S&T Bancorp Inc: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

General

S&T Bancorp, Inc. was incorporated on March 17, 1983 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a bank holding company and is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the Federal Reserve Board, under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the BHCA, as a bank holding company and a financial holding company. S&T Bancorp, Inc. has four active direct wholly-owned subsidiaries including S&T Bank, 9th Street Holdings, Inc., STBA Capital Trust I and DNB Capital Trust II, and owns a 50 percent interest in Commonwealth Trust Credit Life Insurance Company, or CTCLIC. When used in this Report, “S&T,” “we,” “us” or “our” may refer to S&T Bancorp, Inc. individually, S&T Bancorp, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries or certain of S&T Bancorp, Inc.’s subsidiaries or affiliates, depending on the context. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $9.6 billion in assets, $7.7 billion in total loans, $7.5 billion in deposits and $1.3 billion in shareholders’ equity.

S&T Bank is a full-service bank that operates in Pennsylvania and Ohio. S&T Bank deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, to the maximum extent provided by law. S&T Bank has four active wholly-owned operating subsidiaries including S&T Insurance Group, LLC, S&T Bancholdings, Inc., Stewart Capital Advisors, LLC and DN Acquisition Company, Inc.

Through S&T Bank and our non-bank subsidiaries, we offer consumer, commercial and small business banking services, which include accepting time and demand deposits and originating commercial and consumer loans, brokerage services and trust services including serving as executor and trustee under wills and deeds and as guardian and custodian of employee benefits. We also manage private investment accounts for individuals and institutions through our registered investment advisor. Total Wealth Management assets under administration, which are not accounted for as part of our assets, were $2.2 billion at December 31, 2023.

The main office of both S&T Bancorp, Inc. and S&T Bank is located at 800 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and our phone number is (800) 325-2265.

Human Capital Management

Our commitment to every customer starts with a talented team. To attract and retain our talented team, we strive to make S&T an inclusive, safe and healthy workplace that provides our employees with opportunities to grow and develop. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 1,244 full time equivalent employees.

Our Team and Culture

Our purpose is building a better future together through people-forward banking. We believe that all banking should be personal. We cultivate relationships rooted in trust, strengthened by going above and beyond and renewed with every interaction. We move banking forward, building better lives together by always putting people first.

Our team strives to embody values to encourage a culture that has enabled us to be named a top workplace. The following are our five core values that support our Purpose:

Make People our Purpose

Humility, empathy and a sincere desire to uplift each other and our community guide our actions every day. We are people in service of people, committed to constantly improving our communication and connection and delivering the right solutions.

Do the Right Thing

We are built on trust and following through on our promises. We hold ourselves accountable by delivering results, continuously learning and striving for better every day.

Go Above and Beyond

We go as far as we possibly can to help advance the cause of our colleagues, customers and communities. In every case, we seek the right solutions based on a holistic understanding of the opportunities ahead of us.

Value Every Voice

We stand for inclusivity, accessibility and opportunity. We listen for forward-looking ideas to better ourselves and improve our experience. And we always welcome an honest and open dialogue with our colleagues, customers and the community at large.

Win as One Team

We function as one connected team working together to deliver a seamless experience. We communicate, collaborate and care enough to go the extra mile for the colleagues we work alongside, the customers we serve and the communities where we live.

Diversity and Inclusion

S&T fosters a diverse work culture where employees work together to better our company, services and community.

We are committed to promoting a diverse workforce and developing all people through:

• Equal Opportunity Employment
• Educating our employees and board of directors
• Fostering a culture to address employees’ and customers’ needs
• Partnering with diverse vendors

The S&T mindset is to encourage, develop and inspire all employees to achieve their best, motivated by their own personal development. Our commitment is to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone utilizes their knowledge, skills, abilities and unique interests to help each other find success and drive positive results. Our Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors oversees our diversity and inclusion strategy, and at least annually, measures the success of diversity and inclusion initiatives by reviewing S&T’s strategies and statistics from S&T’s Human Capital Management System.

Diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, is a commitment that we are focused on through various avenues to create awareness, provide education, support our colleagues and communities, develop and improve products and services, partner with diverse vendors and drive results tied to our overall organizational strategy. As part of our DEI strategy, we launched our DEI Advisory Council during 2022. The DEI Advisory Council is co-chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer and is made up of colleagues from departments across our organization. We conduct an ongoing S&T Commemorates webinar series that is designed to explore a wide scope of DEI topics.

Talent Development and Training

Our training plan strives to provide all departments with access to comprehensive training to enhance all job positions. Our Corporate Training Department maintains oversight of all training to ensure that it is implemented and monitored properly and encourages career development for our employees. Our training program offers a blended learning approach comprised of classroom and online course delivery. We have many training sessions that are a virtual format through webinars and learning management system delivery for regulatory, compliance, skill-based, technology, leadership and career development. Certain trainings are conducted live based on the needs of the program. In 2023, our employees logged approximately 78,532 training hours, on average 63 hours per employee, which is an increase of approximately 7 percent compared to 2022.

Safety, Health and Wellness

The safety, health and well-being of our employees is a top priority. We offer our employees and their families access to a variety of flexible and convenient health and welfare programs that provide resources to help them maintain and/or improve their physical and mental health. We also have a financial wellness program that assists our employees and their families with budgeting and various personal financial content consisting of an online personal financial program and internally produced webinars. We believe in the education and offering of programs and initiatives that make lasting positive impacts in the lives of our employees.

Access to United States Securities and Exchange Commission Filings

All of our reports filed electronically with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, our prior annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and our annual proxy statements, as well as any amendments to those reports, are accessible at no cost on our website at www.stbancorp.com (http://www.stbancorp.com) under Financials, SEC Filings. These filings are also accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov). The charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Credit Risk Committee, the Executive Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Risk Committee as well as the Complaints Regarding Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls or Auditing Matters ("Whistleblower Policy"), the Code of Conduct for the CEO and CFO, the General Code of Conduct, the Shareholder Communications Policy, and the Corporate Governance Guidelines are also available at www.stbancorp.com (http://www.stbancorp.com) under Governance.

Supervision and Regulation

General

S&T is extensively regulated under federal and state law. Regulation of bank holding companies and banks is intended primarily for the protection of consumers, depositors, borrowers, the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund, or DIF, and the banking system as a whole, and not for the protection of shareholders or creditors. The following describes certain aspects of that regulation and does not purport to be a complete description of all regulations that affect S&T, or all aspects of any regulation discussed here. To the extent statutory or regulatory provisions are described, the description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions. The discussion of the regulations applicable to S&T provided below is based on our status as an institution with less than $10 billion in assets. If S&T’s assets cross the $10 billion threshold, we will be subject to different and additional regulations than those described below.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, has had and will continue to have a broad impact on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance changes addressing, among other things: (i) enhanced resolution authority of troubled and failing banks and 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; (v) enhanced corporate governance and executive compensation requirements and disclosures; and (vi) 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 new framework for systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among new and existing federal regulatory agencies, including the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the FDIC. While many requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act have been implemented, these regulations are subject to continuing interpretation and potential amendment. Given the continued uncertainty associated with the ongoing implementation of the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act by the various regulatory agencies, including the manner in which the remaining provisions will be implemented and the interpretation of and potential amendments to existing regulations, the full extent of the impact of such requirements on financial institutions’ operations remains unclear, but management expects will continue to affect us in some way. The continuing changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to certain of our business practices, increase our operating and compliance costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

In addition, proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the banking industry are frequently raised in Congress, in state legislatures and before the various bank regulatory agencies that may impact S&T. Such initiatives to change the laws and regulations may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Any such legislation could change bank statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could affect how S&T and S&T Bank operate and could significantly increase costs, impede the efficiency of internal business processes, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, or affect the competitive balance among banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The likelihood and timing of any changes and the impact such changes might have on S&T is impossible to determine with any certainty.

S&T

We are a bank holding company subject to regulation under the BHCA and the examination and reporting requirements of the Federal Reserve Board. Under the BHCA, a bank holding company may not directly or indirectly acquire ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any additional bank, or merge or consolidate with another bank holding company, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

As a bank holding company, we are expected under statutory and regulatory provisions to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to our subsidiary bank. A bank holding company is also expected to commit resources, including capital and other funds, to support its subsidiary bank.

We elected to become a financial holding company under the BHCA in 2001 and thereby may engage in a broader range of financial activities than are permissible for traditional bank holding companies. In order to maintain our status as a financial holding company, we must remain “well-capitalized” and “well-managed” and the depository institutions controlled by us must remain “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” (as defined in federal law) and have at least a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, rating. Refer to Note 23 Regulatory Matters to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report for information concerning the current capital ratios of S&T and S&T Bank. No prior regulatory approval is required for a financial holding company with total consolidated assets less than $50 billion to acquire a company, other than a bank or savings association, engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board, unless the total consolidated assets to be acquired exceed $10 billion. The BHCA identifies several activities as “financial in nature” including, among others, securities underwriting; dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; insurance underwriting and sales agency; investment advisory activities; merchant banking activities and activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking. Banks may also engage in, subject to limitations on investment, activities that are financial in nature, other than insurance underwriting, insurance company portfolio investment, real estate development and real estate investment, through a financial subsidiary of the bank, if the bank is “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” and has at least a “satisfactory” CRA rating.

If S&T or S&T Bank ceases to be “well-capitalized” or “well-managed,” we will not be in compliance with the requirements of the BHCA regarding financial holding companies or requirements regarding the operation of financial subsidiaries by insured banks.

If a financial holding company is notified by the Federal Reserve Board of such a change in the ratings of any of its subsidiary banks, it must take certain corrective actions within specified time frames. Furthermore, if S&T Bank was to receive a CRA rating of less than “satisfactory,” then we would be prohibited from engaging in certain new activities or acquiring companies engaged in certain financial activities until the rating is raised to “satisfactory” or better.

We are presently engaged in non-banking activities through the following six entities:

• 9th Street Holdings, Inc. was formed in June 1988 to hold and manage a group of investments previously owned by S&T Bank and to give us additional latitude to purchase other investments.
• S&T Bancholdings, Inc. was formed in August 2002 to hold and manage a group of investments previously owned by S&T Bank and to give us additional latitude to purchase other investments.
• CTCLIC is a joint venture with another financial institution, and acts as a reinsurer of credit life, accident and health insurance policies that were sold by S&T Bank and the other institution. S&T Bank and the other institution each have ownership interests of 50 percent in CTCLIC.
• S&T Insurance Group, LLC distributes life insurance and long-term disability income insurance products. During 2001, S&T Insurance Group, LLC and Attorneys Abstract Company, Inc. entered into an agreement to form S&T Settlement Services, LLC, or STSS, with respective ownership interests of 55 percent and 45 percent. STSS is a title insurance agency servicing commercial customers. We also have a 30 percent partnership interest in Evergreen Insurance, LLC.
• Stewart Capital Advisors, LLC was formed in August 2005 and is a registered investment advisor that manages private investment accounts for individuals and institutions.
• DN Acquisition Company, Inc. was acquired with the DNB First merger on November 30, 2019. DN Acquisition Company, Inc. was formed to acquire and hold Other Real Estate Owned acquired through foreclosure or deed in-lieu-of foreclosure, as well as Bank-occupied real estate.

S&T Bank

As a Pennsylvania-chartered, FDIC-insured non-member commercial bank, S&T Bank is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, or PADBS, and the FDIC. We are also subject to various requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types, amount and terms and conditions of loans that may be granted and limits on the types of other activities in which S&T Bank may engage and the investments it may make. In addition, pursuant to the federal Bank Merger Act, S&T Bank must obtain the prior approval of the FDIC before it can merge or consolidate with or acquire the assets or assume the deposit liabilities of another bank.

S&T Bank is subject to affiliate transaction rules in Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation W, that limit the amount of transactions between itself and S&T or any other company or entity that controls or is under common control with any company or entity that controls S&T Bank, including for most purposes any financial or depository institution subsidiary of S&T Bank. Under these provisions, “covered” transactions, including making loans, purchasing assets, issuing guarantees and other similar transactions, between a bank and its parent company or any other affiliate, generally are limited to 10 percent of the bank subsidiary’s capital and surplus, and with respect to all transactions with affiliates, are limited to 20 percent of the bank subsidiary’s capital and surplus. Loans and extensions of credit from a bank to an affiliate generally are required to be secured by eligible collateral in specified amounts, and in general all affiliated transactions must be on terms consistent with safe and sound banking practices. Furthermore, in general, transactions between a bank and its affiliates must be on terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the bank as the terms that would apply in comparable transactions between the bank and a third party. The Dodd-Frank Act expanded the affiliate transaction rules to broaden the definition of affiliate to include as covered transactions securities borrowing or lending, repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements and derivative activities, and to strengthen collateral requirements and limit Federal Reserve exemptive authority.

Federal law also constrains the types and amounts of loans that S&T Bank may make to its executive officers, directors and principal shareholders. Among other things, these loans are limited in amount, must be approved by the bank’s board of directors in advance, and must be on terms and conditions as favorable to the bank as those available to an unrelated person. The Dodd-Frank Act strengthened restrictions on loans to insiders and expanded the types of transactions subject to the various limits to include credit exposure arising from a derivative transaction, a repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement and a securities lending or borrowing transaction. The Dodd-Frank Act also placed restrictions on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution’s board of directors.

Insurance of Accounts; Depositor Preference

The deposits of S&T Bank are insured up to applicable limits per insured depositor by the Deposit Insurance Fund, or DIF, as administered by the FDIC. The Dodd-Frank Act codified FDIC deposit insurance coverage per separately insured depositor for all account types at $250,000.

As an FDIC-insured bank, S&T Bank is subject to FDIC insurance assessments, which are imposed based upon the calculated risk the institution poses to the DIF.

Under the current assessment system, for an institution with less than $10 billion in assets, assessment rates are determined based on a combination of financial ratios and CAMELS (capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity) composite ratings. The assessment rate schedule can change from time to time, at the discretion of the FDIC, subject to certain limits. Under the current system, premiums are assessed quarterly. Assessments are calculated as a percentage of average consolidated total assets less average tangible equity during the assessment period. As part of its semiannual update of the restoration plan established by the FDIC to facilitate restoration of the reserve ratio of the DIF to the statutory minimum in the mandated time frame the FDIC adopted a final rule in October 2022. The new rule, applicable to all insured depository institutions, increased the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by 2 basis points, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023 (January 1 through March 31, 2023). The increase in assessment rate schedules is intended to increase the likelihood that the reserve ratio of the DIF reaches the statutory minimum of 1.35 percent by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2028. Second, the proposed change in assessment rates is further intended to support growth in the DIF in progressing toward the 2 percent Designated Reserve Ratio, or DRR, established by the FDIC. The FDIC has indicated that the new assessment rate schedules will remain in effect unless and until the DRR meets or exceeds 2 percent, absent further FDIC action. Under the new rule, the total base assessment rates on an annualized basis range from 2.5 basis points for certain “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” banks, with the highest ratings, to 42 basis points for complex institutions posing the most risk to the DIF, compared to the 2022 rates that ranged from 1.5 to 40. S&T’s total assets were below $10 billion at December 31, 2023.

In November 2023, the FDIC approved a final rule to implement special assessments to recover the loss to the DIF associated with protecting uninsured depositors following the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The assessment base for the special assessment is equal to estimated uninsured deposits reported as of December 31, 2022, adjusted to exclude the first $5 billion. The special assessment will be collected at an annual rate of approximately 13.4 basis points for an anticipated total of eight quarterly assessment periods, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2024 (January 1 through March 31, 2024). Because the Bank's uninsured deposits were below $5 billion at December. 31, 2022, this special assessment is not applicable to S&T.

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution if it determines, after hearing that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or the Federal Reserve Board. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of termination, less subsequent withdrawals, will continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC.

Under federal law, deposits and certain claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against insured depository institutions are afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution, including federal funds and letters of credit, in the liquidation or other resolution of such an institution by a receiver. Such priority creditors would include the FDIC.

Capital

The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued substantially similar minimum risk-based and leverage capital rules applicable to the banking organizations they supervise. On December 31, 2023, both S&T and S&T Bank met the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements.

The following table summarizes the leverage and risk-based capital ratios for S&T and S&T Bank:

(dollars in thousands)

The banking regulatory agencies may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum prescribed levels, whether because of its financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.

The risk-based capital standards establish a systematic, analytical framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations, takes off-balance sheet exposures explicitly into account in assessing capital adequacy and minimizes disincentives to holding liquid, low-risk assets. For purposes of the risk-based ratios, assets and specified off-balance sheet instruments are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate weights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items. The leverage ratio represents capital as a percentage of total average assets adjusted as specified in the guidelines.

In July 2013, the federal banking agencies issued final regulatory capital rules that replaced the then existing general risk-based capital and related rules, broadly revising the basic definitions and elements of regulatory capital and making substantial changes to the risk weightings for banking and trading book assets. These regulatory capital rules are designed to implement Basel III (which were agreements reached in July 2010 by the international oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to require more and higher-quality capital) as well as the minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. These capital standards apply to all banks, regardless of size, and to all bank holding companies with consolidated assets greater than $500 million and became effective on January 1, 2015. For smaller banking organizations such as S&T and S&T Bank, the rules were subject to a transition period providing for full implementation as of January 1, 2019.

Generally, under the guidelines, common equity Tier 1 capital consists of common stock instruments that meet the eligibility criteria in the rule, retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income and common equity Tier 1 minority interest, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions including goodwill, intangible assets subject to limitation and certain deferred tax assets subject to limitation. Tier 1 capital is comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital plus generally non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, Tier 1 minority interests and, for bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in consolidated assets at December 31, 2009, certain restricted capital instruments including qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock and grandfathered trust preferred securities, up to a limit of 25 percent of Tier 1 capital, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. Tier 2, or supplementary, capital generally includes portions of trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock not otherwise counted in Tier 1 capital, as well as preferred stock, subordinated debt, total capital minority interests not included in Tier 1, and the allowance for credit losses, or ACL, in an amount not exceeding

1.25 percent of standardized risk-weighted assets, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. Total capital is the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

After a phase in period beginning in 2016, these regulatory capital rules also require a banking organization to maintain a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity Tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2.50 percent of total risk-weighted assets beginning in 2019. As a result, since 2019, a banking organization has been required to maintain a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 7.00 percent, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 8.50 percent and a Total risk-based capital ratio greater than 10.50 percent; otherwise, it will be subject to restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments. Since 2019, the minimum capital requirements plus the capital conservation buffer exceed the regulatory capital ratios required for an insured depository institution to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action law, described in "Other Safety and Soundness Regulations."

These regulatory capital rules also revise the calculation of risk-weighted assets, including a new framework under which the risk weight will increase for most credit exposures that are 90 days or more past due or on nonaccrual, high-volatility commercial real estate loans, mortgage servicing and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital and certain equity exposures. The rules include changes to the credit conversion factors of off-balance sheet items, such as the unused portion of a loan commitment.

Federal regulators periodically propose amendments to the regulatory capital rules and the related regulatory framework and consider changes to the capital standards that could significantly increase the amount of capital needed to meet applicable standards. The timing of adoption, ultimate form and effect of any such proposed amendments cannot be predicted.

Payment of Dividends

S&T is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and other subsidiaries. A substantial portion of our revenues consist of dividend payments we receive from S&T Bank. The payment of common dividends by S&T is subject to certain requirements and limitations of Pennsylvania law. S&T Bank, in turn, is subject to federal and state laws and regulations that limit the amount of dividends it can pay to S&T. In addition, both S&T and S&T Bank are subject to various general regulatory policies relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The Federal Reserve Board has indicated that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only if (i) the organization’s net income available to common shareholders over the past year has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends and (ii) the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Thus, under certain circumstances based upon our financial condition, our ability to declare and pay quarterly dividends may require consultation with the Federal Reserve Board and may be prohibited by applicable Federal Reserve Board guidance.

Other Safety and Soundness Regulations

There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed on bank holding companies such as us and our depository institution subsidiary by federal law and regulatory policy. These obligations and restrictions are designed to reduce potential loss exposure to the FDIC’s DIF in the event an insured depository institution becomes in danger of default or is in default. Under current federal law, for example, the federal banking agencies possess broad powers to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems of insured depository institutions. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution in question is “well-capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized,” as defined by the law. As of December 31, 2023, S&T Bank was classified as “well-capitalized.” New definitions of these categories, as set forth in the federal banking agencies’ final rule to implement Basel III and the minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, became effective as of January 1, 2015. Refer to the above section titled Capital within this Item 1. Business section for capital requirements. The classification of depository institutions is primarily for the purpose of applying the federal banking agencies’ prompt corrective action provisions and is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as a representation of overall financial condition or prospects of any financial institution.

The federal banking agencies’ prompt corrective action powers, which increase depending upon the degree to which an institution is undercapitalized, can include, among other things, requiring an insured depository institution to adopt a capital restoration plan, which cannot be approved unless guaranteed by the institution’s parent company; placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities, including restrictions on transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rates the institution may pay on deposits; restricting the institution from accepting brokered deposits; prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; prohibiting the holding company from making capital distributions, including payment of dividends, without prior regulatory approval; and, ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution.

The federal banking agencies have also adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, fees and compensation and benefits. In general, the guidelines require appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage specified risks and exposures. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and characterize compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder. In addition, the agencies have adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not in compliance with any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an “undercapitalized” institution is subject under the prompt corrective action provisions described above.

Regulatory Enforcement Authority

The enforcement powers available to federal banking agencies are substantial and include, among other things and in addition to other powers described herein, the ability to assess civil money penalties and impose other civil and criminal penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders, to appoint a conservator to conserve the assets of an institution for the benefit of its depositors and creditors and to initiate injunctive actions against banks and bank holding companies and “institution affiliated parties,” as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations, and engagement in unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities.

At the state level, the PADBS also has broad enforcement powers over S&T Bank, including the power to impose fines and other penalties and to appoint a conservator or receiver.

Interstate Banking and Branching

The BHCA currently permits bank holding companies from any state to acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any other state, subject to certain conditions, including certain nationwide and state-imposed deposit concentration limits. In addition, because of changes to law made by the Dodd-Frank Act, S&T Bank may now establish de novo branches in any state to the same extent that a bank chartered in that state could establish a branch.

Community Reinvestment, Fair Lending and Consumer Protection Laws

In connection with its lending activities, S&T Bank is subject to a number of state and federal laws and regulations designed to protect consumers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy and population. The federal laws include, among others, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Truth-in-Savings Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the CRA. In addition, federal rules require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers.

The purpose of the CRA is to help address inequities in credit access for low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals and communities. It is designed to encourage regulated banks to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered. The FRB, the FDIC and the OCC implement the CRA through their CRA regulations, which establish the framework for how the agencies assess a bank’s record of helping to meet the credit needs of the communities that they serve, including LMI neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. The CRA requires the appropriate federal banking agency, in connection with its examination of a bank, to assess the bank’s record in meeting the credit needs of the communities served by the bank, including LMI neighborhoods. Furthermore, such assessment is required of any bank that has applied, among other things, to merge or consolidate with or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of an insured depository institution, or to open or relocate a branch office. In the case of a bank holding company, including a financial holding company, applying for approval to acquire a bank or bank holding company, the Federal Reserve Board will assess the record of each subsidiary bank of the applicant bank holding company in considering the application. Under the CRA, institutions are assigned a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “unsatisfactory.” S&T Bank was rated “satisfactory” in its most recent CRA performance evaluation.

More recently, on October 24, 2023, the FDIC, OCC and FRB jointly issued a final rule to the CRA designed to strengthen and modernize the regulations implementing the CRA. The changes are designed to encourage banks to expand access to credit, investment and banking services in LMI communities, adapt to changes in the banking industry, including mobile and internet banking, provide greater clarity and consistency in the application of the CRA regulations and tailor CRA evaluations and data collection to bank size and type. Most of the final rule’s requirements will be applicable beginning in January 2026, while the remaining requirements, including data reporting requirements, will be applicable in January 2027.

With respect to consumer protection, the Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the CFPB, which took over rulemaking responsibility on July 21, 2011 for the principal federal consumer financial protection laws, such as those identified above. Institutions that have assets of $10 billion or less, such as S&T Bank, are subject to the rules established by the CFPB, but will continue to be supervised in this area by their state and primary federal regulators, which in the case of S&T Bank is the FDIC.

Fair lending laws prohibit discrimination in the provision of bank's lending practices, and the enforcement of these laws has been a focus for bank regulators. Fair lending laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, which outlaw discrimination in credit transactions and residential real estate on the basis of prohibited factors including, among others, race, color, national origin, sex and religion. A lender may be liable for policies that result in a disparate treatment of or have a disparate impact on a protected class of applicants or borrowers. If a pattern or practice of lending discrimination is alleged by a regulator, then that agency is required to refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, for investigation. S&T Bank is required to have a fair lending program that is of sufficient scope to monitor the inherent fair lending risk of the institution and that appropriately remediates issues which are identified.

During 2013, the CFPB issued a series of final rules related to mortgage loan origination and mortgage loan servicing, which became effective in 2014. In particular, on January 10, 2013, the CFPB issued a final rule implementing the ability-to-repay and qualified mortgage (QM) provisions of the Truth-in-Lending Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act (“QM Rule.”) The ability-to-repay provision requires creditors to make reasonable, good-faith determinations that borrowers are able to repay their mortgage loans before extending the credit, based on a number of factors and consideration of financial information about the borrower from reasonably reliable third-party documents. Under the Dodd-Frank Act and the QM Rule, loans meeting the definition of “qualified mortgage” are entitled to a presumption that the lender satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. The presumption is a conclusive presumption/safe harbor for prime loans meeting the QM requirements, and a rebuttable presumption for higher-priced/subprime loans meeting the QM requirements. The QM Rule also adds an explicit maximum

43 percent debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for borrowers if the loan is to meet the QM definition, though some mortgages that meet government-sponsored enterprise, or GSE, Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, and Veterans Affairs, or VA, underwriting guidelines may, for a period not to exceed seven years, meet the QM definition without being subject to the

43 percent DTI limits (GSE Patch). In December 2020, the CFPB published a final rule that replaced the 43 percent DTI ratio limit in the general QM definition (the “General QM Rule”) with a limit based on the loan’s pricing. The final rule also created a new category of qualified mortgage, called a seasoned qualified mortgage, for first lien, fixed rate covered loans that meet certain performance requirements, are held in portfolio by the originating creditor or first purchaser for a 36-month period, comply with general restrictions on product features and points and fees, and meet certain underwriting requirements. The compliance date of the final rules was October 1, 2022. These rules did not have a material impact on our mortgage business.

Anti-Money Laundering Rules

S&T Bank is subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, its implementing regulations and other anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Among other things, these laws and regulations require S&T Bank to take steps to prevent the bank from being used to facilitate the flow of illegal or illicit money, to report large currency transactions and to file suspicious activity reports. S&T Bank is also required to develop and implement a comprehensive anti-money laundering compliance program. Banks must also have in place appropriate “know your customer” policies and procedures which includes requirements to (1) identify and verify, subject to certain exceptions, the identity of the beneficial owners of all legal entity customers at the time a new account is opened, and (2) include in its anti-money laundering program, risk-based procedures for conducting ongoing customer due diligence, which are to include procedures that (a) assist in understanding the nature and purpose of customer relationships for the purpose of developing a customer risk profile, and (b) require ongoing monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions and, on a risk basis, to maintain and update customer information. Violations of these requirements can result in substantial civil and criminal sanctions. In addition, provisions of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 require the federal financial institution regulatory agencies to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when considering applications for bank mergers and bank holding company acquisitions.

Other Dodd-Frank Provisions

In December 2013, federal regulators adopted final regulations regarding the Volcker Rule established in the Dodd-Frank Act. The Volcker Rule generally prohibits banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring certain unregistered investment companies generally covering hedge funds and private equity funds, subject to certain exemptions. Banking entities had until July 21, 2017 to conform their activities to the requirements of the rule. Since S&T generally does not engage in the activities prohibited by the Volcker Rule, the effectiveness of the rule has not had a material effect on S&T Bank or its affiliates.

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the amount of any interchange fee charged for electronic debit transactions by debit card issuers having assets over $10 billion must be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted a rule which limits the maximum permissible interchange fees that such issuers can receive for an electronic debit transaction. This rule, Regulation II, was effective October 1, 2011, and then amended on October 3, 2022 to require debit card issuers to provide at least two unaffiliated payment card networks to process card-not-present debit card transactions. Regulation II does not apply to a bank that, together with its affiliates, has less than $10 billion in assets, which includes S&T.

Cybersecurity

We are subject to a variety of regulatory expectations and requirements regarding cybersecurity and data privacy. Federal regulators have issued statements regarding cybersecurity addressing the controls that financial institutions should design and business continuity planning and recovery processes that should be in place. Additionally, the FDIC, OCC and Federal Reserve Board issued a final rule that became effective in May 2022, requiring banking organizations that experience a computer-security incident to notify certain entities and its federal regulator of the computer-security incident as soon as possible and no later than 36 hours after the bank determines a computer-security incident has occurred. This rule also requires banking organizations to notify their customers of a computer-security incident that has caused, or is reasonably likely to cause, a material service disruption or degradation for four or more hours. Moreover, in March 2022, the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act was enacted and once final rules are adopted, will require certain covered entities to report a covered cyber incident to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, within 72 hours after a covered entity reasonably believes an incident has occurred. Separate reporting to CISA will also be required within 24 hours if a ransom payment is made as a result of a ransomware attack. Furthermore, in September 2023, the SEC’s Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance and Incident Disclosure rules went into effect now requiring, among other disclosure obligations, companies to publicly disclose the occurrence of a material cybersecurity incident, including the material aspects of the nature, scope and timing of the incident and the material impact on the company including financial condition and results of operation beginning with any material cybersecurity incidents occurring on or after December 18, 2023.

State regulators have also been increasingly active in implementing privacy and cybersecurity standards and regulations, including data breach notification requirements. We actively monitor developments regarding regulatory expectations and federal and state requirements with respect to cybersecurity and data breach notifications.

Competition

S&T Bank competes with other local, regional and national financial services providers, such as other financial holding companies, commercial banks, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage and insurance firms and financial technology companies, including competitors that provide their products and services online and through mobile devices. Some of our competitors are not subject to the same level of regulation and oversight that is required of banks and bank holding companies and are thus able to operate under lower cost structures. Our wealth management business competes with trust companies, mutual fund companies, investment advisory firms, law firms, brokerage firms and other financial services companies.

Changes in bank regulation, such as changes in the products and services banks can offer and permitted involvement in non-banking activities by bank holding companies, as well as bank mergers and acquisitions, can affect our ability to compete with other financial services providers. Our ability to do so will depend upon how successfully we can respond to the evolving competitive, regulatory, technological and demographic developments affecting our operations.

Our customers are primarily in Pennsylvania and the contiguous states of Ohio, New York, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The majority of our commercial and consumer loans are made to businesses and individuals in these states resulting in a geographic concentration. Our market area has a high density of financial institutions, some of which are significantly larger institutions with greater financial resources than us, and many of which are our competitors to varying degrees. Our competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, mortgage banking companies, credit unions, online lenders and other financial service companies. Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from commercial banks and credit unions. We face additional competition for deposits from non-depository competitors such as the mutual fund industry, securities and brokerage firms, insurance companies and financial technology companies. Since larger competitors have advantages in attracting business from larger corporations, we do not generally attempt to compete for that business. Instead, we concentrate our efforts on attracting the business of individuals, and small and medium-size businesses. We consider our competitive advantages to be customer service and responsiveness to customer needs, the convenience of banking offices and hours, access to electronic banking services and the availability and pricing of our customized banking solutions. We emphasize personalized banking and the advantage of local decision-making in our banking business.

The financial services industry is likely to become more competitive as further technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services on a more efficient and convenient basis. Technological innovations have lowered traditional barriers to entry and enabled many companies to compete in financial services markets. Many customers now expect a choice of banking options for the delivery of services, including traditional banking offices, telephone, internet, mobile, ATMs, self-service branches, in-store branches and/or digital and technology based solutions. These delivery channels are offered by traditional banks and savings associations, credit unions, brokerage firms, asset management groups, financial technology companies, finance and insurance companies, internet-based companies and mortgage banking firms.

Investments in our common stock involve risk. The following discussion highlights the risks that we believe are material to S&T, potentially impacting our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. However, other factors not discussed below or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K could adversely affect our businesses, results of operations and financial condition. Therefore, the risk factors below do not necessarily include all risks that we may face.

Risks Related to Credit

Our ability to assess the credit-worthiness of our customers may diminish, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

We incur credit risk by virtue of making loans and extending loan commitments and letters of credit. Credit risk is one of our most significant risks. We manage our exposure to credit risk through the use of consistent underwriting standards that emphasize “in-market” lending while avoiding excessive industry and other concentrations. Our credit administration function employs risk management techniques to ensure that loans adhere to corporate policy and problem loans are promptly identified. There can be no assurance that such measures will be effective in avoiding undue credit risk. If the models and approaches that we use to select, manage and underwrite our consumer and commercial loan products change and our underwriting standards do not reflect or capture the rapid changes in the economy, we may have higher credit losses.

The value of the collateral used to secure our loans may not be sufficient to compensate for the amount of unpaid loans and we may be unsuccessful in recovering the remaining balances from our customers.

Decreases in real estate values, particularly with respect to our commercial real estate, or CRE, and mortgage activities, could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for our loans and our customers’ ability to repay these loans, which in turn could impact our profitability. Repayment of our commercial loans is often dependent on the cash flow of the borrower, which may become unpredictable. If the value of the assets, such as real estate, serving as collateral for the loan portfolio were to decline materially, a significant part of the loan portfolio could become under-collateralized. If the loans that are secured by real estate become troubled when real estate market conditions are declining or have declined, in the event of foreclosure, we may not be able to realize the amount of collateral that was anticipated at the time of originating the loan. This could result in higher charge-offs which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Changes in the overall credit quality of our portfolio can have a significant impact on our earnings.

Like other lenders, we face the risk that our customers will not repay their loans. We reserve for losses in our loan portfolio based on our assessment of expected credit losses. Management determines the amount of ACL through undergoing a periodic review of the loan portfolio, where it considers historical losses, the national unemployment forecast produced by the Federal Reserve combined with qualitative factors around current conditions including changes in lending policies and practices, economic conditions, changes in the loan portfolio, changes in lending management, results of internal loan reviews, asset quality trends, collateral values, concentrations of credit risk and other external factors. This process, which is critical to our financial results and condition, requires complex judgment including our assessment of economic conditions, which are difficult to predict. The amount of future losses is difficult to predict because it is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, which may be beyond our control. Although we have policies and procedures in place to determine future losses, due to the subjective nature of this area, there can be no assurance that our management has accurately assessed the level of allowances reflected in our consolidated financial statements. We may underestimate our expected credit losses and fail to hold an ACL sufficient to account for these losses. Incorrect assumptions could lead to material underestimates of expected losses and an inadequate ACL. As our assessment of expected losses changes, we may need to increase or decrease our ACL, which could significantly impact our financial results and profitability.

Our loan portfolio is concentrated within our market area, and our lack of geographic diversification increases our risk profile.

The regional economic conditions within our market area affect the demand for our products and services as well as the ability of our customers to repay their loans and the value of the collateral securing these loans. A significant decline in the regional economy caused by inflation, recession, unemployment or other factors could negatively affect our customers, the quality of our loan portfolio and the demand for our products and services. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by adverse market or economic conditions in our market area could adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we cannot give any assurance that we will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in our primary market area.

Our loan portfolio has a significant concentration of commercial loans that have a higher risk of loss.

The majority of our loans are to commercial borrowers including commercial and industrial, or C&I, CRE, and construction loans. The commercial loan portfolio typically involves a higher degree of credit risk than other types of loans. For the C&I segment this is due to the customer’s repayment ability being based upon the success of its business operations, the susceptibility of the customer’s business to changing economic conditions, the dependence of our customer on maintaining sufficient cash flow to make payments on the loan and our reliance on the underlying collateral, which is usually only the business assets that may not have sufficient value when the borrower encounters financial difficulties. For the CRE segment higher risk is due to higher loan principal amounts, where the repayment of these loans is generally dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Because payments on loans secured by CRE often depend upon the successful operation and management of the properties, repayment of these loans may be affected by factors outside the borrower’s control, including adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Additionally, we have a number of significant credit exposures to commercial borrowers, and while the majority of these borrowers have numerous projects that make up the total aggregate exposure, if one or more of these borrowers default or have financial difficulties, we could experience higher credit losses, which could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. Further, an individual commercial loan balance is typically larger than other loans in our portfolio, creating the potential for larger credit losses on an individual loan. The deterioration of one or a few of these loans could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to General Economic Conditions

General economic conditions may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Various aspects of our business could be impacted by general macroeconomic conditions including, among others, inflation, which has increased to levels not experienced in years, interest rates, rising or elevated unemployment, declines in GDP, consumer spending, property values, supply chain complications and economic uncertainty. These conditions generally have a negative impact on businesses, financial markets and consumers, which may impact the underlying credit quality of our customers. The following could increase the risk of our customers defaulting or becoming delinquent in their obligations to us, which could increase credit losses and adversely affect our credit portfolios and provision for credit losses: (i) increased cost of borrowings, (ii) additional borrowings and increased leverage, (iii) drawdown from savings due to business disruption, (iv) financial difficulties, or (v) business losses, particularly for borrowers in our C&I or CRE portfolio. If the macroeconomic environment worsens, our credit portfolio and allowance for credit losses could be adversely impacted. These unfavorable economic conditions could also impact the demand for loans and other products and services offered by us, the level of customer deposits, the value of our investment securities, loans held for sale or other assets secured by residential or commercial real estate, or the level of net interest income or net interest margin. Any of these developments could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We may not accurately predict the nature and timing of the policies of the Federal Reserve and other governmental agencies and their impact on interest rates and financial markets, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have a significant impact on interest rates, the value of financial instruments and other assets and liabilities, and overall financial market performance. These policies have a significant impact on the activities and results of operations of banks and bank holding companies such as S&T. An important function of the Federal Reserve is to monitor the national supply of bank credit and set certain interest rates. The actions of the Federal Reserve influence the rates of interest that we charge on loans and that we pay on borrowings and interest-bearing deposits. In addition, monetary policy actions by governmental authorities in the European Union or other countries could have an impact on global interest rates, which could affect rates in the U.S. We may not accurately predict the nature or timing of future changes in monetary policies and interest rates or the precise effects that they may have on our activities and financial results, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Financial challenges at other banking institutions and further adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, and the soundness of financial institutions, and further disruption to the economy and U.S. banking system may adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and stock price.

Several bank receiverships in 2023 caused a state of volatility in the financial services industry and uncertainty with respect to liquidity and the health of the U.S. banking system. Although we were not directly affected by these bank receiverships, this news caused fear among depositors, which caused them to withdraw or attempt to withdraw their funds from these and other financial institutions. Uncertainty may be compounded by the reach and depth of media attention, including social media, and its ability to disseminate concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, and have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. Additionally, the stock prices of many financial institutions dropped and became volatile. While the FDIC resolution of these banks was done in a manner that protected depositors, there remains concern over the U.S. banking system as a result of continued economic volatility. Furthermore, financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships, which may expose us to credit risk and losses in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. As a result of these recent events, we face the potential for reputational risk, deposit outflows and increased credit risk which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and liquidity.

Furthermore, if such levels of financial market and economic disruption and volatility continue, if actual events or concerns or rumors involving limited liquidity, defaults, or other adverse developments, or if other banks and financial institutions enter receivership or become insolvent in the future in response to financial conditions affecting the banking system and financial markets, our ability to access our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments may be threatened due to market-wide liquidity problems. While we maintain liquidity primarily through customer deposits and through access to other short-term funding sources, including advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), our efforts to monitor and manage liquidity risk may not be successful or sufficient to deal with dramatic or unanticipated increase or reductions in our liquidity, particularly in light of the impact of increased interest rates on the market value of investment securities. This situation could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Additionally, regulatory pressures and additional regulation of financial institutions as a result of the industry developments could have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects.

Geopolitical tensions and conflicts between nations has created significant economic and financial disruptions and uncertainties, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In late February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. In response to the military action by Russia, government actions, including broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia, have been taken by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries. The U.S. and global markets have experienced volatility and disruption as a result of this military conflict and imposition of sanctions, impacting the financial and commodities markets. The continued impact on financial markets, including the level and volatility of interest rates, could impact our earnings. Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could further adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets. In addition, Russia may take retaliatory actions and other counter measures including cyberattacks against the U.S., its government, infrastructure and businesses, including S&T.

Additionally, an armed conflict began in October 2023 involving Hamas and Israel. This conflict, as well as further escalation of tensions between Israel and various countries in the Middle East and North Africa may cause additional detrimental effects on the global economy, including capital markets.

Although the extent and duration of these military conflicts and any future escalation of such hostilities, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations remains uncertain, these consequences, including those we cannot yet predict, may cause our business, financial condition, results of operations and the price of our common stock to be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Operations

Failure to keep pace with technological changes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The financial services industry is constantly 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 service customers and reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy their demands, as well as create additional efficiencies within our operations. Many of our large competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services quickly or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A cyber attack, information or security breach, or a failure of ours or of a third-party's infrastructure, computer and data management systems could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business or manage our exposure to risk, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, increase our costs to maintain and update our operational and security systems and infrastructure, and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause reputational harm.

Our business is highly dependent on the security and efficacy of our infrastructure, computer and data management systems, as well as those of third parties with whom we interact. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign state actors. Our operations rely on the secure processing, transmission, storage and retrieval of confidential, proprietary and other information in our computer and data management systems and networks, and in the computer and data management systems and networks of third parties. We rely on digital technologies, computer, database and email systems, software, and networks to conduct our operations. In addition, to access our network and products and services, our customers and third parties may use personal mobile devices or computing devices that are outside of our network environment. We have taken measures to implement backup systems and other safeguards to support our operations, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to us or to third parties with whom we interact.

Financial services institutions, and third parties whom they conduct business with, have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber attacks, including computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or other security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of the institution, its employees or customers or of third parties, or otherwise materially disrupt network access or business operations. For example, denial of service attacks have been launched against a number of large financial institutions and several large retailers have disclosed substantial cyber security breaches affecting debit accounts of their customers. We have experienced cyber security incidents in the past, such as vendor malware attacks, phishing and other social engineering schemes designed to gain access to confidential information from our employees,customers or vendors and, although not material, we anticipate that we could experience further incidents. There can be no assurance that we will not suffer material losses or other material consequences relating to technology failure, cyber incidents or other information or security breaches.

In addition to external threats, insider threats also present a risk to us. Insiders, having legitimate access to our systems and the information contained in them, have the opportunity to make inappropriate use of the systems and information, or as a result of human error, misconduct or malfeasance, expose us to risk. We have policies, procedures, and controls in place designed to prevent or limit this risk, but we cannot guarantee that these policies, procedures and controls fully mitigate this risk. Additionally, a number of our employees have shifted to working from remote locations, which we expect to remain high for the foreseeable future, increasing the number of surfaces that require protection and the overall risks and exposures to cyber threats.

Moreover, we are subject to laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions regarding privacy, data protection and data security and there continues to be heightened legislative and regulatory focus in this area. These laws and regulations are rapidly evolving and increasing in complexity and will require us to incur costs, some of which may be significant, to achieve and maintain compliance and could restrict our ability to provide certain products and services which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, as cybersecurity incidents increase in frequency and magnitude, we may be unable to obtain cybersecurity insurance in amounts and on terms we view as adequate for our operations.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify and enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or incidents. Any of these matters could result in our loss of customers and business opportunities, significant disruption to our operations and business, misappropriation or destruction of our confidential information and/or that of our customers, or damage to our customers’ and/or third parties’ computers or systems, and could result in a violation of applicable privacy laws and other laws, litigation exposure, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, loss of confidence in our security measures, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, and additional compliance costs. In addition, any of the matters described above could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Fraudulent activity associated with our products and services could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and stock price, negatively impact our brand and reputation and result in regulatory intervention or sanctions.

As a financial institution we are exposed to operational risk in the form of fraudulent activity that may be committed by customers, other third parties, or employees, targeting us and our customers. The risk of fraud continues to increase for the financial services industry. Fraudulent activity has escalated, become more sophisticated, and continues to evolve, as there are more options to access financial services. While we believe we have operational risk controls in place to prevent or detect

fraud or to mitigate the impact of any fraud, we cannot provide assurance that we can prevent or detect fraud or that we will not experience future fraud losses or incur costs or other damage related to such fraud, at levels that adversely affect our results of operation, financial condition or stock price. Furthermore, fraudulent activity could negatively impact our brand and reputation, which could also adversely affect our results of operation, financial condition or stock price. Fraudulent activity could also lead to regulatory intervention or regulatory sanctions.

We rely on certain critical third-party providers for a number of services that are important to our business. An interruption or cessation of an important service by any critical third-party provider could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are dependent for the majority of our technology, including our core operating system, on certain critical third-party providers. If these companies were to discontinue providing services to us, we may experience significant disruption to our business. In addition, each of these third parties faces the risk of cyber attack, information breach or loss, or technology failure. If any of our critical third-party service providers experience such difficulties, or if there is any other disruption in our relationships with them, we may be required to find alternative sources of such services. We are dependent on these critical third-party providers securing their information systems, over which we have limited control, and a breach of their information systems could adversely affect our ability to process transactions, service our clients or manage our exposure to risk and could result in the disclosure of sensitive, personal customer information, which could have a material adverse impact on our business through damage to our reputation, loss of business, remedial costs, additional regulatory scrutiny or exposure to civil litigation and possible financial liability. Assurance cannot be provided that we could negotiate terms with alternative service sources that are as favorable or could obtain services with similar functionality as found in existing systems without the need to expend substantial resources, if at all, thereby resulting in a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

Failure to continue to attract, develop, and maintain a highly skilled workforce may have an adverse effect on our business.

Our business requires that we attract, develop, and maintain a highly skilled workforce. Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is strong, and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the banking industry where we conduct our business. Our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel cost effectively is subject to a variety of external factors, including the limited availability of qualified personnel in the workforce in the local markets in which we operate, unemployment levels within those markets, prevailing wage rates, which have increased significantly, health and other insurance costs, and changes in employment and labor laws. Furthermore, the complexities introduced into the labor market as a result of the transition to increased work-from-home arrangements have impacted the competitive landscape in our labor market. Based on current conditions in the labor market, we have experienced some difficulty in retaining and attracting personnel and there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to successfully do so.

Risks Related to Our Business Strategy

Our strategy includes growth plans through organic growth and by means of acquisitions. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth effectively.

We intend to continue pursuing a growth strategy through organic growth within our current footprint and through market expansion. We also actively evaluate acquisition opportunities as another source of growth. We cannot give assurance that we will be able to expand our existing market presence, or successfully enter new markets or that any such expansion will not adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.

Our failure to find suitable acquisition candidates, or successfully bid against other competitors for acquisitions, could adversely affect our ability to fully implement our business strategy. If we are successful in acquiring other entities, the process of integrating such entities will divert significant management time and resources. We may not be able to integrate efficiently or operate profitably any entity we may acquire. We may experience disruption and incur unexpected expenses in integrating acquisitions. These failures could adversely impact our future prospects and results of operation.

We are subject to competition from both banks and non-banking companies.

The financial services industry is highly competitive, and we encounter strong competition for deposits, loans and other financial services in our market area, including online providers of these products and services. Our principal competitors include other local, regional and national financial services providers, such as other financial holding companies, commercial banks, credit unions, finance companies and brokerage and insurance firms, including competitors that provide their products and services online. Many of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulation that we are and have advantages over us in providing certain services. Additionally, many of our competitors are significantly larger than we are and have greater access to capital and other resources. Failure to compete effectively for deposit, loan and other financial services customers in our markets could cause us to lose market share, slow our growth rate and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be required to raise capital in the future, but that capital may not be available or may not be on acceptable terms when it is needed.

We are required by federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate capital levels to support operations. While we believe we currently have sufficient capital, if we cannot raise additional capital when needed, we may not be able to meet these requirements. In addition, our ability to further expand our operations through organic growth, which includes growth within our current footprint and growth through market expansion, may be adversely affected by any inability to raise necessary capital. Our ability to raise additional capital at any given time is dependent on capital market conditions at that time and on our financial performance and outlook.

Risks Related to Interest Rates and Investments

Our net interest income could be negatively affected by interest rate changes which may adversely affect our financial condition.

Our results of operations are largely dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and fees earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Therefore, any change in general market interest rates, including changes resulting from the Federal Reserve Board’s policies, can have a significant effect on our net interest income and total income. There may be mismatches between the maturity and repricing of our assets and liabilities that could cause the net interest rate spread to compress, depending on the level and type of changes in the interest rate environment. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental agencies. In addition, some of our customers often have the ability to prepay loans or redeem deposits with either no penalties or penalties that are insufficient to compensate us for the lost income. A significant reduction in our net interest income will adversely affect our business and results of operations. If we are unable to manage interest rate risk effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed.

Declines in the value of investment securities held by us could require write-downs, which would reduce our earnings.

In order to diversify earnings and enhance liquidity, we own debt instruments of government agencies and municipalities. We may be required to record impairment charges on our debt securities if they suffer a decline in value due to the underlying credit of the issuer. Additionally, the value of these investments may fluctuate depending on the interest rate environment, general economic conditions and circumstances specific to the issuer. Volatile market conditions may detrimentally affect the value of these securities, such as through reduced valuations due to the perception of heightened credit or liquidity risks. Changes in the value of these instruments may result in a reduction to earnings and/or capital, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision.

As discussed above, under :Supervision and regulation" in Item 1, we are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision and legislation that govern nearly every aspect of our operations. The regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors, customers and the banking system as a whole, not shareholders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes. Other changes to statutes, regulations or policies could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. The regulatory environment of the current administration may take a more active approach to financial services regulation with respect to its major policy goals, such as climate change, racial equity, and consumer protection. Any regulatory changes could subject us to additional costs of regulatory compliance and of doing business, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things, and could divert management’s time from other business activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could lead to enforcement and other legal actions by federal or state authorities, including criminal or civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, and/or damage to our reputation. The ramifications and uncertainties of the level of government intervention in the U.S. financial system could also adversely affect us.

Our controls and policies and procedures may fail or be circumvented, which may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures and operating, risk management and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, policies and procedures, however 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 internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, or operating, risk management and corporate governance policies and procedures, whether as a result of human error, misconduct or malfeasance, or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and policies and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Furthermore, we may in the future discover areas of our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, or operating, risk management and corporate governance policies and procedures that need improvement. Failure to maintain effective controls or to timely implement any necessary improvement of our internal and disclosure controls, or operating, risk management and corporate governance policies and procedures, could, among other things, result in losses from errors, harm our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Negative public opinion could damage our reputation and adversely impact our earnings and liquidity.

Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings, liquidity and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in our operations. Negative public opinion could result from our actual or alleged conduct in a variety of areas, including legal and regulatory compliance, lending practices, corporate governance, litigation, ethical issues or inadequate protection of customer information. Financial companies are highly vulnerable to reputational damage when they are found to have harmed customers, particularly retail customers, through conduct that is illegal or viewed as unfair, deceptive, manipulative or otherwise wrongful. We are dependent on third-party providers for a number of services that are important to our business. Refer to the risk factor titled, “We rely on certain critical third-party providers for a number of services that are important to our business. An interruption or cessation of an important service by any third-party provider could have a material adverse effect on our business.” for additional information. A failure by any of these third-party service providers could cause a disruption in our operations, which could result in negative public opinion about us or damage to our reputation. We expend significant resources to comply with regulatory requirements, and the failure to comply with such regulations could result in reputational harm or significant legal or remedial costs. Damage to our reputation could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract new customers and employees, expose us to litigation and regulatory action and adversely impact our earnings and liquidity.

Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited.

Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive only such dividends as our Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. The payment of common stock dividends by S&T is subject to certain requirements and limitations of Pennsylvania law. Although we have historically declared cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and our Board of Directors could reduce, suspend or eliminate our dividend at any time. Substantial portions of our revenue consist of dividend payments we receive from S&T Bank. The payment of common dividends by S&T Bank is subject to certain requirements and limitations under federal and state laws and regulations that limit the amount of dividends it can pay to S&T. In addition, both S&T and S&T Bank are subject to various general regulatory policies relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. Any decrease to or elimination of the dividends on our common stock could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We are subject to remaining uncertainty associated with the transition away from LIBOR.

Following publication on June 30, 2023, no settings of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) continue to be published on a representative basis and publication of many non-U.S. dollar LIBOR settings has been entirely discontinued. We had a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that were either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. While we believe that we have successfully managed our transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates, given the inherent difference between LIBOR and the alternative reference rates, there remain some uncertainties regarding the transition from LIBOR. In addition, due in part to the limited history of the alternative reference rates, and continued uncertainty regarding their future performance, the impact on interest income and expense, the return on and market value of assets and the impact on certain derivative financial instruments may vary from expectations. While we do not expect the transition from LIBOR and the risks related thereto to have a material adverse effect on us, there remains some uncertainty as to the ultimate impact on our business and results of operations.

Our business could be negatively impacted by environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, including climate change and related legislative and regulatory initiatives.

There has been an increased focus from regulators, investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders concerning environmental, social and governance, or ESG, practices and disclosure, including climate change, hiring practices, the diversity of the work force, racial and social justice issues and shareholder rights.

With respect to environmental in particular, increased focus and concern over the effects of climate change have resulted in increased political and social initiatives directed toward climate change. Governments have entered into international agreements with respect to climate change, and U.S. federal and state legislatures, regulatory agencies, and supervisory authorities, including those with oversight of financial institutions, have proposed initiatives seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change. While many of the current regulatory proposals do not apply directly to S&T, continued focus on climate change may lead to the promulgation of new regulations or supervisory guidance applicable to S&T and, as a result, we may experience increased compliance costs and other compliance-related risks. Furthermore, our customers could be impacted by regulatory initiatives focused on addressing and mitigating the effects of climate change resulting in an adverse impact on their financial condition and creditworthiness. Depending on the nature of the initiative, the business impacted, and the composition of loan portfolio, our business and results of operations could be negatively impacted by climate change initiatives directed at our customers. Additionally, our business and the business of our customers could be negatively impacted by disruptions in economic activity resulting from the physical impacts of climate change.

Furthermore, new government regulations with respect to other ESG matters could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanded mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, disclosure and ESG-related compliance costs. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or goals or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards with respect to ESG matters could have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations, financial position, cash flows, ability to do business with certain third parties and our stock price.

Risks Related to Liquidity

We rely on a stable core deposit base as our primary source of liquidity.

We are dependent for our funding on a stable base of core deposits. Our ability to maintain a stable core deposit base is a function of our financial performance, our reputation and the security provided by FDIC insurance, which combined, gives customers confidence in us. If any of these considerations deteriorates, the stability of our core deposits could be harmed. In addition, deposit levels may be affected by factors such as general interest rate levels, rates paid by competitors, returns available to customers on alternative investments and general economic conditions. Accordingly, we may be required from time to time to rely on other sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Additional funding sources accessible to S&T include borrowing availability at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, or FHLB, federal funds lines with other financial institutions, the Federal Reserve Borrower-in-Custody Program and the Federal Reserve Bank Term Funding Program, or BTFP.

Our ability to meet contingency funding needs, in the event of a crisis that causes a disruption to our core deposit base, is dependent on access to wholesale markets, including funds provided by the FHLB of Pittsburgh and other short-term

funding sources, including the Federal Reserve Discount Window and brokered deposits.

We own stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, or FHLB, in order to qualify for membership in the FHLB system, which enables us to borrow on our line of credit with the FHLB that is secured by a blanket lien on a significant portion of our loan portfolio. Changes or disruptions to the FHLB or the FHLB system in general may materially impact our ability to meet short and long-term liquidity needs or meet growth plans. Additionally, we cannot be assured that the FHLB will be able to provide funding to us when needed, nor can we be certain that the FHLB will provide funds specifically to us, should our financial condition and/or our regulators prevent access to our line of credit. We have other funding sources that

can be used such as the Federal Reserve Borrower-in-Custody Program, as well as the Federal Reserve BTFP which is available to us through March 11, 2024 and brokered deposits. The inability to access this source of funds could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to meet our customer’s needs. Our financial flexibility could be severely constrained if we were unable to maintain our access to funding or if adequate financing is not available at acceptable interest rates.

Risks Related to Owning Our Stock

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors.

Our quarterly and annual operating results have varied significantly in the past and could vary significantly in the future, which makes it difficult for us to predict our future operating results. Our operating results may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including the changing U.S. economic environment and changes in the commercial and residential real estate market, any of which may cause our stock price to fluctuate. If our operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Additionally, our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

• volatility of stock market prices and volumes in general;
• changes in market valuations of similar companies;
• the nature and composition of our ownership base;
• investor views on the attractiveness of a given sector in the market;
• the flow of capital among market sectors;
• changes in the conditions of credit markets;
• changes in accounting policies or procedures as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, or other regulatory agencies;
• legislative and regulatory actions, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations, that may subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in increased compliance costs and/or require us to change our business model;
• government intervention in the U.S. financial system and the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board;
• additions or departures of key members of management;
• fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; and
• changes in analysts’ estimates of our financial performance.

General Risk Factors

We may be a defendant from time to time in a variety of litigation and other actions, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, customers and others make claims and take legal action pertaining to the performance of our responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the performance of our responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to us, they may result in significant expenses, attention from management and financial liability. Any financial liability or reputational damage could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risk Management and Strategy

S&T’s Information Security Program provides policies, procedures, controls and technical measures to assess, identify and manage material cybersecurity risks. The Information Security Program is a part of S&T’s overall Enterprise Risk Management, or ERM Program. The Information Security Program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

a. Protecting data through the use of automated and manual processes;

b. Periodically assessing and updating the program to address an evolving threat environment;

c. Maintaining a team of IT security professionals that continually monitor, detect, analyze, investigate and report cybersecurity threats; and

d. Ensuring business continuity and disaster recovery.

We based and tailored our framework on the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, Cybersecurity Framework and the Center for Internet Security, or CIS, Critical Security Controls.

The S&T Information Security Program utilizes a defense in depth strategy that leverages multiple security measures to protect the bank's assets. We encrypt and leverage data loss prevention technology for sensitive data and use advanced transport layer security encryption for our applications. S&T employees are required to undergo annual information security awareness training, which includes information regarding evolving threats such as phishing, malware and social engineering testing.

S&T performs periodic risk assessments that seek to identify both technical and physical risks to information systems. The assessments incorporate cybersecurity-related principles from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, or FFIEC, Information Technology Examination Handbook, regulatory guidance and concepts from other industry standards, including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. An assessment typically includes:

a. Identifying reasonably foreseeable internal and external threats that could result in a cybersecurity incident;

b. Assessing the likelihood and potential impact of those threats; and

c. Assessing the sufficiency of policies, procedures, practices, and technical measures in place to manage risks.

In addition to periodic risk assessments, S&T evaluates changes to IT systems or physical systems for any information security impacts. S&T utilizes staff and independent third parties to conduct annual penetration testing and IT security health assessments. We engage third parties to facilitate tabletop incident response and business continuity exercises. Additionally, we participate in various cybersecurity industry forums and have access to law enforcement analysis regarding current threats.

Our third-party risk management program is integrated into our Information Security Program within our ERM Program. The policies, procedures and practices applicable to the cybersecurity components of the third-party risk management program were developed and are maintained consistent with the FFEIC IT Examination Handbook, as well as guidance from our prudential regulators. We perform a risk assessment, including cyber threats, associated with use of third-party vendors and exercise appropriate due diligence before entering into a vendor arrangement. We also engage a third-party to actively monitor our cybersecurity risks and gather threat intelligence of select vendors and their products and services. Additionally, we conduct information security assessments before sharing or allowing the hosting of sensitive data in computing environments managed by third parties. Our contracts governing third party engagements require certain security and privacy protections where applicable. All third parties with access to our information systems must review and acknowledge our Acceptable Use Policy before access is granted.

When a cybersecurity incident occurs, whether detected internally or from third-party cybersecurity incidents, we evaluate the incident for criticality across a range of contributing indicators, including service availability, impact to operations, reputational impact, regulatory and legal considerations, data sensitivity and direct financial impact. The potential impact of the incident, individually or in aggregate, is evaluated by the Chief Security Officer, or CSO, continuously across these criteria. We have escalation procedures to notify members of senior and executive management, the Board (or an applicable subset) and regulators in a timely manner based on the criticality of the cybersecurity incident. S&T also has in place incident response and business continuity plans. The Incident Response Program outlines the policies, procedures and technical measures for identifying an incident, assessing its nature and scope, minimizing and containing the impact, investigating the root cause and reporting, as applicable. S&T uses data from incidents to reassess risk, evaluate and implement any additional controls deemed necessary and measure the success of the incident response team. The Incident Response Program also includes staff training, annual updates and testing. The Business Continuity Plan defines the policies, procedures and technical measures to restore systems and critical operations. S&T also maintains business continuity plans for critical systems and applications managed or hosted by third-party vendors.

To date, risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have not materially affected us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. We may nevertheless be unsuccessful in the future in preventing or mitigating a cybersecurity incident that could have a material impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition. At December 31, 2023, management has assessed known cybersecurity incidents for potential materiality and disclosure using formal documented processes and has determined that there have been no material cybersecurity incidents, individually or in aggregate.

Governance

Board Oversight

The Risk Committee is appointed by the Board and is authorized to perform its functions in assisting the Board with fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities with respect to its oversight and assessment of S&T’s enterprise-wide risk management framework. The Risk Committee oversees risk from cybersecurity threats as a part of its oversight of the ERM Program. The Risk Committee regularly reviews reports from, and has discussions with, S&T’s Chief Risk Officer, or CRO, Chief Operating Officer, or COO, CSO, Chief Information and Technology Officer and Director of Operational Risk Management regarding cybersecurity risks, the threat landscape, updates on incidents and reports on our investments in cybersecurity risk mitigation and governance. The Risk Committee chairperson reports activities and recommendations with respect to such matters to the Board as are relevant and deemed appropriate by the Risk Committee. In the event of a material cybersecurity event, the CSO is responsible for promptly reporting such incidents to the CRO, executive management and the Board. A special meeting of the Board will be held, as deemed necessary by the Chairperson of the Board in consultation with the Chair of the Risk Committee.

Management’s Role

At the management level, the ERM Committee, CRO, COO, CSO, Chief Information and Technology Officer, Director of Information Technology and Director of Operational Risk Management are responsible for assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. The ERM Committee reports information to the Risk Committee on a quarterly basis, or more often as needed.

Risk Management leadership, which assists the ERM Committee in assessing and managing cybersecurity threats, include our CRO, COO, CSO, Chief Information and Technology Officer, Director of Information Technology and Director of Operational Risk Management. Our CRO who oversees the risk management information security program reports to our CEO, but has direct access to the Risk Committee. Our CRO is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Certification in Risk Management Assurance and has over 25 years of financial services experience. Our COO has over 20 years of banking technology and operations experience, including serving as head of digital for a business unit at a large national bank. Our CSO reports to the CRO and has 17 years of information technology and cybersecurity experience, including prior roles as chief information officer, assistant director of information technology, chief information security officer and chief security officer in federal law enforcement and banking organizations. Our Chief Information and Technology Officer has nine years of information technology and cybersecurity experience. Our Director of Information Technology has 25 years of information technology and cybersecurity experience. Our Director of Operational Risk Management has 10 years of information technology and cybersecurity experience, including serving as a former chief information officer for a financial institution.

For more information regarding the risks associated with cybersecurity that may impact our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, see “ Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form10-K.

S&T Bancorp, Inc. headquarters is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. We operate in Pennsylvania and Ohio. At December 31, 2023, we operate 73 banking branches and four loan production offices, of which 43 are leased facilities.

The nature of our business generates a certain amount of litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. However, in management’s opinion, there are no proceedings pending that we are a party to or to which our property is subject that would be material in relation to our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, no material proceedings are pending nor are known to be threatened or contemplated against us by governmental authorities or other parties.

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Tax-exempt interest income is on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) using the statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21 percent.

(2) Taxable investment income is adjusted for the dividend-received deduction for equity securities.

(3) Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) increased $34.1 million, or 10.7 percent, compared to 2022. The net interest margin, or NIM, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) increased 37 basis points to 4.13 percent compared to 3.76 percent in 2022. The increases in net interest income and NIM on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) were primarily due to higher interest rates during 2023.

Interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) increased $137.6 million compared to 2022. The increase in interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) was primarily due to higher interest rates. Average loan balances increased $326.3 million compared to 2022. The average yield on loan balances increased 154 basis points compared to 2022 due to higher interest rates. Average interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased $236.4 million compared to 2022 due to declines in deposit balances and loan growth. The average yield on interest-bearing deposits with banks increased 439 basis points compared to 2022 due to increased interest rates. Overall, the FTE rate (non-GAAP) on interest-earning assets increased 158 basis points compared to 2022.

Interest expense increased $103.5 million compared to 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher interest rates and a shift in our funding mix to higher cost certificates of deposits and borrowings. Average interest-bearing deposits decreased $98.0 million compared to 2022 due to the competitive market driven by rising interest rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased 152 basis points due to higher interest rates. Certificates of deposit increased $308.8 million compared to 2022. The increase in certificates of deposits was primarily due to higher interest rates resulting in customers moving deposits to higher yield accounts. Average borrowings increased $435.0 million compared to 2022 primarily due to decreased deposit balances and increased loans. The average rate paid on borrowings increased 258 basis points compared to 2022 due to higher interest rates. Overall, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 185 basis points compared to 2022.

The following table sets forth for the periods presented a summary of the changes in interest earned and interest paid resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(2) Tax-exempt income is on an FTE basis using the statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21 percent.

(3) Taxable investment income is adjusted for the dividend-received deduction for equity securities.

(4) Changes to rate/volume are allocated to both rate and volume on a proportionate dollar basis.

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses includes a provision for losses on loans and on unfunded commitments. The provision for credit losses fluctuates based on changes in loan balances, risk ratings, net loan charge-offs/recoveries, the macro environment and our Current Expected Credit Loss, or CECL, forecast. The provision for credit losses increased $9.5 million to $17.9 million for 2023 compared to $8.4 million for 2022. The provision for credit losses included a reduction of $1.4 million for the reserve for unfunded commitments for 2023 compared to an increase of $3.0 million for 2022.

The increase in the provision for credit losses for 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to increases in net loan charge-offs and our qualitative reserve. Net loan charge-offs for 2023 were $13.2 million, or 0.18 percent of average loans, compared to $2.6 million, or 0.04 percent of average loans for 2022. Offsetting loan charge-offs during 2023 were $11.5 million of loan recoveries which included a $9.3 million recovery related to a 2020 customer fraud compared to $9.0 million of loan recoveries during 2022. The increase in qualitative reserve was primarily due to deterioration in the CRE Price Index and our qualitative reserve capturing additional expected losses in commercial loans that are not included in the model. Offsetting the increase in provision for credit losses during 2023 was a $4.4 million decrease in the provision for unfunded loan commitments primarily due to a decrease in loss rates and unused commitments in the construction portfolio.

Refer to the "Credit Quality" section of this MD&A for further details.

Noninterest Income

(dollars in thousands)

Noninterest income decreased $0.6 million to $57.6 million compared to $58.2 million in 2022. Mortgage banking income decreased $1.1 million due to a decline in loan sale activity caused by rising interest rates and a shift to holding originated mortgage loans on the balance sheet. Debit and credit card income decreased by $0.8 million due to decreased customer activity. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased by $0.6 million due to decreases in returned check and the elimination of non-sufficient funds, or NSF, fees. Other noninterest income increased $2.5 million primarily related to a $3.3 million increase in the fair value of assets in a nonqualified benefit plan, which has a corresponding offset in salaries and benefits resulting in no impact to net income, and an increase in net gain on the sale of OREO of $0.8 million, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in the valuation of our commercial loan swaps and a $0.8 million decrease in fees on our commercial loan swaps.

Noninterest Expense

(dollars in thousands)

Noninterest expense increased $13.6 million to $210.3 million compared to $196.7 million in 2022. Salaries and employee benefits increased $8.2 million during 2023 primarily due to inflationary wage pressure, the acquisition of new talent, higher medical costs and an increase in the fair value of assets in a nonqualified benefit plan, partially offset by a decrease in incentives. Loan-related expense increased $2.1 million primarily due to an increase in loan collection and legal expenses for the workout of criticized and classified loans. Furniture, equipment and software expense increased $1.3 million mainly due to new software implemented in 2023. FDIC insurance increased $1.3 million due to a two basis point increase in the assessment rate.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes increased $0.6 million to $34.0 million in 2023 compared to $33.4 million for 2022. The increase in our income tax provision was primarily due to a $9.9 million increase in income before taxes in 2023 compared to 2022.

The effective tax rate, which is total tax expense as a percentage of income before taxes, decreased to 19.0 percent in 2023 compared to 19.8 percent in 2022. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in LIHTCs in 2023 compared to 2022. We have generated an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 21 percent due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest, excludable dividend income, tax-exempt income on Bank Owned Life Insurance, or BOLI, and tax benefits associated with LIHTCs.

Financial Condition as of December 31, 2023

Total assets increased $441.0 million to $9.6 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $9.1 billion at December 31, 2022. Total portfolio loans increased $469.4 million to $7.7 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase in loans is primarily related to consumer loan growth of $352.9 million with an increase in consumer real estate of $362.9 million compared to December 31, 2022. The commercial loan portfolio increased $116.5 million at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to an increase of $229.4 million in CRE loans offset by decreases of $76.9 million in C&I and $36.1 million in construction.

Securities remained relatively unchanged at $970.4 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2022. The bond portfolio was in a net unrealized loss position of $82.0 million at December 31, 2023 compared to a net unrealized loss position of $102.3 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease in the net unrealized loss portion of the bond portfolio of $20.3 million was due to a change in interest rates.

Our deposits increased $301.8 million to $7.5 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase related to the addition of $375.7 million of brokered deposits, including $200.7 million of brokered money market accounts and $175.0 million of brokered certificates of deposit. Customer deposits decreased $73.9 million compared to the prior year with decreases in noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $366.8 million and savings of $168.0 million partially offset by an increase in certificates of deposit of $472.1 million. Customer deposits decreased primarily due to lower commercial and consumer deposits due to the competitive pricing in this higher interest rate environment. Additionally, noninterest-bearing demand decreased due to the shift into interest-bearing deposits as a result of the elevated interest rate environment.

Total borrowings increased $64.4 million to $503.6 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $439.2 million at December 31, 2022 primarily due to loan growth.

Total shareholders’ equity increased by $98.8 million to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to net income of $144.8 million and other comprehensive income of $21.2 million, offset by dividends of $49.9 million and common stock repurchases of $20.0 million.

Securities Activity

The balances and average rates of our securities portfolio are presented below as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

We invest in various securities in order to maintain a source of liquidity, to satisfy various pledging requirements, to increase net interest income and as a tool of ALCO to reposition the balance sheet for interest rate risk purposes. Securities are subject to market risks that could negatively affect the level of liquidity available to us. Security purchases are subject to an investment policy approved annually by our Board of Directors and administered through ALCO and our treasury function. Our securities portfolio represents 10.2 percent of total assets and is classified as available for sale.The portfolio primarily consists of structured agency backed fixed income securities with limited credit exposure. Securities decreased $32.4 million to $970.4 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2022.

At December 31, 2023, our bond portfolio was in a net unrealized loss position of $82.0 million compared to a net unrealized loss position of $102.3 million at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2023, our bond portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $83.8 million offset by $1.8 million in gross unrealized gains, compared to December 31, 2022, when total gross unrealized losses were $102.6 million offset by gross unrealized gains of $0.3 million.

Management evaluates the securities portfolio to determine if an ACL is needed each quarter. We did not record an ACL related to the securities portfolio at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. The unrealized losses on debt securities were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and not related to the credit quality of these securities. All debt securities were determined to be investment grade and paying principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the security at December 31, 2023. We do not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position before recovery of their amortized cost. We did not recognize any impairment charges on our securities portfolio in 2023, 2022 or 2021. The securities portfolio could generate impairments in future periods requiring realized losses to be reported.

The following table sets forth the maturities of securities at December 31, 2023 and the weighted average yields of such securities. Taxable-equivalent adjustments for 2023 have been made in calculating yields on obligations of state and political subdivisions.

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Weighted-average yields are calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis using the federal statutory tax rate of 21 percent for 2023.

Lending Activity

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

The loan portfolio represents the most significant source of interest income for us. The risk that borrowers will be unable to pay such obligations is inherent in the loan portfolio. Other conditions such as downturns in the borrower’s industry or the overall economic climate can significantly impact the borrower’s ability to pay.

We maintain a General Lending Policy to control the quality of our loan portfolio. The policy delegates the authority to extend loans under specific guidelines and underwriting standards. The General Lending Policy is formulated by management and reviewed and ratified annually by the Board of Directors.

We attempt to limit our exposure to credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio by segment, geography, collateral and industry and actively managing concentrations. When concentrations exist in certain segments, we assess the credit risk within those segments to determine if additional reserve is needed in the qualitative portion of the ACL. Total commercial loans represented 70.1 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 compared to 73.0 percent at December 31, 2022. Within our commercial portfolio, the CRE and commercial construction portfolios combined comprised $3.7 billion, or 69.4 percent, of total commercial loans and 48.6 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 compared to $3.5 billion, or 67.2 percent, of total commercial loans and 49.1 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2022.

Our multi-family and office segments are the most significant CRE and commercial construction concentrations for us. The multi-family segment was $658.9 million, or 8.6 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 compared to $568.3 million, or 7.9 percent at December 31, 2022. Criticized and classified loans in the multi-family segment are minimal at only $7.4 million at December 31, 2023. The office segment represents $516.5 million, or 6.7 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 compared to $511.8 million, or 7.1 percent at December 31, 2022. Criticized and classified loans in the office segment were only $11.6 million at December 31, 2023. Approximately 85 percent of the office portfolio is located in non central business districts, or CBD, with the remaining 15 percent in CBD within our direct markets. We completed a target review of the office portfolio in the third quarter of 2023 and did not identify any material credit risk.

We lend primarily in Pennsylvania and the contiguous states of Ohio, New York, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The majority of our commercial and consumer loans are made to businesses and individuals in these states resulting in a geographic concentration. We believe our knowledge of these markets outweighs the geographic concentration risk. Our operating knowledge at the local and regional level is derived from our front-line connection to the customer and our understanding of their businesses. We also have a portfolio management group that utilizes multiple data sources including customer information, publicly available data and subscription service data to assess risk on an on-going basis and strong overall risk management practices which help us understand and evaluate concentration risk. Our CRE and commercial construction portfolios have exposure outside this geography of 3.9 percent of the combined portfolios and 1.9 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023. This compares to 5.8 percent of the combined portfolios and 2.9 percent of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2022.

Total portfolio loans increased $469.4 million, or 6.5 percent, to $7.7 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, 65.0 percent of our total loans were variable rate loans and 35.0 percent were fixed rate loans.

Commercial loans increased $116.5 million related to an increase of $229.4 million in CRE offset by decreases of $76.9 million in C&I and $36.1 million in commercial construction compared to December 31, 2022. Our loan demand was influenced by the uncertain macroeconomic environment during 2023.

Consumer loans represent 29.9 percent of our total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 and 27.0 percent at December 31, 2022. Consumer loans increased $352.9 million compared to December 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase of $343.2 million in the residential real estate portfolio and $19.7 million in consumer construction. Portfolio consumer real estate loans increased in 2023 based on a shift from mortgage loans sold to loans held in the portfolio on our balance sheet due to increased jumbo loans and the pricing of loans in the secondary market compared to December 31, 2022.

We originate traditional fixed rate mortgage loans and adjustable rate mortgages with a maximum amortization term of 30 years. The loan to value, or LTV, policy guideline is 80 percent for residential first lien mortgages. Higher LTV loans may be approved within unique program guidelines. We may originate home equity loans with a lien position that is second to unrelated third-party lenders, but normally only to the extent that the combined LTV considering both the first and second liens does not exceed 100 percent of the fair value of the property. Combo mortgage loans consisting of a residential first mortgage and a home equity second mortgage are also available.

We typically originate and sell loans into the secondary market, primarily to Fannie Mae. We sell these loans in order to mitigate interest-rate risk associated with holding lower rate, long-term residential mortgages in the loan portfolio and to generate fee revenue from sales and servicing of the loans. During 2023, our strategy changed whereby we held more mortgages on our balance sheet versus selling these loans in the secondary market. This shift in strategy was mainly due to loan pricing in the secondary market and the desire to reduce our variable rate loan exposure in this interest rate environment. We continue to monitor this strategy and could shift back to selling more residential mortgages into the secondary market in future periods. We sold $0.2 million of 1-4 family mortgages in 2023 and $28.6 million in 2022 to Fannie Mae. Our servicing portfolio of mortgage loans that we had originated and sold into the secondary market was $707.8 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $772.9 million at December 31, 2022. We also offer a variety of unsecured and secured consumer loan products.

The following table presents the maturity of commercial and consumer loans outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

(dollars in thousands)

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, we offer off-balance sheet credit arrangements to enable our customers to meet their financing objectives. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements. Our exposure to credit loss, in the event the customer does not satisfy the terms of the agreement, equals the contractual amount of the obligation less the value of any collateral. We apply the same credit policies in making commitments and standby letters of credit that are used for the underwriting of loans to customers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, annual renewals or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The following table sets forth our commitments and letters of credit as of the dates presented:

(dollars in thousands)

See Note 16 Commitments and Contingencies in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Report for details on allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments.

Credit Quality

On a quarterly basis, a criticized asset meeting is held to monitor all special mention and substandard loans greater than $1.5 million and all business banking special mention and substandard loans greater than $0.5 million to establish action plans for these loans. These loans typically represent the highest risk of loss to us. We monitor these loans through regular contact with the borrower, review of current financial information and other documentation, review of all loan or potential loan restructures or modifications and the regular re-evaluation of assets held as collateral.

Additional credit risk management practices include periodic review, at least annually, and updates of our lending policies and procedures to support sound underwriting practices and portfolio management through portfolio stress testing. We have a portfolio monitoring group that performs an annual review of all commercial relationships greater than $1.5 million and a quarterly review of our Watch rated portfolio. Business banking relationships less than $1.5 million are monitored through portfolio management software that identifies credit risk indicators. Our credit risk review process serves to independently monitor credit quality and assess the effectiveness of credit risk management practices to provide oversight of all corporate lending activities. The credit risk review function has the primary responsibility for assessing commercial credit administration and credit decision functions of consumer and mortgage underwriting, as well as providing input to the loan risk rating process.

Nonperforming assets, or NPAs, consist of nonaccrual loans and OREO. The following represents NPAs as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

Our policy is to place loans in all categories in nonaccrual status when collection of interest or principal is doubtful, or generally when interest or principal payments are 90 days or more past due.

Nonperforming assets increased $0.9 million, or 4.1 percent, resulting in a nonperforming assets to total loans plus OREO ratio of 0.30% at December 31, 2023 compared to 0.31% at December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans increased $3.9 million, or 20.4 percent, to $22.9 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $19.1 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease in OREO related to the sale of a commercial property that resulted in a gain on sale of OREO of $3.9 million, which is included in other noninterest income.

The following represents delinquency as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

Closed-end installment loans, amortizing loans secured by real estate and any other loans with payments scheduled monthly are reported past due when the borrower is in arrears two or more monthly payments. Other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly are reported past due when one scheduled payment is due and unpaid for 30 days or more. We monitor delinquency on a monthly basis, including early-stage delinquencies of 30 to 89 days past due for early identification of potential problem loans. Loans past due 90 days or more increased $3.9 million compared to December 31, 2022 and represented 0.30 percent of total loans at December 31, 2023. Loans past due by 30 to 89 days decreased $5.2 million and represented 0.20 percent of total loans at December 31, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We maintain an ACL at a level determined to be adequate to absorb estimated expected credit losses within the loan portfolio over the contractual life of a loan that considers our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions as of the balance sheet date. We develop and document a systematic ACL methodology based on the following portfolio segments: 1) CRE, 2) C&I, 3) Commercial Construction, 4) Business Banking, 5) Consumer Real Estate and 6) Other Consumer.

Our charge-off policy for commercial loans requires that loans and other obligations that are not collectible be promptly charged-off when the loss is confirmed, regardless of the delinquency status of the loan. We may elect to recognize a partial charge-off when management has determined that the value of collateral or present value of expected future cash flows is less than the remaining investment in the loan. A loan or obligation does not need to be charged-off, regardless of delinquency status, if (i) management has determined that sufficient collateral exists to protect the remaining loan balance and a strategy exists to liquidate the collateral, or (ii) management has determined that the present value of expected future cash flows is sufficient to protect the remaining loan balance. Management may also consider a number of other factors to determine when a charge-off is appropriate. These factors may include, but are not limited to:

• The status of a bankruptcy proceeding;
• The value of collateral and probability of successful liquidation; and/or
• The status of adverse proceedings or litigation that may result in collection.

Consumer loans are evaluated for charge-off after the loan becomes 90 days past due. Unsecured loans are fully charged off and secured loans are charged down to the estimated fair value of the collateral less the cost to sell.

The following table presents activity in the ACL for each of the three years presented below:

(dollars in thousands)

Net loan charge-offs for 2023 were $13.2 million, or 0.18 percent of average loans, compared to $2.6 million, or 0.04 percent of average loans for 2022. The most significant charge-offs during 2023 were for three C&I relationships totaling $16.9 million. Offsetting loan charge-offs during 2023 were $11.5 million of loan recoveries, which included a $9.3 million recovery related to a 2020 customer fraud compared to $9.0 million of loan recoveries during 2022.

The following table summarizes net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans for the years presented:

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The following is the ACL balance by portfolio segment as of December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

Significant to our ACL is a higher concentration of commercial loans. The ability of borrowers to repay commercial loans is dependent upon the success of their business and general economic conditions. Due to the greater potential for loss within our commercial portfolio, we monitor the commercial loan portfolio through an internal risk rating system. Loan risk ratings are assigned based upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and are reviewed on an ongoing basis according to our internal policies. Loans rated special mention or substandard have potential or well-defined weaknesses not generally found in high quality, performing loans, and require attention from management to limit loss.

The ACL was $108.0 million, or 1.41 percent of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2023, compared to $101.3 million, or 1.41 percent of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2022. The increase in the ACL of $6.7 million was primarily due to a $7.7 million increase in our qualitative reserve mainly related to deterioration in the Commercial Real Estate Price Index and a higher C&I segment specific reserve which captures additional expected losses that are not included in the quantitative model. Our quantitative reserve decreased $1.0 million primarily due to a reduction in criticized and classified loans mainly in our CRE healthcare and CRE hotel portfolios partially offset by higher C&I substandard loans and loan growth during 2023.

Federal Home Loan Bank and Other Restricted Stock

At December 31, 2023, we held FHLB of Pittsburgh stock of $24.0 million compared to $22.0 million at December 31, 2022. This investment is carried at cost and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. We hold FHLB stock because we are a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. The FHLB requires members to purchase and hold a specified level of FHLB stock based upon the members’ asset values, level of borrowings and participation in other programs offered. Stock in the FHLB is non-marketable and is redeemable at the discretion of the FHLB. Members do not purchase stock in the FHLB for the same reasons that traditional equity investors acquire stock in an investor-owned enterprise. Rather, members purchase stock to obtain access to the products and services offered by the FHLB. Unlike equity securities of traditional for-profit enterprises, the stock of the FHLB does not provide its holders with an opportunity for capital appreciation because, by regulation, FHLB stock can only be purchased, redeemed and transferred at par value. We reviewed and evaluated the FHLB capital stock for impairment at December 31, 2023. The FHLB exceeds all required capital ratios. Additionally, we considered that the FHLB has been paying dividends and actively redeeming stock throughout 2023 and 2022. Accordingly, we believe sufficient evidence exists to conclude that no impairment existed at December 31, 2023.

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funds. We have a well-diversified deposit base with a balance mix of 56.4 percent personal, 34.1 percent business, 4.5 percent public funds and 5.0 percent brokered at December 31, 2023.

(dollars in thousands)

The following table presents the composition of deposits at December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

Total deposits increased $301.8 million, or 4.18 percent, at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. Total customer deposits decreased $73.9 million from December 31, 2022 primarily due to lower commercial and consumer deposits due to the competitive pricing in this higher interest rate environment. Additionally, noninterest-bearing demand decreased due to the shift into interest-bearing deposits as a result of the elevated interest rate environment. Total brokered deposits increased $375.7 million from December 31, 2022. Brokered deposits are an additional source of funds utilized by ALCO as a way to diversify funding sources, as well as manage our funding costs and structure.

As a member of the IntraFi network, we are able to offer our customers insurance coverage on interest-bearing demand, money market and certificate of deposit balances in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. IntraFi balances increased $210.4 million to $277.7 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $67.3 million at December 31, 2022.

We have total uninsured deposits of $2.3 billion, or 30.0 percent of our total deposit base, compared to $2.5 billion, or 34.0 percent, at December 31, 2022. Included in uninsured deposits is $296.0 million, or 4.0 percent of our total deposit base, of municipal deposits which are fully collateralized.

The daily average balance of deposits and rates paid on deposits are summarized in the following table for the years ended December 31:

(dollars in thousands)

CDs of $250,000 and over accounted for 4.7 percent and 3.0 percent of total deposits at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. These primarily represent deposit relationships with local customers in our market area.

Maturities of CDs of $250,000 or more outstanding at December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Borrowings

(dollars in thousands)

Borrowings are an additional source of funding for us. Total borrowings increased $64.4 million to $503.6 million compared to $439.2 million at December 31, 2022 primarily due to loan growth.

Information pertaining to short-term borrowings is summarized in the table below for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(dollars in thousands)

Information pertaining to long-term borrowings and junior subordinated debt securities is summarized in the tables below for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(dollars in thousands)

In 2023, we redeemed $5.0 million of junior subordinated debt securities, along with $0.2 million in common equity issued by DNB Capital Trust I and held by us.

Wealth Management Assets

The fair value of the S&T Bank Wealth Management assets under administration, which are not accounted for as part of our assets, remained unchanged at $2.2 billion at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Assets under administration consisted of $1.0 billion in S&T Trust, $1.0 billion in S&T Financial Services and $0.2 billion in Stewart Capital Advisors.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is defined as a financial institution’s ability to meet its cash and collateral obligations at a reasonable cost. Our primary future cash needs are centered on the ability to (i) satisfy the financial needs of depositors who may want to withdraw funds or of borrowers needing to access funds to meet their credit needs and (ii) to meet our future cash commitments under contractual obligations with third parties. In order to manage liquidity risk, our Board of Directors has delegated authority to ALCO for the formulation, implementation and oversight of liquidity risk management for S&T. The ALCO’s goal is to maintain adequate levels of liquidity at a reasonable cost to meet funding needs in both a normal operating environment and for potential liquidity stress events. The ALCO monitors and manages liquidity through various ratios, reviewing cash flow projections, performing stress tests and having a detailed contingency funding plan. The ALCO policy guidelines define graduated risk tolerance levels. If our liquidity position moves to a level that has been defined as high risk, specific actions are required, such as increased monitoring or the development of an action plan to reduce the risk position.

Our primary funding and liquidity source is a stable customer deposit base. We believe S&T has the ability to retain existing deposits and attract new deposits, mitigating any funding dependency on other more volatile funding sources. Refer to the "Financial Condition as of December 31, 2023 - Deposits" section of this MD&A, for additional discussion on deposits. Although deposits are the primary source of funds, we have identified various other funding sources that can be used as part of our normal funding program. Additional funding sources accessible to S&T include borrowing availability at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, or FHLB, federal funds lines with other financial institutions and the brokered deposit market. Additionally, S&T has borrowing availability through the Federal Reserve Borrower-in-Custody Program and the Federal Reserve BTFP.

In response to recent bank failures, the Federal Reserve authorized additional funding availability to eligible depository institutions through the BTFP. The program is intended to help assure depositors that their institutions have an additional source of liquidity to meet their needs. Under the BTFP, any collateral eligible for purchase by the Federal Reserve Banks in open market operations can be pledged including U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agencies and U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Collateral advances will be equal to 100 percent of the par value of the collateral pledged with a term of up to one year. Interest was charged at a fixed rate equal to the one-year overnight index swap rate plus 10 basis points with no prepayment penalty. The rate on new advances, beginning on January 25, 2024, is set to be no lower than the interest rate on reserve balances in effect on the day the loan is made. As of December 31, 2023, we have $637.0 million of collateral available to pledge under the program and no outstanding balance. The Federal Reserve has announced that it is ending the BTFP and will cease making new loans under this program on March 11, 2024.

Available borrowing capacity exceeds uninsured deposits of $2.3 billion at December 31, 2023 and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2022. The following table summarizes borrowing funding sources available as of the dates presented:

(dollars in thousands)

At December 31, 2023, we had available borrowing capacity of $4.1 billion, of which $2.7 billion was remaining borrowing availability with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. We believe that these funding sources will provide adequate resources to fund our short-term and long-term operating and financing needs. In addition, our ability to access capital markets provides additional sources of funding with respect to strategic investing opportunities. Our access to and the availability of funds in the future will be affected by many factors, including, but not limited to our financial condition and prospects, the liquidity of the overall capital markets and the current state of the economy.

In the normal course of business, we enter into various contractual obligations, which require future payments that could impact our liquidity and capital resources. We also utilize interest rate swaps to add stability and manage exposure to interest rate movements, under which we are required to either receive cash from, or pay cash to, counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market rates as of the balance sheet date.

The following table summarizes our material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Excludes interest

An important component of our ability to effectively respond to potential liquidity stress events is maintaining a cushion of highly liquid assets. Highly liquid assets are those that can be converted to cash quickly, with little or no loss in value, to meet financial obligations. ALCO policy guidelines define a ratio of highly liquid assets to total assets by graduated risk tolerance levels of minimal, moderate and high. At December 31, 2023, S&T Bank had $897.4 million in highly liquid assets, which consisted primarily of $160.3 million in interest-bearing deposits with banks and $736.9 million in unpledged securities. This resulted in a highly liquid assets to total assets ratio of 9.4 percent at December 31, 2023 compared to 9.6 percent at December 31, 2022. Highly liquid assets have increased by $27.3 million when comparing December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2022. The majority of the increase in liquid assets is attributed to increases in cash balances. Refer to Note 12. Qualified Affordable Housing, Note 13 Deposits, Note 14 Short Term Borrowings, Note 15 Long Term Borrowings and Subordinated Debt and Note 7 Right-Of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and the Deposits and Borrowings section of this MD&A, for more details.

Capital Resources

Shareholders’ equity increased $98.8 million, or 8.3 percent, to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to net income of $144.8 million and other comprehensive income of $21.2 million, partially offset by dividends of $49.9 million and common stock repurchases of $20.0 million. The other comprehensive income was primarily due to a $15.9 million improvement in unrealized losses on our available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax and an improvement of $5.2 million in unrealized losses on our interest rate swaps, net of tax.

We continue to maintain a strong capital position with a leverage ratio of 11.21 percent as compared to the regulatory guideline of 5.00 percent to be well-capitalized and a risk-based Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.37 percent compared to the regulatory guideline of 6.50 percent to be well-capitalized. Our risk-based Tier 1 and Total capital ratios were 13.69 percent and 15.27 percent, which places us above the federal bank regulatory agencies’ well-capitalized guidelines of 8.00 percent and 10.00 percent, respectively. Our ratios are also above the required minimum ratios after the capital conservation buffer, discussed further below, of common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 7.00 percent, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 8.50 percent and a total risk-based capital ratio greater than 10.50 percent. We believe that we have the ability to raise additional capital, if necessary.

On March 27, 2020, the regulators issued interim final rule, or IFR, “Regulatory Capital Rule: Revised Transition of the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology for Allowances” in response to the disrupted economic activity from the spread of COVID-19. The IFR provides financial institutions that adopt CECL during 2020 with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefit provided by the initial two-year delay (“five-year transition”). We adopted CECL effective January 1, 2020 and elected to implement the five-year transition.

In July 2013, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to implement Basel III and the minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. The rule requires a banking organization to maintain a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2.50 percent of total risk-weighted assets. Banking organizations must maintain a common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 7.00 percent, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 8.50 percent and a total risk-based capital ratio greater than 10.50 percent; otherwise, it will be subject to restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments. The minimum capital requirements plus the capital conservation buffer exceeds the regulatory capital ratios required for an insured depository institution to be well-capitalized under the FDIC's prompt corrective action framework.

Federal regulators periodically propose amendments to the regulatory capital rules and the related regulatory framework and consider changes to the capital standards that could significantly increase the amount of capital needed to meet applicable standards. The timing of adoption, ultimate form and effect of any such proposed amendments cannot be predicted.

We have filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, with the SEC, which allows for the issuance of a variety of securities including debt and capital securities, preferred and common stock and warrants. We may use the proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, which could include investments at the holding company level, investing in, or extending credit to subsidiaries, possible acquisitions and stock repurchases. As of December 31, 2023, we had not issued any securities pursuant to the shelf registration statement.

Inflation

Inflation can have a significant impact on interest rates and, accordingly, can impact our financial performance. Inflation can influence our asset growth, deposits, noninterest income and expense and credit quality. As a result, we closely monitor the the rate of inflation in the economy. We do so by analyzing our capability to respond to changing interest rates and our ability to manage noninterest income and expense. We monitor the mix of interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities through our management committee, ALCO, in order to manage the impact of inflation and the level of interest rates on net interest income. We also manage the effects of inflation on S&T by reviewing the prices of our products and services, by introducing new products and services and by controlling overhead expenses. Additionally, management is aware of the potential impacts that inflation can have on our loan portfolio and our customer's ability to operate their businesses. We seek to minimize the various inflationary inputs through a robust annual review process and sensitivity analysis when considering extensions of credit. Additionally, we leverage our internal credit risk review in support of the current economic cycle. We continuously monitor our portfolio for potential and emerging risks. See Risk Factors in Item 1A for further information regarding the impact of inflation on the economy and on S&T.

Market risk is defined as the degree to which changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices or equity prices can adversely affect a financial institution’s earnings or capital. For most financial institutions, including S&T, market risk primarily reflects exposures to changes in interest rates. Interest rate fluctuations affect earnings by changing net interest income and other interest-sensitive income and expense levels. Interest rate changes also affect capital by changing the net present value of a bank’s future cash flows, and the cash flows themselves, as rates change. Accepting this risk is a normal part of banking and can be an important source of profitability and enhancing shareholder value. However, excessive interest rate risk can threaten a bank’s earnings, capital, liquidity and solvency. Our sensitivity to changes in interest rate movements is continually monitored by the ALCO. The ALCO monitors and manages market risk through rate shock analyses, economic value of equity, or EVE, analyses and by performing stress tests and simulations to mitigate earnings and market value fluctuations due to changes in interest rates.

Rate shock analyses results are compared to a base case to provide an estimate of the impact that market rate changes may have on 12 and 24 months of pretax net interest income. The base case and rate shock analyses are performed on a static balance sheet. A static balance sheet is a no growth balance sheet in which all maturing and/or repricing cash flows are reinvested in the same product at the existing product spread. Rate shock analyses assume an immediate parallel shift in market interest rates and also include management assumptions regarding the impact of interest rate changes on non-maturity deposit products (noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, money market and savings) and changes in the prepayment behavior of loans and securities with optionality. S&T policy guidelines limit the change in pretax net interest income over 12 and 24 month horizons using rate shocks in increments of +/- 100 basis points. Policy guidelines define the percentage change in pretax net interest income by graduated risk tolerance levels of minimal, moderate and high.

In order to monitor interest rate risk beyond the 24 month time horizon of rate shocks on pretax net interest income, we also perform EVE analyses. EVE represents the present value of all asset cash flows minus the present value of all liability cash flows. EVE change results are compared to a base case to determine the impact that market rate changes may have on our EVE. As with rate shock analyses on pretax net interest income, EVE analyses incorporate management assumptions regarding prepayment behavior of fixed rate loans and securities with optionality and the behavior and value of non-maturity deposit products. S&T policy guidelines limit the change in EVE using rate shocks in increments of +/- 100 basis points. Policy guidelines define the percentage change in EVE by graduated risk tolerance levels of minimal, moderate and high.

The table below reflects the rate shock analyses results for the 1-12 and 13-24 month periods of pretax net interest income and EVE.

48

a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of S&T’s Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer), management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of S&T’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to S&T’s management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in all material respects, as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

b) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management assessed S&T’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in “Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013),” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2023, S&T’s system of internal control over financial reporting is effective and meets the criteria of the “Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013).”

Management assessed the effectiveness of S&T's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, S&T's internal controls over financial reporting were effective. Our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on the effectiveness of S&T’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, which is included herein.

c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No changes were made to S&T’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, S&T’s internal control over financial reporting.