City metropolitan area. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic disruption and uncertainty, it is not possible to determine the overall impact of the pandemic on the Company’s business. To the extent that customers are not able to fulfill their contractual obligations, the Company’s business operations, asset valuations, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted. Material adverse impacts may include all or a combination of valuation impairments on our intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, or other real estate owned ("OREO").

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the businesses and the people in the communities that the Bank serves and on the Company’s operations and financial performance will depend on future developments related to the duration, extent and severity of the pandemic; the length of time that restrictions on travel and gatherings, capacity and other operational limitations or closures imposed on or by businesses and schools, and social distancing measures remain in place; the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and the timing and the widespread distribution of such vaccines; and the enactment of further legislation or the adoption of policies designed to deliver monetary aid and other relief to borrowers, including but not limited to federal stimulus, forbearance or Federal Reserve monetary policy. In addition, the Company’s operations rely on third-party vendors to process, record and monitor transactions. If any of these vendors are unable to provide these services, our ability to serve customers could be disrupted. The pandemic could further negatively impact customers’ ability to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The Company’s operations could be adversely impacted if key personnel or a significant number of employees were unable to work due to illness or restrictions.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law. Among other things, the CARES ACT provides relief to borrowers, including the option to defer loan payments while not affecting their credit and access to additional credit through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Pay Check Protection Program (“PPP”).

The CARES Act includes a provision for the Company to opt out of applying the “troubled-debt restructuring” accounting guidance in ASC 310-40 for certain loan modifications. Loan modifications made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) December 30, 2020 or (ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for this relief if the related loans were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Bank adopted this provision as of March 31, 2020.
32


The Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Business, Not for Profits and Venues Act (“Economic Aid Act”) was enacted in December 2020 in further response to the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, the Economic Aid Act expanded the scope of the PPP and extended the relief from ASC 310-40 to loan modifications made between January 1, 2021 and the earlier of (i) December 30, 2021 or (ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Bank adopted this provision as of December 31, 2020.

Since the first quarter of 2020, the Company took several actions in response to the sudden emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The health, safety and well-being of our employees and customers continued to be the primary concern and protective measures described below were implemented. In addition, the Company worked with customers impacted by the economic disruption.

To protect our employees and customers we:
Initially adjusted branch hours and temporarily closed our branch lobbies to customers, except on an appointment only basis, and permitted staff to work remotely where feasible. However, in mid-June we re-opened the interior access to all of our branch offices to customers.
Continued to service our customers through drive-up facilities, ATMs and our robust technology capabilities that allow customers to execute transactions and apply for residential mortgage loans through our website www.momentummortgage.com utilizing their mobile devices and computers.
Provided our employees with personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.
Installed social distancing markers and protective shields and partitions in branch offices, and required customers entering our locations to wear face coverings.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, offered paid time off to employees to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations.

To support our loan and deposit customers and the communities we serve, we have taken the following actions:
We continue to provide access to additional credit and forbearance on loan interest and or principal payments for up to 90 days where management has determined that it is warranted. During 2020, $149.3 million of loans ($140.9 million of commercial loans and $8.4 million of consumer loans) were modified to provide deferral of interest and or principal by borrowers for up to 90 days. As of December 31, 2020, all loans that had previously received deferrals were no longer deferred, except that one commercial real estate loan with a balance of $6.0 million received an additional deferral of principal payments up to 90 days and two commercial real estate loans totaling $4.6 million were placed on nonaccrual status in the third quarter of 2020.
As a long-standing SBA preferred lender, we are actively participating in the SBA’s PPP lending program established under the CARES Act. As of December 31, 2020, we funded 467 SBA PPP loans totaling $75.6 million, $15.8 million of which PPP loans were forgiven by the SBA.
Among other things, the Economic Aid Act provides relief to borrowers to access additional credit through the SBA's PPP program. We are actively participating in the program and have accepted 255 applications for PPP loans totaling $33.4 million since December 31, 2020, 238 which applications, representing $30.5 million of PPP loans have been approved by the SBA. Of the total approved applications, we have funded $29.8 million of PPP loans as of March 12, 2021.
We are participating in the Federal Reserve's PPP loan funding program and may pledge the PPP loans to collateralize a like amount of borrowings from the Federal Reserve at a favorable interest rate of 0.35% up to a two-year term.

The Company’s results of operations and net income will continue to be impacted for the foreseeable future due to the economic disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, management significantly increased the provision for loan losses in response to the higher estimated incurred losses in the loan portfolio due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Management may further adjust the provision and allowance for loan losses in response to changes in economic conditions and the performance of the loan portfolio in future periods. For additional discussion, see below under “Provision for Loan Losses.”
Due to the asset sensitive nature of the Company’s balance sheet, the Federal Reserve’s reduction in the targeted fed funds rate to zero to 0.25% and the concomitant decline in the prime rate to 3.25% in March 2020 caused a reduction in the average yield of loans tied to the prime rate and the overall lower market interest rate environment negatively impacted the net interest margin. The net interest margin was also impacted by the funding of the SBA PPP loans with a 1% interest yield, which will be increased by the recognition of the loan fees earned on these loans. The timing and impact to the net interest margin will be contingent on how quickly and the extent to which the SBA PPP loans become grants that are repaid by the SBA over the next two years. The net interest margin and net interest income may decline in future periods if the Company cannot reduce the cost of interest-bearing liabilities at the same time and to the same extent as the decline in the average yield of assets.
33


Residential real estate sales, and therefore the origination and sale of residential mortgages may decline as a result of the restrictions implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19, such as business closures and social distancing measures. This decline in turn, would result in lower gain on sales of loans and a decrease in non-interest income.
A significant increase in non-performing loans could result in increased non-interest expense due to higher expenses for loan collection and recovery costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, management significantly increased the provision for loan losses in response to the higher estimated incurred losses in the loan portfolio due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Management may further adjust the provision and allowance for loan losses in response to changes in economic conditions and the performance of the loan portfolio in future periods. For additional discussion, see below under “Provision for Loan Losses.”
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The Company considers its determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of foreclosed real estate, the valuation of its investment portfolio, the valuation of deferred tax assets and goodwill impairment to be critical accounting policies. Note 1 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 contains a summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Management believes that the Company’s policies with respect to the methodologies for the determination of the allowance for loan losses and for determining other-than-temporary security impairment involve a higher degree of complexity and requires management to make difficult and subjective judgments, which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could materially impact results of operations. These critical policies and their application are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.  

The provision for loan losses is based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance, including an assessment of known and inherent risks in the portfolio, after giving consideration to the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, level of delinquencies, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectability may not be assured, the existence and estimated net realizable value of any underlying collateral and guarantees securing the loans and current economic and market conditions.  Although management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey. Accordingly, the collectability of a substantial portion of the carrying value of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in local market conditions and may be adversely affected in the event that real estate values decline or the Company’s primary market area of northern, central and coastal New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area experiences adverse economic conditions. Future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control, including the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of national and local government responsive measures and monetary and fiscal response.

Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)

Real estate acquired through foreclosure, or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of acquisition or transfer and, subsequently, fair value less estimated selling costs. Adjustments to the carrying value at the date of acquisition or transfer are charged to the allowance for loan losses. The carrying value of the individual properties is subsequently adjusted to estimated fair value less estimated selling costs, at which time a provision for losses on such real estate is charged to operations if it is lower. Appraisals are critical in determining the fair value of the other real estate owned ("OREO") amount. Assumptions for appraisals are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly affect the valuation of a property. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable.

 
34


Valuation of the Investment Portfolio

Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, liquidity or other factors. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of its investment portfolio. To the extent they exist, unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical investments (level 1) or quoted prices on similar assets (level 2) are utilized to determine the fair value of each investment in the portfolio. In the absence of quoted prices, valuation techniques would be used to determine fair value of any investments that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (level 3). Valuation techniques are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, cash flows, discount rates, rate of return, adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity and liquidation values. A significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing investments using level 3 inputs. The use of different assumptions could have a positive or negative effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis to determine whether a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, management considers the reasons underlying the decline, including, but not limited to, the length of time an investment’s book value is greater than fair value, the extent and duration of the decline and the near-term prospects of the issuer as well as any credit deterioration of the investment. If the decline in value of an investment is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings.

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets

The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment.

Deferred tax assets are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at net realizable value. The Company periodically performs an assessment to evaluate the amount of deferred tax assets that it is more likely than not to realize. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the amount of taxable income expected in future periods as tax benefits require taxable income to be realized. If a valuation allowance is required, the deferred tax asset on the consolidated balance sheet is reduced via a corresponding income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income.

Goodwill Impairment

The Company evaluates its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if there is a triggering event which indicates that there is an impairment. In completing its impairment testing the Company identified a single reporting unit and the $34.7 million of goodwill at December 31, 2020 was assigned to the single reporting unit.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a broad decline in the market values of all banking company stocks, the market price of the Company's common stock and the resulting aggregate market capitalization of the Company declined. During each of the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that a triggering event occurred due to the decline in the Company's stock price and market capitalization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In each quarterly period, management concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value and that goodwill was not impaired. At September 30, 2020, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation methodology based upon an updated five year projection of the Company’s financial performance. A discount rate was estimated utilizing the build up method with a risk free rate, an equity risk premium and a size premium. This discount rate was applied to the projected cash flows over the five year period, which included a terminal value in year five based on a multiple of the projected cash flow in year five. The year five terminal multiple was based upon the observed average market price to earnings multiple for the trailing last twelve months of earnings for companies included in the SNL US Bank Index at September 30, 2020. This multiple does not include a control premium. This estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value of shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020 by 10.3%.
35



On the basis of the evaluation of goodwill, management concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit. Accordingly, goodwill was not impaired and no impairment charges were recorded as a result of Company's interim and annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting unit using the income approach.

If the Company’s common stock price is below the Company’s book value per common share in future periods, the Company will continue to evaluate goodwill for impairment on a quarterly basis. Changes in economic conditions, actual loan losses at levels higher than projected, changes in market interest rates and changes in discount rates and valuation multiples may affect the Company’s financial projections and valuation. The Company may determine that goodwill becomes impaired in a future period and a portion or all of the goodwill may be written off. Any impairment loss related to goodwill and other intangible assets is reflected as other non-interest expense in the statement of income in the period in which the impairment was determined. No assurance can be given that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings. See Note 9 – "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" - for additional information.

36


Earnings Summary

2020 compared to 2019

The Company reported net income of $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to net income of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Diluted earnings per share were $1.76 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to diluted earnings per share of $1.53 for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income increased $4.5 million, or 32.7%, and net income per diluted share increased $0.23, or 15.0%.

Adjusted net income, which excludes the after-tax effect of merger-related expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $18.1 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $15.0 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Adjusted net income for 2020 increased $3.2 million or 21.1% compared to adjusted net income for 2019. The increase was due primarily to an increase of $11.2 million in net interest income and an increase of $6.4 million in non-interest income, which was partially offset by an increase of $5.3 million in the provision for loan losses and an increase of $7.9 million in non-interest expense, excluding merger-related expenses.

Return on average total assets (“ROAA”) and return on average shareholders' equity (“ROAE”) were 1.05% and 10.20%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 1.06% and 9.87%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Adjusted ROAA and adjusted ROAE, each of which excludes the expenses related to the Shore Merger in 2019, were 1.06% and 10.23%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 1.17% and 10.84%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.


37


Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted ROAA and adjusted ROAE are non-GAAP financial measures. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures is the same as the corresponding GAAP measure, except that it excludes the after-tax effect of merger-related expenses from the Shore Merger in 2020 and 2019 and the NJCB Merger in 2018. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company’s GAAP financial results. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures of the Company may be helpful to readers in understanding the Company’s financial performance when comparing the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 because these non-GAAP financial measures present the Company’s financial performance excluding the financial impact of the merger-related expenses related to the Shore Merger in 2019 and the NJCB Merger in 2018.

The table below shows the major components of net income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to reported net income discussed above.
Change in
(Dollars in thousands)20202019$%
Net interest income$58,503 $47,336 $11,167 23.6 %
Provision for loan losses6,698 1,350 5,348 396.1 %
Non-interest income14,643 8,237 6,406 77.8 %
Non-interest expense41,755 35,549 6,206 17.5 %
Net income before income taxes24,693 18,674 6,019 32.2 %
Income taxes6,607 5,040 1,567 31.1 %
Net income18,086 13,634 4,452 32.7 %
Adjustments:
  Merger-related expenses64 1,730 (1,666)(96.3)%
  Income tax effect of adjustments(19)(394)375 (95.2)%
Total adjustments45 450001,336 (1,291)(96.63)%
Adjusted net income$18,131 $14,970 $3,161 21.1 %
Earnings per common share:
  Basic, as reported$1.77 $1.54 $0.23 14.9 %
  Adjustments0.15 (0.15)(100.0)%
  Basic, as adjusted$1.77 $1.69 $0.08 4.7 %
  Diluted, as reported$1.76 $1.53 $0.23 15.0 %
  Adjustments0.01 0.15 (0.14)(93.3)%
  Diluted, as adjusted$1.77 $1.68 $0.09 5.4 %
Return on average total assets:
As reported1.05 %1.06 %
Adjusted net income$18,131 $14,970 
Average assets1,716,202 1,283,302 
As adjusted1.06 %1.17 %
Return on average shareholders' equity:
As reported10.20 %9.87 %
Adjusted net income$18,131 $14,970 
Average shareholders' equity177,318 138,101 
As adjusted10.23 %10.84 %


38



2019 compared to 2018

The Company reported net income of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net income of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $1.53 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to diluted earnings per share of $1.40 for the year ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net income increased $1.6 million, or 13.2%, and net income per diluted share increased $0.13 or 9.3%.

On November 8, 2019, the Company completed the Shore Merger. As a result of the Shore Merger, merger-related expenses of $1.7 million were incurred and the after-tax effect of the merger-related expenses reduced net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 by $1.3 million. The acquisition method of accounting for the business combination resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $22.8 million. A core deposit intangible of $1.5 million and a fair value credit risk discount of $3.6 million applicable to loans were also recorded.

Adjusted net income, which excludes the after-tax effect of merger-related expenses and the gain from bargain purchase, for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $15.0 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $13.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted net income for 2019 increased $1.6 million or 12.0% compared to adjusted net income for 2018. The increase was due primarily to an increase of $3.9 million in net interest income and an increase of $319,000 in non-interest income, which was partially offset by an increase of $450,000 in the provision for loan losses and an increase of $1.9 million in non-interest expense. The Shore Merger, excluding merger-related expenses, contributed $682,000 to the net income and adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Return on average total assets (“ROAA”) and return on average shareholders' equity (“ROAE”) were 1.06% and 9.87%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 1.06% and 10.11%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the merger-related expenses, ROAA and ROAE were 1.17% and 10.84%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 1.17% and 11.21%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018.



39


The table below shows the major components of net income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to reported net income discussed above.
Change in
(Dollars in thousands)20192018$%
Net interest income$47,336 $43,432 $3,904 9.0 %
Provision for loan losses1,350 900 450 50.0 %
Non-interest income8,237 7,918 319 4.0 %
Non-interest expense35,549 34,085 1,464 4.3 %
Net income before income taxes18,674 16,365 2,309 14.1 %
Income taxes5,040 4,317 723 16.7 %
Net income13,634 12,048 1,586 13.2 %
Adjustments:
Revaluation of deferred tax assets— (28)28 N.M.
Merger-related expenses1,730 2,141 (411)(19.2)%
   Gain from bargain purchase— (230)230 N.M.
  Income tax effect of adjustments(394)(568)174 (30.6)%
Total adjustments1,336 1,315 21 1.6 %
Adjusted net income$14,970 $13,363 $1,607 12.0 %
Earnings per common share:
  Basic, as reported$1.54 $1.45 $0.09 6.2 %
  Adjustments0.15 0.16 (0.01)(6.3)%
  Basic, as adjusted$1.69 $1.61 $0.08 5.0 %
  Diluted, as reported$1.53 $1.40 $0.13 9.3 %
  Adjustments0.15 0.16 (0.01)(6.3)%
  Diluted, as adjusted$1.68 $1.56 $0.12 7.7 %
Return on average total assets:
As reported1.06 %1.06 %
Adjusted net income$14,970 $13,363 
Average assets1,283,302 1,137,768 
As adjusted1.17 %1.17 %
Return on average shareholders' equity:
As reported9.87 %10.11 %
Adjusted net income$14,970 $13,363 
Average shareholders' equity138,101 119,212 
As adjusted10.84 %11.21 %


40


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income, the Company’s largest and most significant component of operating income, is the difference between interest and fees earned on loans, investment securities and other earning assets and interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. This component represented 80%, 85% and 85% of the Company’s net revenues (net interest income plus non-interest income) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Net interest income is determined by the difference between the yields earned on earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities ("net interest spread") and the relative amounts of average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. The Company's net interest spread is affected by the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board, and regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows as well as general levels of non-performing assets.

The following table summarizes the Company's net interest income and related spread and margin for the periods indicated:
Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202020192018
Net interest income$58,503 $47,336 $43,432 
Interest rate spread3.44 %3.65 %3.81 %
Net interest margin3.71 %4.00 %4.09 %
 
41


The following tables compare the Company’s consolidated average balance sheets, interest income and expense, net interest spreads and net interest margins for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (on a fully tax-equivalent basis). The average rates are derived by dividing interest income and expense by the average balance of assets and liabilities, respectively.
December 31, 2020
AverageAverage
(In thousands except yield/cost information)BalanceInterestYield/Cost
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold/short term investments$23,478 $107 0.46 %
Investment securities:
Taxable156,464 3,289 2.10 
Tax-exempt (1)
79,581 2,459 3.09 
Total investment securities236,045 5,748 2.43 
Loans: (2)
Commercial real estate596,978 31,184 5.14 
Mortgage warehouse lines273,286 11,269 4.12 
Construction137,190 7,686 5.60 
Commercial business139,913 6,164 4.41 
SBA PPP loans50,042 1,542 3.08 
Residential real estate89,509 4,130 4.54 
Loans to individuals28,052 1,289 4.52 
Loans held for sale18,216 507 2.78 
All other loans801 37 4.54 
Deferred (fees) costs, net(657)— N/A
Total loans1,333,330 63,808 4.79 
Total interest-earning assets1,592,853 69,663 4.37 %
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses(11,680)
Cash and due from banks12,158 
Other assets122,871 
Total non-interesting-earning assets123,349 
Total assets$1,716,202 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Money market and NOW accounts$425,446 $2,420 0.57 %
Savings accounts286,149 2,049 0.72 
Certificates of deposit362,633 5,512 1.52 
Federal Reserve Bank PPPLF borrowings15,344 54 0.35 
Short-term borrowings30,567 174 0.57 
Redeemable subordinated debentures18,557 434 2.30 
Total interest-bearing liabilities1,138,696 10,643 0.93 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits370,323 
Other liabilities29,865 
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities400,188 
Shareholders' equity177,318 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,716,202 
Net interest spread (3)
3.44 %
Net interest income and margin (4)
$59,020 3.71 %
(1)Tax-equivalent basis, using 21% federal tax rate in 2020.
(2)Loan origination fees and costs are considered an adjustment to interest income. For the purpose of calculating loan yields, average loan balances include nonaccrual loans with no related interest income and the average balance of loans held for sale.
(3)The net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(4)The net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.
42


December 31, 2019
AverageAverage
(In thousands except yield/cost information)BalanceInterestYield/Cost
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold/short term investments$8,142 $176 2.16 %
Investment securities:
Taxable163,415 4,710 2.88 
Tax-exempt (1)
57,005 2,110 3.70 
Total investment securities220,420 6,820 3.09 
Loans: (2)
Commercial real estate426,929 22,129 5.11 
Mortgage warehouse lines174,151 9,543 5.48 
Construction156,467 10,576 6.76 
Commercial business121,985 7,295 5.98 
Residential real estate56,745 2,591 4.50 
Loans to individuals23,312 1,195 5.06 
Loans held for sale4,280 170 3.97 
All other loans782 38 3.57 
Deferred (fees) costs, net269 — N/A
Total loans964,920 53,537 5.55 
Total interest-earning assets1,193,482 60,533 5.07 %
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses(8,796)
Cash and due from banks11,729 
Other assets86,887 
Total non-interesting-earning assets89,820 
Total assets$1,283,302 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Money market and NOW accounts$349,663 $2,750 0.79 %
Savings accounts201,738 1,952 0.97 
Certificates of deposit286,419 6,392 2.23 
Short-term borrowings38,594 912 2.36 
Redeemable subordinated debentures18,557 748 4.03 
Total interest-bearing liabilities894,971 12,754 1.43 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits226,701 
Other liabilities23,529 
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities250,230 
Shareholders' equity138,101 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,283,302 
Net interest spread (3)
3.65 %
Net interest income and margin (4)
$47,779 4.00 %
(1)Tax-equivalent basis, using 21% federal tax rate in 2019.
(2)Loan origination fees and costs are considered an adjustment to interest income. For the purpose of calculating loan yields, average loan balances include nonaccrual loans with no related interest income and the average balance of loans held for sale.
(3)The net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(4)The net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

43


December 31, 2018
AverageAverage
(In thousands except yield/cost information)BalanceInterestYield/Cost
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold/short term investments$20,157 $258 1.28 %
Investment securities:
Taxable146,631 4,024 2.74 
Tax-exempt (1)
74,477 2,518 3.38 
Total investment securities221,108 6,542 2.96 
Loans: (2)
 
Commercial real estate356,581 18,318 5.07 
Mortgage warehouse lines153,868 8,403 5.46 
Construction137,976 9,090 6.59 
Commercial business111,150 6,059 5.45 
Residential real estate46,301 2,085 4.44 
Loans to individuals23,155 1,083 4.61 
Loans held for sale2,738 123 4.49 
All other loans832 41 4.86 
Deferred (fees) costs, net365 — N/A
Total loans832,966 45,202 5.38 
Total interest-earning assets1,074,231 52,002 4.81 %
Non-interest-earning assets:
Allowance for loan losses(8,314)
Cash and due from banks5,595 
Other assets66,256 
Total non-interesting-earning assets63,537 
Total assets$1,137,768  
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
Money market and NOW accounts$356,906 $1,978 0.55 %
Savings accounts203,940 1,467 0.72 
Certificates of deposit189,521 3,066 1.62 
Short-term borrowings36,612 836 2.28 
Redeemable subordinated debentures18,557 694 3.74 
Total interest-bearing liabilities805,536 8,041 1.00 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits204,002  
Other liabilities9,018  
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities213,020  
Shareholders' equity119,212  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,137,768  
Net interest spread (3)
3.81 %
Net interest income and margin (4)
$43,961 4.09 %
(1)Tax-equivalent basis, using 21% federal tax rate in 2018.
(2)Loan origination fees and costs are considered an adjustment to interest income. For the purpose of calculating loan yields, average loan balances include nonaccrual loans with no related interest income and the average balance of loans held for sale.
(3)The net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(4)The net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.


44


Changes in net interest income and net interest margin result from the interaction between the volume and composition of interest earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, related yields and funding costs. The effect of volume and rate changes on net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for the periods indicated are shown below:
Year ended 2020 compared with 2019Year ended 2019 compared with 2018
 Due to Change in:Due to Change in:
(Dollars in thousands)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Assets      
Federal funds sold/short term investments$331 $(400)$(69)$(154)$72 $(82)
Investment securities:
Taxable(200)(1,221)(1,421)461 225 686 
Tax-exempt(1)
835 (486)349 (591)183 (408)
Total investment securities635 (1,707)(1,072)(130)408 278 
Loans:
Commercial real estate8,690 365 9,055 3,564 247 3,811 
Mortgage warehouse lines5,433 (3,707)1,726 1,108 32 1,140 
Construction(1,303)(1,587)(2,890)1,218 268 1,486 
Commercial business1,072 (2,203)(1,131)591 645 1,236 
 SBA PPP loans1,542 — 1,542 — — — 
Residential real estate1,474 65 1,539 464 42 506 
Loans to individuals240 (146)94 105 112 
Loans held for sale553 (216)337 69 (22)47 
All other loans(2)(1)(5)(3)
Total loans17,702 (7,431)10,271 7,016 1,319 8,335 
Total interest income$18,668 $(9,538)$9,130 $6,732 $1,799 $8,531 
Liabilities   
Money market and NOW accounts599 (929)(330)(40)812 772 
Savings accounts819 (722)97 (16)501 485 
Certificates of deposit1,700 (2,580)(880)1,568 1,758 3,326 
Federal Reserve Bank PPPLF borrowings54 — 54 — — — 
Short-term borrowings(189)(549)(738)45 31 76 
Redeemable subordinated debentures— (314)(314)— 54 54 
Total interest expense2,983 (5,094)(2,111)1,557 3,156 4,713 
Net interest income$15,685 $(4,444)$11,241 $5,175 $(1,357)$3,818 
(1)Tax-equivalent basis, using 21% federal tax rate in 2020 and 2019.


2020 compared to 2019

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company's net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, increased by $11.2 million, or 23.5%, to $59.0 million compared to $47.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was due primarily to an increase in average interest-earning assets and a decrease in interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities.

Average interest-earning assets were $1.6 billion with a yield of 4.37% for 2020 compared to average interest-earning assets of $1.2 billion with a yield of 5.07% for 2019. The tax-equivalent yield on average interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 declined 70 basis points to 4.37%, due primarily to the decline in market interest rates beginning in the third quarter of 2019 and continuing throughout 2020. The Federal Reserve reduced the targeted federal funds rate 50 basis points in the third quarter of 2019, 25 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2019 and, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, further reduced the targeted federal funds rate by 150 basis points in March 2020. The prime rate was 5.00% at September 30, 2019. As a result of the reductions in the targeted federal funds rate in 2019, the prime rate declined to 4.75% in October 2019 and declined further to 3.25% in March 2020.The generally lower interest rate environment during 2020 compared to 2019 had a negative effect on the yields of mortgage warehouse lines, construction, commercial business and home equity loans. The
45


Bank had approximately $570.5 million of loans with an interest rate tied to the prime rate and approximately $47.5 million of loans with an interest rate tied to 1- or 3-month LIBOR.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, interest income on interest earning assets increased by $9.1 million on a tax-equivalent basis and interest income on average loans increased by $10.3 million as the average total loans increased $368.4 million year over year, reflecting growth in all segments of the loan portfolio except construction loans and included $50.0 million in average SBA PPP loans. Interest income on average investment securities declined $1.1 million year over year despite an increase of $15.6 million in average investment securities as a result of a 66 basis points reduction in tax-equivalent yield on average investment securities.

Interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities was $10.6 million, or 0.93%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $12.8 million, or 1.43%, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Despite an increase of $243.7 million in average interest-bearing liabilities year over year, interest expense declined $2.1 million due primarily to the decline in interest rates paid on deposits, borrowings and the redeemable subordinated debentures beginning in the third quarter of 2019 and continuing through 2020.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $243.7 million to $1.1 billion, reflecting growth in all segments of the average interest-bearing liabilities except short-term borrowings and redeemable subordinated debentures, and included $15.3 million in borrowings through the Federal Reserve Bank's Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (" PPPLF").

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.71% for 2020 compared to 4.00% for 2019 representing a decline of 29 basis points due primarily to the sharp reduction in market interest rates and a significantly lower interest rate environment beginning in the third quarter of 2019 and continuing throughout 2020. The yield of interest earning assets declined 70 basis points and the interest cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined 50 basis points, which caused the net interest margin to decline. In general, due to the Bank’s asset sensitive interest rate risk position, in a declining interest rate environment the yield of interest-earning assets will decline more than the interest cost interest of interest-bearing liabilities over the near term. Management took actions beginning in the second half of 2019 and continuing throughout 2020 to reduce the asset sensitivity of the Bank’s interest rate risk position by originating short-term certificates of deposit and utilizing overnight FHLB borrowings and will continue to monitor and adjust the interest rate risk position of the Bank and adjust the interest rates paid on deposits to reflect the then current interest rate environment and competitive factors.

2019 compared to 2018

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, increased by $3.8 million, or 8.7%, to $47.8 million compared to $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was due primarily to an increase in average earning assets, as well as an increase in the average yield on earning assets, which were partially offset by an increase in interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities.

Average earning assets were $1.2 billion with a yield of 5.07% for 2019 compared to average earning assets of $1.1 billion with a yield of 4.81% for 2018. The generally higher interest rate environment during the first half of 2019 compared to 2018 had a positive effect on the yields of construction, commercial business and home equity loans despite a decline of 75 basis points in the Federal Reserve Board’s targeted federal funds rate and the corresponding decrease in the prime rate in the third and fourth quarters of 2019.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, interest income on interest earning assets increased by $8.5 million and interest income on average loans increased by $8.3 million as the average total loans increased $132.0 million year over year, reflecting growth in all segments of the loan portfolio. The Shore Merger contributed approximately $33.5 million to the increase in average loans for 2019, which consisted primarily of commercial real estate loans.

Interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities was $12.8 million, or 1.43%, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $8.0 million, or 1.00%, for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase of $4.7 million in interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities primarily reflected higher deposit interest rates and higher borrowing interest rates in 2019 compared to 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $89.4 million to $895.0 million. The change in the mix of deposits, with the average balance of money market, NOW and savings accounts lower than, and certificates of deposits higher than, in 2018 also increased the cost of total deposits because certificates of deposit generally
46


have a higher interest cost than non-maturity deposits. The Shore Merger contributed approximately $26.1 million to the increase in average interest-bearing liabilities for 2019.

Provision for Loan Losses

Management considers a complete review of the following specific factors in determining the provisions for loan losses: historical losses by loan category, nonaccrual loans and problem loans as identified through internal classifications, collateral values and the growth, size and risk elements of the loan portfolio. In addition to these factors, management takes into consideration current economic conditions and local real estate market conditions.

As a result of the economic and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, during 2020, management reviewed construction, commercial business and commercial real estate loans that had been modified to defer interest and or principal for up to 90 days with special emphasis on the hotel and restaurant-food service industries as most likely to be adversely impacted by the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. Prior to March 2020, when the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be realized, the general economic environment in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area had been positive with stable and expanding economic activity, and the Company had generally experienced stable loan credit quality over the past five years.

2020 compared to 2019

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a provision of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The significant increase of $5.3 million in the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2020 was to reserve for the estimated increase in incurred loan losses due primarily to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The principal components of the increase were: a provision of approximately $2.0 million to increase specific reserves; a provision of approximately $765,000, which reflected an increase in the qualitative factors for national and local economic conditions due to the weaker economic operating environment; a provision of $725,000 for an increase in the qualitative factors attributed to the modification of loans and deferral of principal and or interest on $149.3 million of loans; and an $850,000 provision related to the down-grade of the credit ratings on certain loans. The higher provision also reflects, to a lesser extent, the growth and change in mix of the loan portfolio. For 2020, net charge-offs were $328,000 compared to net charge-offs of $481,000 for 2019. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2020 and 2019 totaled $15.6 million and $9.3 million, respectively. 

At December 31, 2020, non-performing loans totaled $17.2 million compared to $4.5 million at December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $12.7 million and the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 1.20% at December 31, 2020 from 0.37% at December 31, 2019.

2019 compared to 2018

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to a provision of $900,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. For 2019, net charge-offs were $481,000 compared to net charge-offs of $511,000 for 2018. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $9.3 million and $8.4 million, respectively. The increase in the provision for loan losses for 2019 was primarily attributable to the growth in commercial real estate and mortgage warehouse loans.
.
At December 31, 2019, non-performing loans totaled $4.5 million compared to $6.6 million at December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $2.1 million, or 31.7%, and the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 0.37% at December 31, 2019 from 0.75% at December 31, 2018.

Non-Interest Income

2020 compared to 2019

Total non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $6.4 million to $14.6 million from $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This revenue component represented 20% and 15% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in non-interest income was due primarily to an increase in gain on sales of loans.
 
Service charges on deposit accounts decreased to $601,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $663,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to lower overdraft fees.  
47



Gain on sales of loans held for sale increased $5.3 million to $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company sells both residential mortgage loans and portions of commercial business loans guaranteed by the SBA in the secondary market.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, residential mortgage banking operations originated approximately $351.2 million of residential mortgages, sold $321.7 million of residential mortgages and recorded $9.5 million of gain on sales of loans compared to $148.3 million of residential mortgages originated, $132.2 million of residential mortgage loans sold and $3.9 million of gain on sales of loans recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019. The residential mortgage loan pipeline was $42.5 million at December 31, 2020. Management believes that the increase in residential mortgage loans originated and sold in 2020 was due primarily to increased residential mortgage refinancing activity as a result of significantly lower mortgage interest rates in 2020 compared to 2019.

In 2020, SBA loan sales, excluding SBA PPP loans, were $8.5 million and gain on sales of loans of $747,000 was recorded compared to $11.7 million of SBA loans sold and gain on sales of loans of $930,000 recorded in 2019. SBA guaranteed commercial lending activity and loan sales vary from period to period based on customer demand.

Non-interest income also includes income from Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”), which totaled $818,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $623,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was due primarily to an increase in BOLI resulting from the Shore Merger in 2019.

Other income increased $857,000 to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which included a $101,000 loss on sale of OREO. Excluding the loss on sale of OREO, other income increased $756,000 due primarily to a $200,000 increase in debit card interchange fees, interest rate swap fees of $201,000, $54,000 of fees and reimbursed expenses related to the resolution of nonperforming loans, an expired loan commitment fee of $59,000, a recovery of $44,000 of principal on a previously impaired investment security, gain on the sale of OREO of $75,000 and general increases in other income components.

2019 compared to 2018

Total non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $319,000 to $8.2 million from $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This revenue component represented 15% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Service charges on deposit accounts increased $25,000 to $663,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $638,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 due in part to the increase in deposit accounts as a result of the Shore Merger.  

Gain on sales of loans held for sale increased $410,000 to $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company sells both residential mortgage loans and portions of commercial business loans guaranteed by the SBA in the secondary market.

Gain on the sale of residential mortgage loans were $3.9 million in 2019 compared to $2.6 million in 2018. In 2019, $132.2 million of residential mortgage loans were sold compared to $89.1 million in 2018. The increase in residential mortgage loans sold was due primarily to higher residential mortgage lending activity during 2019 compared to 2018 due in part to a higher level of refinancing activity.

In 2019, $11.7 million of SBA loans were sold and generated net gains of $930,000 compared to SBA loans sold and net gains of $23.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in 2018. SBA guaranteed commercial lending activity and loan sales vary from period to period based on customer demand.

Non-interest income also includes income from BOLI, which totaled $623,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $575,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was due primarily to a $7.2 million increase in BOLI resulting from the Shore Merger. 

The Company also generates non-interest income from a variety of fee-based services. These include safe deposit box rentals, wire transfer service fees, loan servicing fees and ATM fees for non-Bank customers. The other income component of non-interest income was $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Non-Interest Expenses

The following table presents the major components of non-interest expense:
Year ended December 31,
(In thousands)202020192018
Salaries and employee benefits$26,681 $21,304 $19,853 
Occupancy expense4,776 4,100 3,623 
Data processing expenses1,871 1,507 1,332 
Equipment expense1,640 1,286 1,175 
Marketing124 302 280 
Telephone506 400 391 
Regulatory, professional and consulting fees2,025 1,806 1,713 
Insurance441 391 375 
Merger-related expenses64 1,730 2,141 
FDIC insurance expense816 154 486 
Other real estate owned expenses72 171 158 
Amortization of intangible assets390 140 318 
Supplies339 275 294 
Other expenses2,010 1,983 1,946 
Total$41,755 $35,549 $34,085 

2020 compared to 2019

Non-interest expenses were $41.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $35.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which included merger-related expenses of $1.7 million. Excluding the merger-related expenses, non-interest expenses increased $7.9 million, due primarily to $2.9 million in higher commissions related to the origination of residential mortgages for sale and $4.1 million of expenses related to the inclusion of the former Shore operations and general increases year-over-year due to the growth of the Company.

Salaries and employee benefits, which represent the largest portion of non-interest expenses, increased by $5.4 million, or 25.2%, to $26.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $21.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due primarily to a $2.9 million increase in commissions paid as a result of the higher level of residential mortgage lending activity, salaries for former Shore employees of $1.8 million who joined the Company following the Shore Merger in November 2019, $150,000 in temporary staffing costs, $107,000 in special bonus compensation paid to all employees, merit increases and increases in employee benefit expenses. At December 31, 2020, there were 211 full-time equivalent employees compared to 218 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2019.

Occupancy expense totaled $4.8 million in 2020 compared to $4.1 million in 2019, representing an increase of $676,000, or 16.5%, due primarily to the addition of the five former Shore branch offices, one of which was closed in December 2020 after termination of the lease.

The cost of data processing services increased $364,000 to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to the addition of the former Shore operations and increases in loans, deposits and other customer services.

Equipment expense increased $354,000, or 27.5%, to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to additional equipment and maintenance agreements related to the inclusion of the former Shore operations..

Marketing costs decreased $178,000 to $124,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $302,000 in 2019, due primarily to reduced marketing campaigns during 2020.

Telephone expenses totaled $506,000 in 2020 compared to $400,000 in 2019, representing an increase of $106,000 that was due primarily to the addition of the former Shore operations.

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Regulatory, professional and consulting fees increased by $219,000 to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to general increases in legal and consulting fees related to loan collection efforts and workouts.

The Company recorded FDIC insurance expense of $816,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $154,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $662,000, due primarily to the acquisition of Shore, the growth in assets, an increase in the FDIC assessment rate in 2020 and a credit of $193,000 that was received and applied in 2019.

Shore Merger-related expenses of $64,000 were incurred for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.7 million incurred for the year ended December 31, 2019. The 2019 merger-related expenses include legal and financial advisory fees incurred in connection with the Shore Merger.

Amortization of intangible assets increased $250,000 to $390,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $140,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 due primarily to the amortization of the core deposit intangible related to the Shore Merger.

2019 compared to 2018

For the year ended December 31, 2019, non-interest expenses totaled $35.5 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 4.3%, when compared to $34.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in non-interest expenses included increases in salaries and employee benefit expenses, occupancy expense, data processing expenses and other expenses related to the addition of the former Shore operations, offset by a decrease in merger-related expenses and FDIC insurance expense.

Salaries and employee benefits, which represent the largest portion of non-interest expenses, increased by $1.5 million, or 7.3%, to $21.3 million compared to $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due primarily to a $585,000 increase in commissions paid as a result of the higher level of residential mortgage lending activity, salaries for former Shore employees ($298,000) who joined the Company following the Shore Merger in November 2019, salaries for former NJCB employees ($169,000) who joined the Company following the NJCB Merger in April of 2018, merit increases and increases in employee benefits expenses. Cash incentive compensation and employee health benefits increased $241,000 and $162,000, respectively, during 2019. At December 31, 2019, there were 218 full-time equivalent employees compared to 189 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2018.

Occupancy expense totaled $4.1 million in 2019 compared to $3.6 million in 2018, reflecting an increase of $477,000, or 13.2%, due primarily to the addition of the five former Shore branch offices ($129,000) in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the addition of two former NJCB branch offices ($123,000) in the second quarter of 2018.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, equipment expense was $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, reflecting an increase of $112,000, or 9.5%.

The cost of data processing services increased $175,000 to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due primarily to the addition of the Shore operations ($63,000) following the closing of the Shore Merger and increases in loans, deposits and other customer services.

Regulatory, professional and consulting fees increased by $93,000 to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due primarily to increases in legal and consulting fees.

Shore Merger-related expenses of $1.7 million were incurred for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to NJCB Merger-related expenses of $2.1 million incurred for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Company recorded FDIC insurance expense of $154,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $486,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $332,000, due primarily to the receipt from FDIC of the small bank assessment credit for the second and the third quarters of 2019 and the reduction in the FDIC assessment rate.

Amortization of intangible assets decreased $178,000 to $140,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $318,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 due primarily to the full amortization of the core deposit intangible in 2018 related to the acquisition of three branch offices and their deposits in 2011.

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Other expenses totaled $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $36,000 over the same period in the prior year, due primarily to general increases in various other operating expense categories.

Income Taxes

2020 compared to 2019

Income tax expense was $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 26.8%, compared to income tax expense of $5.0 million, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 27.0% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The higher effective tax rate for 2019 was due primarily to the effect of non-deductible merger expenses in the 2019 period.

2019 compared to 2018

The Company recorded income tax expense of $5.0 million in 2019, resulting in an effective tax rate of 27.0%, compared to income tax expense of $4.3 million in 2018, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 26.4%. The higher effective tax rate in
2019 was primarily the result of the higher amount of pre-tax income in 2019 taxed at the combined marginal federal and state statutory tax rate of 30.08% and the non-taxable gain from the bargain purchase from the NJCB Merger in 2018, which reduced the effective tax rate in 2018.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
At December 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents totaled $22.0 million compared to $14.8 million at December 31, 2019.  

Investment Securities

 Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and the fair value by security type for the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
2020
 GrossGross 
 AmortizedUnrealizedUnrealizedFair
(In thousands)CostGainsLossesValue
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government-sponsored corporations ("GSE")$3,437 $$(5)$3,439 
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE36,282 503 (6)36,779 
Residential mortgage-backed securities - GSE 13,031 572 (6)13,597 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions26,445 1,007 — 27,452 
Corporate debt securities20,997 465 (95)21,367 
Other debt securities22,389 254 (80)22,563 
Total$122,581 $2,808 $(192)$125,197 
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2019
 GrossGross 
 AmortizedUnrealizedUnrealizedFair
(In thousands)CostGainsLossesValue
U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government-sponsored corporations ("GSE")$774 $— $(10)$764 
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations-GSE53,223 194 (242)53,175 
Residential mortgage backed securities – GSE18,100 292 (5)18,387 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions33,177 342 — 33,519 
Corporate debt securities24,716 139 (134)24,721 
Other debt securities25,378 80 (242)25,216 
Total$155,368 $1,047 $(633)$155,782 

Amortized cost, carrying value, gross unrealized gains and losses and the fair value by security type for the held to maturity portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
2020
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Carrying
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE$4,640 $— $4,640 $166 $— $4,806 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE24,517 — 24,517 1,208 — 25,725 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions61,249 — 61,249 1,248 (2)62,495 
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled648 (472)176 405 — 581 
Other debt securities1,970 — 1,970 63 — 2,033 
Total$93,024 $(472)$92,552 $3,090 $(2)$95,640 
 
2019
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
Cost
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Carrying
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations – GSE$5,117 $— $5,117 $76 $(35)$5,158 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE36,528 — 36,528 481 (54)36,955 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions32,533 — 32,533 690 (25)33,198 
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled657 (492)165 479 — 644 
Other debt securities2,277 — 2,277 — (9)2,268 
Total$77,112 $(492)$76,620 $1,726 $(123)$78,223 

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The investment securities portfolio totaled $217.7 million, or 12.1% of total assets, at December 31, 2020 compared to $232.4 million, or 14.7% of total assets, at December 31, 2019. Proceeds from sales, maturities and prepayments for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $89.0 million while purchases of investment securities totaled $73.2 million during this period. On an average balance basis, the investment securities portfolio represented 14.8% and 18.5% of average interest-earning assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Securities available for sale are investments that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes. Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk and to take advantage of market conditions that create more economically attractive returns. At December 31, 2020, available-for-sale securities amounted to $125.2 million, which was a decrease of $30.6 million from $155.8 million at December 31, 2019. 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized cost, carrying value, fair value, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of the Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2020. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
cost

Fair Value
Yield
Available for sale   
Due in one year or less$1,024 $1,027 2.99 %
Due after one year through five years31,563 32,613 2.42 
Due after five years through ten years30,944 31,527 1.82 
Due after ten years59,050 60,030 2.00 
Total$122,581 $125,197 2.07 %
(Dollars in thousands)Carrying Value
Fair Value
Yield
Held to maturity   
Due in one year or less$19,602 $19,655 2.01 %
Due after one year through five years6,266 6,461 3.87 
Due after five years through ten years15,484 16,199 2.85 
Due after ten years51,200 53,325 2.75 
Total$92,552 $95,640 2.69 %

Proceeds from sales, maturities and prepayments of securities available for sale amounted to $59.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $39.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, the portfolio had net unrealized gains of $2.6 million compared to net unrealized gains of $414,000 at December 31, 2019. These unrealized gains are reflected net of tax in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
Securities held to maturity, which are carried at amortized historical cost, are investments for which there is the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity.  At December 31, 2020, securities held to maturity were $92.6 million, reflecting an increase of $15.9 million from $76.6 million at December 31, 2019.  The fair value of the held-to-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2020 was $95.6 million.
 
The Company regularly reviews the composition of the investment securities portfolio, taking into account market risks, the current and expected interest rate environment, liquidity needs and its overall interest rate risk profile and strategic goals.
 
On a quarterly basis, management evaluates each security in the portfolio with an individual unrealized loss to determine if that loss represents other-than-temporary impairment. During the fourth quarter of 2009, management determined that it was necessary, following other-than-temporary impairment requirements, to write down the cost basis of the Company’s only pooled trust preferred security. This trust preferred debt security was issued by a two issuer pool (Preferred Term Securities XXV, Ltd. co-issued by Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. and First Tennessee (“PreTSL XXV”)) consisting primarily of financial institution holding companies. During 2009, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $865,000 with respect to this security.  No other-than-temporary impairment losses were recorded during 2020 and 2019. See Note 3-"Investment Securities" to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.


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Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale at December 31, 2020 totaled $29.8 million compared to $5.9 million at December 31, 2019. The total loans originated for sale was $354.1 million and $146.8 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020, loans held for sale consisted only of residential mortgage loans, whereas loans held for sale at December 31, 2019 consisted of residential mortgage loans and SBA loans held for sale. The amount of loans held for sale varies from period to period due to changes in the amount and timing of sales of residential mortgage loans and SBA loans.

Loans

The loan portfolio, which represents the Company’s largest asset, is a significant source of both interest and fee income. Elements of the loan portfolio are subject to differing levels of credit and interest rate risk. The Company’s primary lending focus continues to be mortgage warehouse lines, construction loans, commercial business loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgage loans and income producing commercial real estate loans. Total loans averaged $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $368.4 million, or 38.2%, compared to an average of $964.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, total loans were $1.4 billion, representing an increase of $217.7 million, or 17.9%, compared to $1.2 million at December 31, 2019. The increase in total loans for 2020 includes $58.8 million of SBA PPP loans.

The average yield earned on the loan portfolio was 4.79% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 5.55% for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was a decrease of 76 basis points and reflected the lower interest rate environment in 2020 compared to 2019.

The following table represents the components of the loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.
December 31,
 20202019201820172016
(Dollars in thousands)Amount%Amount%Amount%Amount%Amount%
Commercial real estate$618,978 43 %$567,655 47 %$388,431 44 %$308,924 39 %$242,393 34 %
Mortgage warehouse lines
388,366 27 236,672 20 154,183 17 189,412 24 216,259 30 
Construction 129,245 148,939 12 149,387 17 136,412 17 96,035 13 
Commercial business188,728 13 139,271 11 120,590 14 92,906 12 99,650 14 
Residential real estate 88,261 90,259 47,263 40,494 44,791 
Loans to individuals21,269 32,604 22,962 21,025 23,736 
Other113 — 137 — 181 — 183 — 207 — 
Deferred loan (fees) costs,
net
(1,254)— 491 — 167 — 550 — 1,737 — 
Total$1,433,706 100 %$1,216,028 100 %$883,164 100 %$789,906 100 %$724,808 100 %

Commercial real estate loans averaged $597.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $170.0 million, or 39.8%, compared to the average of $426.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Commercial real estate loans consist primarily of loans to businesses that are collateralized by real estate assets employed in the operation of the business (owner-occupied properties) and loans to real estate investors to finance the acquisition and/or improvement of income producing commercial properties. The average yield on commercial real estate loans was 5.14% for 2020 and 5.11% in 2019.

The Company’s Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group offers revolving lines of credit that are available to licensed mortgage banking companies (the “warehouse line of credit”). The warehouse line of credit is used by the mortgage banker to originate one-to-four family residential mortgage loans that are pre-sold to the secondary mortgage market, which includes state and national banks, national mortgage banking firms, insurance companies and government-sponsored enterprises, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and others. On average, an advance under the warehouse line of credit remains outstanding for a period of less than 30 days, with repayment coming directly from the sale of the loan into the secondary mortgage market. Interest and a transaction fee are collected by the Company at the time of repayment. The Company had outstanding mortgage warehouse lines of $388.4 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $236.7 million at December 31, 2019. During 2020 and 2019, mortgage warehouse lines averaged $273.3 million and $174.2 million, respectively, and yielded 4.12% and 5.48%, respectively. During 2020, $5.4 billion of mortgage loans were financed through our Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group compared to $3.5 billion of
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mortgage loans financed in 2019. The higher level of funding activity was due primarily to the lower interest rate environment in 2020 than in 2019, which resulted in an increase in refinance activity in 2020 compared to 2019.. The number of active mortgage banking customers were 37 and 38 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Construction loans averaged $137.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing a decrease of $19.3 million, or 12.3%, compared to the average of $156.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Generally, these loans represent the financing of the construction of residential single family homes and residential condominiums for sale, multi-family properties and other income producing investment properties and usually represent a broader commercial relationship between the Company and the borrower.  Construction loans are structured to provide for advances only after work is completed and inspected by qualified professionals. The average yield on the construction loan portfolio was 5.60% for 2020 compared to 6.76% for 2019.
 
Commercial business loans averaged $139.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $17.9 million, or 14.7%, compared to $122.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Commercial business loans consist primarily of loans to small and middle market businesses and are typically working capital loans used to finance inventory, receivables or equipment needs.  These loans are generally secured by business assets of the commercial borrower. The average yield on the commercial business loans was 4.41% in 2020 compared to 5.98% in 2019.

Commercial business loans include SBA PPP loans, which averaged $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 with an average yield of 3.08%, which includes 1.00% related to the contractual yield on the SBA PPP loans, 1.50% related to the normal accretion of the net deferred fees and 0.58% related to the accelerated accretion of net deferred fees as a result of the loans being forgiven or paid off. The Bank is participating in the SBA PPP loan program established under the CARES Act and expanded under the Economic Aid Act. Total origination of SBA PPP loans was $75.6 million in 2020, $15.8 million of which were forgiven or repaid in 2020.

Average residential real estate loans increased $32.8 million to $89.5 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $56.7 million at December 31, 2019. The average yield on residential real estate loans was 4.54% in 2020 compared to 4.50% in 2019. Loans to individuals, which are comprised primarily of home equity loans, averaged $28.1 million during 2020 compared to $23.3 million during 2019. The average yield on loans to individuals was 4.52% in 2020 compared to 5.06% in 2019.

The following table provides information concerning the maturities and interest rate sensitivity of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2020.
Maturity Range 
(Dollars in thousands)Within
One
Year
After One But
Within
Five Years
After
Five
Years
Total
Commercial real estate$68,868 $460,192 $89,918 $618,978 
Mortgage warehouse lines388,366 — — 388,366 
Construction124,599 — 4,646 129,245 
Commercial business52,496 129,221 7,011 188,728 
Residential real estate24,637 32,287 31,337 88,261 
Loans to individuals and other loans19,854 474 1,054 21,382 
Total$678,820 $622,174 $133,966 $1,434,960 
Fixed rate loans$38,291 $195,821 $101,098 $335,210 
Floating rate loans640,529 426,353 32,868 1,099,750 
 Total$678,820 $622,174 $133,966 $1,434,960 

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and other real estate owned. Non-performing loans are composed of (1) loans on nonaccrual basis and (2) loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments but which have not been classified as nonaccrual. Included in nonaccrual loans are loans, the terms of which have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest and/or principal because of deterioration in the financial position
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of the borrower and have not performed in accordance with the restructured terms. Loan payments on loans that are deferred due to COVID-19, and not deemed to be impaired, continue to accrue interest and are not presented as past due in the table below.
 
The Company’s policy with regard to nonaccrual loans is that, generally, loans are placed on a nonaccrual status when they are 90 days past due, unless these loans are well secured and in the process of collection or, regardless of the past due status of the loan, when management determines that the complete recovery of principal or interest is in doubt. Consumer loans are generally charged off after they become 120 days past due. Subsequent payments on loans in nonaccrual status are credited to income only if collection of principal is not in doubt.
 
Nonaccrual loans were $16.4 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $4.5 million at December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $14.5 million of loans were placed on nonaccrual status and consisted of a participation in a construction loan with a balance of $7.5 million, $6.8 million of commercial real estate loans, a $156,000 residential loan and an $84,000 commercial business loan. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $2.7 million of non-performing loans and $1.8 million of purchased credit impaired loans were repaid.

At December 31, 2020, non-performing loans were comprised of eight commercial real estate loans totaling $7.6 million, one construction loan totaling $7.5 million, three residential mortgage loans totaling $797,000, three commercial business loans totaling $224,000 and three home equity loans totaling $274,000.

The table below sets forth non-performing assets and risk elements in the Bank's loan portfolio for the years indicated.
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20202019201820172016
Non-Performing loans:     
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing$871 $— $55 $— $24 
Nonaccrual loans16,361 4,497 6,525 7,114 5,174 
Total non-performing loans17,232 4,497 6,580 7,114 5,198 
Other real estate owned92 571 2,515 — 166 
Other repossessed assets— — — — — 
Total non-performing assets17,324 5,068 9,095 7,114 5,364 
Performing troubled debt restructurings5,768 6,132 4,003 3,728 864 
Performing troubled debt restructurings and total non-performing assets$23,092 $11,200 $13,098 $10,842 $6,228 
Non-performing loans to total loans1.20 %0.37 %0.75 %0.90 %0.72 %
Non-performing loans to total loans excluding warehouse lines1.65 0.46 0.90 1.18 1.02 
Non-performing assets to total assets0.96 0.32 0.77 0.66 0.52 
Non-performing assets to total assets excluding mortgage warehouse lines1.22 0.38 0.89 0.80 0.65 
Total non-performing assets and performing troubled debt restructurings to total assets
1.28 0.71 1.11 1.00 0.60 

Non-performing loans to total loans increased to 1.20% at December 31, 2020 from 0.37% at December 31, 2019. Additional interest income before taxes amounting to $552,000, $318,000 and $155,000 would have been recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, if interest on all loans had been recorded based upon their original contract terms. 

Non-performing assets increased $12.3 million to $17.3 million at December 31, 2020 from $5.1 million at December 31, 2019 and represented 0.96% of total assets at December 31, 2020 compared to 0.32% at December 31, 2019. Non-performing loans increased $12.7 million to $17.2 million at December 31, 2020 from $4.5 million at December 31, 2019. OREO decreased by $479,000 to $92,000 at December 31, 2020 compared to $571,000 at December 31, 2019. OREO at December 31, 2020 consisted of one parcel of land that was acquired in the Shore Merger.

In 2020, the Company sold six OREO properties with a carrying value of $479,000 and recognized a net gain on sale of OREO of $75,000. In 2019, the Company sold two OREO properties with a carrying value of $2.4 million and recognized a net loss on sale of OREO of $101,000.
 
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At December 31, 2020, the Company had 10 loans totaling $5.9 million that were troubled debt restructurings. Two of these loans totaling $141,000 are included in the above table as nonaccrual loans and the remaining eight loans totaling $5.8 million are considered performing.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had 13 loans totaling $6.4 million that were troubled debt restructurings. Three of these loans totaling $345,000 are included in the above table as nonaccrual loans and the remaining nine loans totaling $6.1 million are considered performing.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial investment in the purchase of a credit impaired loan is recognized as interest income over the life of the loan. At December 31, 2020, there were five loans acquired with evidence of deteriorated credit quality totaling $2.4 million that were not classified as non-performing loans. At December 31, 2019, there were 11 loans acquired with evidence of deteriorated credit quality totaling $4.6 million that were not classified as non-performing loans.

Management takes a proactive approach in addressing delinquent loans. The Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer meets weekly with all loan officers to review the status of credits past-due ten days or more. An action plan is discussed for delinquent loans to determine the steps necessary to induce the borrower to cure the delinquency and restore the loan to a current status. In addition, delinquency notices are system generated when loans are five days past-due and again at 15 days past-due.

In most cases, the Company’s loan collateral is real estate and when the collateral is foreclosed upon, the real estate is carried at fair market value less the estimated selling costs. The amount, if any, by which the recorded amount of the loan exceeds the fair market value of the collateral less estimated selling costs is a loss that is charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of foreclosure or repossession. Resolution of a past-due loan can be delayed if the borrower files a bankruptcy petition because a collection action cannot be continued unless the Company first obtains relief from the automatic stay provided by the bankruptcy code.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision
 
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation reserve available for losses incurred or inherent in the loan portfolio. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy of the Company.

The Company’s primary lending emphasis is the origination of commercial business, commercial real estate and construction loans and mortgage warehouse lines of credit. Based on the composition of the loan portfolio, the inherent primary risks are deteriorating credit quality, a decline in the economy and a decline in New Jersey and metropolitan New York City real estate market values. Any one, or a combination, of these events may adversely affect the loan portfolio and may result in increased delinquencies, loan losses and increased future provision levels.
 
Due to the economic disruption and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the allowance for loan losses may increase in future periods as borrowers continue to be affected by the severe contraction of economic activity and the dramatic increase in unemployment. This may result in increases in loan delinquencies, downgrades of loan credit ratings and charge-offs in future periods. The allowance for loan losses may increase significantly to reflect the decline in the performance of the loan portfolio and the higher level of incurred losses.

All, or part, of the principal balance of commercial business, commercial real estate and construction loans are charged off against the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely. Consumer loans are generally charged off no later than 120 days past due on a contractual basis, earlier in the event of bankruptcy, or if there is an amount deemed uncollectibleBecause all identified losses are charged off, no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or groups of loans and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.

Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for loan losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is adequate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses consists of several key elements and is consistent with U.S. GAAP and interagency supervisory guidance. The allowance for loan losses methodology consists of two major components. The first component is an estimation of losses associated with individually identified impaired loans, which follows ASC Topic 310. The second major component
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is an estimation of losses under ASC Topic 450, which provides guidance for estimating losses on groups of loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company’s methodology results in an allowance for loan losses that includes a specific reserve for impaired loans, an allocated reserve and an unallocated portion.
 
When analyzing groups of loans, the Company follows the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.  The methodology considers the Company’s historical loss experience, adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans as of the evaluation date.  These adjustment factors, known as qualitative factors, include:

Delinquencies and nonaccruals;
Portfolio quality;
Concentration of credit;
Trends in volume of loans;
Quality of collateral;
Policy and procedures;
Experience, ability and depth of management;
Economic trends – national and local; and
External factors – competition, legal and regulatory.

The methodology includes the segregation of the loan portfolio into loan types with a further segregation into risk rating categories, such as special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. This allows for an allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan type; however, the allowance is available to absorb any loan loss without restriction. Larger-balance, non-homogeneous loans representing significant individual credit exposures are evaluated individually through the internal loan review process. This process produces the watch list. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated. Based on this evaluation, an estimate of probable losses for the individual larger-balance loans is determined, whenever possible, and used to establish specific loan loss reserves. In general, for non-homogeneous loans not individually assessed and for homogeneous groups of loans, such as residential mortgages and consumer credits, the loans are collectively evaluated based on delinquency status, loan type and historical losses. These loan groups are then internally risk rated.

The watch list includes loans that are assigned a rating of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans classified as special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans rated as doubtful are placed in nonaccrual status. Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

The specific allowance for impaired loans is established for specific loans that have been identified by management as being impaired. These loans are considered to be impaired primarily because the loans have not performed according to payment terms and there is reason to believe that repayment of the loan principal in whole, or in part, is unlikely. The specific portion of the allowance is the total amount of potential unconfirmed losses for these individual impaired loans. To assist in determining the fair value of loan collateral, the Company often utilizes independent third-party qualified appraisal firms, which employ their own criteria and assumptions that may include occupancy rates, rental rates and property expenses, among others.

The second category of reserves consists of the allocated portion of the allowance. The allocated portion of the allowance is determined by taking pools of outstanding loans that have similar characteristics and applying historical loss experience for each pool. This estimate represents the potential unconfirmed losses within the portfolio. Individual loan pools are created for
commercial business loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, warehouse lines of credit and various types of loans to individuals. The historical estimation for each loan pool is then adjusted to account for current conditions, current loan portfolio performance, loan policy or management changes or any other qualitative factor that management believes may cause future losses to deviate from historical levels.

The Company also maintains an unallocated allowance. The unallocated allowance is used to cover any factors or conditions that may cause a potential loan loss but are not specifically identifiable. It is prudent to maintain an unallocated portion of the allowance because no matter how detailed an analysis of potential loan losses is performed, these estimates, by
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definition, lack precision. Management must make estimates using assumptions and information that is often subjective and changing rapidly. The following discusses the risk characteristics of each of our loan portfolios.

Commercial Business

The Company offers a variety of commercial loan services, including term loans, lines of credit and loans secured by equipment and receivables. A broad range of short-to-medium term commercial loans, both secured and unsecured, are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisition and development of real estate and improvements) and the purchase of equipment and machinery. Commercial business loans are granted based on the borrower's ability to generate cash flow to support its debt obligations and other cash related expenses. A borrower's ability to repay commercial business loans is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and on the quality of its management. As a general practice, the Company takes, as collateral, a security interest in any available real estate, equipment, inventory, receivables or other personal property of its borrowers, although the Company occasionally makes commercial business loans on an unsecured basis. Generally, the Company requires personal guarantees of its commercial business loans to reduce the risks associated with such loans. Included in the commercial business loans are SBA PPP loans, which are fully guaranteed by the SBA and are therefore excluded from the allowance for loan losses.

Much of the Company's lending is in northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore, and the New York City metropolitan area. As a result of this geographic concentration, a significant broad-based deterioration in economic conditions in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area could have a material adverse impact on the Company's loan portfolio. A prolonged decline in economic conditions in our market area could restrict borrowers' ability to pay outstanding principal and interest on loans when due. The value of assets pledged as collateral may decline and the proceeds from the sale or liquidation of these assets may not be sufficient to repay the loan.

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate loans are made to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate operators to finance the acquisition of income producing properties. The Company's loan policy requires that borrowers have sufficient cash flow to meet the debt service requirements and the value of the property meets the loan-to-value criteria set in the loan policy. The Company monitors loan concentrations by borrower, by type of property and by location and other criteria.

The Company's commercial real estate portfolio is largely secured by real estate collateral located in the State of New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area. Conditions in the real estate markets in which the collateral for the Company's loans are located strongly influence the level of the Company's non-performing loans. A decline in the New Jersey and New York City metropolitan area real estate markets could adversely affect the Company's loan portfolio. Decreases in local real estate values would adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for the Company's loans. Adverse changes in the economy also may have a negative effect on the ability of our borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans.

Construction Financing

Construction financing is provided to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential and commercial properties. First mortgage construction loans are made to developers and builders primarily for single family homes and multi-family buildings that are presold or are to be sold or leased on a speculative basis.

The Company lends to builders and developers with established relationships, successful operating histories and sound financial resources. Management has established underwriting and monitoring criteria to minimize the inherent risks of real estate construction lending. The risks associated with speculative construction lending include the borrower's inability to complete the construction process on time and within budget, the sale or rental of the project within projected absorption periods and the economic risks associated with real estate collateral. Such loans may include financing the development and/or construction of residential subdivisions. This activity may involve financing land purchases and infrastructure development (i.e., roads, utilities, etc.) as well as construction of residences or multi-family dwellings for subsequent sale by the developer/builder. Because the sale or rental of developed properties is integral to the success of developer business, loan repayment may be especially subject to the volatility of real estate market values.


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Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit

The Company’s Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group provides revolving lines of credit that are available to licensed mortgage banking companies. The warehouse line of credit is used by the mortgage banker to originate one-to-four family residential mortgage loans that are pre-sold to the secondary mortgage market, which includes state and national banks, national mortgage banking firms, insurance companies and government-sponsored enterprises, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and others. On average, an advance under the warehouse line of credit remains outstanding for a period of less than 30 days, with repayment coming directly from the sale of the loan into the secondary mortgage market. Interest and a transaction fee are collected by the Bank at the time of repayment.

As a separate class of the total loan portfolio, the warehouse loan portfolio is individually analyzed as a whole for allowance for loan losses purposes.  Warehouse lines of credit are subject to the same inherent risks as other commercial lending, but the overall degree of risk differs. While the Company’s loss experience with this type of lending has been non-existent since the product was introduced in 2008, there are other risks unique to this lending that still must be considered in assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. These unique risks may include, but are not limited to, (i) credit risks relating to the mortgage bankers that borrow from us, (ii) the risk of intentional misrepresentation or fraud by any of such mortgage bankers, (iii) changes in the market value of mortgage loans originated by the mortgage banker, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit, due to changes in interest rates during the time in warehouse or (iv) unsalable or impaired mortgage loans so originated, which could lead to decreased collateral value and the failure of a purchaser of the mortgage loan to purchase the loan from the mortgage banker.

Consumer

The Company’s consumer loan portfolio segment is comprised of residential real estate loans, home equity loans and other loans to individuals. Individual loan pools are created for the various types of loans to individuals. The principal risk is the borrower becomes unemployed or has a significant reduction in income.

In general, for homogeneous groups such as residential mortgages and consumer credits, the loans are collectively evaluated based on delinquency status, loan type and historical losses. These loan groups are then internally risk rated.

The Company considers the following credit quality indicators in assessing the risk in the loan portfolio:

Consumer credit scores;
Internal credit risk grades;
Loan-to-value ratios;
Collateral; and
Collection experience.



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The following table presents, for the years indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data:
(Dollars in thousands)20202019201820172016
Balance, beginning of year$9,271 $8,402 $8,013 $7,494 $7,560 
Provision (credit) charged to operating expenses6,698 1,350 900 600 (300)
Loans charged off:  
Residential real estate loans— — — (101)— 
  Commercial business and commercial real estate
loans
(364)(463)(553)(61)(157)
Loans to individuals(3)(7)(16)— — 
All other loans— (43)(17)— (1)
 (367)(513)(586)(162)(158)
Recoveries:  
  Commercial business and commercial real estate
loans
39 26 74 64 386 
Loans to individuals— 
All other loans— — — 13 — 
 39 32 75 81 392 
Net (charge offs) recoveries(328)(481)(511)(81)234 
Balance, end of year$15,641 $9,271 $8,402 $8,013 $7,494 
Loans:  
At year end$1,433,706 $1,216,028 $883,164 $789,906 $724,808 
Average during the year1,333,330 964,920832,966 717,010 698,436 
Net(charge-offs) recoveries to average loans outstanding(0.02)%(0.05)%(0.06)%(0.01)%0.03 %
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans, excluding mortgage warehouse loans(0.03)%(0.06)%(0.07)%(0.01)%0.05 %
   Allowance for loan losses to:
Total loans at year end1.09 %0.76 %0.95 %1.01 %1.03 %
Total loans at year end excluding mortgage warehouse lines and related allowance
1.33 %0.84 %1.05 %1.19 %1.28 %
Non-performing loans90.77 %206.16 %127.69 %112.64 %144.17 %

At December 31, 2020, the allowance for loan losses was $15.6 million compared to $9.3 million at December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $6.4 million. The allowance for loan losses is comprised of $2.1 million allocated to loans that are individually evaluated for impairment and $13.5 million allocated to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was 1.09% and 0.76%, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 90.72% at December 31, 2020 compared to 206.16% at December 31, 2019.

The allowance for loan losses increased in 2020 due primarily to a provision of $6.7 million, which reflected net charge-offs of $328,000, compared to a provision for loan losses in the amount of $1.4 million in 2019, which reflected net charge-offs of $481,000.

The higher provision for loan losses recorded for the year ended December 31, 2020, was due primarily to (i) a reserve for the estimated increase in incurred loan losses resulting from the economic and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) the increase in the qualitative factors attributed to the modification of loans, including the deferral of principal and or interest payments and downgrades of the credit ratings on certain loans, (iii) additional provision to increase specific reserves and, (iv) to a lesser extent, the growth and change in the mix of the loan portfolio.

Management reviewed the loan portfolio at December 31, 2020 in connection with the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. As part of this review, management reviewed over 90% of the $140.9 million of commercial business and commercial real estate loans that had been modified to defer interest and or principal for up to 90 days. Loans excluded from the review had balances less than $250,000.
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At December 31, 2020, the allowance for loan losses included $618,000 for loans that were rated Pass-Watch and had received a deferral. This reflects management’s previously reported determination that “Pass-Watch” credit rated loans with modifications or deferrals suggest a weaker financial strength of the borrower than “Pass” credit rated loans, thereby warranting additional reserves for loan losses than would ordinarily be reserved for “Pass-Watch” credit rated loans.

Management previously identified the hotel and restaurant-food service industries as most likely to be adversely impacted in the near-term by the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At December 31, 2020 loans to hotel and restaurant-food service industries were $67.8 million and $64.0 million, respectively. Management reviewed over 99% of the hotel loans and over 96% of the restaurant-food service loans. Loans excluded from the review had balances less than $250,000.

All construction loans are closely monitored on a quarterly basis and are reviewed to assess the progress of construction relative to the plan and budget and lease-up or sales of units.

Management also reviewed loans to schools that are private educational institutions that are generally sponsored or affiliated with religious organizations. The loans totaled $26.4 million at December 31, 2020, and 97% of these loans were reviewed.

The expanded review also included $6.0 million, or over 31%, of commercial loans made under the SBA 7(a) loan program, totaling $19.3 million at December 31, 2020.

As a result of this review at December 31, 2020, loans totaling $3.9 million and $500,000 were down-graded to “Special Mention” and “Substandard,” respectively.

Management believes that the quality of the loan portfolio remains sound, considering the economic climate and economy in the State of New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area, and that the allowance for loan losses is adequate in relation to credit risk exposure levels.

The following tables present the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan classes and certain other information as of the dates indicated. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any segment of loans.
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202020192018
 AmountALL
as a %
of Loans
Loans as a % of Total
Loans
AmountALL
as a %
of Loans
Loans as a % of Total
Loans
AmountALL
as a %
of Loans
Loans as a % of Total
Loans
Commercial real estate$6,422 1.04 %43 %$4,524 0.80 %47 %$3,439 0.89 %44 %
Commercial business2,727 1.44 13 1,409 1.01 11 1,829 1.52 14 
Construction loans3,741 2.89 1,389 0.93 12 1,732 1.16 17 
Residential real estate619 0.70 412 0.46 431 0.91 
Loans to individuals and other125 0.59 185 0.57 148 0.64 
Subtotal13,634 1.30 73 7,919 0.81 80 7,579 1.09 83 
Mortgage warehouse lines1,807 0.47 27 1,083 0.46 20 731 0.47 17 
Unallocated reserves200 — — 269 — — 92 — — 
Total$15,641 1.09 %100 %$9,271 0.76 %100 %$8,402 0.95 %100 %
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 December 31,
 20172016
 AmountALL
as a %
of Loans
% of
Loans
AmountALL
as a %
of Loans
% of
Loans
Commercial real estate$2,949 0.95 %39 %$2,574 1.06 %34 %
Commercial business1,720 1.85 12 1,732 1.74 14 
Construction loans1,703 1.25 17 1,204 1.25 13 
Residential real estate392 0.97 367 0.82 
Loans to individuals and other114 0.54 112 0.47 
Subtotal6,878 1.15 76 5,989 1.18 70 
Mortgage warehouse lines852 0.45 24 973 0.45 30 
Unallocated reserves283 — — 532 — — 
Total$8,013 1.01 %100 %$7,494 1.03 %100 %



Deposits
 
The following table sets forth the balances and contractual rates payable to our customers, by account type, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)AmountPercent
Of Total
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
AmountPercent
Of Total
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
Non-interest bearing demand$425,210 27 %— %$287,555 23 %— %
Interest bearing demand441,772 29 %0.43 %393,392 31 %0.78 %
Savings334,226 21 %0.54 %259,033 20 %0.93 %
Total core deposits$1,201,208 77 %0.31 %$939,980 74 %0.58 %
Certificates of deposit$361,631 23 %0.88 %$337,382 26 %2.20 %
Total$1,562,839 100 %0.44 %$1,277,362 100 %1.01 %

The following table indicates the amount of certificates of deposit by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2020.
(In thousands)3 Months
or Less
Over 3 to
6 Months
Over 6 to
12 Months
Over 12
Months
Total
Certificates of deposit of  $100,000 or more$106,445 $105,170 $37,322 $32,752 $281,689 
Certificates of deposit less than $100,00016,809 16,453 22,500 24,180 79,942 
Total$123,254 $121,623 $59,822 $56,932 $361,631 

Certificates of deposit with balances over $250,000 were $45.1 million and $51.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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The following table illustrates the components of average total deposits for the years indicated:
 
202020192018
(Dollars in thousands)Average
Balance
Percentage
of Total
Average
Balance
Percentage
 of Total
Average
Balance
Percentage
of Total
Non-interest bearing demand$370,323 26 %$226,701 21 %$204,002 21 %
Interest bearing demand425,446 29 %349,663 33 %356,906 38 %
Savings286,149 20 %201,738 19 %203,940 21 %
Certificates of deposit362,633 25 %286,419 27 %189,521 20 %
Total$1,444,551 100 %$1,064,521 100 %$954,369 100 %

Deposits, which include demand deposits (interest bearing and non-interest bearing), savings deposits and certificates of deposit, are a fundamental and cost-effective source of funding. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in market interest rates and competition. The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers, with the Company’s primary focus on the building and expanding of long-term relationships. Deposits for the year ended December 31, 2020 averaged $1.4 billion, representing an increase of $380.0 million, or 35.7%, compared to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019.

At December 31, 2020, total deposits were $1.6 billion, representing an increase of $285.5 million, or 22.3%, from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase in total deposits in 2020 was due principally to an increase of $137.7 million in non-interest bearing demand deposits, an increase of $48.4 million in interest-bearing demand deposits, an increase of $75.2 million in savings accounts and an increase of $24.2 million in certificates of deposit. The average cost of the Company’s interest-bearing deposit accounts for 2020 was 0.93%, representing a decrease from the average cost of 1.32% for 2019.

Average non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by $143.6 million, or 63.4%, to $370.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $226.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, non-interest bearing demand deposits totaled $425.2 million, representing an increase of $137.7 million, or 47.9%, compared to $287.6 million at December 31, 2019.  Non-interest bearing demand deposits made up 27.2% of total deposits at December 31, 2020 compared to 22.5% at December 31, 2019 and represent a stable, interest-free source of funds.
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits, which include interest-bearing checking accounts, money market and NOW accounts and the Company’s premier money market product, 1ST Choice account, increased by $75.8 million, or 21.7%, to an average of $425.4 million for 2020 from an average of $349.7 million for 2019. At December 31, 2020, interest-bearing demand deposits were $441.8 million compared to $393.4 million at December 31, 2019. The average cost of interest-bearing demand deposits was 0.57% for 2020 compared to 0.79% in 2019.

In 2020, the average balance of savings accounts increased by $84.4 million to $286.1 million compared to an average balance of $201.7 million in 2019. Savings accounts increased by $75.2 million, or 29.0%, to $334.2 million at December 31, 2020 from $259.0 million at December 31, 2019. The average cost of savings deposits was 0.72% for 2020 compared to 0.97% in 2019.

Average certificates of deposit at December 31, 2020 were $362.6 million, representing an increase of $76.2 million, or 26.6% from $286.4 million at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, certificates of deposit totaled $361.6 million, representing an increase of $24.2 million, or 7.2%, compared to $337.4 million at December 31, 2019. The average cost of certificates of deposits decreased to 1.52% in 2020 from 2.23% in 2019.

Consistent with observed trends in the banking industry, the Company experienced a significant increase in deposits during the year ended December 31, 2020. The primary source of the growth of deposits was the increase in deposits from existing customers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has not but could impact the Bank’s ability to increase and or retain customers’ deposits in future periods. As the pandemic continues, businesses may experience a loss of revenue and consumers may experience a reduction of income, which may in turn cause them to withdraw their funds to pay expenses or reduce their ability to increase their deposits.

Borrowings

Borrowings are comprised of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings and overnight funds purchased and are primarily used to fund asset growth not supported by deposit generation. In April 2020, the Bank began participating in the
64


Federal Reserve's PPPLF, which is a liquidity and borrowing program to allow participating banks to borrow 100% of the SBA PPP loans funded through the SBA at an interest rate of 0.35% for up to two years. The average balance of short-term borrowings decreased by $8.0 million to $30.6 million for 2020 from an average balance of $38.6 million for 2019 due to a decrease in overnight borrowings in 2020. The average balance of Federal Reserve PPPLF borrowings was $15.3 million at December 31, 2020 with an average cost of 0.35%. The average cost of short-term borrowings decreased 179 basis points to 0.57% for 2020 compared to 2.36% for 2019 because of the lower short-term market interest rate environment.

Shareholders’ Equity and Dividends
 
Shareholders’ equity increased by $17.1 million, or 10.0%, to $187.7 million at December 31, 2020 from $170.6 million at December 31, 2019. Book value per common share was $18.32 at December 31, 2020 compared to $16.74 at December 31, 2019. The ratio of average shareholders’ equity to total average assets was 10.33% and 10.76% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in shareholders’ equity from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020 was due primarily to an increase of $14.4 million in retained earnings and a $1.7 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

In lieu of cash dividends, the Company (and its predecessor, the Bank) declared a stock dividend every year for the years 1992 through 2012 and paid such dividends every year for the years 1993 through 2013. The Company declared two stock dividends in 2015 and did not declare a stock dividend in 2014 or 2013. The Company began declaring and paying cash dividends in September 2016 and has declared and paid a cash dividend each quarter since then. Most recently, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.09 per share of common stock on February 26, 2021. Although the Company intends to continue to pay comparable cash dividends, the timing and the amount of the payment of future cash dividends, if any, on the Company's common shares will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will be determined after consideration of various factors, including the level of earnings, cash requirements, regulatory capital and financial condition.

Federal banking regulations on the payment of dividends and the Company’s compliance with said regulations are discussed in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the section titled “Restrictions on Dividends and Redemption of Stock for the Company and the Bank.”

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FCCY.”

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC.  For information on regulatory capital, see “Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank” in the “Supervision and Regulation” section under Item 1. “Business” and Note 19 - "Regulatory Capital Requirements" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that its shareholders’ equity and regulatory capital position are adequate to support the Company's and Bank's current strategic and operating plans for the next 12 months.

Capital Resources

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal and state 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 and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Common Equity Tier 1, Total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and Tier I capital to average assets (Leverage ratio, as defined). As of December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

To be categorized as adequately capitalized, the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum Common Equity Tier 1, Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier I leverage capital ratios as set forth in the below table. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank's capital ratios exceeded the regulatory standards for well-capitalized institutions. Certain bank regulatory limitations exist on the availability of the Bank’s assets for the payment of dividends by the Bank without prior approval of bank regulatory authorities.
65



Federal regulatory capital adequacy requirements are discussed in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the section titled “Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank.

The Company and Bank are also limited in paying dividends if they do not maintain the necessary “capital conservation buffer” as discussed in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the sections titled “Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank” and “Restrictions on Dividends and Redemption of Stock for the Company and the Bank.” As of December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank maintained the required capital conservation buffer of 2.5%.

Management believes that the Company’s and the Bank’s capital resources are adequate to support the Company’s and the Bank’s current strategic and operating plans. However, if the financial position of the Company and the Bank are materially adversely impacted by the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company and or the Bank may be required to increase its regulatory capital position.

The Company's and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios, excluding the impact of the capital conservation buffer, as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
   For CapitalCorrective
ActualAdequacy PurposesAction Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
Company      
Common Equity Tier 1$149,292 9.92 %$67,701 4.50 % N/A N/A
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 182,933 12.16 %120,357 8.00 % N/A N/A
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 167,292 11.12 %90,268 6.00 % N/A N/A
Tier 1 leverage capital 167,292 9.41 %71,105 4.00 % N/A N/A
Bank
Common Equity Tier 1$167,067 11.11 %$67,676 4.50 %$97,754 6.50 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 182,708 12.15 %120,313 8.00 %150,391 10.00 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 167,067 11.11 %90,235 6.00 %120,313 8.00 %
Tier 1 leverage capital 167,067 9.40 %71,083 4.00 %88,854 5.00 %

At December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all the regulatory capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject and were classified as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. Management believes that no conditions or events have occurred since December 31, 2020 that would materially adversely change the Company’s or the Bank’s capital classifications. Management believes that the Company’s and the Bank’s capital resources are adequate to support the Company’s and the Bank’s current strategic and operating plans. The Company and the Bank do not expect any material changes in the mix and relative cost of their capital resources in 2021.

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies adopted a final rule, effective January 1, 2020, creating a CBLR framework for institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion and that meet other qualifying criteria. The CBLR framework provides for a simpler measure of capital adequacy for qualifying institutions. Qualifying institutions that elect to use the CBLR framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9% will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the federal banking agencies’ capital rules and to have met the “well capitalized” ratio requirements. The Company and the Bank did not elect to use the framework. A further discussion of the CBLR framework is provided in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the section titled “Capital Adequacy of the Company and the Bank.”

The Company and the Bank do not have material commitments for capital expenditures at December 31, 2020. Any non-material commitments for capital expenditures are in the ordinary course of business and will be funded through cash flow from operations in 2021.


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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
 
In the normal course of business the Company enters into various transactions that, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not included on the balance sheet. The Company issues off-balance sheet financial instruments in connection with its lending activities and to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to fund loans, lines of credit and commercial and standby letters of credit. These instruments carry various degrees of credit risk and market risk, which are essentially the same risks involved in extending loans. The Company generally follows the same credit and collateral policies in making these commitments and conditional obligations as it does for instruments recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Many of these commitments and conditional obligations are expected to expire without being drawn, and the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. These off-balance sheet arrangements have not had and are not reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial position, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

The financial instrument commitments at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(In thousands)Less than One YearOne to
Three Years
Three to
Five Years
Over Five
Years
Total
Commercial and standby letters of credit$686 $— $— $— $686 
Commitments to fund loans66,833 141 27 67,007 
Commitments to extend credit255,592 28,171 7,666 50,429 341,858 
Total$323,111 $28,312 $7,693 $50,435 $409,551 
Commitments to sell residential loans$72,221 $— $— $— $72,221 

Commercial and standby letters of credit

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a specified financial obligation of a customer to a third party. In the event that the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make was $686,000 at December 31, 2020.

Commitments to fund loans

Commitments to fund loans are legally binding loan commitments with set expiration dates and specified interest rates as well as for specific purposes. These loan commitments are intended to be disbursed, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, upon the request of the borrower.

Commitments to extend credit

The Company issues lines of credit to commercial businesses, to owners of commercial real estate, for the construction or acquisition of real estate properties and to consumers for home equity and personal expenditures. Many of these commitments may not be drawn but are available to the borrower under the terms of the loan agreement.

Commitments to sell residential loans

The Company enters into best efforts forward sales commitments to sell residential mortgage loans that it has closed (loans held for sale), or it expects to close (commitments to originate loans to be sold). These commitments are utilized to reduce the Company’s market price risk from the date of commitment to the date of sale. The forward sales commitments were approximately $72.2 million at December 31, 2020.


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The following table presents additional information regarding the Company’s outstanding contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020:
Payments Due by Period
(In thousands)Less than One YearOne to
Three Years
Three to
Five Years
More than Five
Years
Total
Operating leases$1,928 $3,124 $1,838 $1,164 $8,054 
Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures9,825 — — 18,557 28,382 
Certificates of deposit304,466 49,473 7,681 11 361,631 
Retirement benefit obligation projected4,785 — — — 4,785 
Total contractual obligations:$321,004 $52,597 $9,519 $19,732 $402,852 

As of December 31, 2020, the Bank is expected to pay approximately $2.5 million in interest over the remaining contractual term of the certificates of deposit.

Liquidity
 
Liquidity management refers to the Company’s ability to support asset growth while satisfying the borrowing needs and deposit withdrawal requirements of its customers.  In addition to maintaining liquid assets, factors such as capital position, profitability, asset quality and availability of funding affect a bank’s ability to meet its liquidity needs.  On the asset side, liquid funds are maintained in the form of cash and cash equivalents, federal funds sold, deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank, investment securities held to maturity maturing within one year, securities available for sale and loans held for sale.  Additional asset-based liquidity is derived from scheduled loan repayments as well as investment repayments of principal and interest from mortgage-backed securities.  On the liability side, the primary source of liquidity is the ability to generate deposits.  Short-term and long-term borrowings provide an additional funding source when growth in the deposit base does not keep pace with that of earnings assets.
 
The Company has established a borrowing relationship with the FHLB, which further supports and enhances liquidity. During 2010, the FHLB replaced its Overnight Line of Credit and One-Month Overnight Repricing Line of Credit facilities available to member banks with a fully secured line of up to 50 percent of a bank’s quarter-end total assets. Under the terms of this facility, the Bank’s total credit exposure to the FHLB cannot exceed 50 percent, or $903.5 million, of its total assets at December 31, 2020. In addition, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Bank’s advances, letters of credit, the dollar amount of the FHLB’s minimum collateral requirement for off balance sheet financial contracts and advance commitments cannot exceed 30 percent of the Bank’s total assets, unless the Bank obtains approval from the FHLB’s Board of Directors or its Executive Committee. These limits are further restricted by a member bank’s ability to provide eligible collateral to support its obligations to the FHLB, as well as a member bank’s ability to meet the FHLB’s stock requirement.  At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Bank pledged approximately $480.1 million and $308.5 million of loans, respectively, to support the FHLB borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Bank had available borrowing capacity of $301.8 million and $160.7 million, respectively, at the FHLB of New York. The Bank also maintains unsecured federal funds lines of $46.0 million with two correspondent banks, all of which was available at December 31, 2020.

The Bank has access to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Discount Window facility and PPP liquidity facility. At this time the Bank has not pledged investment securities or loans, which would be required, to support borrowings through the Discount Window facility or PPP liquidity facility.
 
The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the changes in cash from operating, investing and financing activities.  At December 31, 2020, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was $22.0 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.  The primary source of funds was net income from operations, adjusted for activity related to loans originated for sale, the provision for loan losses, depreciation expense and net amortization of premiums on securities. Cash was used in operations primarily for originating loans held for sale. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to net cash used in the origination and sale of loans totaling $23.9 million in 2020 compared to $2.9 million of cash used by the origination and sale of loans in 2019. Partially offsetting the higher amount of cash used in the origination and sale of loans in 2020 was the $5.3 million higher provision for loan losses in 2020, the $3.1 million decrease in other assets and the $2.4 million increase in accrued expenses.
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Net cash used in investing activities totaled $198.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $109.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The cash used in lending activities was $217.6 million in 2020 compared to $127.1 million in 2019. The cash provided by investment activities was $15.7 million in 2020 compared to $7.8 million in 2019.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $199.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $94.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.  The net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 was due primarily to the net increase in deposits of $285.5 million, which was used in funding the lending activity and in repaying $82.2 million of overnight borrowings. The Company paid cash dividends totaling $3.7 million in 2020 compared to $2.6 million in 2019. 

The investment securities portfolios are also a source of liquidity, providing cash flows from maturities and periodic repayments of principal. For the year ended December 31, 2020, sales, repayments and maturities of investment securities totaled $89.0 million compared to $58.0 million in 2019. Another source of liquidity is the loan portfolio, which provides a flow of principal payments.

Management believes that the Company's liquidity position is adequate to service the needs of its borrowers and depositors and provide for its planned operations.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

The largest component of the Company’s total income is net interest income and the majority of the Company’s financial instruments are composed of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities with various terms and maturities. The primary objective of management is to maximize net interest income while minimizing interest rate risk. The Company’s assets consist primarily of floating rate construction loans, mortgage warehouse lines, commercial lines of credit and fixed rate commercial real estate loans and its liabilities consist primarily of deposits. Interest rate risk is derived from timing differences in the cash flows of assets and liabilities and the magnitude of relative changes in the repricing of assets and liabilities, loan prepayments, deposit withdrawals and differences in lending and funding rates.  Management actively seeks to monitor and control the mix of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities.


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The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company’s financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, categorized by expected maturity or repricing of such instruments, at December 31, 2020.
Interest Sensitivity Period
(In thousands)30 Days31 to 90 Days91 to 180 Days181 to 365 DaysTotal Within
One Year
One Year to Five YearsOver
Five Years
Non-interest
Sensitive
Total
Assets :         
Cash and due from banks$18,394 $— $25 $— $18,419 $— $— $3,576 $21,995 
Investment securities47,293 24,510 10,407 19,807 102,017 75,879 39,853 — 217,749 
Loans held for sale29,782 — — — 29,782 — — — 29,782 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses699,024 51,194 52,964 102,852 906,034 470,049 37,313 4,669 1,418,065 
Other assets— — — — — — — 119,318 119,318 
 $794,493 $75,704 $63,396 $122,659 $1,056,252 $545,928 $77,166 $127,563 $1,806,909 
Liabilities and Equity:         
Demand deposits - non-interest bearing$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $425,210 $425,210 
Demand deposits - interest bearing216,372 — — — 216,372 179,515 45,885 — 441,772 
Savings deposits181,247 — — 47 181,294 86,117 66,815 — 334,226 
Certificates of deposits29,621 92,602 122,251 59,992 304,466 57,154 11 — 361,631 
Borrowings9,825 — — — 9,825 — — — 9,825 
Redeemable subordinated debentures— 18,000 — — 18,000 — — 557 18,557 
Non-interest-bearing sources— — — — — — — 215,688 215,688 
 $437,065 $110,602 $122,251 $60,039 $729,957 $322,786 $112,711 $641,455 $1,806,909 
Asset (Liability) Sensitivity Gap :         
Period Gap$357,428 $(34,898)$(58,855)$62,620 $326,295 $223,142 $(35,545)$(513,892)— 
Cumulative Gap$357,428 $322,530 $263,675 $326,295 $326,295 $549,437 $513,892 — — 
Cumulative Gap to Total Assets19.8 %17.8 %14.6 %18.1 %18.1 %30.4 %28.4 %— — 
 
Under the Company’s interest rate risk policy established by its Board of Directors, quantitative guidelines have been established with respect to the Company’s interest rate risk and how interest rate shocks are projected to affect the Company’s net interest income and economic value of equity (“EVE”). The Company engages the services of an outside consultant to assist with the measurement and analysis of interest rate risk. The Company uses a combination of analyses to monitor its exposure to changes in interest rates. The EVE analysis is a financial model that estimates the change in EVE over a range of instantaneously shocked interest rate scenarios. EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. In calculating changes in EVE, assumptions estimating loan prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and deposit decay rates that seem most likely based on historical experience during prior interest rate changes are employed. The net interest income simulation uses data derived from an asset and liability analysis and applies several elements, including actual interest rate indices and margins, contractual limitations and the U.S. Treasury yield curve as of the balance sheet date. The financial model uses immediate parallel yield curve shocks (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income as if the theoretical rate shocks occurred. The EVE analysis and net interest income simulation model results are presented quarterly to the Asset/Liability Committee of the Board of Directors. Summarized below are the projected effects of a parallel shift of increases of 100, 200 and 300 basis points, respectively, in market rates on the Company’s net interest income and EVE. Due to the historically low interest rate environment at December 31, 2020 a parallel shift down of 100 basis points was presented.
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 Next 12 Months
Change in Interest Rates
Economic Value of Equity (2)
Net Interest Income
Basis Point (bp) (1)
DollarDollarPercentageDollarDollarPercentage
(Dollars in thousands)AmountChangeChangeAmountChangeChange
 +300 bp$227,451 $7,411 3.37 %$67,688 $4,551 7.21 %
 +200 bp225,384 5,344 2.43 %65,755 2,618 4.15 %
 +100 bp222,891 2,851 1.30 %63,735 598 0.95 %
0 bp220,040 — — 63,137 — — %
  -100 bp206,689 (13,351)(6.07)%64,245 1,108 1.75 %

(1)Assumes an instantaneous and parallel shift in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.

The above table indicates that, as of December 31, 2020, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, the Company would be expected to experience a 2.43% increase in EVE and a $2.6 million, or 4.15%, increase in net interest income over the next twelve months. This data does not reflect any future actions that management may take in response to changes in interest rates, such as changing the mix of assets and liabilities, which could change the results of the EVE and net interest income calculations.
 
Certain shortcomings are inherent in any methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in EVE and net interest income require certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the estimated EVE and net interest income presented above assumes that the composition of the Company’s interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and, accordingly, the data does not reflect any actions that the Company may take in response to changes in interest rates. The estimates also assume a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or the repricing characteristics of specific assets and liabilities. Although the estimated EVE and net interest income provide an indication of the Company’s sensitivity to interest rate changes at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effects of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s EVE and net interest income and will differ from actual results.

On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), a regulator of financial services firms in the United Kingdom, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. The FCA and submitting LIBOR banks have indicated they will support the LIBOR indices through 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate. In the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates include proposals by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee of the Federal Reserve Board. Other financial services regulators and industry groups are evaluating the possible phase-out of LIBOR and the development of alternate reference rate indices or reference rates. Some of our assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR. We are evaluating the potential impact of the possible replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, whether the alternative rates the Federal Reserve Board proposes to publish will become market benchmarks in place of LIBOR, or what the impact of such a transition will have on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that overnight 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month LIBOR settings will end on June 30, 2023. Reform of, or the replacement or phasing out of, LIBOR and proposed regulation of LIBOR and other “benchmarks” may materially adversely affect the amount of interest paid on any LIBOR-based loans, investment securities and borrowings of the Company and the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
The Company's Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring asset liability management strategies and advising the Board on such strategies, as well as the related level of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk simulation models are prepared on a quarterly basis. These models demonstrate balance sheet gaps and predict changes to net interest income and the economic market value of portfolio equity under various interest rate scenarios.

71


ALCO is generally authorized to manage interest rate risk through the management of capital, cash flows and duration of assets and liabilities, including sales and purchases of assets, as well as additions of borrowings and other sources of medium or longer term funding.

The following strategies are among those used to manage interest rate risk:

Actively market commercial business loan originations, which tend to have adjustable rate features and which generate customer relationships that can result in higher core deposit accounts;
Actively market commercial mortgage loan originations, which tend to have shorter terms and higher interest rates than residential mortgage loans and which generate customer relationships that can result in higher core deposit accounts;
Actively market core deposit relationships, which are generally longer duration liabilities;
Utilize short term and long term certificates of deposit and/or wholesale borrowings to manage liability duration;
Closely monitor and actively manage the investment portfolio, including management of duration, prepayment and interest rate risk;
Maintain adequate levels of capital; and
Utilize loan sales and/or loan participations.

ALCO uses simulation modeling to analyze the Company's net interest income sensitivity as well as the Company's economic value of portfolio equity under various interest rate scenarios. The model is based on the actual maturity and estimated repricing characteristics of rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The model incorporates certain prepayment and interest rate assumptions, which management believes to be reasonable as of December 31, 2020. The model assumes changes in interest rates without any proactive change in the balance sheet by management. In the model, the forecasted shape of the yield curve remained static as of December 31, 2020.

In an immediate and sustained 100 basis point increase in market interest rates at December 31, 2020, net interest income for year one would increase approximately 0.95%, when compared to a flat interest rate scenario. In year two, this sensitivity improves to an increase of 2.00%, when compared to a flat interest rate scenario. In an immediate and sustained 100 basis points decrease in market interest rates, net interest income for year one would increase approximately 1.75% and would increase approximately 3.60% in year two.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk. Simulation modeling requires making certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the modeling assumes that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the information provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results.

Model simulation results indicate the Company is asset sensitive, which indicates the Company's net interest income should increase in a rising rate environment and decrease in a falling rate environment. Management believes the Company's interest rate risk position is balanced and reasonable.
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
Reference is made to Items 15(a)(1) and (2) on page 75 for a list of financial statements and supplementary data required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8.  The information required by this Item 8 is provided beginning on page 75 hereof.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures.

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and
72


reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of the Company’s management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based upon such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of its management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness; yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the Company’s financial reporting.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on their assessment using those criteria, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Management is also responsible for compliance with laws and regulations relating to safety and soundness which are designated by the FDIC and the appropriate federal banking agency. Management assessed its compliance with these designated laws and regulations relating to safety and soundness and concluded that the Company complied, in all significant respects, with such laws and regulations during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

In accordance with Item 308(b) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, this annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting because the Company is a smaller reporting company that is not an accelerated filer.
73



Item 9B.  Other Information.
 
None. 

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the 2021 Proxy Statement under the captions "Directors," "Corporate Governance" and "Stock Ownership of Management and Principal Shareholders," except for disclosure of our executive officers, which is included in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the section titled “Information about our Executive Officers.”


Item 11.  Executive Compensation.
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the 2021 Proxy Statement under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”

 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table shows information at December 31, 2020 for all equity compensation plans under which shares of our common stock may be issued.
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding OptionsWeighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding OptionsNumber of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Plan Category(a)(b)(c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
134,122 $11.61 375,266 
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
— — — 
Total134,122 $11.61 375,266 

The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the 2021 Proxy Statement under the captions "Equity Plans" and "Stock Ownership of Management and Principal Shareholders."
 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the 2021 Proxy Statement under the captions "Certain Transactions with Management" and "Corporate Governance."

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the 2021 Proxy Statement under the caption "Principal Accounting Fees and Services."

74


PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)     The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:


    1. Financial Statements

    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    Financial Statements of 1st Constitution Bancorp.

Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Consolidated Statements of Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

These statements are incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2020.

    2. Financial Schedules

All schedules are omitted because they are either inapplicable or not required, or because the information required therein is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
 
    3.    Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.Description
 
 
 
75


#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
 
 
 
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
76


#
#
#
#
#
* #
#
#
#
#
#
#
*
*
*
*
*
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
101.SCH*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
77


101.PRE*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

___________________________
*      Filed herewith.
#      Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b)      Exhibits.

The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are included in the Exhibit Index above under a(3) of this Item 15.

(c)      Financial Statement Schedules

See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.



Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary.

Not applicable.

78



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
1st Constitution Bancorp
Cranbury, New Jersey

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 1st Constitution Bancorp (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases (Topic 842).

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allowance for Loan Losses

As described in Notes 1 and 5 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level sufficient to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The Company’s allowance for loan losses (ALL) related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment was $13.5 million of a total allowance for loan losses of $15.6 million at December 31, 2020. The ALL estimate consists of both quantitative and qualitative factors. Significant judgment is used by management to determine the effect of the qualitative factors on the estimation of inherent losses for loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

We identified the qualitative factors used to estimate the ALL for loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment as a critical audit matter. The estimate of the ALL for these loans was sensitive to certain qualitative factors, including local and national economic trends, which include COVID-19 considerations. Auditing these qualitative factors required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of audit effort due to uncertainty caused by the inherent uncertainties related to the state of the economy.


79


The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

Assessing the design and testing the operating effectiveness of controls over Company’s estimate of the ALL for loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions and the completeness and accuracy of data used to develop the qualitative factors described above.

Assessing the reasonableness of the Company’s assumptions about credit quality due to changes in local and national economic trends, including the impact of COVID-19, by (i) assessing whether the assumptions reflected relevant considerations and were reasonable for the purpose used and (ii) verifying the accuracy and relevance of the data used in developing the assumptions.

Evaluating data used in developing the qualitative factors by comparing the data to other third-party data available in the Company’s geography, and evaluating any contradictory evidence identified.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment

As described in Notes 1 and 9 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was $34.7 million as of December 31, 2020, which is allocated to the Company’s single reporting unit. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events and circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. During each of the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that a triggering event occurred due to a decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At September 30, 2020, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test. No impairment charges were recorded as a result of the Company’s interim and annual impairment tests. The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting unit using an income approach.

We identified the estimate of the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit as part of the interim and annual impairment assessments as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are: (i) the fair value estimate was sensitive to changes in the significant assumptions, including those used to develop the projected cash flows, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of personnel with specialized skill and knowledge. The significant assumptions which reflect expectations about future economic conditions were especially challenging to test and required significant auditor judgment due to the inherent uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
Assessing the design and testing the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s estimate of the fair value of its reporting unit, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above.

Evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used in the projected cash flows by comparing them to historical results and market data and considering the effect of COVID-19.

Utilizing personnel with specialized skill and knowledge in valuation to assist in (i) assessing the appropriateness of the valuation method and implied control premium and (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of the discount rate and terminal growth rate.



/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 15, 2021
80


1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)
 20202019
ASSETS  
Cash and due from banks$3,661 $2,547 
Interest-earning deposits18,334 12,295 
Total cash and cash equivalents21,995 14,842 
Investment securities:  
Available for sale, at fair value125,197 155,782 
       Held to maturity (fair value of $95,640 and $78,223 at December 31, 2020 and 2019,
       respectively)
92,552 76,620 
Total investment securities217,749 232,402 
Loans held for sale29,782 5,927 
Loans1,433,706 1,216,028 
  Less: allowance for loan losses(15,641)(9,271)
Net loans1,418,065 1,206,757 
Premises and equipment, net14,345 15,262 
Right-of-use assets16,548 17,957 
Accrued interest receivable5,273 4,945 
Bank-owned life insurance37,316 36,678 
Other real estate owned92 571 
Goodwill and intangible assets36,003 36,779 
Other assets9,741 14,142 
Total assets$1,806,909 $1,586,262 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
LIABILITIES  
Deposits  
Non-interest bearing$425,210 $287,555 
Interest bearing1,137,629 989,807 
Total deposits1,562,839 1,277,362 
Short-term borrowings9,825 92,050 
Redeemable subordinated debentures18,557 18,557 
Accrued interest payable851 1,592 
Lease liability17,387 18,617 
Accrued expense and other liabilities9,793 7,506 
Total liabilities1,619,252 1,415,684 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
  
Common stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 10,293,535 and
  10,224,974 shares issued and 10,245,826 and 10,191,676 shares outstanding as
  of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
111,135 109,964 
Retained earnings75,201 60,791 
Treasury stock, 47,709 and 33,298 shares at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(611)(368)
Accumulated other comprehensive income1,932 191 
Total shareholders' equity187,657 170,578 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,806,909 $1,586,262 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
81


1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 202020192018
INTEREST INCOME  
Loans, including fees$63,808 $53,537 $45,202 
Securities:
Taxable3,289 4,710 4,024 
Tax-exempt1,942 1,667 1,989 
Federal funds sold and short-term investments107 176 258 
Total interest income69,146 60,090 51,473 
INTEREST EXPENSE  
Deposits9,981 11,094 6,511 
Borrowings228 912 836 
Redeemable subordinated debentures434 748 694 
Total interest expense10,643 12,754 8,041 
Net interest income58,503 47,336 43,432 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES6,698 1,350 900 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses51,805 45,986 42,532 
NON-INTEREST INCOME  
Service charges on deposit accounts601 663 638 
Gain on sales of loans, net10,230 4,885 4,475 
Income on bank-owned life insurance818 623 575 
Gain from bargain purchase  230 
Gain on sales/calls of securities101 30 12 
Other income2,893 2,036 1,988 
Total non-interest income14,643 8,237 7,918 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES  
Salaries and employee benefits26,681 21,304 19,853 
Occupancy expense4,776 4,100 3,623 
Data processing expenses1,871 1,507 1,332 
FDIC insurance expense816 154 486 
Other real estate owned expenses72 171 158 
Merger-related expenses64 1,730 2,141 
Other operating expenses7,475 6,583 6,492 
Total non-interest expenses41,755 35,549 34,085 
Income before income taxes24,693 18,674 16,365 
INCOME TAXES6,607 5,040 4,317 
Net Income$18,086 $13,634 $12,048 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE  
Basic$1.77 $1.54 $1.45 
Diluted1.76 1.53 1.40 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic10,220,319 8,875,237 8,320,718 
Diluted10,260,965 8,933,471 8,593,509 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
82


1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
 
202020192018
Net income$18,086 $13,634 $12,048 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale2,203 2,651 (1,624)
Tax effect(533)(646)388 
     Net of tax amount1,670 2,005 (1,236)
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains on securities available for sale (1)
(1)(30)(12)
Tax effect (2)
 7 3 
     Net of tax amount(1)(23)(9)
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized impairment loss on held to maturity security(3)
20 9  
Tax effect(6)(1) 
     Net of tax amount14 8  
Pension liability282 222 269 
Tax effect(84)(66)(77)
     Net of tax amount198 156 192 
Reclassification adjustment for actuarial gains for unfunded pension liability (4)
(202)(176)(62)
Tax effect (2)
62 54 18 
     Net of tax amount(140)(122)(44)
     Total other comprehensive income (loss)1,741 2,024 (1,097)
Comprehensive income$19,827 $15,658 $10,951 
 
(1)Included in gain on sale of securities on the consolidated statements of income
(2)Included in income taxes on the consolidated statements of income
(3)Included in investment securities held to maturity on the consolidated balance sheet
(4)Included in salaries and employee benefits expense on the consolidated statements of income



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
83


1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Common
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Shareholders'
Equity
Balance, January 1, 2018$72,935 $39,822 $(368)$(736)$111,653 
Net income— 12,048 — — 12,048 
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares (12,762 shares and 62,150 shares, respectively)
88 — — — 88 
Share-based compensation1,019 — — — 1,019 
Exercise of stock warrants (198,378 shares)
— — — —  
Issuance of common stock (249,785 shares)
5,494 5,494 
Cash dividends ($0.255 per share)
— (2,120)— — (2,120)
Other comprehensive loss— — — (1,097)(1,097)
Balance, December 31, 201879,536 49,750 (368)(1,833)127,085 
Net income— 13,634 — — 13,634 
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares (24,277 shares and 53,931 shares, respectively)
149 — — — 149 
Share-based compensation1,104 — — — 1,104 
Issuance of common stock (1,509,275 shares)
29,175 — — — 29,175 
Cash dividends declared ($0.30 per share)
— (2,593)— — (2,593)
Other comprehensive income— — — 2,024 2,024 
Balance, December 31, 2019109,964 60,791 (368)191 170,578 
Net income— 18,086 — — 18,086 
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares (10,536 shares and 59,500 shares, respectively)
39 — — — 39 
Share-based compensation1,132 — — — 1,132 
Purchase of treasury shares (14,411)
— — (243)— (243)
Cash dividends declared ($0.36 per share)
— (3,676)— — (3,676)
Other comprehensive income— — — 1,741 1,741 
Balance, December 31, 2020$111,135 $75,201 $(611)$1,932 $187,657 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
202020192018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income$18,086 $13,634 $12,048 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Provision for loan losses6,698 1,350 900 
Depreciation and amortization2,053 1,444 1,389 
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities1,229 675 556 
SBA loan discount accretion(390)(391)(323)
Gain from bargain purchase  (230)
Gain on sales/calls of securities available for sale(1)(30)(12)
Gain on sales/calls of securities held to maturity(100)  
(Gain) loss on sales of other real estate owned(75)101  
Gain on sales of loans held for sale(10,230)(4,885)(4,475)
Originations of loans held for sale(354,089)(146,808)(111,109)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale340,464 148,786 116,818 
Increase in cash surrender value on bank-owned life insurance(743)(623)(589)
(Gain) loss on cash surrender value on bank-owned life insurance(75) 14 
Share-based compensation expense1,132 1,104 1,019 
Deferred tax (income) expense(1,911)604 305 
Noncash rent and equipment expense179 192  
Re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities  (28)
Increase in accrued interest receivable(328)(307)(123)
Decrease (increase) in other assets3,135 510 (1,589)
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable(741)364 424 
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities2,366 (2,459)2,333 
Net cash provided by operating activities6,659 13,261 17,328 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of securities :
Available for sale(27,485)(33,972)(35,209)
Held to maturity(45,730)(16,188)(7,723)
Proceeds from sales, calls, maturities and prepayments of securities:
Available for sale59,489 39,086 17,664 
Held to maturity29,474 18,891 38,192 
Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance benefits paid180  893 
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance (100) 
Net redemption (purchase) of restricted stock2,677 (272)(2,510)
Net increase in loans(217,616)(127,121)(19,762)
Capital expenditures(421)(161)(648)
Forfeitable deposit on other real estate owned  175 
Net cash paid for NJCB Merger  (996)
Net cash received from the Shore Merger 7,441  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned554 2,448  
Net cash used in investing activities(198,878)(109,948)(9,924)
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Exercise of stock options39 149 88 
Purchase of treasury shares(243)  
Cash dividends paid to shareholders(3,676)(2,593)(2,120)
Net increase (decrease) in deposits285,477 76,854 (58,557)
(Decrease) increase in overnight borrowings(82,225)20,275 51,275 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities199,372 94,685 (9,314)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents7,153 (2,002)(1,910)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year14,842 16,844 18,754 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$21,995 $14,842 $16,844 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for :
Interest$11,384 $12,387 $7,617 
Income taxes6,240 6,108 3,226 
Noncash items:
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned  1,460 
Right-of-use assets337 15,674  
Lease liability337 16,142  
Acquisition of Shore Community Bank in 2019 and New Jersey Community Bank in 2018
Noncash assets acquired:
Investment securities available for sale$ 26,440 11,173 
Loans 205,833 75,144 
Premises and equipment, net 4,433 1,120 
Bank-owned life insurance 7,250 3,972 
Accrued interest receivable 778 259 
Core deposit intangible asset 1,467 80 
Other real estate owned 605 1,230 
Right-of-use assets 3,226  
Other assets 2,904 1,601 
$ $252,936 $94,579 
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits$ $249,836 $87,223 
Lease liability 3,226  
Other liabilities 948 636 
$ $254,010 $87,859 
Goodwill recorded from the Shore Merger 1
$ $22,808 $ 
Common stock issued for NJCB Merger  5,494 
Common stock issued for Shore Merger$ $29,175 $ 

1.At the time of the Shore acquisition tax liabilities were estimated. Subsequently new information was obtained from facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the Shore acquisition, which resulted in a $386,000 reduction of the estimated tax liability and a corresponding decrease in goodwill to $22.8 million at December 31, 2020. See Note 2: Acquisitions.




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020 and 2019

1.           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
1ST Constitution Bancorp (the “Company”) is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and was organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  The Company is the parent to 1ST Constitution Bank (the “Bank”), a New Jersey state-chartered commercial bank.  The Bank provides community banking services to a broad range of customers, including corporations, individuals, partnerships and other community organizations in the central, coastal and northeastern New Jersey areas.  The Bank conducts its operations through its main office located in Cranbury, New Jersey and operated, as of December 31, 2020, 24 additional branch offices in Asbury Park, Cranbury, Fair Haven, Fort Lee, Freehold, Hamilton Square, Hightstown, Hillsborough, Hopewell, Jackson, Jamesburg, Lawrenceville, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manahawkin, Neptune City, Perth Amboy, Plainsboro, Princeton, Rumson, Shrewsbury, Skillman and two offices in Toms River, New Jersey. The Bank also operates one residential mortgage loan production office in Jersey City, New Jersey.
 
The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2020 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.  The evaluation was conducted through the date these financial statements were issued.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for that period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary security impairment, the fair value of other real estate owned, if any, and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, 1ST Constitution Investment Company of New Jersey, Inc., 1ST Constitution Real Estate Corporation and FCB Assets Holdings, Inc. 1ST Constitution Capital Trust II, a subsidiary of the Company (“Trust II”), is not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as it is a variable interest entity and the Company is not the primary beneficiary. While the following footnotes include the collective results of the Company and the Bank, the footnotes primarily reflect the Bank's and its subsidiaries' activities. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

COVID-19 Impact: The sudden emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, and the responses thereto (including business and school closures, restrictions on travel and social distancing protocols), has caused, and is expected to continue to cause, widespread uncertainty, social and economic disruption, highly volatile financial markets and unprecedented increases in unemployment levels in a short period of time. As a result, almost all businesses located in the Bank’s primary market areas of northern and central New Jersey, communities along the New Jersey shore, and the New York City metropolitan area, and their employees, have been adversely impacted.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the businesses and the people in the communities that the Bank serves, and on the Company’s operations and financial performance, will depend on future developments related to the duration, extent and
severity of the pandemic and measures taken by governmental and private parties in response thereto, including but not limited to the enactment of further legislation or the adoption of policies designed to deliver monetary aid and other relief to borrowers. In addition, to the extent that the Bank’s customers are not able to fulfill their contractual obligations, the Company’s business operations, asset valuations, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted. Material adverse impacts may also include all or a combination of valuation impairments on our intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, or other real estate owned ("OREO"). Similarly, the Company’s operations rely on third-party vendors to process, record and monitor transactions. If any of these vendors are unable to provide these services, our ability to serve customers could be disrupted. The pandemic could also negatively impact customers’ ability to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The Company’s operations could also be adversely impacted if key personnel or a significant number of employees were unable to work due to illness or restrictions.

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On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted to provide relief for individuals and businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the provisions, the CARES Act includes a provision for the Company to opt out of applying the “troubled-debt restructuring” accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310-40 for certain loan modifications. Loan modifications made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) December 30, 2020 or (ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for this relief if the related loans were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Bank adopted this provision as of March 31, 2020. During 2020, $149.3 million of loans ($140.9 million of commercial loans and $8.4 million of consumer loans) were modified to provide deferral of interest and or principal by borrowers for up to 90 days. As of December 31, 2020, all loans that had previously received deferrals were no longer deferred, except that one commercial real estate loan with a balance of $6.0 million received an additional deferral of principal payments of up to 90 days and two commercial real estate loans totaling $4.6 million were placed on nonaccrual status in the third quarter of 2020.

The Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Business, Not for Profits and Venues Act (“Economic Aid Act”) was enacted in December 2020 in further response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the Economic Aid Act provides relief to borrowers in the form of access to additional credit through the SBA's PPP program originally constituted under the CARES Act. In addition, the Economic Aid Act extended the relief from ASC Topic 310-40, such that the Company is able to opt out of applying the “troubled-debt restructuring” accounting guidance for loan modifications made between January 1, 2021 and the earlier of (i) December 30, 2021 or (ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency; provided, that, the modified loans were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Bank adopted this provision as of December 31, 2020.

The Bank is actively participating in the SBA’s PPP lending program. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank funded SBA PPP loans totaling $75.6 million, $15.8 million of which have been forgiven by the SBA. Since December 31, 2020, the Bank has funded an additional $29.8 million of PPP loans as of March 12, 2021.

Concentration of Credit Risk: Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company and its subsidiaries to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of investment securities and loans. At December 31, 2020, 38.1% of our investment securities portfolio consisted of U.S. Government and Agency issues and collateralized mortgage obligations collateralized by agency mortgage backed securities. In addition, 40.7% of the portfolio consisted of municipal bonds.  The remaining 21.2% of our investment securities consisted of corporate debt and asset-backed issues.  The Bank’s lending activity is primarily concentrated in loans collateralized by real estate located primarily in the State of New Jersey.  As a result, credit risk is broadly dependent on the real estate market and general economic conditions in that state.

Interest Rate Risk: The Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using these deposits, together with other funds, to purchase investment securities and to make loans, the majority of which are secured by real estate.  The potential for interest-rate risk exists as a result of the Company's generally shorter duration of interest-sensitive assets compared to the generally longer duration of interest-sensitive liabilities.  In a changing interest rate environment, assets held by the Bank will re-price faster than liabilities of the Bank, thereby affecting net interest income.  For this reason, management regularly monitors the maturity structure and rate adjustment features of the Bank’s assets and liabilities in order to measure its level of interest-rate risk and to plan for future volatility.

Investment Securities: Investment securities which the Company has the intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as held to maturity and are recorded at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.  Investment securities that are held for indefinite periods of time, that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy, or that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, increased capital requirements or other similar factors, are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  Realized gains and losses, which are computed using the specific identification method, are recognized in earnings on a trade date basis.

If the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost, the security is deemed to be impaired.  Management evaluates all securities with unrealized losses quarterly to determine if such impairments are temporary or other-than-temporary in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Temporary impairments on available for sale securities are recognized, on a tax-effected basis, through OCI with offsetting adjustments to the carrying value of the security and the balance of related deferred taxes. Temporary impairments of held to maturity securities are not recorded in the consolidated financial statements; however, information concerning the amount and duration of impairments on held to maturity securities are disclosed.
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Other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") on all debt securities or debt securities that the Company has decided to sell, or will, more likely than not, be required to sell prior to the full recovery of fair value to a level equal to or exceeding amortized cost, are recognized in earnings. If neither of these conditions regarding the likelihood of sale for a debt security apply, the OTTI is bifurcated into credit-related and noncredit-related components. Credit-related impairment generally represents the amount by which the present value of the cash flows that are expected to be collected on a debt security fall below its amortized cost. The noncredit-related component represents the remaining portion of the impairment not otherwise designated as credit-related. The Company recognizes credit-related OTTI in earnings. Noncredit-related OTTI on debt securities are recognized in OCI.  
 
Premiums and discounts on all securities are amortized/accreted to maturity by use of the level-yield method considering the impact of principal amortization and prepayments. Premiums on purchased callable debt securities are amortized to the earliest call date.

Federal law requires a member institution of the FHLB system to hold restricted stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula.  The Bank’s investment in the restricted stock of the FHLB of New York is carried at cost and is included in other assets. The investment in FHLB stock was $1.5 million and $4.2 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
 
Management evaluates the FHLB restricted stock for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of their cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.  The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of their cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB. Management believes no impairment charge is necessary related to the FHLB stock as of December 31, 2020.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance: The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”).  BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Company on a select group of its executives, directors, officers and employees.  The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies.  This pool of insurance, due to the advantages of the Bank, is profitable to the Company.  This profitability offsets a portion of current and future benefit costs and is intended to provide a funding source for the payment of future benefits.  The Bank’s deposits fund BOLI and the earnings from BOLI are recognized as non-interest income.

Loans and Loans Held For Sale: Loans that management intends to hold to maturity are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income.  Unearned income is recognized over the lives of the respective loans, principally using the effective interest method.  Interest income is generally not accrued on loans, including impaired loans, where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection, or on loans where management has determined that the borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal and/or interest obligations.  When it is probable that, based upon current information, the Bank will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan, the loan is reported as impaired.  Smaller balance homogeneous type loans, such as residential loans and loans to individuals, which are collectively evaluated, are generally excluded from consideration for impairment.  Loan impairment is measured based upon the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the underlying fair value of collateral for collateral dependent loans.  When a loan, including an impaired loan, is placed on nonaccrual, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income.  Nonaccrual loans are generally not returned to accruing status until principal and interest payments have been brought current and full collectability is reasonably assured.  Cash receipts on nonaccrual and impaired loans are applied to principal, unless the loan is deemed fully collectible.  

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregated cost or fair value. The fair value of loans held for sale are determined, when possible, using quoted secondary market prices.  If no such quoted market prices exist, fair values are determined using quoted prices for similar loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of the loans.  Realized gains and losses on loans held for sale are recognized at settlement date and are determined based on the cost, including deferred net loan origination fees and the costs of the specific loans sold. Residential mortgage loans are sold with servicing released.

The Bank accounts for its transfers and servicing of financial assets in accordance with ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” ("ASC Topic 860").  The Bank originates residential mortgages under a definitive plan to sell those loans with
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servicing generally released.  Residential mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. The Bank also originates commercial loans, of which a portion are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"). The guaranteed portion of the loans is generally sold into the secondary market. Gains and losses on sales are also accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 860.

The Bank enters into commitments to originate residential mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (“rate lock commitments”).  Rate lock commitments on residential mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. Time elapsing between the issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 120 days. The Bank protects itself from changes in interest rates on residential mortgage loans with rate lock commitments through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Bank commits to sell a loan at a specific price. As a result, the Bank is generally not exposed to changes in the market value of the residential mortgage loan due to changes in interest rates.

The fair value of rate lock commitments are not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. The Bank estimates the fair value of rate lock commitments based upon the forward sales price for the residential mortgage that is obtained in the best efforts commitment while taking into consideration the probability that the loan commitments will close. The estimated fair value of rate lock commitments was $537,000 and $159,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

ASC Topic 460, "Guarantees," requires a guarantor entity, at the inception of a guarantee covered by the measurement provisions of the interpretation, to record a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the financial performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support contracts entered into by customers. Most guarantees extend for one year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank defines the fair value of these letters of credit as the fees paid by the customer or similar fees collected on similar instruments.  The Bank amortizes the fees collected over the life of the instrument.  The Bank generally obtains collateral, such as real estate or liens on customer assets, for these types of commitments. The Bank’s potential liability would be reduced by any proceeds obtained in liquidation of the collateral. The Bank had standby letters of credit for customers aggregating $686,000 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These letters of credit are primarily related to real estate lending and the approximate value of underlying collateral upon liquidation is expected to be sufficient to cover this maximum potential exposure at December 31, 2020. The amount of the liability related to guarantees under issued standby letters of credit was not material as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation reserve available for losses incurred or inherent in the loan portfolio and other extensions of credit. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy of the Bank.

All, or part, of the principal balance of commercial and commercial real estate loans and construction loans are charged off against the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely.  Consumer loans are generally charged off no later than 120 days past due on a contractual basis, or earlier in the event of bankruptcy, or if there is an amount deemed uncollectible.  Because all identified losses are charged off, no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or groups of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.

Loans are placed in a nonaccrual status when the ultimate collectability of principal or interest in whole, or in part, is in doubt.  Commercial loans contractually past-due 90 days or more for either principal or interest are also placed in nonaccrual status unless they are both well secured and in the process of collection. Residential mortgage loans are placed in non accrual status when the loans are contractually past due 120 days. Impaired loans are evaluated individually.

Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality.  PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, "Receivables, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses).  The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the PCI loans or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of the loans.  Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a
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yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance.  Reclassifications of the non-accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loans and result in an increase in yield on a prospective basis.

The following is our charge-off policy for our loan segments:

Commercial, Commercial Real Estate and Construction

Loans are generally fully or partially charged down to the fair value of collateral securing the asset when:

Management judges the loan to be uncollectible;
Repayment is deemed to be protracted beyond reasonable time frames;
The loan has been classified as a loss by either internal loan review process or external examiners;
The customer has filed bankruptcy and the loss becomes evident owing to a lack of assets; or
The loan is significantly past due unless both well secured and in the process of collection.

Consumer

Consumer loans are generally charged off no later than 120 days past due on a contractual basis, earlier in the event of bankruptcy, or if there is an amount deemed uncollectible.  
 
Leases: The Company leases real property for its branch offices and general office space. Generally, the leases include one or more options to extend the lease term. In addition, the Company also leases office equipment, consisting of copiers, printers and one automobile. None of the equipment leases include extensions and generally have three to five year terms.

The Company accounts for the leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842 “Leases.” The new standard requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset ("ROU") and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2019 and recognized a lease liability and a ROU on its balance sheet based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments. The lease expense is recognized based on the terms of the leases. The new guidance includes a number of optional transition-related practical expedients. The Company elected to apply the practical expedients that relate to: the identification and classification of leases that commenced before January 1, 2019 and the initial direct costs of these leases.

Premises and Equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial reporting purposes and using the mandated methods by asset type for income tax purposes. Building, furniture and fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements are depreciated or amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets or lease terms, as applicable. Estimated useful lives of buildings are forty years, furniture and fixtures and equipment are three to fifteen years and leasehold improvements are generally three to ten years.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
The Bank accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” which requires recognition and measurement for the impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used or to be disposed of by sale.  The Bank had no impaired long-lived assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Income Taxes: There are two components of income tax expense or benefit: current and deferred.  Current income tax expense or benefit approximates cash to be paid or refunded for taxes for the applicable period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized due to differences between the basis of assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and their basis as reported in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets are subject to management’s judgment based upon available evidence that future realizations are likely. If management determines that the Company may not be able to realize some or all of the net deferred tax asset in the future, a charge to income tax expense may be required to increase the valuation reserve of the net deferred tax asset. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax expense or benefit is recognized for the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

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The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes," which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has not identified any significant income tax uncertainties through the evaluation of its income tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and has not recognized any liabilities for tax uncertainties as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense; such amounts were not significant during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The tax years subject to federal examination are the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The tax years subject to state examination are the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The tax year 2020 will be open for federal and state examination when filed.

On March 27, 2020, the president signed into law the CARES Act, which among other provisions, allows for refundable payroll credits for qualified employers, deferment of the employer portion of social security payments, extends net operating loss carryback periods, accelerates alternate minimum tax credit refunds, increases limitations on net interest deductions and qualified charitable contributions and accelerates tax depreciation for qualified improvement property. The tax laws changes under the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO"): OREO obtained through loan foreclosures or the receipt of deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure is recorded at the fair value of the related property, as determined by current appraisals less estimated costs to sell at the initial transfer from the loan portfolio. Write-downs on these properties, which occur after the initial transfer from the loan portfolio, are recorded as operating expenses.  Costs of holding such properties are charged to expense in the current period.  Gains, to the extent realized, and losses on the disposition of these properties are reflected in current operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting.  Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicated that there may be impairment, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.”  Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level and an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Core deposit intangibles are a measure of the value of non-maturity checking, money market and savings deposits acquired in business combinations accounted for under the acquisition accounting method.  Core deposit intangibles are amortized over their estimated lives (ranging from five to ten years) and identifiable intangible assets are evaluated for impairment if events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment.  

The Company evaluates its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if there is a triggering event which indicates that there is an impairment. In completing the impairment testing the Company identified a single reporting unit and the $34.7 million of goodwill at December 31, 2020 was assigned to the single reporting unit.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a broad decline in the market values of all banking company stock, the marker price of the Company's common stock and the resulting aggregate market capitalization of the Company declined. During each of the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that a triggering event occurred due to the decline in the Company's stock price and market capitalization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In each quarterly period, management concluded that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value and the goodwill was not impaired. At September 30, 2020, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation methodology based upon an updated five year projection of the Company’s financial performance. A discount rate was estimated utilizing the build up method with a risk free rate, an equity risk premium and a size premium. This discount rate was applied to the projected cash flows over the five year period, which included a terminal value in year five based on a multiple of the projected cash flow in year five. The year five terminal multiple was based upon the observed average market price to earnings multiple for the trailing last twelve months of earnings for companies included in the SNL US Bank Index at September 30, 2020. This multiple does not include a control premium. This estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value of shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020 by 10.3%.

On the basis of the evaluation of goodwill, management concluded that it was more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit. Accordingly, goodwill was not impaired and no impairment charges were recorded as a result of Company's interim and annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting unit using the income approach.

If the Company’s common stock price remains below the Company’s book value per common share in future periods, the Company will continue to evaluate goodwill for impairment on a quarterly basis. Changes in economic conditions, actual loan
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losses at levels higher than projected, changes in market interest rates and changes in discount rates and valuation multiples may affect the Company’s financial projections and valuation. The Company may determine that goodwill becomes impaired in a future period and a portion or all of the goodwill may be written off. Any impairment loss related to goodwill and other intangible assets is reflected as other non-interest expense in the statement of income in the period in which the impairment was determined. No assurance can be given that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.  See Note 9 – "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" - for additional information.

Share-Based Compensation: The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock awards and options in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”  The expense of stock-based compensation is generally measured at fair value at the grant date with compensation expense recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.  The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant.  The Black-Scholes model takes into consideration the exercise price and expected life of the options, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, the expected dividends on the stock and the current risk-free interest rate for the expected life of the option.  The Company’s estimate of the fair value of a stock option is based on expectations derived from historical experience and may not necessarily equate to its market value when fully vested.   See Note 16 – “Share-Based Compensation” - for additional information.

Benefit Plans: The Company provides certain retirement savings benefits to employees under a 401(k) plan.  The Company’s contributions to the 401(k) plan are expensed as incurred.

The Company also provides retirement benefits to certain employees under supplemental executive retirement plans.  The plans are unfunded and the Company accrues actuarially determined benefit costs over the estimated service period of the employees in the plans.  In accordance with ASC Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits,” the Company recognizes the unfunded status of these postretirement plans as a liability in its consolidated balance sheets and recognizes changes in that unfunded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, interest and non-interest bearing amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and short-term investments with original maturities less than 90 days.  Generally, federal funds are sold and short-term investments are made for a one or two-day period.

Advertising Costs: It is the Company’s policy to expense advertising costs in the period in which they are incurred.
 
Earnings Per Common Share: Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the assumed exercise of dilutive common stock warrants and common stock options using the treasury stock method.

Awards of restricted stock are included in outstanding shares when granted. Unvested shares of restricted stock are entitled to dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common shares. Dividends declared on unvested shares of restricted stocks are accrued and are paid when the shares vest. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and basic and diluted earnings per share are computed under the two-class method.

Dilutive securities in the tables below exclude common stock options and warrants with exercise prices that exceed the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the periods presented. Inclusion of these common stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per common share calculation. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 40,530, 27,930 and 19,350 options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share.


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The following table illustrates the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
(In thousands, except per share data)202020192018
Net income$18,086 $13,634 $12,048 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding10,220,319 8,875,237 8,320,718 
Plus: common stock equivalents40,646 58,234 272,791 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding10,260,965 8,933,471 8,593,509 
Earnings per share:
Basic$1.77 $1.54 $1.45 
Diluted1.76 1.53 1.40 

Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss).  Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, other-than-temporary non-credit related security impairments, and changes in the funded status of benefit plans.
 
Variable Interest Entities: Management has determined that Trust II qualifies as a variable interest entity under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” Trust II issued mandatorily redeemable preferred stock to investors, loaned the proceeds to the Company and holds, as its sole asset, subordinated debentures issued by the Company.  As a qualified variable interest entity, Trust II’s balance sheet and statement of operations have never been consolidated with those of the Company because the Company is not the primary beneficiary.
 
In March 2005, the Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") adopted a final rule that would continue to allow the inclusion of trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital, but with stricter quantitative limits. Under the final rule, after a five-year transition period, the aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements would be limited to 25% of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill. The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions.  Based on the final rule, the Company has included all of its $18.0 million in trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Segment Information: U.S. GAAP establishes standards for public business enterprises to report information about operating segments in their annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in subsequent interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also established standards for related disclosure about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. Operating segments are components of an enterprise, which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate and assess resources and performance. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company has one reportable segment, “Community Banking.”

The Company’s Community Banking segment consists of construction, commercial, retail and mortgage banking lending operations. The Community Banking segment is managed as a single strategic unit, which generates revenue from a variety of products and services provided by the Company. Construction, commercial, retail and mortgage lending is dependent upon the ability of the Company to fund itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate, liquidity and credit risk as a single unit.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period amounts to conform with the current period presentation.  Such reclassification had no impact on net income or total shareholders’ equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which requires credit losses on most financial assets to be measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected credit loss model (referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model).

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Under this model, entities will estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument (considering estimated
prepayments but not expected extensions or modifications unless reasonable expectation of a troubled debt restructuring exists)
from the date of initial recognition of that instrument.

The ASU also replaces the current accounting model for purchased credit impaired loans and debt securities. The allowance for
credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination ("PCD assets") should be determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis. Upon initial recognition, the allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price ("gross up approach") to determine the initial amortized cost basis. The subsequent accounting for PCD assets will use the CECL model described above.

The ASU made certain targeted amendments to the existing impairment model for available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities. For an AFS debt security for which there is neither the intent nor a more-likely-than-not requirement to sell, an entity will record credit losses as an allowance rather than a write-down of the amortized cost basis.

For the Company, the provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

The Company has completed the initial analysis of its financial assets and will continue to build and validate the CECL models in 2021 to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU make minor improvements to the Codification by eliminating certain inconsistencies and clarifying the current guidance.

In June 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief. This ASU provides optional targeted transition relief that allows reporting entities to irrevocably elect the fair value option on financial instruments that 1) were previously recorded at amortized cost and 2) are within the scope of Topic 326 if the instruments are eligible for the fair value option under Topic 825. The new guidance is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. See the discussions regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 above.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and
Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2019-10 provides that the FASB’s recently developed philosophy regarding the implementation of effective dates applies to ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), among other ASUs. For the Company, the provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. See the discussions regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 above.

Also in November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-11, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Codification improvements (Topic 326)” to clarify its new credit impairment guidance in ASC 326, based on implementation issues raised by stakeholders. ASU 2019-11 clarifies that expected recoveries are to be included in the allowance for credit losses for these financial assets; an accounting policy election can be made to adjust the effective interest rate for existing troubled debt restructurings based on the prepayment assumptions instead of the prepayment assumptions applicable immediately prior to the restructuring event; and extends the practical expedient to exclude accrued interest receivable from all additional relevant disclosures involving the amortized cost basis. For the Company, the provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. See the discussions regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 above.

ASU 2018-14 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 - “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20),” which consists of amendments to the disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments in this Update modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans.

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The following disclosure requirements are removed from Subtopic 715-20:

1.The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year;
2.The amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer;
3.The disclosures related to the June 2001 amendments to the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law;
4.Related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan;
5.For nonpublic entities, the reconciliation of the opening balances to the closing balances of plan assets measured on a recurring basis in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. However, nonpublic entities will be required to disclose separately the amounts of transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and purchases of Level 3 plan assets; and
6.For public entities, the effects of a one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the (a) aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs and (b) benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits.

The following disclosure requirements are added to Subtopic 715-20:

1.The weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates; and
2.An explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.

The amendments in this ASU also clarify the disclosure requirements in paragraph 715-20-50-3, which state that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed:

1.The projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets; and
2.The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets.

The amendments in this ASU remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. Although narrow in scope, the amendments are considered an important part of the FASB’s efforts to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements by applying concepts in the Concepts Statement.

For the Company, the provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this guidance in 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2018-15 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement,” to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license.

The amendments in this Update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in this Update.

The amendments in this ASU also require the entity (customer) to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The term of the hosting arrangement includes the non-cancellable period of the arrangement plus periods covered by (1) an option to extend the arrangement if the customer is reasonably certain to exercise that option, (2) an option to terminate the arrangement if the customer is reasonably certain not to exercise the termination option, and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the arrangement in which exercise of the
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option is in the control of the vendor. The entity also is required to apply the existing impairment guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to the capitalized implementation costs as if the costs were long-lived assets.

The amendments in this ASU also require the entity to present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same line item in the consolidated statements of income as the fees associated with the hosting element (service) of the arrangement and classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element. The entity is also required to present the capitalized implementation costs in the consolidated balance sheets in the same line item that a prepayment for the fees of the associated hosting arrangement would be presented.

The adoption of this guidance in 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-02 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842)

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 42): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU adds and amends SEC paragraphs in the Accounting Standards Codification to reflect the issuance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119, related to the new credit losses standard, and comments by the SEC staff related to the revised effective date of the new leases standard. This ASU is effective upon issuance. See the discussions regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 above.

ASU 2020-03 - Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-03, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments.” This ASU clarifies various financial instruments topics, including the CECL standard issued in 2016. Amendments related to ASU 2016-13 for entities that have not yet adopted that guidance are effective upon adoption of the amendments in ASU 2016-13. Early adoption is not permitted before an entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-13. Other amendments are effective upon issuance of this ASU. See the discussions regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 above.

ASU 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)". This ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued, subject to meeting certain criteria. Under the new guidance, an entity can elect by accounting topic or industry subtopic to account for the modification of a contract affected by reference rate reform as a continuation of the existing contract, if certain conditions are met. In addition, the new guidance allows an entity to elect on a hedge-by-hedge basis to continue to apply hedge accounting for hedging relationships in which the critical terms change due to reference rate reform, if certain conditions are met. A one-time election to sell and/or transfer held-to-maturity debt securities that reference a rate affected by reference rate reform is also allowed. ASU No. 2020-04 became effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 and will apply to all LIBOR reference rate modifications through December 31, 2022.

ASU 2021-01 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 20214-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)". The amendments in this update clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. Specifically, certain provisions in Topic 848, if elected by an entity, apply to derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform. Amendments in this update to the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. ASU No. 2021-01 became effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 and will apply to contract modifications through December 31, 2022.

(2) Acquisitions
Acquisition of Shore Community Bank
On November 8, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Shore Community Bank ("Shore"), which merged with and into the Bank ("Shore Merger"). The shareholders of Shore received total
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consideration of $54.3 million, which was comprised of 1,509,275 shares of common stock of the Company with a market value of $29.2 million and cash of $25.1 million, of which $925,000 was cash paid in exchange for unexercised outstanding stock options.

The merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at preliminary estimated fair values as of the Shore Merger date. The excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the preliminary net fair value of Shore's assets and liabilities resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $22.8 million. Shore’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since November 8, 2019.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Shore Merger were recorded at their fair values based on management’s best estimates, using information available at the date of the Shore Merger, including the use of third-party valuation specialists.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed:
(Dollars in thousands)Amount
Consideration paid:
Company stock issued$29,175 
Cash payment24,233 
Cash payment for unexercised outstanding stock options925 
Total consideration paid$54,333 
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents$32,599 
Investment securities available for sale26,440 
Loans205,833 
Premises and equipment, net4,433 
Core deposit intangible asset1,467 
Bank-owned life insurance7,250 
Right-of-use assets3,226 
Accrued interest receivable778 
Other real estate owned605 
Other assets2,904 
Deposits(249,836)
Lease liability(3,226)
Other liabilities(948)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities, net$31,525 
Goodwill recorded from Shore merger$22,808 

ASC Topic 805-10 provides that if the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the acquirer shall report, in its financial statements, provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. During the measurement period, the acquirer shall retrospectively adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date and may recognize additional assets or liabilities to reflect new information obtained from facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. At the time of the Shore acquisition tax liabilities were estimated. Subsequently new information was obtained from facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the Shore acquisition, which resulted in a $386,000 reduction of the estimated tax liability and a corresponding decrease in goodwill to $22.8 million at December 31, 2020. The measurement period may not exceed one year from the acquisition date and the measurement period for the Shore Merger has ended.


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Acquisition of New Jersey Community Bank

On April 11, 2018, the Company completed the merger of New Jersey Community Bank (“NJCB”) with and into the Bank (the “NJCB Merger”). The shareholders of NJCB received total consideration of $8.6 million, which was comprised of 249,785 shares of common stock of the Company with a market value of $5.5 million and cash consideration of $3.1 million, of which $401,000 was placed in escrow to cover costs and expenses, including settlement costs, if any, resulting from a certain litigation matter. In June 2019, the Company reached a settlement in the litigation matter. The escrow balance of approximately $393,000, net of costs and expenses, was paid out to the former NJCB shareholders in the third quarter of 2019.
The NJCB Merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at preliminary estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. NJCB’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since April 11, 2018.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the NJCB Merger were recorded at their fair values based on management’s best estimates, using information available at the date of the NJCB Merger, including the use of third-party valuation specialists.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed:
(Dollars in thousands)Amount
Consideration paid:
Company stock issued$5,494 
Cash payment2,668 
Cash held in escrow401 
Total consideration paid$8,563 
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents$2,073 
Investment securities available for sale11,173 
Loans75,144 
Premises and equipment, net1,120 
Core deposit intangible asset80 
Bank-owned life insurance3,972 
Accrued interest receivable259 
Other real estate owned1,230 
Other assets1,601 
Deposits(87,223)
Other liabilities(636)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities, net$8,793 
Gain from bargain purchase$230 


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3.           Investment Securities
 
A summary of amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 follows:
2020
 GrossGross 
 AmortizedUnrealizedUnrealizedFair
(In thousands)CostGainsLossesValue
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations (“GSE”) $3,437 $7 $(5)$3,439 
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE
36,282 503 (6)36,779 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE
13,031 572 (6)13,597 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
26,445 1,007  27,452 
Corporate debt securities
20,997 465 (95)21,367 
Other debt securities
22,389 254 (80)22,563 
 $122,581 $2,808 $(192)$125,197 
2019
 GrossGross 
 AmortizedUnrealizedUnrealizedFair
(In thousands)CostGainsLossesValue
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations (“GSE”) $774 $ $(10)$764 
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE53,223 194 (242)53,175 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE18,100 292 (5)18,387 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions33,177 342  33,519 
Corporate debt securities24,716 139 (134)24,721 
Other debt securities25,378 80 (242)25,216 
 $155,368 $1,047 $(633)$155,782 

A summary of amortized cost, carrying value and fair value of investment securities held to maturity as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 follows:
2020
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Carrying
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE$4,640 $ $4,640 $166 $ $4,806 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE24,517  24,517 1,208  25,725 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions61,249  61,249 1,248 (2)62,495 
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled648 (472)176 405  581 
Other debt securities1,970  1,970 63  2,033 
 $93,024 $(472)$92,552 $3,090 $(2)$95,640 
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2019
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Carrying
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE$5,117 $ $5,117 $76 $(35)$5,158 
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE36,528  36,528 481 (54)36,955 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions32,533  32,533 690 (25)33,198 
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled657 (492)165 479  644 
Other debt securities2,277  2,277  (9)2,268 
 $77,112 $(492)$76,620 $1,726 $(123)$78,223 

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $81.7 million and $92.2 million of investment securities, respectively, were pledged to secure public funds, collateralize borrowings from the FHLB and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

During 2020 and 2019, the Company received proceeds from the calls of securities with a book value of $6.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and resulted in gains of $38,000 and $30,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

During 2020, the Company sold securities with a book value of $8.7 million for a net gain of $63,000. Included in the sales were $2.6 million of securities that were in the held to maturity portfolio and that resulted in a gain of $87,000 for year ended December 31, 2020. All held to maturity securities sold were mortgage backed securities with a remaining book value of less than 15% of the original principal balance at the time of purchase and, as allowed in ASC 320-10-25-14, were treated as held to maturity.
The following is a summary of the proceeds from the sales of investment securities and the associated gross gains, gross losses, and net tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
202020192018
(In thousands)Available for SaleHeld to MaturityAvailable for SaleHeld to MaturityAvailable for SaleHeld to Maturity
Proceeds$6,047 $2,643 $ $ $ $ 
Gross gains30 87     
Gross losses(54)—  —  — 
Net tax (benefit) expense(6)23     
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized cost, carrying value, fair value, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of the Company's investment portfolio as of December 31, 2020. 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. 
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(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
Cost

Fair Value
Yield
Available for sale   
Due in one year or less$1,024 $1,027 2.99 %
Due after one year through five years31,563 32,613 2.42 
Due after five years through ten years30,944 31,527 1.82 
Due after ten years59,050 60,030 2.00 
Total$122,581 $125,197 2.07 %
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Yield
Held to maturity   
Due in one year or less$19,602 $19,655 2.01 %
Due after one year through five years6,266 6,461 3.87 
Due after five years through ten years15,484 16,199 2.85 
Due after ten years51,200 53,325 2.75 
Total$92,552 $95,640 2.69 %


The following table presents gross unrealized losses on the Company's investment securities and the fair value of the related securities and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
2020
Less than 12 months12 months or longerTotal
(In thousands)Number
of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
U. S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations (“GSE”)1 $ $ $548 $(5)$548 $(5)
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE3 5,153 (2)2,060 (4)7,213 (6)
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE3 203 (6)  203 (6)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions1 1,295 (2)  1,295 (2)
Corporate debt securities3   3,399 (95)3,399 (95)
Other debt securities7   11,230 (80)11,230 (80)
Total temporarily impaired securities18 $6,651 $(10)$17,237 $(184)$23,888 $(194)
 
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2019
Less than 12 months12 months or longerTotal
(In thousands)Number
of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
U. S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations (“GSE”)1 $764 $(10)$ $ $764 $(10)
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE39 18,328 (138)13,300 (139)31,628 (277)
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE13 5,505 (59)  5,505 (59)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions4 2,311 (25)527  2,838 (25)
Corporate debt securities6 2,994 (5)9,396 (129)12,390 (134)
Other debt securities12 13,692 (151)5,598 (100)19,290 (251)
Total temporarily impaired securities75 $43,594 $(388)$28,821 $(368)$72,415 $(756)

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations and agencies: The unrealized losses on investments in these securities were caused by increases in market interest rates. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the par value of the investment. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity. Therefore, these investments are not considered other-than temporarily impaired.

Residential collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage backed securities: The unrealized losses on investments in residential collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage backed securities were caused by increases in market interest rates. The contractual cash flows of these securities are guaranteed by the issuer, primarily government or government sponsored agencies. It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity. Therefore, these investments are not considered other-than temporarily impaired.

Obligations of state and political subdivisions:  The unrealized losses on investments in these securities were caused by increases in market interest rates.  It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. None of the issuers have defaulted on interest payments. These investments are not considered to be other than temporarily impaired because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity. Therefore, these investments are not considered other-than temporarily impaired.

Corporate debt securities:  The unrealized losses on investments in corporate debt securities were caused by an increase in market interest rates, which includes the yield required by market participants for the issuer's credit risk.  None of the corporate issuers have defaulted on interest payments. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity. Therefore, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Other debt securities:  The unrealized losses on investments in other debt securities were caused by an increase in market interest rates, which includes the yield required by market participants for the issuer's credit risk.  None of the issuers have defaulted on interest payments.  The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in market interest rates. The Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity. Therefore, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
Trust preferred debt securities – pooled:  This trust preferred debt security was issued by a two issuer pool (Preferred Term Securities XXV, Ltd. co-issued by Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. and First Tennessee (“PRETSL XXV”)), consisting primarily of financial institution holding companies. During 2009, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $865,000, of which $364,000 was determined to be a credit loss and charged to operations and $501,000 was recognized in the other comprehensive income (loss) component of shareholders’ equity. The primary factor used to determine the credit portion of the impairment loss to be recognized in the income statement for this security was the
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discounted present value of projected cash flow, where that present value of cash flow was less than the amortized cost basis of the security. The present value of cash flow was developed using a model that considered performing collateral ratios, the level of subordination to senior tranches of the security and credit ratings of and projected credit defaults in the underlying collateral. Due to recovery of the cash flows underlying the security, the Company began to accrete the $501,000 of impairment charge in the other comprehensive income component in 2019. Total accretion of $20,000 and $9,000 was recognized in 2020 and 2019, respectively as an increase in the carrying amount of the security. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates this security to determine if any additional other-than-temporary impairment is required. As of December 31, 2020, management concluded that no additional other-than-temporary impairment had occurred.
 
The Company regularly reviews the composition of the investment securities portfolio, taking into account market risks, the current and expected interest rate environment, liquidity needs and its overall interest rate risk profile and strategic goals.

4.           Loans and Loans Held for Sale

The following table presents loans outstanding, by class of loan, as of December 31, 
(In thousands)20202019
Commercial real estate$618,978 $567,655 
Mortgage warehouse lines388,366 236,672 
Construction129,245 148,939 
Commercial business188,728 139,271 
Residential real estate88,261 90,259 
Loans to individuals21,269 32,604 
Other loans113 137 
Gross Loans1,434,960 1,215,537 
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net(1,254)491 
Total$1,433,706 $1,216,028 
 
The Company's lending focus and business is concentrated primarily in New Jersey, particularly northern, central and coastal New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area. A significant portion of the total loan portfolio is secured by real estate or other collateral located in these areas.

The Company is a participant in the Small Business Administration ("SBA") Preferred Lender Program and originates loans under the program that are later sold. The Company also sells residential mortgage loans in the secondary market on a non-recourse basis, generally with the related loan servicing rights released to purchasers. Loans held for sale at December 31, 2020 and 2019 included $29.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively, in residential mortgage loans that the Company intends to sell under best efforts forward sales commitments providing for delivery to purchasers generally within a two month period. The estimated fair value of the derivatives of interest-rate lock commitments was $537,000 at December 31, 2020 and $159,000 at December 31, 2019.

The following table presents loans held for sale, by type of loan, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
(In thousands)20202019
Residential real estate$29,782 $5,702 
SBA 225 
$29,782 $5,927 

Loans and loan participations sold to others and serviced by the Company are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total amount of such loans and loan participations serviced, but owned by outside investors, amounted to approximately $138.4 million and $104.0 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value, of servicing assets were $795,000 and $930,000, respectively. The estimated fair value of SBA servicing assets were $1.2 million and $1.2 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively and were estimated using a discount rate of 10.00% and 10.75% and constant prepayment speeds averaging 14.51% and 14.93% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively..
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The table below summarizes the changes in the related servicing assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
(In thousands)20202019
Balance, beginning of year$930 $991 
Servicing assets capitalized189 259 
Amortization expense(324)(320)
Balance, end of year$795 $930 

In addition, the Company had discounts of $776,000 and $946,000 related to the retained unguaranteed portion of the SBA loans at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

5.           Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality Disclosures

The Company’s primary lending emphasis is the origination of construction, commercial business and commercial real estate loans and mortgage warehouse lines of credit.  Based on the composition of the loan portfolio, the primary inherent risks are deteriorating credit quality, a decline in the economy and a decline in New Jersey and New York City metropolitan area real estate market values.  Any one, or a combination, of these events may adversely affect the loan portfolio and may result in increased delinquencies, loan losses and increased future provision levels.

The following table provides an aging of the loan portfolio by loan class at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
2020
(Dollars in thousands)30-59 Days60-89 DaysGreater than 90 DaysTotal Past DueCurrentTotal Loans ReceivableRecorded Investment > 90 Days AccruingNonaccrual Loans
Commercial real estate$ $ $7,008 $7,008 $611,970 $618,978 $ $7,565 
Mortgage warehouse lines    388,366 388,366   
Construction  7,500 7,500 121,745 129,245  7,500 
Commercial business1  84 85 188,643 188,728  225 
Residential real estate1,356 91 1,534 2,981 85,280 88,261 871 798 
Loans to individuals12 99 264 375 20,894 21,269  273 
Other loans    113 113   
$1,369 $190 $16,390 $17,949 $1,417,011 1,434,960 $871 $16,361 
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net(1,254)
Total$1,433,706 
2019
(Dollars in thousands)30-59 Days60-89 DaysGreater than 90 DaysTotal Past DueCurrentTotal Loans ReceivableRecorded Investment > 90 Days AccruingNonaccrual Loans
Commercial real estate$238 $1,927 $3,882 $6,047 $561,608 $567,655 $ $2,596 
Mortgage warehouse lines    236,672 236,672   
Construction    148,939 148,939   
Commercial business381  330 711 138,560 139,271  501 
Residential real estate2,459 271 677 3,407 86,852 90,259  708 
Loans to individuals296  311 607 31,997 32,604  692 
Other loans    137 137   
$3,374 $2,198 $5,200 $10,772 $1,204,765 1,215,537 $ $4,497 
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net491 
Total$1,216,028 
 
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Loans are placed in a nonaccrual status when the ultimate collectability of principal or interest in whole, or in part, is in doubt.  Commercial loans contractually past-due 90 days or more for either principal or interest are also placed in nonaccrual status unless they are both well secured and in the process of collection. Residential mortgage loans are placed in nonaccrual status when the loans are contractually past due 120 days. Impaired loans are evaluated individually.

As provided by ASC 310-30, the excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial investment in the loan is recognized as interest income over the life of the loan. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were $2.4 million and $5.4 million of PCI loans, respectively, that were not classified as non-performing loans due to the accretion of income based on their original contract terms.
 
Additional income before taxes amounting to $552,000, $318,000 and $155,000 would have been recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, if interest on all loans had been recorded based upon their original contract terms. 

Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for loan losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is adequate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses consists of several key elements and is consistent with U.S. GAAP and interagency supervisory guidance. The allowance for loan losses methodology consists of two major components. The first component is an estimation of losses associated with individually identified impaired loans, which follows ASC Topic 310. The second major component estimates losses under ASC Topic 450, which provides guidance for estimating losses on groups of loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company’s methodology results in an allowance for loan losses which includes a specific reserve for impaired loans, an allocated reserve and an unallocated portion.

When analyzing groups of loans under ASC Topic 450, the Company follows the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The methodology considers the Company’s historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions, and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans as of the evaluation date. These adjustment factors, known as qualitative factors, include:

Delinquencies and nonaccruals;
Portfolio quality;
Concentration of credit;
Trends in volume and type of loans;
Quality of collateral;
Policy and procedures;
Experience, ability and depth of management;
Economic trends – national and local; and
External factors – competition, legal and regulatory.

The methodology includes the segregation of the loan portfolio into loan classes with a further segregation into risk rating categories, such as special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss. This allows for an allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan type; however, the allowance is available to absorb any loan loss without restriction. Larger balance, non-homogeneous loans representing significant individual credit exposures are evaluated individually through the internal loan review process. It is this process that produces the watch list for loans that have indications of credit weakness. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated. Based on these reviews, an estimate of probable losses for the individual larger-balance loans are determined, whenever possible, and used to establish specific loan loss reserves. In general, for non-homogeneous loans not individually assessed and for homogeneous groups, such as residential mortgages and consumer credits, the loans are collectively evaluated based on delinquency status, loan type, and historical losses. These loan groups are then internally risk rated.

The watch list includes loans that are assigned a rating of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans assigned a rating of special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans rated as doubtful in whole, or in part, are placed in nonaccrual status. Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged off against the allowance for loan losses.
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The specific allowance for impaired loans is established for specific loans that have been identified by management as being impaired. These loans are considered to be impaired primarily because the loans have not performed according to payment terms and there is reason to believe that repayment of the loan principal in whole, or in part, is unlikely. The specific portion of the allowance is the total amount of potential unconfirmed losses for these individual impaired loans. To assist in determining the fair value of loan collateral, the Company often utilizes independent third party qualified appraisal firms which, in turn, employ their own criteria and assumptions that may include occupancy rates, rental rates and property expenses, among others.

The second category of reserves consists of the allocated portion of the allowance. The allocated portion of the allowance is determined by taking pools of loans outstanding that have similar characteristics and applying historical loss experience for each pool. This estimate represents the potential unconfirmed losses within the portfolio. Individual loan pools are created for commercial business loans and commercial real estate loans, construction loans, warehouse lines of credit and various types of loans to individuals. The historical loss estimation for each loan pool is then adjusted for qualitative factors such as economic trends, concentrations of credit, trends in the volume of loans, portfolio quality, delinquencies and nonaccrual trends. These factors are evaluated for each class of the loan portfolio and may have positive or negative effects on the allocated allowance for the loan portfolio segment. The aggregate amount resulting from the application of these qualitative factors determines the overall risk for the portfolio and results in an allocated allowance for each of the loan segments.

The Company also maintains an unallocated allowance. The unallocated allowance is used to cover any factors or conditions which may cause a potential loan loss but are not specifically identifiable. It is prudent to maintain an unallocated portion of the allowance because no matter how detailed an analysis of potential loan losses is performed, these estimates, by definition, lack precision. Management must make estimates using assumptions and information that is often subjective and changing rapidly.

The following discusses the risk characteristics of each of our loan portfolios.

Commercial Business

The Company offers a variety of commercial loan services, including term loans, lines of credit and loans secured by equipment and receivables. A broad range of short-to-medium term commercial loans, both secured and unsecured, are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisition and development of real estate and improvements) and the purchase of equipment and machinery. Commercial business loans are granted based on the borrower's ability to generate cash flow to support its debt obligations and other cash related expenses. A borrower's ability to repay commercial business loans is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and on the quality of its management. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any available real estate, equipment, inventory, receivables or other personal property of its borrowers, although the Company occasionally makes commercial business loans on an unsecured basis. Generally, the Company requires personal guarantees of its commercial business loans to offset the risks associated with such loans. Included in the commercial business loans are SBA PPP loans that were funded under the CARES Act. PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and therefore, are excluded from estimating the allowance for loan losses.

Much of the Company's lending is in northern, central and coastal New Jersey and in the New York City metropolitan area. As a result of this geographic concentration, a significant broad-based deterioration in economic conditions in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area could have a material adverse impact on the Company's loan portfolio. A prolonged decline in economic conditions in our market area could restrict borrowers' ability to pay outstanding principal and interest on loans when due. The value of assets pledged as collateral may decline and the proceeds from the sale or liquidation of these assets may not be sufficient to repay the loan.

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate loans are made to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate operators to finance the acquisition of income producing properties. The Company's loan policy requires that borrowers have sufficient cash flow to meet the debt service requirements and the value of the property meets the loan-to-value criteria set in the loan policy. The Company monitors loan concentrations by borrower, by type of property and by location and other criteria.

The Company's commercial real estate portfolio is largely secured by real estate collateral located in the State of New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area. Conditions in the real estate markets in which the collateral for the Company's loans are located strongly influence the level of the Company's non-performing loans. A decline in the New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area real estate market could adversely affect the Company's loan portfolio. Decreases in local real estate
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values would adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for the Company's loans. Adverse changes in the economy also may have a negative effect on the ability of our borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans.

Construction Financing

Construction financing is provided to businesses to expand their facilities and operations and to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential and commercial properties. First mortgage construction loans are made to developers and builders primarily for single family homes and multi-family buildings that are presold or are to be sold or leased on a speculative basis.

The Company lends to builders and developers with established relationships, successful operating histories and sound financial resources. Management has established underwriting and monitoring criteria to minimize the inherent risks of real estate construction lending. The risks associated with speculative construction lending include the borrower's inability to complete the construction process on time and within budget, the sale or rental of the project within projected absorption periods and the economic risks associated with real estate collateral. Such loans may include financing the development and/or construction of residential subdivisions. This activity may involve financing land purchases and infrastructure development (i.e., roads, utilities, etc.) as well as construction of residences or multi-family dwellings for subsequent sale by the developer/builder. Because the sale or rental of developed properties is integral to the success of developer business, loan repayment may be especially subject to the volatility of real estate market values.

Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit

The Company’s Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group provides revolving lines of credit that are available to licensed mortgage banking companies. The warehouse line of credit is used by the mortgage banker to originate one-to-four family residential mortgage loans that are pre-sold into the secondary mortgage market, which includes state and national banks, national mortgage banking firms, insurance companies and government-sponsored enterprises, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and others. On average, an advance under the warehouse line of credit remains outstanding for a period of less than 30 days, with repayment coming directly from the sale of the loan into the secondary mortgage market. Interest and a transaction fee are collected by the Company at the time of repayment.

As a separate segment of the total portfolio, the warehouse loan portfolio is individually analyzed as a whole for allowance for loan losses purposes.  Warehouse lines of credit are subject to the same inherent risks as other commercial lending, but the overall degree of risk differs. While the Company’s loss experience with this type of lending has been non-existent since the product was introduced in 2008, there are other risks unique to this lending that still must be considered in assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. These unique risks may include, but are not limited to, (i) credit risks relating to the mortgage bankers that borrow from us, (ii) the risk of intentional misrepresentation or fraud by any of such mortgage bankers, (iii) changes in the market value of mortgage loans originated by the mortgage banker, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit, due to changes in interest rates during the time in warehouse or (iv) unsalable or impaired mortgage loans so originated, which could lead to decreased collateral value and the failure of a purchaser of the mortgage loan to purchase the loan from the mortgage banker.

Consumer

The Company’s consumer loan portfolio segment is comprised of residential real estate loans, loans to individuals and other loans. Individual loan pools are created for the various types of loans to individuals. The principal risk is the borrower becomes unemployed or has a significant reduction in income.    

In general, for homogeneous groups such as residential mortgages and consumer credits, the loans are collectively evaluated based on delinquency status, loan type and historical losses. These loan groups are then internally risk rated.

The Company considers the following credit quality indicators in assessing the risk in the loan portfolio:

Consumer credit scores;
Internal credit risk grades;
Loan-to-value ratios;
Collateral; and
Collection experience.

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Internal Risk Rating of Loans

The Company’s internal credit risk grades are based on the definitions currently utilized by the banking regulatory agencies.  The grades assigned and their definitions are as follows, and loans graded excellent, above average, good and watch list are treated as “pass” for grading purposes:

1.  Excellent - Loans that are based upon cash collateral held at the Company and adequately margined. Loans that are based upon "blue chip" stocks listed on the major stock exchanges and adequately margined.

2.  Above Average - Loans to companies whose balance sheets show excellent liquidity and long-term debt is on well-spread schedules of repayment easily covered by cash flow.  Such companies have been consistently profitable and have diversification in their product lines or sources of revenue.  The continuation of profitable operations for the foreseeable future is likely.  Management is comprised of a mix of ages, experience and backgrounds, and management succession is in place. Sources of raw materials and, for service companies, the sources of revenue are abundant.  Future needs have been planned for. Character and management ability of individuals or company principals are excellent.  Loans to individuals are supported by high net worths and liquid assets.

3.  Good - Loans to companies whose balance sheets show good liquidity and cash flow adequate to meet maturities of long-term debt with a comfortable margin. Such companies have established profitable records over a number of years, and there has been growth in net worth.  Operating ratios are in line with those of the industry, and expenses are in proper relationship to the volume of business done and the profits achieved. Management is well-balanced and competent in their responsibilities. Economic environment is favorable; however, competition is strong. The prospects for growth are good. Loans in this category do not meet the collateral requirements of loans in categories 1 and 2 above. Loans to individuals are supported by good net worth but whose supporting assets are illiquid.

3w.  Watch - Included in this category are loans evidencing problems identified by Company management that require closer supervision.  Such problems have not developed to the point which requires a "special mention" rating. This category also covers situations where the Company does not have adequate current information upon which credit quality can be determined.  The account officer has the obligation to correct these deficiencies within 30 days from the time of notification.

4.  Special Mention - A "special mention" loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the Company's credit position at some future date. Special mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

5.  Substandard - A "substandard" loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

6.  Doubtful - A loan classified as "doubtful" has all the weaknesses inherent in a loan classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

7.  Loss - A loan classified as "loss" is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance on the books is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may occur in the future.


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The following table provides a breakdown of the loan portfolio by credit quality indicator at December 31, 2020 and 2019: 
Credit Exposure by Internally Assigned Grade2020
(In thousands)ConstructionCommercial
Business
Commercial
Real Estate
Mortgage
Warehouse
Lines
Residential
Real Estate
Pass
$121,745 $175,895 $580,699 $387,483 $85,203 
Special Mention
 5,942 15,419 883 358 
Substandard
7,500 6,806 22,860  2,700 
Doubtful
 85    
Total$129,245 $188,728 $618,978 $388,366 $88,261 
Credit Exposure by Payment Activity2020
(In thousands)Loans to IndividualsOther Loans
Performing$20,996 $113 
Nonperforming273  
Total$21,269 $113 


Credit Exposure by Internally Assigned Grade2019
(In thousands)ConstructionCommercial
Business
Commercial
Real Estate
Mortgage
Warehouse
Lines
Residential
Real Estate
Pass
$147,132 $135,804 $538,104 $235,808 $87,512 
Special Mention
 1,990 9,994 864 922 
Substandard
1,807 1,477 19,557  1,825 
Doubtful
     
Total$148,939 $139,271 $567,655 $236,672 $90,259 
Credit Exposure by Payment
Activity
2019
(In thousands)Loans to IndividualsOther Loans
Performing$31,912 $137 
Nonperforming692  
Total$32,604 $137 

Impaired Loans Disclosures

Loans are considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, it is also considered to be impaired. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when: (1) the full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain; or (2) they are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments unless the loans are both well secured and in the process of collection.

The following tables summarize the distribution of the allowance for loan losses and loans receivable by loan class and impairment method as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
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2020
(Dollars in thousands)ConstructionCommercial BusinessCommercial Real EstateMortgage Warehouse LinesResidential Real EstateLoans to IndividualsOtherUnallocatedDeferred Loan (Fees) Costs, NetTotal
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance$1,389 $1,409 $4,524 $1,083 $412 $185 $ $269 $9,271 
Provision (credit) charged to operations2,352 1,651 1,890 724 207 (57) (69)6,698 
Loans charged off (364)   (3)  (367)
Recoveries of loans charged off 31 8      39 
Ending balance$3,741 $2,727 $6,422 $1,807 $619 $125 $ $200 $15,641 
Individually evaluated for impairment$2,089 $4 $19 $ $ $ $ $ $2,112 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality        —  
Collectively evaluated
for impairment
1,652 2,723 6,403 1,807 619 125  200 13,529 
Ending balance$3,741 $2,727 $6,422 $1,807 $619 $125 $ $200 $15,641 
Loans receivables:
Individually evaluated for impairment$7,500 $959 $11,717 $ $798 $273 $ $ $— $21,247 
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
 308 3,323  410    — 4,041 
Collectively evaluated for impairment121,745 187,461 603,938 388,366 87,053 20,996 113  (1,254)1,408,418 
Total$129,245 $188,728 $618,978 $388,366 $88,261 $21,269 $113 $ $(1,254)$1,433,706 

2019
(In thousands)ConstructionCommercial BusinessCommercial Real EstateMortgage Warehouse LinesResidential Real EstateLoans to IndividualsOtherUnallocatedDeferred Loan (Fees) Costs, NetTotal
Allowance for loan losses:          
Beginning balance$1,732 $1,829 $3,439 $731 $431 $148 $ $92 $8,402 
(Credit) provision charged to operations(343)(76)1,178 352 (19)38 43 177 1,350 
Loans charged off (370)(93)  (7)(43) (513)
Recoveries of loans charged off 26    6   32 
Ending balance$1,389 $1,409 $4,524 $1,083 $412 $185 $ $269 $9,271 
Individually evaluated for impairment$8 $7 $50 $ $ $ $ $ $65 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 3 1      — 4 
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,381 1,399 4,473 1,083 412 185  269 9,202 
Ending balance$1,389 $1,409 $4,524 $1,083 $412 $185 $ $269 $9,271 
Loans receivable:          
Individually evaluated for impairment$1,807 $1,251 $6,171 $ $708 $692 $ $ $— $10,629 
Loans acquired with
deteriorated credit quality
 334 5,419  504    — 6,257 
Collectively evaluated for impairment147,132 137,686 556,065 236,672 89,047 31,912 137  491 1,199,142 
Total$148,939 $139,271 $567,655 $236,672 $90,259 $32,604 $137 $ $491 $1,216,028 
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2018
(In thousands)ConstructionCommercial BusinessCommercial Real EstateMortgage Warehouse LinesResidential Real EstateLoans to IndividualsOtherUnallocatedDeferred Loan (Fees) Costs, NetTotal
Allowance for loan losses:          
Beginning balance$1,703 $1,720 $2,949 $852 $392 $114 $ $283 $8,013 
(Credit) provision charged to operations29 158 920 (121)39 49 17 (191)900 
Loans charged off (62)(491)  (16)(17) (586)
Recoveries of loans charged off 13 61   1   75 
Ending balance$1,732 $1,829 $3,439 $731 $431 $148 $ $92 $8,402 
Individually evaluated for impairment$ $380 $71 $ $ $ $ $ $451 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality  2      $2 
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,732 1,449 3,366 731 431 148  92 7,949 
Ending balance$1,732 $1,829 $3,439 $731 $431 $148 $ $92 $8,402 
Loans receivable:
Individually evaluated for impairment$103 $3,775 $5,093 $ $1,156 $398 $ $ $— $10,525 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality 319 1,419      — 1,738 
Collectively evaluated for impairment149,284 116,496 381,919 154,183 46,107 22,564 181  167 870,901 
Total$149,387 $120,590 $388,431 $154,183 $47,263 $22,962 $181 $ $167 $883,164 

When a loan is identified as impaired, the measurement of impairment is based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole remaining source of repayment for the loan is the liquidation of the collateral.  In such cases, the current fair value of the collateral less selling costs is used.  If the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge to the allowance.

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The following tables summarize information regarding impaired loans receivable by loan class as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
2020
(Dollars in thousands)Recorded
Investment
Unpaid Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
Year to Date 2020 Average
Recorded
Investment
Year to Date
2020 Interest
Income
Recognized
With no related allowance:     
Commercial:
Construction$ $ $— $4,648 $ 
Commercial business1,120 2,500 — 1,360 58 
Commercial real estate11,806 13,833 — 11,016 328 
Mortgage warehouse lines  —   
12,926 16,333 — 17,024 386 
Consumer:     
Residential real estate1,208 1,465 — 1,260 28 
Loans to individuals273 297 — 476  
Other  —   
1,481 1,762 — 1,736 28 
With no related allowance14,407 18,095 — 18,760 414 
With an allowance:     
Commercial:     
Construction7,500 7,500 2,089 2,801  
Commercial business147 147 4 302 1 
Commercial real estate3,234 3,234 19 3,481 181 
Mortgage warehouse lines     
10,881 10,881 2,112 6,584 182 
Consumer:
Residential real estate     
Loans to individuals     
Other     
     
With an allowance10,881 10,881 2,112 6,584 182 
Total:     
   Construction
7,500 7,500 2,089 7,449  
Commercial business1,267 2,647 4 1,662 59 
Commercial real estate15,040 17,067 19 14,497 509 
Mortgage warehouse lines     
Residential real estate1,208 1,465  1,260 28 
Loans to individuals273 297  476  
Other     
$25,288 $28,976 $2,112 $25,344 $596 



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2019
(Dollars in thousands)Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
Year to Date 2019 Average
Recorded
Investment
Year to Date
2019 Interest
Income
Recognized
With no related allowance:     
Commercial:     
Construction$ $ $— $35 $ 
Commercial business680 1,971 — 916 10 
Commercial real estate7,141 8,204 — 2,855 134 
Mortgage warehouse lines  —   
7,821 10,175 — 3,806 144 
Consumer:
Residential real estate1,212 1,465 — 1,334 6 
Loans to individuals692 802 — 695  
Other  —   
1,904 2,267 — 2,029 6 
With no related allowance9,725 12,442 — 5,835 150 
With an allowance:     
Commercial:     
Construction1,807 1,807 8 602 56 
Commercial business905 993 10 977 88 
Commercial real estate4,449 5,757 51 4,621 216 
Mortgage warehouse lines     
7,161 8,557 69 6,200 360 
Consumer:
Residential real estate     
Loans to individuals     
Other   1  
   1  
With an allowance7,161 8,557 69 6,201 360 
Total:     
   Construction
1,807 1,807 8 637 56 
Commercial business1,585 2,964 10 1,893 98 
Commercial real estate11,590 13,961 51 7,476 350 
Mortgage warehouse lines     
Residential real estate1,212 1,465  1,334 6 
Loans to individuals692 802  696  
Other     
$16,886 $20,999 $69 $12,036 $510 
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2018
(Dollars in thousands)Year to Date 2018 Average
Recorded
Investment
Year to Date
2018 Interest
Income
Recognized
With no related allowance:  
Commercial:  
Construction$115 $7 
Commercial business1,112 112 
Commercial real estate2,757 48 
Mortgage warehouse lines  
3,984 167 
Consumer:
Residential real estate846  
Loans to individuals410  
Other  
1,256  
With no related allowance5,240 167 
With an allowance:  
Commercial:  
Construction  
Commercial business3,326 44 
Commercial real estate4,336 252 
Mortgage warehouse lines  
7,662 296 
Consumer:
Residential real estate  
Loans to individuals  
Other  
  
With an allowance7,662 296 
Total:  
   Construction
115 7 
Commercial business4,438 156 
Commercial real estate7,093 300 
Mortgage warehouse lines  
Residential real estate846  
Loans to individuals410  
Other  
$12,902 $463 

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Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans

Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans ("PCI") are loans acquired at a discount that is due in part to credit quality.  On November 8, 2019, as part of the Shore merger, the Company acquired purchased credit-impaired loans with loan balances totaling $6.3 million and fair values totaling $4.6 million. On April 11, 2018, as part of the NJCB merger, the Company acquired purchased credit-impaired loans with loan balances totaling $1.1 million and fair values totaling $881,000.

The following table presents additional information regarding PCI loans at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(In thousands)20202019
Outstanding balance$5,221 $8,038 
Carrying amount4,041 6,257 

In 2020 no loan loss provision was recorded for PCI loans. In 2019 and 2018 $4,000 and $2,000, respectively, in loan loss provisions were recorded for PCI loans.

The following table presents changes in accretable discount for PCI loans for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
(In thousands)202020192018
Balance at beginning of year$657 $164 $126 
Acquisition of impaired loans 658 168 
Accretion of discount(425)(165)(130)
Balance at end of year$232 $657 164 
  
Non-accretable difference at end of year$1,149 $1,175 $122 

The following table presents the years for the scheduled remaining accretable discount that will accrete to income based on the Company’s most recent estimates of cash flows for PCI loans:
(In thousands)Years ending December 31,
 2021$179 
 202253 
 2023 
 Thereafter 
 Total$232 

Consumer Mortgage Loans Secured by Residential Real Estate in Process of Foreclosure

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate in process of foreclosure:
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20202019
Number of loansRecorded InvestmentNumber of loansRecorded Investment
1$311 2$382 

Troubled Debt Restructuring

In the normal course of business, the Company may consider modifying loan terms for various reasons. These reasons may include as a retention strategy to compete in the current interest rate environment or to re-amortize or extend a loan term to better match the loan’s payment stream with the borrower’s cash flow. A modified loan would be considered a troubled debt
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restructuring (“TDR”) if the Company grants a concession to a borrower and has determined that the borrower is troubled (i.e., experiencing financial difficulties).

If the Company restructures a loan to a troubled borrower, the loan terms (i.e., interest rate, payment, amortization period, maturity date) may be modified in various ways to enable the borrower to cover the modified debt service payments based on current financial information and cash flow adequacy. If a borrower’s hardship is thought to be temporary, then modified terms may only be offered for that time period. Where possible, the Company would attempt to obtain additional collateral and/or secondary repayment sources at the time of the restructure in order to put the Company in the best possible position if the borrower is not able to meet the modified terms. The Company will not offer modified terms if it believes that modifying the loan terms will only delay an inevitable permanent default. At December 31, 2020, there was one commercial real estate loan with a balance of $6.0 million that received an additional deferral of principal payments up to 90 days under the CARES Act, which was not a TDR.

In evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, applicable guidance requires that a creditor must separately conclude that the restructuring constitutes a concession and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. There were no troubled debt restructurings during the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table is a breakdown of troubled debt restructurings, all of which are classified as impaired, which occurred during the year ended December 31, 2019:
2019
 (Dollars in thousands)Number of
Contracts
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings:   
Commercial business3 $597 $595 
Commercial real estate1 $1,807 $1,807 

There were no troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of restructuring during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

6.     Related Parties

Activity related to loans to directors, executive officers and their affiliated interests during the years ended December 31, 2020 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
(In thousands)202020192018
Balance, beginning of year$6,336 $5,805 $2,719 
Loans granted794 3,199 3,365 
Repayments of loans(415)(2,668)(279)
Balance, end of year$6,715 $6,336 $5,805 

Related party deposits were $14.2 million, $12.7 million and $12.0 million at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Rent of approximately $129,000, $128,000 and $126,000, was paid in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, to an entity affiliated with a director of the Company for the lease of one of the Company's offices.

The Company has had and intends to have business transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors, officers and affiliated interests on comparable terms as those prevailing from time to time for other non-affiliated customers of the Company. For these transactions, related expenses are not significant to the operations of the Company.

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7.           Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2020 and 2019,
(Dollars in thousands)Estimated
Useful Lives
20202019
Land$2,536 $2,536 
Building40 years10,666 10,666 
Leasehold improvements
3 - 10 years
7,820 7,721 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 - 15 years
7,122 6,401 
Projects in progress130 529 
 28,274 27,853 
Less: Accumulated depreciation13,929 12,591 
Total$14,345 $15,262 
 
Depreciation expense was $1,338,000, $985,000 and $820,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

8.           Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)

The following table presents the activity in other real estate owned for the years ended December 31,
(In thousands)202020192018
Balance, beginning of year$571 $2,515 $ 
Other real estate owned properties added  1,460 
Other real estate owned properties acquired in NJCB merger  1,230 
Other real estate owned properties acquired in Shore merger 605 
Sales during the year(479)(2,549) 
Forfeitable deposit on other real estate owned  (175)
Balance, end of year$92 $571 $2,515 

The Company recorded gains and (losses) on sale of other real estate owned of $75,000, $(101,000) and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

9.           Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets totaled $36.0 million and $36.8 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The table below presents goodwill at December 31,
 (In thousands)20202019
Beginning balance$35,048 $11,854 
Additions and adjustments(386)23,194 
Ending balance$34,662 $35,048 

At the time of the Shore acquisition tax liabilities were estimated. Subsequently new information was obtained from facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the Shore acquisition, which resulted in a $386,000 reduction of the estimated tax liability and a corresponding decrease in goodwill to $22.8 million at December 31, 2020 . See Note 2: Acquisitions.


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The table below presents core deposit intangible assets at December 31,

 (In thousands)20202019
Beginning balance$1,731 $404 
Additions 1,467 
Amortization expense(390)(140)
Ending balance$1,341 $1,731 

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $390,000, $140,000 and $318,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Scheduled amortization of the core deposits intangible is as follows:
(In thousands)YearAmount
 2021$314 
 2022263 
 2023213 
 2024164 
 2025134 
After five years253 
  $1,341 

10.           Deposits

The following table presents the details of total deposits at December 31,
% of Total% of Total
(Dollars in thousands)2020Deposits2019Deposits
Non-interest bearing$425,210 27.21 %$287,555 22.51 %
Interest bearing441,772 28.27 393,392 30.80 
Savings334,226 21.38 259,033 20.28 
Certificates of deposit361,631 23.14 337,382 26.41 
 $1,562,839 100.00 %$1,277,362 100.00 %
 
At December 31, 2020, certificates of deposit have contractual maturities as follows:
(In thousands)YearAmount
 2021$304,466 
 202243,310 
 20236,163 
 20242,851 
 20254,841 
  $361,631 

Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000 were $45.1 million and $51.1 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

11.           Borrowings

At December 31, 2020 the Company had overnight borrowings totaling $9.8 million with an average interest rate of 0.34%. Overnight borrowings at December 31, 2019 totaled $92.1 million with a weighted average interest rate of 1.81%. These borrowings are primarily used to fund asset growth not supported by deposit generation.

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At December 31, 2020, unused borrowing potential from the FHLB totaled $301.8 million and unused fed funds borrowing commitments from correspondent banks totaled $46.0 million.

12.           Redeemable Subordinated Debentures

On May 30, 2006, the Company established 1ST Constitution Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a Delaware business trust and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for the sole purpose of issuing $18.0 million of trust preferred securities (the “Capital Securities”).  Trust II utilized the $18.0 million in proceeds, along with $557,000 invested in Trust II by the Company, to purchase $18,557,000 of floating rate junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company and due to mature on June 15, 2036.  The subordinated debentures carry a floating interest rate based on the three-month LIBOR plus 165 basis points (1.8665% at December 31, 2020). The Capital Securities were issued in connection with a pooled offering involving approximately 50 other financial institution holding companies.  All of the Capital Securities were sold to a single pooling vehicle. The floating rate junior subordinated debentures are the only asset of Trust II and have terms that mirrored the Capital Securities. These debentures are redeemable in whole or in part prior to maturity. Trust II is obligated to distribute all proceeds of a redemption of these debentures, whether voluntary or upon maturity, to holders of the Capital Securities.  The Company’s obligation with respect to the Capital Securities and the debentures, when taken together, provided a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of the obligations of Trust II to pay amounts when due on the Capital Securities.  Interest payments on the floating rate junior subordinated debentures flow through Trust II to the pooling vehicle.  

13.           Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
(In thousands)202020192018
Federal:  
Current$5,358 $2,826 $2,479 
Deferred(1,122)418 209 
Remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities  (28)
 4,236 3,244 2,660 
State:  
Current3,160 1,610 1,561 
Deferred(789)186 96 
 2,371 1,796 1,657 
 $6,607 $5,040 $4,317 
 
A comparison of income tax expense at the Federal statutory rate of 21% in 2020, 2019 and 2018 to the Company’s provision for income taxes is as follows:
 (In thousands)202020192018
Federal income tax $5,186 $3,922 $3,437 
Add (deduct) effect of:   
State income taxes net of federal income tax effect 1,873 1,419 1,309 
Tax-exempt interest income (408)(348)(416)
Bank-owned life insurance (172)(131)(110)
Executive compensation144 120 96 
Remeasurement of federal deferred tax assets and liabilities  (28)
 Other items, net (16)58 29 
Provision for income taxes $6,607 $5,040 $4,317 

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The tax effects of existing temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(In thousands)20202019
Deferred tax assets:  
Allowance for loan losses $4,510 $2,606 
     Supplemental executive retirement plan liability1,385 1,343 
Other than temporary impairment loss112 118 
Depreciation697 752 
Nonaccrual interest525 318 
Acquisition accounting adjustments687 1,121 
Lease liability4,888 5,233 
Federal net operating loss carryover, net789 830 
     Other 412 103 
Total gross deferred tax assets$14,005 $12,424 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
Deferred costs703 631 
Pension liability124 102 
Right-of-use assets4,652 5,048 
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale 644 111 
Total gross deferred tax liabilities$6,123 $5,892 
Net deferred tax assets$7,882 $6,532 

Based upon the current facts, management has determined that it is more likely than not that there will be sufficient taxable income in future years to realize the deferred tax assets.  However, there can be no assurances about the level of future earnings.

The Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax as well as income tax of the State of New Jersey and other states. The tax years of 2017, 2018, and 2019 remain open to federal examination. The tax years of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 remain open for state examination. The tax year 2020 will be open for federal and state examination when filed.

At December 31, 2020, the Company has $5.6 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards which begin to expire in 2034, unless previously used. These net operating loss carryforwards arose from the NJCB Merger. The Company's use of these net operating loss carryforwards is limited by statute to a maximum of $197,000 per year.

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14.           Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the total of net income and all other changes in equity from non-shareholder sources, which are referred to as other comprehensive income. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income that are included in shareholders' equity and the related tax effects are as follows at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
2020
(In thousands)Before-Tax AmountIncome Tax EffectNet-of-Tax Amount
Net unrealized holding gain on securities available for sale$2,616 $(644)$1,972 
Unrealized impairment loss on held to maturity security(472)112 (360)
Gains on unfunded pension liability444 (124)320 
Total other comprehensive income$2,588 $(656)$1,932 
2019
Before-Tax AmountIncome Tax EffectNet-of-Tax Amount
Net unrealized holding loss on securities available for sale$414 $(111)$303 
Unrealized impairment loss on held to maturity security(492)118 (374)
Gains on unfunded pension liability364 (102)262 
Total other comprehensive income$286 $(95)$191 

Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows and are presented net of tax:
(In thousands)Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale SecuritiesUnrealized Impairment Loss on Held to Maturity SecurityUnfunded Pension LiabilityAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2017$(434)$(382)$80 $(736)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1,236) 192 (1,044)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (44)(44)
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in income(9)  (9)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(1,245) 148 (1,097)
Balance, December 31, 2018(1,679)(382)228 (1,833)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications2,005  156 2,161 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 8 (122)(114)
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in income(23)  (23)
Other comprehensive income1,982 8 34 2,024 
Balance, December 31, 2019303 (374)262 191 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications1,670  198 1,868 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 14 (140)(126)
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in income(1)  (1)
Other comprehensive income1,669 14 58 1,741 
Balance, December 31, 2020$1,972 $(360)$320 $1,932 

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15.           Benefit Plans

Retirement Savings Plan: The Bank has a 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") which covers substantially all employees with six months or more of service. The plan permits all eligible employees to make contributions to the Plan up to the IRS salary deferral limit. Under the Plan, the Bank provided a matching contribution of 50%, up to 6% of base compensation. Employer contributions to the Plan amounted to $441,000, $348,000 and $343,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance: In connection with the benefit plans, the Bank has life insurance policies on the lives of its executives, directors, officers and employees. The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of the policies.  The cash surrender values of the policies totaled approximately $37.3 million and $36.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
The Company also provides retirement benefits to certain employees under supplemental executive retirement plans (the "Supplemental Plans"). The Supplemental Plans are unfunded and the Company accrues actuarially determined benefit costs over the estimated service period of the employees participating in the Supplemental Plans. The present value of the benefits accrued under the Supplemental Plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is approximately $4.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and is included in other liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense related to the Supplemental Plans of $147,000, $177,000 and $287,000 is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The following table sets forth the changes in benefit obligations of the Company’s Supplemental Plans for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
(In thousands)20202019
Change in Benefit Obligation  
Beginning January 1$4,416 $4,285 
Service cost184 189 
Interest cost165 164 
Actuarial gain(282)(222)
Benefits paid  
Ending December 31$4,483 $4,416 
Amount Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Liability for pension$4,927 $4,780 
Net actuarial gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income(444)(364)
Net recognized pension liability$4,483 $4,416 
Information for pension plans with an accumulated
 benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
 
Projected benefit obligation$4,483 $4,416 
Accumulated benefit obligation4,310 4,245 

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
(In thousands)202020192018
Service cost$184 $189 $192 
Interest cost165 164 157 
Recognized net actuarial gain(202)(176)(62)
Net periodic benefit cost$147 $177 $287 



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For each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the weighted-average discount rate was 4% and the assumed salary increase was 4% for each of the same years.

Management's expectation as of December 31, 2020 for the projected annual benefit payments is represented in the table below.
(In thousands)
2021$4,785 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
Thereafter 
$4,785 

16.           Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company’s stock-based incentive plans (the “Stock Plans”) authorize the issuance of an aggregate of 945,873 shares of the Company’s common stock (as adjusted for stock dividends) pursuant to awards that may be granted in the form of stock options to purchase common stock ("Options"), awards of restricted shares of common stock (“Stock Awards”) and restricted stock units ("RSUs"). The purpose of the Stock Plans is to attract and retain personnel for positions of substantial responsibility and to provide additional incentive to certain officers, directors, employees and other persons to promote the success of the Company. Under the Stock Plans, Options have a term of ten years after the date of grant, subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances. Options are granted with an exercise price at the then fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. As of December 31, 2020, there were 375,266 shares of common stock available for future grants under the Stock Plans.
 
Share-based compensation expense related to Options was $70,000, $55,000 and $57,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $94,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Options granted under the Stock Plans that is expected to be recognized over the next four years.
 
Transactions in Options under the Stock Plans during the year ended December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:
 
Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (In Thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020122,151 $9.85 3.9$1,500 
Granted27,000 17.53 9.1 
Exercised(10,536)7.13   
Forfeited(1,300)   
Expired or exchanged(3,193)   
Outstanding at December 31, 2020134,122 $11.61 4.3$731 
Exercisable at December 31, 2020101,662 $9.56 3.0$703 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between market value of the Company's common stock on the last trading day of 2020 and the exercise price). The Company's closing stock price on December 31, 2020 was $15.87. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of Options exercised was $134,000 and the Company received cash totaling $39,000 for Options exercised.


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The following table summarizes the Options that were outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2020:
 Outstanding OptionsExercisable Options
Exercise Price RangeNumber
Average
Life in
Years
Average
Exercise
Price
Number
Average
Life in
Years
Average
Exercise
Price
$5.54 to $5.63
44,897 0.8$5.61 44,897 0.8$5.61 
$7.26 to $9.30
17,737 2.27.64 17,737 2.27.64 
$10.10 to $13.13
30,958 6.311.84 20,478 4.811.19 
$18.30 to $21.92
40,530 7.719.81 18,550 7.219.16 
 134,122 4.3$11.61 101,662 3.0$9.56 

The fair value of each Option and the significant weighted average assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the Options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
 January 6, 2020March 19, 202020192018
Fair value of options granted$5.27 $2.09 $5.63 $5.93 
Risk-free rate of return1.72 %1.00 %2.55 %2.46 %
Expected option life in years7777
Expected volatility24.53 %24.63 %29.09 %31.35 %
Expected dividends1.35 %2.86 %1.56 %1.18 %

Share-based compensation expense related to Stock Awards was $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $962,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock awards that will be recognized over the next four years.

The following table summarizes the activity in unvested Stock Awards for the year ended December 31, 2020:
 
Number of
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2020134,359 $13.84 
Granted59,500 14.45 
Vested(62,501)17.31 
Forfeited(1,475) 
Balance at December 31, 2020129,883 $12.61 
 
The value of the Stock Awards is based upon the market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The Stock Awards generally vest over a four year service period, except for stock awards granted to the members of the Board of Directors which generally vest over a two year service period, with compensation expense recognized on a straight-line basis.

The following table summarizes the activity in RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Number of
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 202010,300 $19.38 
Granted18,950 21.92 
Vested(3,433)19.38 
Forfeited  
Balance at December 31, 202025,817 $21.24 
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Share based compensation expense related to RSUs was $194,000 and $67,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $255,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs.

RSUs vest pro-rata over 3 years subject to achievement of certain established performance metrics. The ultimate number of RSUs earned, if any, will depend on the performance measured over each annual period during the applicable 3-year performance period. If performance measures are achieved, the RSUs will vest on the date of certification of performance achievement by the Compensation Committee following each annual performance period. On March 19, 2020, the Compensation Committee certified that the applicable performance metrics were achieved at 138% of target for 2019. Awards of RSUs are settled in cash unless the recipient timely elects for the RSUs to be settled in shares of common stock. The RSUs are recorded as a liability by the Company and the liability is adjusted as the market value of the Company's stock price changes.

17.           Commitments and Contingencies
 
Commitments With Off-Balance Sheet Risk: The consolidated balance sheet does not reflect various commitments relating to financial instruments which are used in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate that the settlement of those financial instruments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. These instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These financial instruments carry various degrees of credit risk, which is defined as the possibility that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of the contract. As these off-balance sheet financial instruments have essentially the same credit risk involved in extending loans, the Company generally uses the same credit and collateral policies in making these commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet investments. Additionally, as some commitments and conditional obligations are expected to expire without being drawn or returned, the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
 
Commitments to extend credit are legally binding loan commitments with set expiration dates. They are intended to be disbursed, subject to certain conditions, upon request of the borrower. The Company receives a fee for providing a commitment. The Company was committed to advance $66.8 million and $45.3 million for loans that have not closed and $341.9 million and $381.0 million for lines of credit on closed loans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company issues financial standby letters of credit that are within the scope of ASC Topic 460, “Guarantees.” These are irrevocable undertakings by the Company to guarantee payment of a specified financial obligation. Most of the Company’s financial standby letters of credit arise in connection with lending relationships and have terms of one year or less. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make under these standby letters of credit amounted to $686,000 at December 31, 2020 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2019. The current amount of the liability as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 for guarantors under standby letters of credit is not material.
 
The Company also enters into best efforts forward sales commitments to sell residential mortgage loans. These commitments are used to reduce the Company’s market price risk during the period from the commitment date to the sale date. The Company’s forward sales commitments were approximately $72.2 million at December 31, 2020 and $15 million at December 31, 2019. The notional amount of the locked rate origination commitments were $42.5 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the fair value of the locked rate loan origination commitments were $537,000 and $159,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Litigation: The Company may, in the ordinary course of business, become a party to litigation involving collection matters, contract claims and other legal proceedings relating to the conduct of its business.  The Company may also have various commitments and contingent liabilities which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Management is not aware of any present legal proceedings or contingent liabilities and commitments that would have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.


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18.           Other Operating Expenses
 
The components of other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
  (Dollars in thousands)202020192018
Regulatory, professional and other consulting fees $2,025 $1,806 $1,713 
Equipment1,640 1,286 1,175 
Telephone506 400 391 
Amortization of intangible assets390 140 318 
Insurance441 391 375 
Supplies339 275 294 
Marketing 124 302 280 
Other expenses 2,010 1,983 1,946 
 $7,475 $6,583 $6,492 

19.           Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal and state 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 and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Common Equity Tier 1, Total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and Tier I capital to average assets (Leverage ratio, as defined). As of December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

To be categorized as adequately capitalized, the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum Common Equity Tier 1, Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier I leverage capital ratios as set forth in the below table. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank's capital ratios exceeded the regulatory standards for well-capitalized institutions. Certain bank regulatory limitations exist on the availability of the Bank’s assets for the payment of dividends by the Bank without prior approval of bank regulatory authorities.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC approved revisions to their capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules that implemented and addressed the revised standards of Basel III and addressed relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Federal Reserve Board’s final rules and the FDIC’s interim final rules (which became final in April 2014 with no substantive changes) apply to all depository institutions, top-tier bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $500 million or more (which was subsequently increased to $1 billion or more in May 2015) and top-tier savings and loan holding companies (“banking organizations”). Among other things, the rules established a Common Equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets) and increased the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted assets). Banking organizations are also required to have a total capital ratio of at least 8% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4%.

The rules also limited a banking organization’s ability to pay dividends, engage in share repurchases or pay discretionary bonuses if the banking organization does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The rules became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015. The fully phased in capital conservation buffer was 2.5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in 2020 and 2019. As of December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank maintained a capital conservation buffer of at least 2.5%.

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies adopted a final rule, effective January 1, 2020, creating a community bank leverage ratio framework for institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion and that meet other qualifying criteria. The community bank leverage ratio framework provides for a simpler measure of capital adequacy for
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qualifying institutions. Qualifying institutions that elect to use the community bank leverage ratio framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9% will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the federal banking agencies’ capital rules and to have met the “well capitalized” ratio requirements. The Company and the Bank did not elect to use the framework.

The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
   For CapitalCorrective
ActualAdequacy PurposesAction Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
As of December 31, 2020      
Common equity Tier 1$167,067 11.11 %$67,676 4.50 %$97,754 6.50 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 182,708 12.15 %120,313 8.00 %150,391 10.00 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 167,067 11.11 %90,235 6.00 %120,313 8.00 %
Tier 1 leverage capital 167,067 9.40 %71,083 4.00 %88,854 5.00 %
As of December 31, 2019
  Common equity Tier 1$150,725 10.99 %$61,579 4.50 %$88,948 6.50 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 159,996 11.67 %109,474 8.00 %136,843 10.00 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 150,725 10.99 %82,106 6.00 %109,474 8.00 %
Tier 1 leverage capital 150,725 10.54 %57,222 4.00 %71,528 5.00 %

The Company's actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
   For CapitalCorrective
ActualAdequacy PurposesAction Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
As of December 31, 2020      
Common equity Tier 1$149,292 9.92 %$67,701 4.50 % N/A N/A
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 182,933 12.16 %120,357 8.00 % N/A N/A
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 167,292 11.12 %90,268 6.00 % N/A N/A
Tier 1 leverage capital 167,292 9.41 %71,105 4.00 % N/A N/A
As of December 31, 2019
  Common equity Tier 1$133,046 9.70 %$61,604 4.50 %N/AN/A
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 160,317 11.69 %109,519 8.00 %N/AN/A
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 151,046 11.01 %82,139 6.00 %N/AN/A
Tier 1 leverage capital 151,046 10.56 %57,245 4.00 %N/AN/A

Dividend payments by the Bank to the Company are subject to the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948, as amended (the “Banking Act”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the “FDIA”).  Under the Banking Act, the Bank may not pay dividends unless, following the dividend payment, the capital stock of the Bank will be unimpaired and (i) the Bank will have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock or, if not, (ii) the payment of such dividend will not reduce the surplus of the Bank. Under the FDIA, the Bank may not pay any dividends if after paying the dividend, it would be undercapitalized under applicable capital requirements. In addition to these explicit limitations, the federal regulatory agencies are authorized to prohibit a banking subsidiary or bank holding company from engaging in an unsafe or unsound banking practice. Depending upon the circumstances, the agencies could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice. The Bank is also limited in paying dividends if it does not maintain the necessary “capital conservation buffer” as discussed below.
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It is the policy of the Federal Reserve Board that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the immediately preceding year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividend that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiary. A bank holding company may not pay dividends when it is insolvent. The Company's payment of cash dividends to date were within the guidelines set forth in the Federal Reserve Board's policy.

In the event the Company defers payments on the junior subordinated debentures used to fund payments to be made pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, the Company would be unable to pay cash dividends on its common stock until the deferred payments are made.

20.           Shareholders’ Equity

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has issued a supervisory letter to bank holding companies that contains guidance on when the board of directors of a bank holding company should eliminate or defer or severely limit dividends, including, for example, when net income available for shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends. The letter also contains guidance on the redemption of stock by bank holding companies which urges bank holding companies to advise the Federal Reserve of any such redemption or repurchase of common stock for cash or other value which results in the net reduction of a bank holding company’s capital at the beginning of the quarter below the capital outstanding at the end of the quarter. The Company's payment of cash dividends to date were within the guidelines set forth in the Federal Reserve Board's supervisory letter.
 
On January 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a new common stock repurchase program. Under the new common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase in open market or privately negotiated transactions up to five (5%) percent of its common shares outstanding on the date of the approval of the stock repurchase program, which limitation will be adjusted for any future stock dividends. This new repurchase program replaced the repurchase program authorized on August 3, 2005. The Company repurchased no shares during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 under this program. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company withheld 14,411 shares of common stock in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.

21.           Fair Value Disclosures
 
U.S. GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1.
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2.
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3.
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
 
An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.  These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value.

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In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters.  Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value.  These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and counterparty creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters.  Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective value or reflective of future values.  While management believes that the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Securities Available for Sale: Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. For Level 2 securities, the fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Interest Rate Lock Derivatives. Interest rate lock commitments do not trade in active markets with readily observable prices. The fair value of an interest rate lock commitment is estimated based upon the forward sales price that is obtained in the best efforts commitment, taking into consideration the probability that the locked rate commitments will close.

Impaired loans: Loans included in the following table are those which the Company has measured and recognized impairment based generally on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties or discounted expected cash flows.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.  The fair value consists of the loan balances less specific valuation allowances.

Other Real Estate Owned.  Foreclosed properties are adjusted to fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of foreclosure in preparation for transfer from portfolio loans to other real estate owned (“OREO”), thereby establishing a new accounting basis.  The Company subsequently adjusts the fair value of the OREO, utilizing Level 3 inputs on a non-recurring basis to reflect partial write-downs based on the observable market price, current appraised value of the asset or other estimates of fair value. The fair value of other real estate owned is determined using appraisals, which may be discounted based on management’s review and changes in market conditions.

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
December 31, 2020
(In thousands)Level 1
Inputs
Level 2
Inputs
Level 3
Inputs
Total Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:    
 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government
        sponsored corporations ("GSE")  
$ $3,439 $ $3,439 
 Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE 36,779  36,779 
 Residential mortgage backed securities-GSE 13,597  13,597 
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions 27,452  27,452 
Corporate debt securities9,287 12,080  21,367 
Other debt securities 22,563  22,563 
Interest rate lock derivative 537  537 
Total$9,287 $116,447 $ $125,734 
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December 31, 2019
(In thousands)Level 1
Inputs
Level 2
Inputs
Level 3
Inputs
Total Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:    
     U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S Government
sponsored corporations (“GSE”)
$ $764 $ $764 
     Residential collateralized mortgage obligations - GSE                    53,175  53,175 
     Residential mortgage backed securities – GSE 18,387  18,387 
     Obligations of state and political subdivisions 33,519  33,519 
Corporate debt securities11,151 13,570  24,721 
Other debt securities 25,216  25,216 
Interest rate lock derivative 159  159 
Total$11,151 $144,790 $ $155,941 

Certain financial assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). 

Financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
(In thousands)Level 1
Inputs
Level 2
Inputs
Level 3
Inputs
Total Fair
Value
December 31, 2020    
Impaired loans  $8,769 $8,769 
Other real estate owned  92 92 
December 31, 2019    
Impaired loans  $7,092 $7,092 
Other real estate owned  93 93 

Impaired loans, measured at fair value and included in the above table, consisted of 5 loans having an aggregate balance of $10.9 million and specific loan loss allowances of $2.1 million at December 31, 2020 and 12 loans having an aggregate balance of $7.2 million and specific loan loss allowances of $69,000 at December 31, 2019.
The following table presents additional qualitative information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
(Dollars in thousands)Fair Value
Estimate
Valuation
Techniques
Unobservable
Input
Range (Weighted
Average)
December 31, 2020    
Impaired loans$8,769 Appraisal of collateral (1)Appraisal adjustments (2)
0.1%-40.4% (12.6%)
Other real estate owned92 Appraisal of collateral (1)Appraisal adjustments (2)
79.0% (79.0%)
December 31, 2019    
Impaired loans$7,092 Appraisal of collateral (1)Appraisal adjustments (2)
0.1%-40% (12.6%)
Other real estate owned$93 Appraisal of collateral (1)Appraisal adjustments (2)
47%- (47.0%)
 
(1)Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various Level 3 inputs that are not identifiable.
(2)Includes qualitative adjustments by management and estimated liquidation expenses.

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The following is a summary of the fair value and the carrying value of all of the Company’s financial instruments. For the Company and the Bank, as for most financial institutions, the bulk of assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of the financial instruments lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction. Therefore, significant estimations and present value calculations are used. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates.

The fair values and the carrying value of financial instruments at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
2020
(In thousands)Carrying
Value
Level 1
Inputs
Level 2
Inputs
Level 3
Inputs
Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents$21,995 $21,995 $ $ $21,995 
Securities available for sale125,197 9,287 115,910  125,197 
Securities held to maturity92,552  95,640  95,640 
Loans held for sale29,782  30,618  30,618 
Net loans1,418,065   1,463,821 1,463,821 
SBA servicing asset795  1,209  1,209 
Interest rate lock derivative537  537  537 
Accrued interest receivable5,273  5,273  5,273 
FHLB Stock1,498  1,498  1,498 
Deposits(1,562,839) (1,564,431) (1,564,431)
Short-term borrowings(9,825) (9,825) (9,825)
Redeemable subordinated debentures(18,557) (10,932) (10,932)
Accrued interest payable(851) (851) (851)
2019
(In thousands)Carrying
Value
Level 1
Inputs
Level 2
Inputs
Level 3
Inputs
Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents$14,842 $14,842 $ $ $14,842 
Securities available for sale155,782 11,151 144,631  155,782 
Securities held to maturity76,620  78,223  78,223 
Loans held for sale5,927  6,093  6,093 
Net loans1,206,757   1,243,088 1,243,088 
SBA servicing asset930  1,245  1,245 
Interest rate lock derivative159  159  159 
Accrued interest  receivable4,945  4,945  4,945 
FHLB Stock4,176  4,176  4,176 
Deposits(1,277,362) (1,278,166) (1,278,166)
Short-term borrowings(92,050) (92,050) (92,050)
Redeemable subordinated debentures(18,557) (12,837) (12,837)
Accrued interest payable(1,592) (1,592) (1,592)

Loan commitments and standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were based on fees charged for similar agreements; accordingly, the estimated fair values of loan commitments and standby letters of credit were nominal.

22.     Revenue from Contracts with Customers

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of Topic 606 is recognized within non-interest income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Items outside the scope of Topic 606 are noted as such.
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For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202020192018
Service charges on deposits:
  Overdraft fees$195 $368 $343 
  Other406 295 295 
Interchange income660 460 405 
Other income - in scope623 412 521 
Gain (loss) on sale of OREO75 (101) 
Income on BOLI (1)
818 623 575 
Gains on sales of loans, net (1)
10,230 4,885 4,475 
Loan servicing fees (1)
652 711 656 
Gain on sales/calls of securities (1)
101 30 12 
Gain from bargain purchase (1)
  230 
Other income (1)
883 554 406 
$14,643 $8,237 $7,918 
(1) Not within the scope of Topic 606
A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under Topic 606 follows:

Service Charges on Deposits: The Company earns fees from its deposit account customers for transaction-based, account maintenance and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.

Interchange Income: The Company earns interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions conducted through the Visa payment network. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Other Income: The Company earns other fees from the execution of and receipt of wire transfers for customers, the rental of safe deposit boxes and fees for other services provided to customers. These fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed or the service is provided as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request.

Gain (loss) on Sale of OREO: The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. The Company generally does not finance the sale of OREO to the buyer; however, in determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain or loss on sale if a significant financing component is present.

23.    Leases

At December 31, 2020, the Company had 37 operating leases under which the Company is a lessee. Of the 37 leases, 23 leases were for real property, including leases for 19 of the Company’s branch offices and 4 leases were for general office space including the Company’s headquarters. All of the real property leases include one or more options to extend the lease term. Four of the branch office leases are for the land on which the branch offices are located and the Company owns the leasehold improvements.

In addition, the Company had 13 leases for office equipment, which are primarily copiers and printers and one automobile lease. None of these leases include extensions and they generally have three to five year terms.

The Company does not have any finance leases.

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For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized rent and equipment expense associated with these leases as follows:
(In thousands)202020192018
Operating lease cost:
Fixed rent expense and equipment expense$2,697 $2,021 $2,055 
Short-term lease expense47 12 — 
Net lease cost$2,744 $2,033 $2,055 

(In thousands)202020192018
Lease cost - occupancy expense$2,495 $1,778 $1,801 
Lease cost - other expense249 255 254 
Net lease cost$2,744 $2,033 $2,055 

Following is the cash and non-cash activities that were associated with the leases for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202020192018
 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 Operating cash flows from operating leases$2,565 $1,840 $2,055 
 Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 Additions to ROU assets obtained from:
 New operating lease liabilities
Upon adoption$ $15,674 $— 
New or acquired during the year337 3,765 — 

The future payments due under operating leases at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
At December 31,
(In thousands)202020192018
Due in less than one year$2,106 $2,070 $1,525 
Due in one year but less than two years2,088 2,035 1,392 
Due in two years but less than three years1,993 2,022 1,245 
Due in three years but less than four years1,838 1,984 1,008 
Due in four years but less than five years1,669 1,847 798 
Thereafter13,437 15,118 2,284 
Total future payments$23,131 $25,076 $8,252 
Less: Implied interest(5,744)(6,459)— 
Total lease liability$17,387 $18,617 $8,252 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, future payments due under operating leases were based on ASC Topic 842 and included, in general, at least one lease renewal option on all real estate leases except on three land leases where all renewal options were included. As of December 31, 2018, the minimum future payments were disclosed as required by ASC Topic 840 and do not include future rent related to renewal options.

As of December 31, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term for all operating leases is 14.6 years. The weighted average discount rate associated with the operating leases as of December 31, 2020 was 3.34%.





24.           Parent-only Financial Information

The condensed financial statements of 1ST Constitution Bancorp (parent company only) are presented below:
 
1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
Condensed Statements of Financial Condition
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31,
 20202019
Assets:
  
Cash$404 $594 
Investment securities 557 557 
Investment in subsidiary205,432 188,257 
Total Assets$206,393 $189,408 
Liabilities And Shareholders’ Equity  
Other liabilities$179 $273 
Subordinated debentures18,557 18,557 
Shareholders’ equity187,657 170,578 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity$206,393 $189,408 



1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in Thousands)
 Year ended December 31,
 202020192018
Income:  
Dividend income from subsidiary$4,127 $3,369 $2,830 
Total Income4,127 3,369 2,830 
Expense:
Interest expense434 748 694 
Total Expense434 748 694 
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
3,693 2,621 2,136 
Income tax benefit(91)(155)(146)
Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries3,784 2,776 2,282 
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries14,302 10,858 9,766 
Net Income18,086 13,634 12,048 
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries1,741 2,024 (1,097)
Comprehensive Income$19,827 $15,658 $10,951 

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1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in Thousands)
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
Operating Activities:  
Net Income$18,086 $13,634 $12,048 
Adjustments:
Decrease in other assets  2,520 
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities(94)(163)407 
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries(14,302)(10,858)(9,766)
Net cash provided by operating activities3,690 2,613 5,209 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:  
Cash paid for NJCB merger  (3,069)
Net cash used in investing activities  (3,069)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:  
Cash dividend paid(3,676)(2,593)(2,120)
Exercise of stock options39 149 88 
Purchase of treasury stock, net(243)  
Net cash used in financing activities(3,880)(2,444)(2,032)
Net (decrease) increase in cash(190)169 108 
Cash at beginning of year594 425 317 
Cash at end of year$404 $594 $425 
`

25.           Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth a condensed summary of the Company’s quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Selected 2020 Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)December 31September 30June 30March 31
Interest income$18,324 $17,708 $16,726 $16,388 
Interest expense1,957 2,356 2,878 3,452 
Net interest income16,367 15,352 13,848 12,936 
Provision for loan losses1,358 2,320 2,125 895 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses15,009 13,032 11,723 12,041 
Non-interest income4,351 4,736 3,100 2,456 
Non-interest expense11,163 10,962 9,837 9,793 
Income before income taxes8,197 6,806 4,986 4,704 
Income taxes2,132 1,896 1,296 1,283 
Net  income$6,065 $4,910 $3,690 $3,421 
Earnings per common share:(1)
    
Basic$0.59 $0.48 $0.36 $0.34 
Diluted0.59 0.48 0.36 0.33 

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Selected 2019 Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)December 31September 30June 30March 31
Interest income$16,748 $14,874 $14,553 $13,915 
Interest expense3,589 3,357 3,120 2,688 
Net interest income13,159 11,517 11,433 11,227 
Provision for loan losses300 350 400 300 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses12,859 11,167 11,033 10,927 
Non-interest income1,995 2,206 2,170 1,866 
Non-interest expense10,453 8,436 8,566 8,094 
Income before income taxes4,401 4,937 4,637 4,699 
Income taxes1,157 1,314 1,267 1,302 
Net income $3,244 $3,623 $3,370 $3,397 
Earnings per common share:(1)
    
Basic$0.34 $0.42 $0.39 $0.39 
Diluted0.34 0.42 0.39 0.39 
Selected 2018 Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)December 31September 30June 30March 31
Interest income$13,754 $13,783 $12,881 $11,055 
Interest expense2,415 2,387 1,863 1,376 
Net interest income11,339 11,396 11,018 9,679 
Provision for loan losses225 225 225 225 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses11,114 11,171 10,793 9,454 
Non-interest income1,836 2,154 2,043 1,885 
Non-interest expense8,295 7,894 10,251 7,645 
Income before income taxes4,655 5,431 2,585 3,694 
Income taxes1,342 1,420 714 841 
Net income$3,313 $4,011 $1,871 $2,853 
Earnings per common share:(1)    
Basic$0.39 $0.48 $0.22 $0.35 
Diluted0.38 0.46 0.22 0.34 


(1) The sum of quarterly income per basic and diluted common share may not equal net income per basic and diluted common share, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 due to differences in the computation of weighted average diluted common shares on a quarterly and annual basis.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
   
Date:March 15, 2021By:/s/ ROBERT F. MANGANO
  Robert F. Mangano
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Capacity Date
 
/s/ ROBERT F. MANGANO
 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director March 15, 2021
Robert F. Mangano
 (Principal Executive Officer) 
/s/ STEPHEN J. GILHOOLYSenior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial OfficerMarch 15, 2021
Stephen J. Gilhooly

/s/ NAQI A. NAQVI 
(Principal Financial Officer)

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
March 15, 2021
Naqi A. Naqvi(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ CHARLES S. CROW, III Chairman of the Board March 15, 2021
Charles S. Crow, III
 
/s/ WILLIAM M. RUE
 Director March 15, 2021
William M. Rue
 
/s/ EDWIN J. PISANI
 Director March 15, 2021
Edwin J. Pisani
 
/s/ ANTONIO L. CRUZ
 Director March 15, 2021
Antonio L. Cruz
 
/s/ ROY D. TARTAGLIA
 Director March 15, 2021
Roy D. Tartaglia
 
/s/ J. LYNNE CANNON
 Director March 15, 2021
 J. Lynne Cannon
 
/s/ JAMES G. AARON
 Director March 15, 2021
James G. Aaron
 
/s/ CARMEN M. PENTA
DirectorMarch 15, 2021
 Carmen M. Penta
 
/s/ WILLIAM J. BARRETT
 Director March 15, 2021
William J. Barrett

/s/ RAYMOND R. CICCONE
DirectorMarch 15, 2021
 Raymond R. Ciccone
 
138