Old Second Bancorp Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2025

Overview

The following discussion provides additional information regarding our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, and our financial condition at March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as well as the financial and statistical data appearing elsewhere in this report and our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025, are not necessarily indicative of future results. Dollar amounts presented in the following tables are in thousands, except per share data, and March 31, 2025 and 2024 amounts are unaudited.

In this report, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the combined business of Old Second Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary bank, Old Second National Bank (the “Bank”).

We have made, and will continue to make, various forward-looking statements with respect to financial and business matters. Comments regarding our business that are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. For additional information regarding our cautionary disclosures, see the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this report.

Business Overview

The Company is a bank holding company headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Old Second National Bank, a national banking organization also headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, we offer a wide range of financial services through our 53 banking centers located in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle and Will counties in Illinois. These banking centers offer access to a full range of traditional retail and commercial banking services including treasury management operations as well as fiduciary and wealth management services. We focus our business on establishing and maintaining relationships with our clients while maintaining a commitment to provide for the financial services needs of the communities in which we operate. We emphasize relationships with individual customers as well as small to medium-sized businesses throughout our market area. We also have extensive wealth management services, which includes a registered investment advisory platform in addition to trust administration and trust services related to personal and corporate trusts and employee benefit plan administration services.

On December 6, 2024, we completed our branch transaction with First Merchants Bank (“FRME”). Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement, we assumed approximately $268.0 million in deposits related to the branch locations acquired and purchased approximately $7.1 million in branch-related loans along with other branch-related assets. The five branches acquired in the transaction are located in Cook and DuPage counties in Illinois as part the branch purchase agreement.

On February 24, 2025, Old Second and Bancorp Financial, Inc. entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “merger agreement”). The merger agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Bancorp Financial will merge with and into Old Second, with Old Second continuing as the surviving entity (the “merger”). Immediately following the merger, Evergreen Bank Group (“Evergreen Bank”), an Illinois state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp Financial, will merge with and into Old Second National Bank, a national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Second, with Old Second National Bank continuing as the surviving bank (the “bank merger”).

Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, each Bancorp Financial stockholder will receive 2.5814 shares of Old Second common stock and $15.93 in cash for each share of Bancorp Financial common stock owned by the stockholder. Holders of Bancorp Financial common stock, subject to certain exceptions, will also be entitled to receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Old Second common stock.

The parties expect to complete the merger in the third quarter of 2025, subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, including receipt of customary required regulatory approvals and the approval of the merger agreement by the Bancorp Financial stockholders.

Our results of operations depend generally on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows. In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk to the degree that our interest-earning assets mature or reprice at different times, or at different speeds, than our interest-bearing liabilities. Our results of operations are also affected by noninterest income, such as service charges, wealth management fees, loan fees, gains from the sale of newly originated loans, gains or losses on investments and certain other noninterest related items. Our principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy costs, professional fees, data processing expenses and provision for credit losses.

We are significantly impacted by prevailing economic conditions, including federal monetary and fiscal policies, and federal regulations of financial institutions. Deposit balances are influenced by numerous factors such as competing investments, the level of income and the personal rate of savings within our market areas. Factors influencing lending activities include the demand for housing and the interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions.

As of March 31, 2025, all of our capital ratios were in excess of all regulatory requirements. While we believe that we have sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession, our reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by credit losses.

Financial Overview

Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $19.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to $19.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $21.3 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024. The reduction in net income compared to the prior year like period was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense of $6.3 million and a $300,000 decrease in noninterest income. Partially offsetting these negative impacts on net income in the first quarter of 2025 was an increase in net interest and dividend income of $3.1 million year over year driven by a $2.9 million decrease to interest expense primarily due to lower short-term borrowing expense, a $235,000 increase in interest and dividend income, a $1.1 million decrease in provision for credit losses, and an $861,000 decrease in provision for income taxes. Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes mortgage servicing rights mark to market activity and certain nonrecurring items, as applicable, was $20.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $20.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $21.2 million for the first quarter of 2024.

See the discussion entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 45, as well as the table below, which provides a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalents.

The following provides an overview of some of the factors impacting our financial performance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, compared to the like period ended March 31, 2024:

• Net interest and dividend income was $62.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $59.8 million for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest and dividend income in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily due to higher securities and loan yields and lower other short-term borrowing costs, partially offset by higher deposit costs.
• We recorded a net provision for credit losses of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, driven by quarterly net charge-offs of $4.4 million, as well as an increase in select qualitative factors primarily driven by recent global tariff volatility and a slight uptick in the macro-economic unemployment assumptions used for forecast. Further, we recorded a $115,000 provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments in the first quarter of 2025 based on an adjustment of historical benchmark assumptions, such as funding rates and the period used to forecast those rates, within the ACL calculation. We recorded a net provision for credit losses of $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2024.
• Noninterest income was $10.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $10.5 million for the first quarter of 2024. Contributing to the lower noninterest income was a $499,000 decrease in mortgage banking revenue driven by mark to market losses on mortgage servicing rights as well as a $674,000 decrease in the quarterly adjustment to the cash surrender value of BOLI (which includes COLI) due to market changes in the underlying assets of our COLI investments in the first quarter of 2025. These decreases were partially offset by a $528,000 increase in wealth management income and a $304,000 increase in service charges on deposits.
• Noninterest expense was $44.5 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $38.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $6.3 million, or 16.4%. Contributing to the increase in noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2025 was higher salaries and employee benefits as well as increases in occupancy, furniture and equipment, amortization of core deposit intangibles, legal fees, and OREO related expenses.
• We had a provision for income tax expense of $6.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a provision for income tax expense of $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate for these two periods was 24.3% and 25.3%, respectively.
• As of March 31, 2025, we experienced a decrease of $41.1 million in total loans compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, and a decrease of $29.2 million in total loans compared to March 31, 2024. We believe we can still achieve single digit loan growth in 2025 despite a softer outlook in business and trading activities. We continue to seek to provide value to our customers and the communities in which we operate, by executing on growth opportunities in our local markets and developing new banking relationships, while seeking to ensure the safety and soundness of our Bank, our customers, and our employees.
• Nonaccrual loans increased $4.5 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, and decreased $30.9 million compared to March 31, 2024. The increase in nonaccrual loans in the first quarter of 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, was primarily due to inflows of $11.7 million on fifteen loans, consisting primarily of seven commercial loans totaling $10.2 million. The inflows are partially offset by $4.4 million of net charge-offs year to date, as well as $1.7 million of paid off nonaccrual loans, and $1.0 million reduction of principal. The decrease in nonaccrual loans year over year is due to various charge-offs, larger transfers to OREO in late 2024 which were sold in the first quarter of 2025, and an increase in paid off loans over the last twelve months, primarily related to the CRE-Investor portfolio, the majority of which are office and healthcare loans. Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans was 0.9% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 0.8% as of December 31, 2024, and 1.6% as of March 31, 2024. Classified assets decreased to $88.4 million as of March 31, 2025, which is $25.7 million, or 22.5%, less than December 31, 2024, and $52.2 million, or 37.1%, less than March 31, 2024.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and follow general practices within the banking industry. These policies require the reliance on estimates and assumptions, which may prove inaccurate or are subject to variations. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Future changes in information may affect these estimates, assumptions, and judgments, which, in turn, may affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates could have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations.

Of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we have identified certain items as critical accounting policies based on the associated estimates, assumptions, judgments and complexity. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies or the estimates made pursuant to those policies during the most recent quarter from those disclosed in our 2024 Annual Report in Form 10-K.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the presentation of net interest income and net interest margin on a tax equivalent (“TE”) basis, adjusted net income, adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share, our adjusted efficiency ratio, and our tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures (a) provides important supplemental information that contributes to a proper understanding of our operating performance, (b) enables a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business, and (c) allows investors to evaluate our performance in a manner similar to management, the financial services industry, bank stock analysts, and bank regulators. Management uses non-GAAP measures as follows: in the preparation of our operating budgets, monthly financial performance reporting, and in our presentation of our performance to investors. However, we acknowledge that these non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risk that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items comprising these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. These measures should not be considered an alternative to our GAAP results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below or alongside the first instance where each non-GAAP financial measure is used.

Results of Operations

Overview

Three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

Our income before taxes was $26.2 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $28.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. This decrease in pretax income was primarily due to a $6.3 million increase in noninterest expense and a $300,000 decrease in noninterest income. Income before taxes was positively impacted by a $2.9 million decrease in interest expense, and a $1.1 million decrease in provision for credit losses. The noninterest expense increase of $6.3 million is primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in salary and employee benefits expense, a $621,000 increase in occupancy, furniture and equipment, a $457,000 increase in amortization of core deposit intangibles, a $246,000 increase in legal fees, and a $1.8 million increase in OREO related expenses. Our net income was $19.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $21.3 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024. The Bank remains well positioned to navigate uncertain macroeconomics; we have mitigated interest rate risk, controlled expenses in an inflationary environment, and actively managed daily liquidity. Furthermore, we continue to possess strong liquidity metrics and a short duration securities portfolio for short term funding needs.

Net interest and dividend income was $62.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $59.8 million in the first quarter of 2024. The $3.1 million increase was driven by a decrease in other short-term borrowings in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to the majority of these borrowings being paid down in the fourth quarter of 2024, as well as a $235,000 increase in dividend and interest income. Partially offsetting the increase in net interest and dividend income was a net increase in deposit interest expense of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, which is our primary source of earnings, is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, accretion income on purchased loans, dividend income earned on certain equity investments, and interest incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Net interest income depends upon the relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the ratio of interest-earning assets to total assets and of interest-bearing liabilities to total funding sources, and movements in market interest rates. Our net interest income can be significantly influenced by a variety of factors, including overall loan demand, economic conditions, credit risk, the amount of nonearning assets including nonperforming loans and OREO, the amounts of and rates at which assets and liabilities reprice, variances in prepayment of loans and securities, early withdrawal of deposits, exercise of call options on borrowings or securities, a general rise or decline in interest rates, changes in the slope of the yield-curve, and balance sheet growth or contraction.

Three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

Yield on earnings assets decreased two basis points compared to the linked period, which was primarily driven by repricing within the securities and loan portfolios and, to a lesser extent, higher volumes of interest earning deposits with financial institutions, which were partially offset by a reduction in yields. Changes in the market interest rate environment impact earning assets at varying intervals depending on the repricing timeline of securities and loans, as well as the securities maturity, security and loan paydowns and security purchase activities.

The year over year increase of nine basis points on interest earning assets was primarily driven by overall increases to benchmark interest rates over the past twelve months, primarily impacting variable rate loans and securities. Average balances of securities available for sale decreased $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior year like quarter, while the tax equivalent yield on the securities available for sale portfolio increased 41 basis points year over year primarily due to variable security rate resets. Average balances of loans and loans held for sale decreased $60.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior year like quarter, while the tax equivalent yield on loans and loans held for sale increased four basis points.

Average balances of interest bearing deposit accounts have increased steadily since the fourth quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2025, from $2.89 billion to $3.10 billion, as NOW, money market, savings, and time account average balances all increased due to the impact of FRME acquired deposits. We have continued to control the cost of funds over the periods reflected by monitoring market activity as well as allowing previous exception-priced deposits to runoff naturally, which resulted in a 13 basis point reduction in the cost of interest bearing deposits, from 141 basis points for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, to 128 basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. A 52 basis point decrease in the cost of time deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, drove a significant portion of the overall decrease from the prior linked quarter. The cost of interest-bearing deposits increased ten basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, from 118 basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. A 22 basis point increase in the cost of money market accounts drove a significant portion of the overall increase from the prior year like quarter.

Borrowing costs decreased in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily due to the $203.3 million decrease in average other short-term borrowings stemming from a decrease in average daily FHLB advances over the prior linked quarter as the remainder of this borrowing was paid down in the first quarter of 2025. The decrease of $330.8 million year over year of average FHLB advances was based on daily liquidity needs and was the primary driver of the $4.6 million decrease to interest expense on other short-term borrowings. Subordinated and junior subordinated debt interest expense were essentially flat over each of the periods presented.

Our net interest margin, for both GAAP and tax equivalent (“TE”) presentations, showed solid growth over the periods presented above, most significantly in the current quarter. Our net interest margin (GAAP) increased 19 basis points to 4.85% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 4.66% for the fourth quarter of 2024, and increased 30 basis points compared to 4.55% for the first quarter of 2024. Our net interest margin (TE) increased 20 basis points to 4.88% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 4.68% for the fourth quarter of 2024, and increased 30 basis points compared to 4.58% for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest margin for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the prior linked quarter, was driven by an increase in market interest rates as well as the impact of a full quarter of average deposit balances stemming from the acquisition of the acquired FRME branches, which drove down our cost of funds. Although interest income and expense both decreased compared to the prior linked quarter, interest expense decreased at a higher rate leading to increased net interest income. The net interest margin increased in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the prior year like quarter, primarily due to the significant decrease of other short-term borrowings as well as higher security and loan yields on lower average balances, partially offset by the increase in costs of interest bearing deposits. See the discussion entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, above, and the tables beginning on page 48 that provide a reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent.

Analysis of Average Balances,

Tax Equivalent Income / Expense and Rates

(Dollars in thousands - unaudited)

​

1 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See the discussion entitled “Reconciliation of Tax-Equivalent Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below that provides a reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent. Tax equivalent basis is calculated using a marginal tax rate of 21% in 2025 and 2024.

2 Interest income from loans is shown on a tax equivalent basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as discussed in the table on page 48, and includes loan fee income of $545,000 for the first quarter of 2025, loan fee income of $140,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024, and loan fee expense of $867,000 for the first quarter of 2024. Nonaccrual loans are included in the above-stated average balances.

Reconciliation of Tax-Equivalent (TE) Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net interest and dividend income (TE) and net interest income (TE) to average interest earning assets are non-GAAP measures that have been adjusted on a TE basis using a marginal rate of 21% for 2025 and 2024 to compare returns more appropriately on tax-exempt loans and securities to other earning assets. The table below provides a reconciliation of each non-GAAP (TE) measure to the GAAP equivalent for the periods indicated:

Noninterest Income

Three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

The following table details the major components of noninterest income for the periods presented:

(Dollars in thousands)

Noninterest income decreased $1.4 million, or 12.1%, in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, and decreased $300,000, or 2.9%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by a $1.0 million decrease in residential mortgage banking revenue primarily due to a decrease of $955,000 in MSRs mark to market valuation based on faster prepayment speeds and lower balances. Also contributing to the decrease during the quarter was a $210,000 decrease in wealth management income primarily due to a decline in estate fees, and a $269,000 decrease in the cash surrender value of BOLI due to market interest rates.

The decrease in noninterest income of $300,000 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024, is primarily due to a $499,000 decrease in residential mortgage banking revenue primarily due to a $664,000 decrease in MSRs mark to market valuations based on faster prepayment speeds. Also contributing to the decrease during the quarter was a $674,000 decrease in the quarterly adjustment to the cash surrender value of BOLI (which includes COLI) due to market changes in the underlying assets of our COLI investments. Partially offsetting the decrease in noninterest income from the prior year like quarter was a $528,000 increase in wealth management income primarily due to growth in advisory fees and estate fees and a $304,000 increase in service charges on deposits partially related to growth in commercial treasury management fees.

Noninterest Expense

Three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

The following table details the major components of noninterest expense for the periods presented:

(Dollars in thousands)

N/M – Not meaningful.

1 The efficiency ratio shown in the table above is a GAAP financial measure calculated as noninterest expense, excluding amortization of core deposits and OREO expenses, divided by the sum of net interest income and total noninterest income less net gains or losses on securities, and mark to market gains or losses on MSRs.

2 The adjusted efficiency ratio shown in the table above is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as noninterest expense, excluding amortization of core deposits, OREO expenses, acquisition expense, net of gains or losses on branch sales, as applicable, divided by the sum of net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis, total noninterest income less net gains or losses on securities, mark to market gains or losses on MSRs, and includes a tax equivalent adjustment on the change in cash surrender value of BOLI. See the discussion entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above and the table on page 50 that provides a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2025 increased $183,000, or 0.4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, and increased $6.3 million, or 16.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, was attributable to a $1.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, with increases reflected primarily in restricted stock expense, payroll taxes, and increases in salaries based on increased base salary rates. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2025 was a $321,000 increase in the amortization of core deposit intangible due to a full quarter of expense recorded with the FRME branch purchase in December 2024. Partially offsetting the increase over the prior linked quarter was a $311,000 decrease in computer and data processing, a $457,000 decrease in consulting & management fees, and a $363,000 decrease in other expense; all three of these decreases quarter over linked quarter are due to FRME related costs recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The year over year increase in noninterest expense is primarily attributable to a $2.7 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, primarily due to increases in annual base salary rates, officers’ incentives, and restricted stock expense Also contributing to the increase was a $621,000 increase in occupancy, furniture and equipment, a $457,000 increase in core deposit intangible, and a $246,000 increase in legal fees primarily due to transaction-related costs incurred related to our branch purchase from FRME in December 2024 and our pending acquisition of Bancorp Financial announced in late February 2025. Other increases year over year include a $1.8 million increase in other real estate owned expense, net, related to operating and closing costs as we liquidated two large OREO properties during the first quarter of 2025.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Efficiency Ratio Non-GAAP Financial Measures

N/A - not applicable

Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $6.4 million for the first quarter of 2025 on $26.2 million of pretax income, compared to income tax expense of $6.3 million on $25.4 million of pretax income in the fourth quarter of 2024, and income tax expense of $7.2 million on $28.5 million of pretax income in the first quarter of 2024. Our effective tax rate was 24.3% in the first quarter of 2025, 24.7% for the fourth quarter of 2024, and 25.3% for the first quarter of 2024.

Income tax expense reflected all relevant statutory tax rates and GAAP accounting. There were no significant changes in our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets during the quarter ended March 31, 2025. We had no valuation reserve on the deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2025.

Financial Condition

Total assets increased $78.3 million to $5.73 billion at March 31, 2025, from $5.65 billion at December 31, 2024, due primarily to the increase of $156.8 million in cash stemming from the FRME acquisition, offset by a decrease in total loans of $41.1 million, a decrease in securities available-for-sale of $15.0 million, and a decrease of $18.7 million of OREO. We continue to actively assess potential investment opportunities to utilize our excess liquidity. Total deposits were $4.85 billion at March 31, 2025, an increase of $84.1 million from December 31, 2024.

(Dollars in thousands)

Securities available-for-sale decreased $15.0 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, and decreased $22.1 million compared to March 31, 2024. The decrease in the portfolio during the first quarter of 2025 was driven by maturities and calls totaling $55.8 million and paydowns totaling $50.6 million; partially offset by $82.9 million in purchases and an $8.9 million decrease to unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale. We continue to position the portfolio in higher credit quality, shorter duration securities with an appropriate mix of fixed- and floating-rate exposures.

(Dollars in thousands)

1 The “Other” segment includes consumer loans and overdrafts.

Total loans were $3.94 billion as of March 31, 2025, a decrease of $41.1 million from December 31, 2024. The decrease in total loans in the first three months of 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, was due primarily to paydowns, net of originations, within commercial of $67.6 million, commercial real estate – owner occupied of $13.3 million, and multifamily of $10.1 million, partially offset by net increases in commercial real estate – investor of $26.6 million, leases of $13.7 million, and construction of $4.1 million. Total loans decreased $29.2 million compared to March 31, 2024, primarily due to paydowns, net of originations, within commercial real estate – owner occupied of $112.6 million, commercial of $63.7 million, and multifamily of $46.2 million, partially offset by net increases in leases of $79.8 million, commercial real estate – investor of $87.1 million, and construction of $36.7 million. As required by CECL, the balance (or amortized cost basis) of purchased credit deteriorated loans, or PCD loans (discussed below) is carried on a gross basis, rather than net of the associated credit loss estimate, and the expected credit losses for PCD loans are estimated and separately recognized as part of the allowance for credit losses, or ACL.

The quality of our loan portfolio is impacted not only by our credit decisions but also by the economic health of the communities in which we operate. Since we are located in a corridor with significant open space and undeveloped real estate, real estate lending (including commercial real estate, construction, residential, multifamily, and HELOCs) has been and continues to be a sizeable portion of our portfolio. These categories comprised 68.2% of the portfolio as of March 31, 2025, compared to 67.2% of the portfolio as of December 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, our outstanding commercial real estate loans and undrawn commercial real estate commitments, excluding owner occupied real estate, were equal to 267.5% of our Tier 1 capital plus allowance for credit losses, a decrease from 273.3% at December 31, 2024. We continue to oversee and seek to manage our loan portfolio in accordance with interagency guidance on risk management.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming loans consist of nonaccrual loans and loans 90 days or greater past due. Nonperforming loans increased by $4.5 million to $34.8 million at March 31, 2025, from $30.3 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $30.3 million from $65.1 million at March 31, 2024. Purchased credit deteriorated loans, or PCD loans, are purchased loans that, as of the date of acquisition, we determined had experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. PCD loans and their related deferred loan costs are included in our nonperforming loan disclosures, if such loans otherwise meet the definition of a nonperforming loan. Management continues to carefully monitor loans considered to be in a classified status. Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans were 0.9% as of March 31, 2025, 0.8% as of December 31, 2024, and 1.6% as of March 31, 2024. The distribution of our nonperforming loans is shown in the following table.

(Dollars in thousands)

N/M – Not meaningful.

1 The “Other” segment includes consumer loans and overdrafts.

The components of our nonperforming assets are shown in the following table.

(Dollars in thousands)

N/M – Not meaningful.

1 Repossessed assets are reported within other assets.

Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the first quarter of 2025, prior linked quarter and year over year quarter are shown in the following table.

(Dollars in thousands)

1 Represents the percentage of net charge-offs attributable to each category of loans.

2 The “Other” segment includes consumer and overdrafts.

Net charge offs of $4.4 million were recorded for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $4.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, and net charge-offs of $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting continuing management attention to credit quality and remediation efforts. The net charge offs for the first quarter of 2025 were primarily due to one charge off on two commercial loans totaling $3.4 million, and one construction loan for $821,000. We have continued our conservative loan valuations and aggressive recovery efforts on prior charge-offs.

Classified loans include nonaccrual loans and accruing substandard and doubtful loans. Classified assets include both classified loans, OREO, and repossessed assets. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by either the current net worth and ability to meet payment obligations of the obligor, or by the collateral pledged to secure the loan, if any. These loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and carry the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if deficiencies remain uncorrected. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent as those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

The following table shows classified assets by segment for the following periods.

(Dollars in thousands)

N/M - Not meaningful

1 Repossessed assets are reported within other assets.

Total classified loans and classified assets decreased $7.0 million and $25.7 million as of March 31, 2025, from December 31, 2024, respectively. The decrease in classified assets since December 31, 2024, is due to loan outflows of $8.1 million which consisted of $1.7 million of loans paid off, $1.5 million of loans charged off, $481,000 of classified loans upgraded, $4.4 million of principal reductions through payments and partial charge offs, and OREO outflows of $18.7 million on two OREO sales. The outflows are offset by the additions of $1.1 million. The $52.2 million decrease in classified assets compared to March 31, 2024, is primarily due to a classified loan decrease of $50.4 million. Classified loans from March 31, 2024, had outflows of $118.7 million which consisted of $42.4 million of loans paid off, $29.8 million of classified loans upgraded, $7.5 million of loans charged off, $22.1 million of principal reductions, and $17.6 million transferred to OREO. The outflows are offset by additions of $68.3 million from March 31, 2024. Management monitors a ratio of classified assets to the sum of Bank Tier 1 capital and the ACL on loans as another measure of overall change in loan related asset quality, which is referred to as the “classified assets ratio.” The classified assets ratio was 13.12% for the period ended March 31, 2025, compared to 17.45% as of December 31, 2024, and 21.33% as of March 31, 2024.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.

At March 31, 2025, our ACL on loans totaled $41.6 million, and our ACL on unfunded commitments, included in other liabilities, totaled $2.0 million. In the first quarter of 2025, we recorded provision expense on loans of $2.3 million driven by the downgrade of two credits resulting in a reduced specific allocation and a slight upward adjustment to a macro-economic forecast, these negative trends were offset by upgrades and payoffs on credits that carried higher loss rates. The reduction in provision for commercial real estate – owner occupied was driven primarily by two credits moving from substandard to nonaccrual with a higher required pooled reserve than what is required with an individual reserve based on improved property valuations. Further, we recorded a $115,000 provision on unfunded commitments, primarily due to an adjustment of historical benchmark assumptions, such as funding rates and the period used to forecast those rates, within the ACL calculation. These adjustments resulted in a $2.4 million net impact to the provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2025.

Management estimates the amount of provision required on a quarterly basis and records the appropriate provision expense, or release of expense, to maintain an adequate reserve for all potential and estimated credit losses on loans, leases and unfunded commitments. The ACL on loans totaled $41.6 million as of March 31, 2025, $43.6 million as of December 31, 2024, and $44.1 million as of March 31, 2024. Our ACL on loans to total loans was 1.05% as of March 31, 2025, 1.10% as of December 31, 2024, and 1.11% as of March 31, 2024. See Item 7 – Critical Accounting Estimates in the Management Discussion and Analysis in our 2024 Annual Report in Form 10-K for discussion of our ACL methodology on loans. Allocations of the ACL may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in our judgment, should be charged-off.

Below is a reconciliation of the activity in the allowance for credit losses on loans for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

1 The “Other” segment includes consumer loans and overdrafts.

2 Amount does not include the provision for unfunded commitment liability.

The coverage ratio of the ACL on loans to nonperforming loans was 119.4% as of March 31, 2025, which was a decrease from the coverage ratio of 144.0% as of December 31, 2024, and an increase from 67.8% as of March 31, 2024. Net charge-offs to average loans have remained relatively stable over the past year, at 0.45% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, 0.49% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and 0.37% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

In management’s judgment, an adequate ACL has been established to encompass the current lifetime expected credit losses at March 31, 2025, as well as general changes in lending policy, procedures and staffing, and other external factors. However, there can be no assurance that actual losses will not exceed the estimated amounts in the future, based on unforeseen economic events, changes in business climates and the condition of collateral at the time of default and repossession. Continued volatility in the economic environment stemming from the impacts of and response to inflation, tariffs, potential recession, and the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, and the associated effects on our customers, or other factors, such as changes in business climates and the condition of collateral at the time of default or repossession, may revise our current expectations of future credit losses in future reporting periods.

Other Real Estate Owned

As of March 31, 2025, OREO totaled $2.9 million, reflecting a decrease of $18.7 million from $21.6 million at December 31, 2024, and a decrease of $2.2 million from $5.1 million at March 31, 2024. There were two property sales totaling $18.3 million during the first quarter of 2025. Valuation reserve adjustments of $1.0 million were recorded related to one property sale, partially offset by adjustments for updated appraisals on other properties still held. Valuation write-downs totaling $1.8 million occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024 and there were no valuation adjustments in the first quarter of 2024.

(Dollars in thousands)

N/M - Not meaningful

In management’s judgment, the property valuation allowance as established presents OREO at current estimates of fair value less estimated costs to sell; however, there can be no assurance that additional losses will not be incurred on disposals or upon updates to valuations in the future. These valuations are reversed when the property is sold.

(Dollars in thousands)

Deposits and Borrowings

(Dollars in thousands)

Total deposits were $4.85 billion at March 31, 2025, which reflects an $84.1 million increase from total deposits of $4.77 billion at December 31, 2024, and an increase of $244.5 million from total deposits of $4.61 billion at March 31, 2024. The increase in deposits at March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, was primarily due to increases in non-interest bearing deposits of $8.8 million, savings accounts of $20.4 million, NOW accounts of $31.0 million, and money market accounts of $68.0 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $44.2 million in time deposits. The increase in deposits at March 31, 2025, compared to March 31, 2024, was primarily due to increases in NOW accounts of $82.6 million, money market accounts of $133.2 million, and time deposits of $117.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in non-interest bearing deposits of $86.2 million and savings accounts of $2.9 million stemming from both the FRME branch acquisition and legacy deposit account seasonal increases. Total quarterly average deposits increased $218.7 million, or 4.8%, in the year over year period, driven by an increase in average time deposits of $166.9 million, and NOW and money markets combined of $185.7 million, which was partially offset by decreases in average demand deposits of $116.1 million, and savings accounts of $17.8 million. The overall increase in quarterly average deposits for the year over year period was primarily due to the acquisition of the FRME branches.

The following table presents estimated insured and uninsured deposits at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, by deposit type, as well as the weighted average rates for each year to date ending period.

(Dollars in thousands)

Deposits increased 1.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, due to growth from new deposits, primarily due to seasonal tax receipts. Deposits experienced product migration from time deposits into money market accounts and more broadly across noninterest bearing demand, savings, and NOW accounts. The mix of insured and uninsured remained unchanged in the first quarter.

In addition to deposits, we used other liquidity sources for our funding needs in all periods presented, such as repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings with the FHLBC. Securities sold under repurchase agreements totaled $38.7 million at March 31, 2025, a $2.0 million, or 5.5%, increase from $36.7 million at December 31, 2024, and an increase of $5.1 million, or 15.3%, from March 31, 2024. There were no outstanding short-term FHLBC borrowings as of March 31, 2025, and the outstanding balance of our short-term FHLBC borrowings was $20.0 million as of December 31, 2024, and $220.0 million as of March 31, 2024. The large decrease in short-term FHLB advances is due to an influx of cash resulting from the acquisition of the five FRME branches on December 6, 2024, which allowed us to utilize the purchased deposits for lower cost funding.

We are also indebted on $25.8 million of junior subordinated debentures, net of deferred issuance costs, as of March 31, 2025, which are related to the trust preferred securities issued by its statutory trust subsidiary, Old Second Capital Trust II (“Trust II”). The Trust II issuance converted from fixed to floating rate at three month LIBOR, which is now three month Term SOFR, plus 150 basis points beginning June 15, 2017. Upon conversion to a floating rate, we initiated a cash flow hedge which resulted in net year to date interest rate paid on this debt of 4.53% as of March 31, 2025, as compared to 6.77%, which was the rate paid during the period prior to the June 15, 2017, rate reset.

In the second quarter of 2021, we entered into Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements with certain qualified institutional buyers pursuant to which we issued $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due April 15, 2031 (the “Notes”). We sold the Notes to eligible purchasers in a private offering, and the proceeds of this issuance were used for general corporate purposes. The Notes bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.50% through April 14, 2026, payable semi-annually in arrears. As of April 15, 2026, forward, the interest rate on the Notes will generally reset quarterly to a rate equal to three-month Term SOFR (as defined by the Note) plus 273 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. The Notes have a stated maturity of April 15, 2031, and are redeemable, in whole are in part, on April 15, 2026, or any interest payment date thereafter, and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events. As of March 31, 2025, we had $59.5 million of subordinated debentures outstanding, net of deferred issuance costs.

Capital

As of March 31, 2025, total stockholders’ equity was $694.5 million, which was an increase of $23.5 million from $671.0 million as of December 31, 2024. This increase was largely attributable to net income of $19.8 million in the first three months of 2025, partially offset by $2.7 million of dividends paid to our common stockholders. In addition, total stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2025, increased over December 31, 2024, due to a reduction in unrealized net losses on available-for-sale securities and swaps, which contributed to the overall decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $6.4 million in the first three months of 2025, due to changes in market interest rates. Total stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2025, increased $98.3 million compared to March 31, 2024, due to net income year over year and the decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $22.0 million year over year.

The following table shows the regulatory capital ratios and the current well capitalized regulatory requirements for the Company and the Bank as of the dates indicated:

1 Amounts are shown inclusive of a capital conservation buffer of 2.50%.

2 The prompt corrective action provisions are only applicable at the Bank level.

N/A - Not applicable

As of March 31, 2025, the Company, on a consolidated basis, exceeded the minimum capital ratios to be deemed “well capitalized” and met the capital conservation buffer requirements. In addition to the above regulatory ratios, our GAAP common equity to total assets ratio, which is used as a performance measurement for capital analysis and peer comparisons, increased from 11.88% at December 31, 2024, to 12.13% at March 31, 2025. Our GAAP tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 10.34% at March 31, 2025, compared to 10.04% as of December 31, 2024. Our non-GAAP tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, which management also considers a valuable performance measurement for capital analysis, increased from 10.11% at December 31, 2024, to 10.40% at March 31, 2025, primarily due to an increase in tangible common equity at a faster pace than tangible assets in the first three months of 2025. The increase in tangible common equity from December 31, 2024, to March 31, 2025, was primarily due to an increase in retained earnings of $17.1 million and a reduction of $6.4 million in unrealized losses in AOCI.

Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio Non-GAAP Measure

(Dollars in thousands)

N/A - Not applicable

The non-GAAP intangible asset exclusion reflects the 80% core deposit limitation per Basel III guidelines within risk-based capital calculations, and is useful for us when reviewing risk-based capital ratios and equity performance metrics.

Liquidity

Liquidity is our ability to fund operations, to meet depositor withdrawals, to provide for customers’ credit needs, and to meet maturing obligations and existing commitments. Our liquidity principally depends on our cash flows from operating activities, investment in and maturity of assets, changes in balances of deposits and borrowings, and our ability to borrow funds. In the first quarter of 2025, we experienced a decrease in loans but an increase in deposits. We managed the change in our funding through a reduction in average borrowings from the FHLBC through March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year like period. We seek to ensure our funding needs are met by maintaining a level of liquidity through asset and liability management. We monitor our borrowing capacity at the FHLBC as part of our liquidity management process as supervised by our Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”) and reviewed by our Board of Directors. In addition, our senior management team monitors cash balances daily to ensure we have adequate liquidity to meet our operational and financing needs. As of March 31, 2025, our cash on hand liquidity totaled $256.1 million, an increase of $156.8 million over cash balances held as of December 31, 2024.

Net cash inflows from operating activities were $17.8 million during the first three months of 2025, compared with net cash inflows of $47.4 million in the same period of 2024. Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale, net of funds used to originate loans held-for-sale, resulted in outflows for the first three months of 2025 compared to a source of inflows for the like period of 2024. Interest paid, net of interest received, combined with changes in other assets and liabilities were a source of outflows for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and a source of inflows for the like period of 2024. The management of investing and financing activities, as well as market conditions, determines the level and the stability of net interest cash flows. Management’s policy is to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates to the extent possible, as part of the balance sheet management process.

Net cash inflows from investing activities were $76.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net cash inflows of $93.9 million in the same period in 2024. In the first three months of 2025, securities transactions accounted for net inflows of $23.5 million, and the principal change on loans accounted for net inflows of $36.8 million. In the first three months of 2024, securities transactions accounted for net inflows of $22.3 million, and principal on loans funded, net of paydowns, accounted for net inflows of $70.0 million.

Net cash inflows from financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $62.2 million, compared with net cash outflows of $143.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net deposit inflows in the first three months of 2025 were $84.3 million compared to net deposit inflows of $37.6 million in the first three months of 2024. Other short-term borrowings had $20.0 million of net cash outflows in the first three months of 2025, compared to net cash outflows of $185.0 million for other short-term borrowings in the first three months of 2024. Changes in securities sold under repurchase agreements accounted for inflows of $2.0 million and inflows of $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Dividends paid on our common stock totaled $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The purchase of treasury stock in the first three months of 2025 due to shares acquired with equity award vestings resulted in outflows of $1.4 million, compared to cash outflows of $776,000 in the first three months of 2024 related to shares acquired from equity award vestings.

Cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2025, totaled $256.1 million, as compared to $99.3 million as of December 31, 2024, and $98.1 million as of March 31, 2024. The increase in cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to year end 2024 and March 31, 2024, was primarily attributable to the decrease in our loan and securities portfolios and the increase in customer deposits, partially offset by the decrease in other short-term borrowings during the first three months of 2025. In addition to cash and cash equivalents on hand or held as deposits with other financial institutions, we rely on funding sources from customer deposits, cash flows from securities available-for-sale and loans, and a line of credit with the FHLBC to meet potential liquidity needs. These sources of liquidity are immediately available to satisfy any funding requirements due to depositor or borrower demands through the ordinary course of our business. Additional sources of funding available include a $30.0 million undrawn line of credit held by the Company with a third party financial institution, as well as unpledged securities available-for-sale.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk from changes on assets (loans and securities), liabilities (customer deposits and borrowed funds) and off-balance sheet derivatives (interest rate swaps). Fluctuations in interest rates may have a material impact to fair market values of our financial instruments, cash flows, and net interest income. Like most financial institutions, we have an exposure to changes in both short-term and long-term interest rates. We believe a financial institution’s ability to effectively tune its interest rate risk profile and strategically position its balance sheet through rate cycles helps sustain financial performance of our institution.

The Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) has held the Federal Funds (“FF”) target rate at a range of 4.25-4.50%. The recently enacted tariffs could move the FRB further from its goals of promoting price stability, and the current posture is to wait for greater clarity. Despite the current outlook on rates, the current forward curve continues to expect multiple rate cuts in 2025. Recently, Treasury markets have been volatile as investors digested the news of tariffs; Treasury auctions evidenced a reduction of demand by US-based investors that was offset by increased demand by non-US buyers.

We manage interest rate risk within guidelines established by the asset liability policy which are intended to limit the amount of rate exposure. In practice, we seek to manage our interest rate risk exposure within our guidelines so that such exposure does not pose a material risk to our future earnings. We manage various market risks in the normal course of our operations, including credit, liquidity risk, and interest rate risk. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of our business activities and operations. In addition, since we do not hold a trading portfolio, we are not exposed to significant market risk from trading activities. Our interest rate risk exposures at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, are outlined in the table below.

Our net income can be significantly influenced by a variety of external factors, including: overall economic conditions, policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the amounts of and rates at which assets and liabilities reprice, variances in prepayment of loans and securities other than those that are assumed, early withdrawal of deposits, exercise of call options on borrowings or securities, competition, a general rise or decline in interest rates, changes in the slope of the yield-curve, changes in historical relationships between indices (such as SOFR and Prime), and balance sheet growth or contraction. Our asset-liability committee seeks to manage interest rate risk under a variety of rate environments by structuring our on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet positions, which includes interest rate swap derivatives as discussed in Note 19 of our consolidated financial statements found in in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. We seek to monitor and manage interest rate risk within approved policy guidelines and limits. Asset and liability modeling and tracking is performed and presented to the asset-liability committee and the Board of Directors no less than quarterly. Such presentations discuss our current and historical interest rate risk posture, shifts in the balance sheet composition, and the impact of interest rate movements on earnings and equity. Our current balance sheet is a moderately asset sensitive profile, our variable rate assets reprice faster than our longer duration, low beta deposit base. The market events of failed liquidity management at other banks in 2023 have been discussed and reviewed by the asset-liability committee. The committee concluded that we possess a strong liquidity profile and no new liquidity risks were identified. Prudently, we added new measures to assess liquidity risk and enhanced our internal reports to segment deposits by insured, uninsured, collateralized deposits, and we monitor the bank’s funding sources and uses on a regular basis.

We also have a risk committee, chaired by our Chief Risk Officer, which reports no less than quarterly to senior management as well as our Board of Directors regarding compliance with risk tolerance limits, key risk factor changes, both internally and externally, due to portfolio changes as well as market conditions. Our enterprise risk management framework is governed by this committee, with input being provided by line of business managers, senior management and the Board.

We use simulation analysis to quantify the impact of various rate scenarios on our net interest income. Specific cash flows, repricing characteristics, and embedded options of the assets and liabilities held by us are incorporated into the simulation model. Earnings at risk are calculated by comparing the net interest income of a stable interest rate environment to the net interest income of a different interest rate environment in order to determine the percentage change. As of March 31, 2025, our net interest income profile remained sensitive to earnings gains (in both dollars and percentage) should market interest rates rise. Comparatively, we have a slightly more sensitive profile relative to December 31, 2024, should interest rates rise. This reflects a continued build of our cash balance derived from earnings and return of principal in the form of amortizations, maturities, calls, and prepayments.

The following table summarizes the effect on annual income before income taxes based upon an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, with no change in the slope of the yield curve.

The amounts and assumptions used in the simulation model should not be viewed as indicative of expected actual results. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude, balance sheet composition and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies. The above results do not take into account any management action to mitigate potential risk.

Effects of Inflation

In management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect our financial condition to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate; we monitor both. The annual U.S. inflation rate for March 2025 eased to 2.4%, down from 2.9% quarter-over-quarter, while Core CPI also eased to 2.8%. With the unprecedented enactment of tariffs across US trade partners, management believes the economic effect will manifest via higher prices, reversing the course of lower inflation. The downside risks of high inflation put upwards pressure on our expenses, which could impact our profits. Furthermore, higher costs of living may weaken the financial condition of our borrowers which could affect our credit profile. Inflation at the levels currently experienced has a minimal impact to our financial results.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of March 31, 2025. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2025, the Company’s internal controls were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.