Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana: Form 10-K for the period ended Jun 30, 2023

Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana, a Louisiana chartered corporation (“Home Federal Bancorp” or the “Company”), is the holding company for Home Federal Bank (“Home Federal Bank” or the “Bank”). Home Federal Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank originally organized in 1924 as Home Building and Loan Association. The Bank reorganized into the mutual holding company structure in January 2005 and changed its name to “Home Federal Bank” in 2009 as part of its business strategy to be recognized as a community bank. Home Federal Bank’s home office and ten full service branch offices are located in Caddo, Bossier and Webster Parishes, Louisiana and serve the Shreveport-Bossier City-Minden combined statistical area. In February 2023, the Bank acquired First National Bank of Benton and its full service branch office in Benton, Louisiana. Home Federal Bank’s business primarily consists of attracting deposits from the general public and using those funds to originate loans.

As of June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bancorp’s only business activities are to hold all of the outstanding common stock of Home Federal Bank. Home Federal Bancorp is authorized to pursue other business activities permitted by applicable laws and regulations for savings and loan holding companies, which may include the issuance of additional shares of common stock to raise capital or to support mergers or acquisitions and borrowing funds for reinvestment in Home Federal Bank.

Home Federal Bancorp does not own or lease any property but instead uses the premises, equipment, and furniture of Home Federal Bank. At the present time, Home Federal Bancorp employs only persons who are officers of Home Federal Bank to serve as officers of Home Federal Bancorp and may also use the support staff of Home Federal Bank from time to time. These other persons are not separately compensated by Home Federal Bancorp.

Pursuant to the regulations under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, Home Federal Bank and Home Federal Bancorp have entered into an expense sharing agreement. Under this agreement, Home Federal Bancorp will reimburse Home Federal Bank for the time that employees of Home Federal Bank devote to activities of Home Federal Bancorp, the portion of the expense of the annual independent audit attributable to Home Federal Bancorp, and all expenses attributable to Home Federal Bancorp’s public filing obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Market Area

Our primary market area for loans and deposits is in northwest Louisiana, particularly Caddo Parish and neighboring communities in Bossier and Webster Parishes, which are located in the Shreveport-Bossier City-Minden combined statistical area.

Our primary market area in northern Louisiana has a diversified economy with employment in services, government, and wholesale/retail trade constituting the basis of the local economy, with service jobs being the largest component. The majority of the services are health care related as Shreveport has become a regional hub for health care. The casino gaming industry also supports a significant number of the service jobs. The energy sector has a prominent role in the regional economy, resulting from oil and gas exploration and drilling.

Competition. We face significant competition both in attracting deposits and in making loans. Our most direct competition for deposits has come historically from commercial banks, credit unions, and other savings institutions located in our primary market area, including many large financial institutions which have greater financial and marketing resources available to them. In addition, we face significant competition for investors’ funds from short-term money market securities, mutual funds, and other corporate and government securities. We do not rely upon any individual group or entity for a material portion of our deposits. Our ability to attract and retain deposits depends on our ability to generally provide a rate of return, liquidity, and risk comparable to that offered by competing investment opportunities.

Our competition for real estate loans comes principally from mortgage banking companies, commercial banks, other savings institutions, and credit unions. We compete for loan originations primarily through the interest rates and loan fees we charge and the efficiency and quality of services we provide borrowers. Factors which affect competition include general and local economic conditions, current interest rate levels, and volatility in the mortgage markets. Competition may increase as a result of the continuing reduction of restrictions on the interstate operations of financial institutions.

Lending Activities

General. At June 30, 2023, our net loan portfolio amounted to $489.5 million, representing approximately 74.1% of total assets at that date. Historically, our principal lending activity was the origination of one-to-four family residential loans. At June 30, 2023, one-to-four family residential loans amounted to $179.6 million, or 36.7% of the total loan portfolio. In recent periods, we have sold a substantial amount of our fixed-rate conforming one-to-four family residential loans to correspondent banks. Commercial real estate loans amounted to $148.4 million, or 30.3% of the total loan portfolio, at June 30, 2023.

The types of loans that we may originate are subject to federal and state laws and regulations. Interest rates charged on loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes, and the rates offered by our competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general and economic conditions, the monetary policy of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative and tax policies, and governmental budgetary matters.

A savings institution generally may not make loans to one borrower and related entities in an amount which exceeds 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus, although loans in an amount equal to an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus may be made to a borrower, if the loans are fully secured by readily marketable securities. In addition, upon application, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency permits a savings institution to lend up to an additional 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus to one borrower to develop domestic residential housing units. At June 30, 2023, our regulatory limit on loans to one borrower was $7.6 million, and the five largest loans or groups of loans to one borrower, including related entities, aggregated $7.4 million, $5.8 million, $4.6 million, $4.4 million, and $4.4 million. Each of our five largest loans or groups of loans was originated with strong guarantor support to known borrowers in our market area and was performing in accordance with its terms at June 30, 2023.

Loans to or guaranteed by general obligations of a state or political subdivision are not subject to the foregoing lending limits.

Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan at the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) Does not include loans held-for-sale amounting to $4,000 and $4.0 million at June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Origination of Loans. Our lending activities are subject to written underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by the board of directors and management. When applicable, loans originated are also subject to the underwriting standards of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, VA, USDA, and correspondent banks that purchase loans we originate. Loan originations are obtained through a variety of sources, primarily from existing customers, local realtors, and builders. Written loan applications are taken by one of our loan officers. The loan officer also supervises the procurement of credit reports, income and asset documentation, and other documentation involved with a loan. All appraisals are ordered through an approved appraisal management company in compliance with the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act. Under our lending policy, a title insurance policy is required on most mortgage loans, with the exception of certain smaller loan amounts where our policy requires a title opinion only. We also require fire and extended coverage casualty insurance in order to protect the properties securing the real estate loans. Borrowers must also obtain flood insurance policies when the property is in a flood hazard area.

Our loan approval process is intended to assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan, and the value of the property that will secure the loan. All residential loans originated for sale to FNMA or other investor banks that receive an Approve-Eligible recommendation on the automated underwriting feedback certificate that is applicable for each loan type must be approved by a Bank mortgage underwriter. Loans that do not receive an Approve-Eligible recommendation must be approved by a Bank mortgage underwriter and the Senior Vice President of Mortgage. In addition, all loans originated to be held on the Bank’s portfolio must be approved by a Bank mortgage underwriter and the Senior Vice President of Mortgage for loans up to $500,000, and for loans up to $1.0 million by the Senior Credit Officer. Commercial real estate secured loans and lines of credit and commercial business loans up to $1.0 million must be approved by the Senior Credit Officer or the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, up to $2.0 million by the Senior Credit Officer and the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and in excess of $2.0 million by the Executive Committee. In accordance with past practice, all loans are ratified by our board of directors.

In recent periods, we have originated and sold a substantial amount of our fixed-rate conforming mortgages to correspondent banks. For the year ended June 30, 2023, we originated $59.3 million of one-to-four family residential loans and sold $28.2 million of such loans. Our residential loan originations primarily consist of conventional, rural development, FHA, and VA loans.

The following table shows total loans originated, sold, and repaid during the periods indicated.

(In thousands)

(1) Other items consist of deferred loan fees, the allowance for loan losses, and loans held-for-sale at year end.

Although federal laws and regulations permit savings institutions to originate and purchase loans secured by real estate located throughout the United States, we concentrate our lending activity in our primary market area in Caddo, Bossier and Webster Parishes, Louisiana and the surrounding area. Subject to our loans-to-one borrower limitation, we are permitted to invest without limitation in residential mortgage loans and up to 400% of our capital in loans secured by non-residential or commercial real estate. We also may invest in secured and unsecured consumer loans in an amount not exceeding 35% of total assets. This 35% limitation may be exceeded for certain types of consumer loans, such as home equity and property improvement loans secured by residential real property. In addition, we may invest up to 10% of our total assets in secured and unsecured loans for commercial, corporate, business, or agricultural purposes. At June 30, 2023, we were within each of the above lending limits.

During fiscal 2023 and 2022, we sold $24.9 million and $87.2 million of loans, respectively. We recognized gain on sale of loans of $466,000 and $2.0 million during fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. Loans were sold during these periods primarily to other financial institutions. Such loans were sold against forward sales commitments with servicing released and without recourse after a certain period of time, typically 90 days. The loans sold primarily consisted of long-term, fixed rate residential real estate loans. These loans were originated during this period of historically low interest rates and were sold to reduce our interest rate risk. We will continue to sell loans in the future to the extent we believe the interest rate environment is unfavorable and interest rate risk is unacceptable.

Contractual Terms to Final Maturities. The following table shows the scheduled contractual maturities of our loans as of June 30, 2023, before giving effect to net items. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. The amounts shown below do not take into account loan prepayments.

(In thousands)

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans at June 30, 2023, before net items, due after June 30, 2024, which have fixed interest rates or which have floating or adjustable interest rates.

(In thousands)

Scheduled contractual maturities of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual expected term of the loan portfolio. The average life of mortgage loans is substantially less than their average contractual terms because of prepayments. The average life of mortgage loans tends to increase when current mortgage loan rates are higher than rates on existing mortgage loans and, conversely, decrease when rates on current mortgage loans are lower than existing mortgage loan rates (due to refinancing of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate loans at lower rates). Under the latter circumstance, the weighted average yield on loans decreases as higher yielding loans are repaid or refinanced at lower rates.

One-to-Four Family Residential Real Estate Loans. At June 30, 2023, $179.6 million, or 30.3%, of the total loan portfolio, before net items, consisted of one-to-four family residential loans.

The loan-to-value ratios, maturities, and other provisions of the loans made by us generally have reflected the policy of making less than the maximum loan permissible under applicable regulations, in accordance with sound lending practices, market conditions, and underwriting standards established by us. Our current lending policy on one-to-four family residential loans generally limits the maximum loan-to-value ratio to 90% or less of the appraised value of the property, although we will lend up to a 100% loan-to-value ratio with private mortgage insurance. These loans are amortized on a monthly basis with principal and interest due each month, terms not in excess of 30 years, and generally include “due-on-sale” clauses.

At June 30, 2023, $142.5 million, or 79.3%, of our one-to-four family residential mortgage loans were fixed-rate loans. Fixed-rate loans generally have maturities ranging from 15 to 30 years and are fully amortizing with monthly loan payments sufficient to repay the total amount of the loan with interest by the end of the loan term. Our fixed-rate loans generally are originated under terms, conditions, and documentation which permit them to be sold to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and other investors in the secondary mortgage market. Consistent with our asset/liability management, we have sold a significant portion of our long-term, fixed rate loans. Servicing is released on all loans sold except those loans sold to FNMA.

Although we offer adjustable rate loans, substantially all of the single-family loan originations over the last few years have consisted of fixed-rate loans due to the low interest rate environment. The adjustable-rate loans held in portfolio typically have interest rates which adjust on an annual basis. These loans generally have an annual cap of 1% on any increase or decrease and a cap of 6% above or below the initial rate over the life of the loan. Such loans are underwritten based on the initial rate plus 2%. At June 30, 2023, $37.1 million, or 20.7%, of our one-to-four family residential mortgage loans were adjustable rate loans.

Commercial Real Estate Secured Loans. As of June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank had outstanding $148.4 million of loans secured by commercial real estate, $105.0 million, or 70.7%, of which were owner occupied. It is the current policy of Home Federal Bank to lend in a first lien position on real property occupied as a commercial business property. Home Federal Bank offers fixed and variable rate commercial real estate loans. Home Federal Bank’s commercial real estate loans are limited to a maximum of 85% of the appraised value and have terms up to 15 years, however, the terms are generally no more than five years with amortization periods of 20 years or less. It is our policy that commercial real estate secured lines of credit are limited to a maximum of 85% of the appraised value of the property and shall not exceed three to five year amortizations.

Multi-Family Residential Loans. At June 30, 2023, we had outstanding approximately $28.8 million of multi-family residential loans. Our multi-family residential loan portfolio includes income producing properties of five or more units and low income housing developments. We obtain personal guarantees on all properties other than those of the public housing authority for which they are not permitted.

Commercial Business Loans. At June 30, 2023, we had outstanding approximately $55.4 million of non-real estate secured commercial loans. The business lending products we offer include lines of credit, inventory financing, and equipment loans. Commercial business loans and lines of credit carry more credit risk than other types of commercial loans. We attempt to limit such risk by making loans predominantly to small- and mid-sized businesses located within our market area and having the loans personally guaranteed by the principals involved. We have established underwriting standards in regard to business loans which set forth the criteria for sources of repayment, borrower’s capacity to repay, specific financial and collateral margins, and financial enhancements such as guarantees. The primary source of repayment is cash flow from the business and the general financial strength of the borrower.

Land Loans. As of June 30, 2023, land loans were $26.8 million, or 5.4%, of the total loan portfolio, before net items. Land loans include land which has been acquired for the purpose of development and unimproved land. Our loan policy provides for loan-to-value ratios of 50% for unimproved land loans. Land loans are originated with fixed rates and terms up to five years with longer amortizations. Although land loans generally are considered to have greater credit risk than certain other types of loans, we expect to mitigate such risk by requiring personal guarantees and identifying other secondary sources of repayment for the land loan other than the sale of the collateral. It is our practice to only originate a limited amount of loans for speculative development to borrowers with whom our lenders have a prior relationship.

Construction Loans. At June 30, 2023, we had outstanding approximately $28.0 million, or 5.7%, of construction loans which included loans for the construction of residential and commercial property. Our residential construction loans typically have terms of six to twelve months with a takeout letter from Home Federal for the permanent mortgage. Our commercial construction loans include owner occupied commercial properties, pre-sold property, and speculative office property. As of June 30, 2023, we held $315,000 of speculative construction loans.

Home Equity and Second Mortgage Loans. At June 30, 2023, we held $2.5 million of home equity and second mortgage loans. These loans are secured by the underlying equity in the borrower’s residence. We do not require that we hold the first mortgage on the properties that secure the second mortgage loans. The amount of our second mortgage loans generally cannot exceed a loan-to-value ratio of 90% after taking into consideration the first mortgage loan. These loans are typically three-to-five year balloon loans with fixed rates and terms that will not exceed 10 years and contain an on-demand clause that allows us to call the loan in at any time.

Equity Lines of Credit. We offer lines of credit secured by a borrower’s equity in real estate. These loans amounted to $23.8 million, or 4.8% of the total loan portfolio, before net items, at June 30, 2023. The unused portion of equity lines was $13.2 million at June 30, 2023. The rates and terms of such lines of credit depend on the history and income of the borrower, purpose of the loan, and collateral. Lines of credit will not exceed 90% of the value of the equity in the collateral.

Consumer Non-Real Estate Loans. We are authorized to make loans for a wide variety of personal or consumer purposes. We originate consumer loans primarily in order to accommodate our customers. The consumer loans at June 30, 2023 consist of loans secured by deposit accounts with us, automobile loans, overdraft, and other unsecured loans.

Consumer non-real estate loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates than residential mortgage loans and generally entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly those loans secured by assets that depreciate rapidly, such as automobiles, boats, and recreational vehicles. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan, and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In particular, amounts realizable on the sale of repossessed automobiles may be significantly reduced based upon the condition of the automobiles and the fluctuating demand for used automobiles.

We offer loans secured by deposit accounts held with us. These loans amounted to $372,000, or 0.07% of the total loan portfolio, before net items, at June 30, 2023. Such loans are originated for up to 100% of the account balance, with a hold placed on the account restricting the withdrawal of the account balance. The interest rate on the loan is equal to the interest rate paid on the account plus 2%. These loans typically are payable on demand with a maturity date of one year.

Loan Origination and Other Fees. In addition to interest earned on loans, we generally receive loan origination fees or “points” for originating loans. Loan points are a percentage of the principal amount of the mortgage loan and are charged to the borrower in connection with the origination of the loan. In accordance with accounting guidance, loan origination fees and points are deferred and amortized into income as an adjustment of yield over the life of the loan.

Asset Quality

General. During fiscal 2023 our annual review commenced in August 2023 and is expected to be completed in October 2023. The scope of the services provided included testing of credit underwriting, adherence to our loan policies, as well as regulatory policies, and recommendations regarding reserve allocations. We expect these reviews will be done roughly every twelve to eighteen months.

Our collection procedures provide that when a loan is 10 days past due personal contact efforts are attempted, either in person or by telephone. At 15 days past due, a late charge notice is sent to the borrower requesting payment. If the loan is still past due at 30 days, a formal letter is sent to the borrower stating that the loan is past due and that legal action, including foreclosure proceedings, may be necessary. If a loan becomes 60 days past due and no progress has been made in resolving the delinquency, a collection letter from legal counsel is sent and personal contact is attempted. When a loan continues in a delinquent status for 90 days or more, and a repayment schedule has not been made or kept by the borrower, generally a notice of intent to foreclose is sent to the borrower. If the delinquency is not cured, foreclosure proceedings are initiated. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly. While we generally prefer to work with borrowers to resolve such problems, we will institute foreclosure or other collection proceedings, when necessary, to minimize any potential loss.

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when management believes the probability of collection of interest is doubtful. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is deducted from interest income. We generally discontinue the accrual of interest income when the loan becomes 90 days past due, as to principal or interest, unless the credit is well secured and we believe we will fully collect.

Real estate and other assets we acquire as a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure are classified as real estate owned until sold. At June 30, 2023, we had $368,000 in other real estate owned consisting of two single family residences compared to none at June 30, 2022.

Delinquent Loans. The following table shows the delinquencies in our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

8

Non-Performing Assets. The following table shows the amounts of our non-performing assets (defined as non-accruing loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and real estate owned) at the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans plus accruing loans 90 days or more past due.

(2) Troubled debt restructurings not included in non-accruing loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due.

At June 30, 2023, the Company had $1.6 million of non-performing assets (defined as non-accruing loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and other real estate owned) compared to $2.2 million of non-performing assets at June 30, 2022, consisting of seven single family residential loans, two commercial non-real estate loans, one consumer loan, and two single family residences in other real estate owned at June 30, 2023, compared to nine single family residential loans and one line of credit loan at June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-performing assets from $2.5 million at June 30, 2022 to $1.6 million at June 30, 2023 was primarily due to an improvement in loan credit quality at June 30, 2023. At June 30, 2023, the Company had ten single family residential loans, three commercial non-real estate loans, two commercial real estate loans, and three home equity line-of credit loans classified as substandard compared to five single family residential loans and two commercial real estate loans classified as substandard at June 30, 2022. There were no loans classified as doubtful at June 30, 2023 or 2022.

Classified Assets. Federal regulations require that each insured savings institution classify its assets on a regular basis and the amount of its valuation allowance is subject to review by Federal bank regulators. There are three classifications for problem assets: “substandard”, “doubtful”, and “loss”. Substandard assets have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss, if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values questionable, and there is a higher possibility of loss. An asset classified as loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. Another category designated “special mention” also must be established and maintained for assets which do not currently expose an insured institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification as substandard, doubtful, or loss. Assets classified as substandard or doubtful require the institution to establish general allowances for loan losses. If an asset, or portion thereof, is classified as loss, the insured institution must either establish specific allowances for loan losses in the amount of 100% of the portion of the asset classified loss, or charge-off such amount. General loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful may be included in determining an institution’s regulatory capital, while specific valuation allowances for loan losses do not qualify as regulatory capital. Federal examiners may disagree with an insured institution’s classifications and amounts reserved. At June 30, 2023, we had $7.1 million in classified assets. There were six residential mortgage loans designated as special mention for $810,000, six commercial non-real estate loans for $2.3 million and one auto loan for $1,000. There were seven residential mortgage loans totaling $2.2 million, five commercial real estate loans for $1.7 million, three home equity line-of-credit loans for $69,000, and one auto loan for $21,000 classified as substandard. There were no loans classified as doubtful or loss at June 30, 2023.

Allowance for Loan Losses. At June 30, 2023, our allowance for loan losses amounted to $5.2 million. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed, to the best of our knowledge, to cover all known and inherent losses in the portfolio, both probable and reasonable, to be estimated at each reporting date. The level of allowance for loan losses is based on our periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing conditions. Historically, we have primarily engaged in originating single-family residential loans. Our management considers the deficiencies of all classified loans in determining the amount of allowance for loan losses required at each reporting date. Our management analyzes the probability of the correction of the substandard loans’ weaknesses and the extent of any known or inherent losses that we might sustain on them. During the fiscal year 2023, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $868,000, as compared to $336,000 recorded for fiscal year 2022.

The increase in the provision for fiscal year 2023 primarily reflects an overall growth in our loan portfolio. Total non-performing loans decreased by approximately $0.8 million as of June 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2022.

While management believes that it determines the size of the allowance based on the best information available at the time, the allowance will need to be adjusted as circumstances change and assumptions are updated. Future adjustments to the allowance could significantly affect net income.

The following table shows changes in our allowance for loan losses during the periods presented. We had $237,000 and $31,000 of loan charge-offs during fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. Bad debt recoveries amounted to $91,000 and $24,000 during fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(Dollars in thousands)

10

The following table shows how our allowance for loan losses is allocated by type of loan at each of the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

Investment Securities

We have authority to invest in various types of securities, including mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, certificates of deposit at federally insured banks and savings institutions, certain bankers’ acceptances, and federal funds. Our investment strategy is established by the board of directors.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to our investment securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

(In thousands)

11

The following table sets forth the amount of investment securities which contractually mature during each of the periods indicated and the weighted average yields for each range of maturities at June 30, 2023. The amounts reflect the fair value of our securities at June 30, 2023.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) None of the listed equity securities has a stated maturity.

Our investment in equity securities consists primarily of FHLB stock and shares of First National Bankers Bankshares, Inc. (“FNBB”). Management monitors its investment portfolio to determine whether any investment securities which have unrealized losses should be considered other than temporarily impaired.

Mortgage-backed securities represent a participation interest in a pool of one-to-four family or multi-family mortgages. The mortgage originators use intermediaries (generally U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises) to pool and repackage the participation interests in the form of securities, with investors receiving the principal and interest payments on the mortgages. Such U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises guarantee the payment of principal and interest to investors.

Mortgage-backed securities are typically issued with stated principal amounts, and the securities are backed by pools of mortgages that have loans with interest rates that are within a range and have varying maturities. The underlying pool of mortgages, i.e., fixed-rate or adjustable-rate, as well as prepayment risk, are passed on to the certificate holder. The life of a mortgage-backed pass-through security approximates the life of the underlying mortgages.

Our mortgage-backed securities consist of Ginnie Mae securities (“GNMA”), Freddie Mac securities (“FHLMC”), and Fannie Mae securities (“FNMA”). Ginnie Mae is a government agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is intended to help finance government-assisted housing programs. Ginnie Mae securities are backed by loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. The timely payment of principal and interest on Ginnie Mae securities is guaranteed by Ginnie Mae and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Freddie Mac is a private corporation chartered by the U.S. Government. Freddie Mac issues participation certificates backed principally by conventional mortgage loans. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate return of principal on participation certificates. Fannie Mae is a private corporation chartered by the U.S. Congress with a mandate to establish a secondary market for mortgage loans. Fannie Mae guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on Fannie Mae securities. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. In September 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency was appointed as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The U.S. Department of the Treasury agreed to provide capital, as needed, to ensure that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to provide liquidity to the housing and mortgage markets.

Mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than the loans which underlie such securities because of their payment guarantees or credit enhancements, which offer nominal credit risk. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize our borrowings or other obligations.

The following table sets forth the composition of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio at fair value at each of the dates indicated. The amounts reflect the fair value of our mortgage-backed securities at June 30, 2023 and 2022.

(In thousands)

Information regarding the contractual maturities and weighted average yield of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio at June 30, 2023 is presented below. Due to repayments of the underlying loans, the actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities generally are substantially less than the scheduled maturities. The amounts reflect the fair value of our mortgage-backed securities at June 30, 2023.

(In thousands)

The following table sets forth the purchases, sales, and principal repayments of our mortgage-backed securities during the periods indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

13

Sources of Funds

General. Deposits are our primary source of funds for lending and other investment purposes. In addition to deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities are a source of funds. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may also be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources and on a longer-term basis for general business purposes.

Deposits. We attract deposits principally from residents of Louisiana and particularly from Caddo, Webster, and Bossier Parishes. Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit, and the interest rate. We utilize brokered certificates of deposit as a component of our strategy for lowering the overall cost of funds. The brokered certificates of deposit are callable by Home Federal Bank after twelve months. At June 30, 2023 and 2022, we had $3.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively, in brokered certificates of deposit.

We establish interest rates paid, maturity terms, service fees, and withdrawal penalties on a periodic basis. Management determines the rates and terms based on rates paid by competitors, the need for funds or liquidity, growth goals, and federal regulations. We attempt to control the flow of deposits by pricing our accounts to remain generally competitive with other financial institutions in the market area.

The following table shows the distribution of, and certain other information relating to, our deposits by type of deposit, as of the dates indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

14

The following table shows the average balance of each type of deposit and the average rate paid on each type of deposit for the periods indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)

The following table shows our deposit flows during the periods indicated.

(In thousands)

The following table presents, by various interest rate categories and maturities, the amount of certificates of deposit at June 30, 2023.

(In thousands)

15

The following table shows the maturities of our certificates of deposit in excess of the FDIC insurance limit (generally, $250,000) at June 30, 2023 by time remaining to maturity.

(Dollars in thousands)

Borrowings. We may obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas upon the security of the common stock we own in that bank and certain of our residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed and other investment securities, provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met. These advances are made pursuant to several credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. Federal Home Loan Bank advances are generally available to meet seasonal and other withdrawals of deposit accounts and to permit increased lending.

As of June 30, 2023, we were permitted to borrow up to an aggregate total of $212.2 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. We had no Federal Home Loan Bank advances outstanding at June 30, 2023 and $832,000 of advances at June 30, 2022. Additionally, at June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank was a party to a Master Purchase Agreement with First National Bankers Bank whereby Home Federal Bank may purchase Federal Funds from First National Bankers Bank in an amount not to exceed $20.4 million. There were no amounts purchased under this agreement as of June 30, 2023. At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bancorp had available an $10.0 million line of credit agreement with First National Bankers Bank, maturing July 3, 2023. The credit agreement maturing July 3, 2023 was renewed with a scheduled maturity of August 29, 2023. A new credit agreement was executed on August 29, 2023, maturing on August 29, 2024. The line is secured by Home Federal Bank’s common stock and bears interest at the Prime Rate, which is subject to change when adjustments are made to Wall Street Journal Prime. At June 30, 2023, the line had an outstanding balance of $8.6 million.

The following table shows certain information regarding our borrowings at or for the dates indicated:

(Dollars in thousands)

At June 30, 2023, we had no outstanding advances from the Federal Home Bank of Dallas.

Subsidiaries

At June 30, 2023, the Company had one subsidiary, Home Federal Bank. The Bank’s only subsidiary at such date was Metro Financial Services, Inc., which previously engaged in the sale of annuity contracts and does not currently engage in a meaningful amount of business.

Employees

Home Federal Bank had 74 full-time employees and five part-time employees at June 30, 2023. None of these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and we believe that we enjoy good relations with our personnel.

REGULATION

General

Home Federal Bank, as a federally chartered savings bank, is subject to federal regulation and oversight by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency extending to all aspects of its operations. Home Federal Bank also is subject to regulation and examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures the deposits of Home Federal Bank to the maximum extent permitted by law, and requirements established by the Federal Reserve Board. Federally chartered savings institutions are required to file periodic reports with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and are subject to periodic examinations by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The investment and lending authority of savings institutions is prescribed by federal laws and regulations, and such institutions are prohibited from engaging in any activities not permitted by such laws and regulations. Such regulation and supervision primarily are intended for the protection of depositors and not for the purpose of protecting shareholders.

Federal law provides the federal banking regulators, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with substantial enforcement powers. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s enforcement authority over all savings institutions includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders, and to initiate injunctive actions. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Any change in these laws and regulations, whether by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on Home Federal Bancorp and Home Federal Bank and our operations.

2018 Regulatory Reform

In May 2018 the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), was enacted to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted in 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). While the Act maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion. Many of these changes could result in meaningful regulatory relief for community banks such as Home Federal Bank.

The Act, among other matters, expands the definition of qualified mortgages which may be held by a financial institution and simplifies the regulatory capital rules for financial institutions and their holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion by instructing the federal banking regulators to establish a single “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” of between 8 and 10 percent to replace the leverage and risk-based regulatory capital ratios. This expansion also excludes such holding companies from the minimum capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, the Act includes regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans.

Regulation of Home Federal Bancorp

Home Federal Bancorp, a Louisiana corporation, is a registered savings and loan holding company within the meaning of Section 10 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and is subject to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board, as well as certain reporting requirements. While new capital requirements began to phase in for savings and loan holding companies on January 1, 2015, Home Federal Bancorp is currently exempt from those requirements. In addition, because Home Federal Bank is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, it is subject to certain restrictions in dealing with us and with other persons affiliated with the Bank.

Holding Company Acquisitions. Home Federal Bancorp is a savings and loan holding company under the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended. Federal law generally prohibits a savings and loan holding company, without prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, from acquiring the ownership or control of any other savings institution or savings and loan holding company, or all, or substantially all, of the assets, or more than 5% of the voting shares of the savings institution or savings and loan holding company. These provisions also prohibit, among other things, any director or officer of a savings and loan holding company, or any individual who owns or controls more than 25% of the voting shares of such holding company, from acquiring control of any savings institution not a subsidiary of such savings and loan holding company, unless the acquisition is approved by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Federal Reserve Board may not approve any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions: (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (ii) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state, if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

Holding Company Activities. Home Federal Bancorp operates as a unitary savings and loan holding company and is permitted to engage only in the activities permitted for financial institution holding companies or for multiple savings and loan holding companies. Multiple savings and loan holding companies are permitted to engage in the following activities: (i) activities permitted for a bank holding company under section 4(c) of the Bank Holding Company Act (unless the Federal Reserve Board prohibits or limits such 4(c) activities); (ii) furnishing or performing management services for a subsidiary savings association; (iii) conducting any insurance agency or escrow business; (iv) holding, managing, or liquidating assets owned by or acquired from a subsidiary savings association; (v) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a subsidiary savings association; (vi) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; or (vii) activities authorized by regulation as of March 5, 1987 to be engaged in by multiple savings and loan holding companies. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, savings and loan holding companies became subject to statutory capital requirements. However, in May 2015, amendments to the Small Bank Holding Company (“SBHC”) Policy became effective. The amendments made the SBHC Policy applicable to savings and loan holding companies, such as Home Federal Bancorp, and increased the asset threshold to qualify to be subject to the provisions of the SBHC Policy from $500 million to $1.0 billion. The 2018 regulatory reform increased the asset threshold to $3.0 billion. Savings and loan holding companies that have total assets of $3.0 billion or less are subject to the SBHC Policy and are not required to comply with the regulatory capital requirements set forth in the table below. Such treatment continues until Home Federal Bancorp’s total assets exceed $3.0 billion or the Federal Reserve Board deems it to no longer be a small savings and loan holding company.

While there are no specific restrictions on the payment of dividends or other capital distributions for savings and loan holding companies, federal regulations do prescribe such restrictions on subsidiary savings institutions, as described below. Home Federal Bank is required to notify the Federal Reserve Board 30 days before declaring any dividend. In addition, the financial impact of a holding company on its subsidiary institution is a matter that is evaluated by the Federal Reserve Board, and the agency has authority to order cessation of activities or divestiture of subsidiaries deemed to pose a threat to the safety and soundness of the institution.

All savings associations’ subsidiaries of savings and loan holding companies are required to meet a qualified thrift lender, or QTL, test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations. If the subsidiary savings institution fails to meet the QTL, as discussed below, then the savings and loan holding company must register with the Federal Reserve Board as a bank holding company, unless the savings institution requalifies as a QTL within one year thereafter.

Federal Securities Laws. Home Federal Bancorp registered its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Home Federal Bancorp is subject to the proxy and tender offer rules, insider trading reporting requirements and restrictions, and certain other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As a public company, Home Federal Bancorp is subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer are required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: (i) they are responsible for establishing, maintaining, and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; (ii) they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and (iii) whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting.

Volcker Rule Regulations

Regulations have been adopted by the federal banking agencies to implement the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly referred to as the Volcker Rule. The regulations contain prohibitions and restrictions on the ability of financial institutions holding companies and their affiliates to engage in proprietary trading and to hold certain interests in, or to have certain relationships with, various types of investment funds, including hedge funds and private equity funds. However, federal regulations exclude from the Volcker Rule restrictions community banks with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets and total trading assets and liabilities of five percent or less of total consolidated assets. Home Federal Bancorp qualifies for the exclusion from the Volcker Rule restrictions.

Regulation of Home Federal Bank

General. Home Federal Bank is subject to the regulation of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, as its primary federal regulator, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as the insurer of its deposit accounts, and, to a limited extent, the Federal Reserve Board.

Insurance of Accounts. The deposits of Home Federal Bank are insured up to $250,000 per separately insured deposit ownership right or category by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. As insurer, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by insured institutions. It also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against savings institutions after giving the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency an opportunity to take such action.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assesses deposit insurance premiums quarterly on each insured institution applied to its deposit base, which is their average consolidated total assets minus its Tier 1 capital. No institution may pay a dividend if it is in default on its federal deposit insurance assessment. Total base assessment rates currently range from 3 to 30 basis points subject to certain adjustments.

Extraordinary growth in insured deposits during the first and second quarters of 2020 caused the DIF reserve ratio to decline below the statutory minimum of 1.35 percent as of June 30, 2020. In September 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board of Directors adopted a Restoration Plan to restore the reserve ratio to at least 1.35 percent within eight years, absent extraordinary circumstances, as required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. The Restoration Plan maintained the assessment rate schedules in place at the time and required the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to update its analysis and projections for the deposit insurance fund balance and reserve ratio at least semiannually.

In the semiannual update for the Restoration Plan in June 2022, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation projected that the reserve ratio was at risk of not reaching the statutory minimum of 1.35 percent by September 30, 2028, the statutory deadline to restore the reserve ratio. Based on this update, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board approved an Amended Restoration Plan, and concurrently proposed an increase in initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by 2 basis points, applicable to all insured depository institutions.

In October 2022, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board finalized the increase with an effective date of January 1, 2023, applicable to the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The revised assessment rate schedules are intended to increase the likelihood that the reserve ratio of the DIF reaches the statutory minimum level of 1.35 percent by September 30, 2028. Revised assessment rate schedules will remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio meets or exceeds two percent, absent further action by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board. A significant increase in insurance premiums or a special assessment levied by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation could likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of Home Federal Bank. There can be no prediction as to what changes in insurance assessment rates may be made in the future.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including Home Federal Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order, or any condition imposed by an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Management is aware of no existing circumstances which would result in termination of Home Federal Bank’s deposit insurance.

Regulatory Capital Regulations

In July of 2013, the respective U.S. federal banking agencies issued final rules implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act capital requirements to be fully-phased in on a global basis on January 1, 2019. The 2013 regulations establish a tangible common equity capital requirement, increase the minimum requirement for the current Tier 1 risk-weighted asset (“RWA”) ratio, phase out certain kinds of intangibles treated as capital and certain types of instruments, and change the risk weightings of certain assets used to determine required capital ratios. Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act generally require these capital rules to apply to savings and loan holding companies and their savings association subsidiaries. The common equity Tier 1 capital component requires capital of the highest quality – predominantly composed of retained earnings and common stock instruments. For community banks, such as Home Federal Bank, the new capital rules require a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% and also increased the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.0% to 6.0%. In addition, in order to make capital distributions and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers without restriction, an institution must also maintain greater than 2.5% in common equity attributable to a capital conservation buffer. The rules also increase the risk weights for several categories of assets, including an increase from 100% to 150% for certain acquisition, development, and construction loans and more than 90-day past due exposures. The capital rules maintain the general structure of the prompt corrective action rules but incorporate the new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement and the increase Tier 1 RWA requirement into the prompt corrective action framework.

Effective January 1, 2020, qualifying community banking organizations may elect to comply with a greater than 9% community bank leverage ratio (the “CBLR”) requirement in lieu of the currently applicable requirements for calculating and reporting risk-based capital ratios. The CBLR is equal to Tier 1 capital divided by average total consolidated assets. In order to qualify for the CBLR election, a community bank must (i) have a leverage capital ratio greater than 9 percent, (2) have less than $10 billion in average total consolidated assets, (3) not exceed certain levels of off-balance sheet exposure and trading assets plus trading liabilities and (4) not be an advanced approaches banking organization. A community bank that meets the above qualifications and elects to utilize the CBLR is considered to have satisfied the risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the generally applicable capital rules and is also considered to be “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action rules. As of June 30, 2022, Home Federal Bank has not made the CBLR election.

Unless a community bank qualifies for and elects to comply with the CBLR beginning on January 1, 2020, federally insured savings institutions are required to maintain the minimum levels of regulatory capital described below. Current Office of the Comptroller of the Currency capital standards require savings institutions to satisfy a tangible capital requirement, a common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, a leverage capital requirement and a risk-based capital requirement. The tangible capital must equal at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets. The common equity Tier 1 capital component generally consists of retained earnings and common stock instruments and must equal at least 4.5% of risk-weighted assets. Leverage capital, also known as “core” capital, must equal at least 3.0% of adjusted total assets for the most highly rated savings associations. An additional cushion of at least 100 basis points is required for all other savings associations, which effectively increases their minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio to 4.0% or more. Under the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s regulation, the most highly-rated banks are those that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency determines are strong associations that are not anticipating or experiencing significant growth and have well-diversified risk, including no undue interest rate risk exposure, excellent asset quality, high liquidity, and good earnings. Under the risk-based capital requested, “Total” capital (a combination of core and “supplementary” capital) must equal at least 8.0% of “risk-weighted” assets. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also is authorized to impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on individual institutions on a case-by-case basis.

Core capital generally consists of common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings). Tangible capital generally equals core capital minus intangible assets, with only a limited exception for purchased mortgage servicing rights. Home Federal Bank had no intangible assets at June 30, 2022. Both core and tangible capital are further reduced by an amount equal to a savings institution’s debt and equity investments in subsidiaries engaged in activities not permissible to national banks (other than subsidiaries engaged in activities undertaken as agent for customers or in mortgage banking activities and subsidiary depository institutions or their holding companies). These adjustments do not affect Home Federal Bank’s regulatory capital.

In determining compliance with the risk-based capital requirement, a savings institution is allowed to include both core capital and supplementary capital in its total capital, provided that the amount of supplementary capital included does not exceed the savings institution’s core capital. Supplementary capital generally consists of general allowances for loan losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets together with certain other items. In determining the required amount of risk-based capital, total assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, are multiplied by a risk weight based on the risks inherent in the type of assets. The risk weights range from 0% for cash and securities issued by the U.S. Government, or unconditionally backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, to 100% for loans (other than qualifying residential loans weighted at 80%) and repossessed assets.

Savings institutions must value securities available for sale at amortized cost for regulatory capital purposes. This means that in computing regulatory capital, savings institutions should add back any unrealized losses and deduct any unrealized gains, net of income taxes, on debt securities reported as a separate component of capital as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.

At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements with tangible, common equity Tier 1, core, and risk-based capital ratios of 8.69%, 12.79%, 8.69% and 13.95%, respectively.

Any savings institution that fails any of the capital requirements is subject to possible enforcement actions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Such actions could include a capital directive, a cease and desist order, civil money penalties, establishment of restrictions on the institution’s operations, termination of federal deposit insurance, and the appointment of a conservator or receiver. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s capital regulation provides that such actions, through enforcement proceedings or otherwise, could require one or more of a variety of corrective actions.

Prompt Corrective Action. The following table shows the amount of capital associated with the different capital categories set forth in the prompt corrective action regulations.

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In addition, an institution is “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%. Under specified circumstances, a federal banking agency may reclassify a well-capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized institution or an undercapitalized institution to comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category (except that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized).

An institution, generally, must file a written capital restoration plan which meets specified requirements within 45 days of the date that the institution receives notice or is deemed to have notice that it is undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized. A federal banking agency must provide the institution with written notice of approval or disapproval within 60 days after receiving a capital restoration plan, subject to extensions by the agency. An institution which is required to submit a capital restoration plan must concurrently submit a performance guaranty by each company that controls the institution. In addition, undercapitalized institutions are subject to various regulatory restrictions, and the appropriate federal banking agency also may take any number of discretionary supervisory actions.

At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank was deemed a well-capitalized institution for purposes of the prompt corrective action regulations and as such is not subject to the above mentioned restrictions.

Capital Distributions. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulations govern capital distributions by savings institutions, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases, and other transactions charged to the capital account of a savings institution to make capital distributions. A savings institution must file an application for Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approval of the capital distribution if either (i) the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the institution’s net income for that year to date plus the institution’s retained net income for the preceding two years, (ii) the institution would not be at least adequately capitalized following the distribution, (iii) the distribution would violate any applicable statute, regulation, agreement, or Office of the Comptroller of the Currency-imposed condition, or (iv) the institution is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings. If an application is not required to be filed, savings institutions must still file a notice with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency at least 30 days before the board of directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution if either (i) the institution would not be well-capitalized following the distribution; (ii) the proposed distribution would reduce the amount or retire any part of our common or preferred stock or retire any part of a debt instrument included in our regulatory capital, or (iii) the savings institution is a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, and the proposed capital distribution is not a cash dividend. If a savings institution, such as Home Federal Bank, that is the subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company has filed a notice with the Federal Reserve Board for a cash dividend and is not required to file an application or notice with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for any of the reasons described above, then the savings institution is only required to provide an informational copy to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the notice filed with the Federal Reserve Board at the same time that it is filed with the Federal Reserve Board.

An institution that either before or after a proposed capital distribution fails to meet its then applicable minimum capital requirement or that has been notified that it needs more than normal supervision may not make any capital distributions without the prior written approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In addition, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency may prohibit a proposed capital distribution, which would otherwise be permitted by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulations, if the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

Under federal rules, an insured depository institution may not pay any dividend, if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized, or if it is already undercapitalized. In addition, federal regulators have the authority to restrict or prohibit the payment of dividends for safety and soundness reasons. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also prohibits an insured depository institution from paying dividends on its capital stock or interest on its capital notes or debentures (if such interest is required to be paid only out of net profits) or distributing any of its capital assets while it remains in default in the payment of any assessment due the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Home Federal Bank is currently not in default in any assessment payment to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. All savings institution subsidiaries of savings and loan holding companies are required to meet a qualified thrift lender, or QTL, test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations. A savings institution can comply with the QTL test by either qualifying as a domestic building and loan association as defined in the Internal Revenue Code or meeting the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency QTL test. Currently, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency QTL test requires that 65% of an institution’s “portfolio assets” (as defined) consist of certain housing and consumer-related assets on a monthly average basis in nine out of every 12 months. To be a qualified thrift lender under the IRS test, the savings institution must meet a “business operations test” and a “60 percent assets test,” each defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

If a savings association fails to remain a QTL, it is immediately prohibited from the following:

• Making any new investments or engaging in any new activity not allowed for both a national bank and a savings association;
• Establishing any new branch office unless allowable for a national bank; and
• Paying dividends unless allowable for a national bank and necessary to meet the obligations of its holding company.

Any company that controls a savings institution that is not a qualified thrift lender must register as a bank holding company within one year of the savings institution’s failure to meet the QTL test. Three years from the date a savings association should have become or ceases to be a QTL, the institution must dispose of any investment or not engage in any activity unless the investment or activity is allowed for both a national bank and a savings association. A savings institution not in compliance with the QTL test is also subject to an enforcement action for violation of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended.

At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank believes that it meets the requirements of the QTL test.

Community Reinvestment Act. Home Federal Bank is subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”), which require the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency to assess a bank’s performance under the CRA in meeting the credit needs of the community serviced by Home Federal Bank, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The regulatory agency’s assessment of Home Federal Bank’s record is made available to the public. Further, a bank’s CRA performance must be considered in connection with a bank’s application, to among other things, establish a new branch office that will accept deposits, relocate an existing office or merge or consolidate with, or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of, a federally regulated financial institution. An unsatisfactory rating may be the basis for denial of certain applications. Home Federal Bank received a “satisfactory” rating during its most recent CRA examination.

On May 5, 2022, the federal bank regulatory agencies overhauled the CRA and jointly issued a proposal to strengthen and modernize regulations implementing the CRA. The proposed regulations included major changes from the current regulation and will be effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins at least 60 days after the publication date of the final rules. The new rules as proposed are intended to, (1) provide expanded access to credit, investment, and basic banking services in low- and moderate-income communities, (2) address changes in the banking industry, including internet and mobile banking, (3) yield greater clarity, consistency, and transparency, (4) tailor CRA evaluations and data collection to bank size and type and (4) maintain a unified approach amongst the regulating agencies.

Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between a savings association and any affiliate are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act as made applicable to savings associations by Section 11 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act. An affiliate of a savings association is any company or entity which controls the savings association or that is controlled by a company that controls the savings association. In a holding company context, the holding company of a savings association (such as Home Federal Bancorp) and any companies which are controlled by such holding company are affiliates of the savings association. Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which the savings association or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such association’s capital stock and surplus and contains an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus. Section 23B applies to “covered transactions” as well as certain other transactions and requires that all transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the savings association as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans to, purchase of assets from, and issuance of a guarantee to an affiliate and similar transactions. Section 23B transactions also include the provision of services and the sale of assets by a savings association to an affiliate. In addition to the restrictions imposed by Sections 23A and 23B, a savings association is prohibited from (i) making a loan or other extension of credit to an affiliate, except for any affiliate which engages only in certain activities which are permissible for bank holding companies, or (ii) purchasing or investing in any stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, or similar obligations of any affiliate, except for affiliates which are subsidiaries of the savings association.

In addition, Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act as made applicable to savings associations by Section 11 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act place restrictions on loans to executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders of the savings association and its affiliates. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer, and to a greater than 10% shareholder of a savings association, and certain affiliated interests of either, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated interests, the savings association’s loans to one borrower limit (generally equal to 15% of the association’s unimpaired capital and surplus). Section 22(h) also requires that loans to directors, executive officers, and principal shareholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that (i) is widely available to employees of the savings association and (ii) does not give preference to any director, executive officer, or principal shareholder, or certain affiliated interests of either, over other employees of the savings association. Section 22(h) also requires prior board approval for certain loans. In addition, the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a savings association to all insiders cannot exceed the savings association’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers. Home Federal Bank currently is subject to Section 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act and at June 30, 2023, was in compliance with the above restrictions.

Incentive Compensation. Guidelines adopted by the federal banking agencies pursuant to the FDIA prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal stockholder.

In June 2010, the federal banking agencies issued comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation policies (the “Incentive Compensation Guidance”) intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The Incentive Compensation Guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. Any deficiencies in compensation practices that are identified may be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect its ability to make acquisitions or perform other actions. The Incentive Compensation Guidance provides that enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements or related risk-management control or governance processes pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

Regulation of Residential Mortgage Loan Originators. Under the final rule adopted by the federal bank regulatory authorities pursuant to the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, residential mortgage loan originators employed by financial institutions, such as Home Federal Bank, must register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, obtain a unique identifier from the registry, and maintain their registration. Any residential mortgage loan originator who fails to satisfy these requirements will not be permitted to originate residential mortgage loans.

Anti-Money Laundering. All financial institutions, including savings associations, are subject to federal laws that are designed to prevent the use of the U.S. financial system to fund terrorist activities. Financial institutions operating in the United States must develop anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies, and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such compliance programs are intended to supplement compliance requirements, also applicable to financial institutions, under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations. Home Federal Bank has established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these provisions.

Privacy Standards and Cybersecurity. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 modernized the financial services industry by establishing a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial service providers. Federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have adopted guidelines for establishing information security standards and cybersecurity programs for implementing safeguards under the supervision of the board of directors. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial services. These regulations require Home Federal Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including informing consumers of its information sharing practices and informing consumers of their rights to opt out of certain practices. In addition, Louisiana State and other federal and state cybersecurity and data privacy laws and regulations may expose Home Federal Bank to risk and result in certain risk management costs. In addition, on November 18, 2021, the federal banking agencies announced the adoption of a final rule providing for new notification requirements for banking organizations and their service providers for significant cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, the new rule requires a banking organization to notify its primary federal regulator as soon as possible, and no later than 36 hours after, the banking organization determines that a “computer-security incident” rising to the level of a “notification incident” has occurred. Notification is required for incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the viability of a banking organization’s operations, its ability to deliver banking products and services, or the stability of the financial sector. Service providers are required under the rule to notify affected banking organization customers as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the banking organization’s customers for four or more hours. Compliance with the new rule was required by May 1, 2022. Non-compliance with federal or similar state privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations could lead to substantial regulatory imposed fines and penalties, damages from private causes of action and/or reputational harm.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. Home Federal Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks that administer a home financing credit function primarily for its members. Each Federal Home Loan Bank serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank. At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank had no advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank and $212.2 million available on its credit line with the Federal Home Loan Bank.

As a member, Home Federal Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank had $1.3 million in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, which was in compliance with the applicable requirement.

The Federal Home Loan Banks are required to provide funds for the resolution of troubled savings institutions and to contribute to affordable housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. These contributions have adversely affected the level of Federal Home Loan Bank dividends paid in the past and could do so in the future. These contributions also could have an adverse effect on the value of Federal Home Loan Bank stock in the future.

Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to maintain reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and Super NOW checking accounts) and non-personal time deposits. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent effective May 26, 2020 to support lending to households and businesses The required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or an account at a Federal Reserve Bank. At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank was not required to maintain any reserve balances.

TAXATION

Federal Taxation

General. Home Federal Bancorp and Home Federal Bank are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations with some exceptions listed below. The following discussion of federal and state income taxation is only intended to summarize certain pertinent income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the applicable tax rules. Home Federal Bank’s tax returns have not been audited during the past five years.

Method of Accounting. For federal income tax purposes, Home Federal Bank reports income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and used a June 30 tax year in 2023 for filing its federal income tax return.

Bad Debt Reserves. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 eliminated the use of the reserve method of accounting for bad debt reserves by savings associations, effective for taxable years beginning after 1995. Prior to that time, Home Federal Bank was permitted to establish a reserve for bad debts and to make additions to the reserve. These additions could, within specified formula limits, be deducted in arriving at taxable income. In addition, federal legislation required the recapture over a six year period of the excess of tax bad debt reserves at December 31, 1995 over those established as of December 31, 1987.

Taxable Distributions and Recapture. Prior to the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, bad debt reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 were subject to recapture into taxable income if Home Federal Bank failed to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests. New federal legislation eliminated these savings association related recapture rules. However, under current law, pre-1988 reserves remain subject to recapture should Home Federal Bank make certain non-dividend distributions or cease to maintain a bank charter.

At June 30, 2023, the total federal pre-1988 reserve was approximately $3.3 million. The reserve reflects the cumulative effects of federal tax deductions by Home Federal Bank for which no federal income tax provisions have been made.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction. Home Federal Bancorp may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from Home Federal Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations. The corporate dividends received deduction is 65% in the case of dividends received from corporations which a corporate recipient owns less than 80% but at least 20% of the distribution corporation. Corporations which own less than 20% of the stock of a corporation distributing a dividend may deduct only 50 % of dividends received.

State and Local Taxation

Home Federal Bancorp is subject to the Louisiana Corporation Income Tax based on our Louisiana taxable income. The Corporation Income Tax applies at graduated rates from 4% upon the first $25,000 of Louisiana taxable income to 8% on all Louisiana taxable income in excess of $200,000. For these purposes, “Louisiana taxable income” means net income which is earned by us within or derived from sources within the State of Louisiana, after adjustments permitted under Louisiana law, including a federal income tax deduction. In addition, Home Federal Bank is subject to the Louisiana Shares Tax which is imposed on the assessed value of a company’s stock. The formula for deriving the assessed value is to calculate 15% of the sum of:

(a) 20% of our capitalized earnings, plus

(b) 80% of our taxable stockholders’ equity, minus

(c) 50% of our real and personal property assessment.

Various items may also be subtracted in calculating a company’s capitalized earnings.

We currently conduct business from six full-service banking offices located in Shreveport, Louisiana, two full-service banking offices located in Bossier City, Louisiana, one full-service banking office located in Minden, Louisiana and one full-service banking office located in Benton, Louisiana. The following table sets forth certain information, as of June 30, 2023, relating to Home Federal Bank’s offices, one property acquired for a future branch office and one property acquired for potential future administrative offices which is presently vacant.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) The building is owned but the land is subject to an operating lease with a ten-year term expiring March 15, 2028.

(2) The building is vacant and available to serve as potential future administrative offices and storage.

(3) The building is subject to an operating lease with a five year term expiring August 21, 2026.

Home Federal Bancorp and Home Federal Bank are not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than nonmaterial legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.

General

Our profitability depends primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividend income on interest-earning assets, principally loans, investment securities, and interest-earning deposits in other institutions, and interest expense on interest-bearing deposits and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Net interest income is dependent upon the level of interest rates and the extent to which such rates are changing. Our profitability also depends, to a lesser extent, on non-interest income, provision for loan losses, non-interest expenses, and federal income taxes. Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana had net income of $5.7 million in fiscal 2023 compared to net income of $4.9 million in fiscal 2022.

Our business consists primarily of originating single-family real estate loans secured by property in our market area and to a lesser extent, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and real estate secured lines of credit which typically have higher rates and shorter terms than single-family loans. Although our loans are primarily funded by the acquisition of deposits and it is our policy to require commercial customers to have a deposit relationship with us, which primarily consists of NOW accounts or non-interest checking accounts. Due to the continued low interest rate environment, we have sold a substantial amount of our fixed rate single-family residential loan originations in recent periods. Because of an increase in our average rate on our interest-bearing assets, partially offset by an increase in our rate on total interest bearing liabilities, our net interest margin increased from 3.27% to 3.73% during fiscal 2023 compared to 2022, and our net interest income increased $4.2 million to $21.6 million for fiscal 2023 as compared to $17.4 million for fiscal 2022. We expect to continue to emphasize commercial lending in the future in order to improve the yield on our portfolio.

Home Federal Bancorp’s operations and profitability are subject to changes in interest rates, applicable statutes and regulations, and general economic conditions, as well as other factors beyond our control.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is focused on operating a growing and profitable community-oriented financial institution. Our current business strategy includes:

• Continuing to Grow and Diversify Our Loan Portfolio. We intend to grow and continue to diversify our loan portfolio by, among other things, emphasizing the origination of commercial real estate and business loans. At June 30, 2023, our commercial real estate loans amounted to $148.4 million, or 30.0% of the total loan portfolio. Our commercial business loans amounted to $55.4 million, or 11.2% of the total loan portfolio. Commercial real estate, commercial business, construction and development, and consumer loans all typically have higher yields and are more interest sensitive than long-term single-family residential mortgage loans.
• Diversify Our Products and Services. We intend to continue to emphasize our commercial business products to provide a full-service banking relationship to our commercial customers. We have introduced mobile and Internet banking and remote deposit capture, to better serve our commercial clients. Additionally, we have developed new deposit products focused on expanding our deposit base to new types of customers.
• Managing Our Expenses. We have incurred significant additional expenses related to personnel and infrastructure in recent periods as we implemented our business strategy. The $1.5 million increase in non-interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2023, compared to the year ended June 30, 2022, is primarily attributable to increases of $875,000 in professional fees which were primarily due to FNBB acquisition costs. Our efficiency ratio, non-interest expense divided by net interest income plus non-interest income, for 2023 was 67.71% compared to 69.59% for fiscal 2022.
• Enhancing Core Earnings. We expect to continue to emphasize commercial real estate and business loans, which generally bear interest rates higher than residential real estate loans, and sell a substantial part of our fixed rate residential mortgage loan originations.
• Expanding Our Franchise in our Market Area and Contiguous Communities. We intend to continue to pursue opportunities to expand our market area by opening additional de novo banking offices and possibly through acquisitions of other financial institutions and banking related businesses. We expect to focus on contiguous areas to our current locations in Caddo, Bossier and Webster Parishes. In February 2023, we completed our acquisition of Northwest Bancshares Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, First National Bank of Benton, with one full-service branch location in Benton, Louisiana.
• Maintain Our Asset Quality. At June 30, 2023, our non-performing assets totaled $1.6 million, or 0.26% of total assets. We had $368,000 in other real estate owned at June 30, 2023. We intend to continue to stress maintaining high asset quality, even as we continue to grow our institution and diversify our loan portfolio.
• Cross-Selling Products and Services and Emphasizing Local Decision Making. We have promoted cross-selling products and services in our branch offices and emphasized our local decision making and streamlined loan approval process.

Critical Accounting Policies

In reviewing and understanding financial information for Home Federal Bancorp, you are encouraged to read and understand the significant accounting policies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements. These policies are described in Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this document. Our accounting and financial reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the banking industry. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements require certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions, which are believed to be reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the periods presented. The following accounting policies comprise those that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These policies require numerous estimates or economic assumptions that may prove inaccurate or may be subject to variations which may significantly affect our reported results and financial condition for the period or in future periods.

Allowance for Loan Losses. We have identified the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses as a critical accounting policy and a critical accounting estimate where amounts are sensitive to material variation. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate for probable losses that are inherent in our loan portfolio but which have not yet been realized as of the date of our consolidated balance sheet. It is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that management believes will cover known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the types and amount of loans in the loan portfolio, historical loss experience, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, estimated losses relating to specifically identified loans, and current economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including, among others, exposure at default, the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impacted loans, value of collateral, estimated losses on our commercial and residential loan portfolios, and general amounts for historical loss experience. All of these estimates may be susceptible to significant changes as more information becomes available.

While management uses the best information available to make loan loss allowance evaluations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance. Historically, our estimates of the allowance for loan loss have not required significant adjustments from management’s initial estimates. In addition, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency as an integral part of their examination processes periodically reviews our allowance for loan losses. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency may require the recognition of adjustments to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examinations. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from management’s estimates, additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

The allowance for loan losses is comprised of (i) specific reserves determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance based on probable specific losses (ii) general reserve determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance that consider historical loss experience, and (iii) qualitative reserves determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance based upon qualitive factors, which include: 1) changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; 2) changes in national and local economic trends and conditions; 3) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio; 4) changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff; 5) changes in the volume and loss severity of past due loans, the volume of non-accrual loans, and the volume and loss severity of adversely classified or graded loans; 6) changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review system; 7) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans; 8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.

Business Combinations

Acquisition Accounting. Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company as the acquirer to recognize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, as well as recognize goodwill. If the purchase price over the sum of the estimated fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less the estimated fair value of the liabilities assumed in an acquisition, goodwill is recognized. The Company records provisional amounts of fair value at the time of acquisition. The provisional fair values are subject to modification for up to one year after the acquisition.

Acquired Loans. Purchased loans acquired are recorded at their fair value. Discounts are included in the determination of the fair value. As such, an allowance for loan loss is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated at acquisition and classified as either purchased credit impaired or purchased performing loans. Purchased credit impaired loans reflect credit deterioration since origination and as such at the date of acquisition the Company will not be able to collect all contractually required payments. The Company accounts for acquired impaired loans in accordance with ASC 310-30*, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“*ASC 310-30”). Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually. The Company estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected cash flows for each loan. The excess of the cash flows expected to be collected over a loan’s carrying value is considered to be the accretable yield, which is recognized as interest income over the estimated life of the loan. The excess of the undiscounted contractual balances due over the cash flows expected to be collected is considered to be the nonaccretable difference. Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the expected cash flows decrease, a provision for loan loss is recorded.

If the expected cash flows increase, it is recognized as part of future income. Purchased performing loans are accounted for under ASC 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASC 310-20”), with the related discount or premium being recognized as an adjustment to yield over the life of the loan.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

Core Deposit Intangible. Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated value of long-term deposit relationships acquired in business combinations. The Company’s policy is to amortize these intangibles on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, which the estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed for reasonableness. Core deposit intangibles are tested for impairment if events and circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable from future cash flows.

Selected Financial and Other Data

Set forth below is selected consolidated financial and other data of Home Federal Bancorp. The information at or for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 is derived in part from the audited financial statements that appear in this Form 10-K.

(In thousands)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

32

Selected Financial and Other Data (Continued)

(1) With the exception of end of period ratios, all ratios are based on average monthly balances during the indicated periods.

(2) Average interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(3) Non-GAAP: The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

(4) Asset quality ratios and capital ratios are end of period ratios, except for net charge-offs to average loans receivable.

Changes in Financial Condition

At June 30, 2023, the Company reported total assets of $660.9 million, an increase of $70.4 million, or 11.9%, compared to total assets of $590.5 million at June 30, 2022. The increase in assets was comprised primarily of increases in loans receivable, net of $101.6 million, or 26.2%, from $387.9 million at June 30, 2022 to $489.5 million at June 30, 2023, investment securities of $5.9 million, or 5.5%, from $108.0 million at June 30, 2022 to $114.0 million at June 30, 2023, goodwill of $3.0 million from none at June 30, 2022 to $3.0 million at June 30, 2023, core deposit intangible of $1.5 million from none at June 30, 2022 to $1.5 million at June 30, 2023, accrued interest receivable of $665,000, or 59.2%, from $1.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $1.8 million at June 30, 2023, real estate owned of $368,000 from none at June 30, 2022 to $368,000 at June 30, 2023, premises and equipment of $313,000, or 1.9%, from $16.2 million at June 30, 2022 to $16.6 million at June 30, 2023, deferred tax assets of $170,000, or 14.9%, from $1.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $1.3 million at June 30, 2023, bank owned life insurance Of $103,000, or 1.6%, from $6.6 million at June 30,2022 to $6.7 million at June 30,2023, and other assets of $34,000, or 2.5%, from $1.3 million at June 30,2022 to $1.4 million at June 30,2023.. These increases were partially offset by decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $39.3 million, or 61.4%, from $64.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $24.8 million at June 30, 2023, loans held-for-sale of $4.0 million, or 99.7%, from $4.0 million at June 30, 2022 to $4,000 at June 30, 2023.

Loans receivable, net increased $101.6 million, or 26.2%, from $387.9 million at June 30, 2022 to $489.5 million at June 30, 2023. The increase in loans receivable, net was attributable primarily to increases related to the acquisition of $54.9 million in loans from First National Bank of Benton. With rising interest rates, management is reluctant to invest in long-term, fixed rate mortgage loans for the portfolio and instead sells the majority of the long-term, fixed rate mortgage loan production.

In recent periods we diversified the loan products we offer and increased our efforts to originate higher yielding commercial real estate loans and lines of credit and commercial business loans which were deemed attractive due to their generally higher yields and shorter anticipated lives compared to single-family residential mortgage loans. As of June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank had $148.4 million of commercial real estate loans, 30.0% of the total loan portfolio, and $55.4 million of commercial business loans, 11.2% of the total loan portfolio. Although commercial loans are generally considered to have greater credit risk than other certain types of loans, we attempt to mitigate such risk by originating such loans in our market area to known borrowers.

Securities available-for-sale increased $11.5 million, or 40.8%, from $28.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $39.6 million at June 30, 2023. This increase resulted primarily from the acquisition of FNBB securities with balances of $10.0 million at June 30, 2023, purchases of $7.4 million in securities, partially offset by principal repayments of $4.7 million and a decrease in market values of securities of $1.3 million.

Securities held-to-maturity decreased $5.5 million, from $79.9 million at June 30, 2022 to $74.4 million at June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to principal repayments of $6.5 million offset by purchases of $1.0 million in FHLB stock.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $39.3 million, or 61.4%, from $64.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $24.8 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the funding of additional loan growth and purchases of securities with excess liquidity.

Total liabilities increased $72.2 million, or 13.4%, from $538.1 million at June 30, 2022 to $610.4 million at June 30, 2023 primarily due to increases in total deposits of $65.4 million (deposits acquired in the acquisition of First National Bank of Benton totaled $77.4 million), or 12.3%, to $597.4 million at June 30, 2023 compared to $532.0 million at June 30, 2022, other borrowings of $6.2 million, or 263.8%, to $8.6 million at June 30, 2023 compared to $2.4 million at June 30, 2022, other accrued expenses and liabilities of $1.3 million, or 49.9%, to $3.9 million at June 30, 2023 compared to $2.6 million at June 30, 2022, and an increase in advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance of $200,000, or 56.5%, to $554,000 at June 30,2023 compared to $354,000 at June 30, 2022 partially offset by a decrease in advances from FHLB of $832,000, or 100.0%, to none at June 30,2023 compared to $832,000 at June 30, 2022. The increase in deposits was primarily due to a $110.1 million, or 137.1%, increase in certificates of deposit from $80.3 million at June 30, 2022 to $190.4 million at June 30, 2023, a $15.6 million, or 15.8%, increase in money market deposits from $98.6 million at June 30, 2022 to $114.2 million at June 30, 2023,and a $6.4 million, or 10.8%, increase in NOW accounts from $59.0 million at June 30, 2022 to $65.3 million at June 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $51.1 million, or 38.4%, in savings deposits from $133.0 million at June 30, 2022 to $81.9 million at June 30, 2023, and a decrease of $15.6 million, or 9.7%, in non-interest deposits from $161.4 million at June 30, 2022 to $145.6 million at June 30, 2023. The Company had $3.0 million in brokered deposits at June 30, 2023 compared to $6.0 million at June 30, 2022. The decrease in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank was primarily due to principal paydowns on amortizing advances.

Stockholders’ equity decreased $1.8 million, or 3.4%, to $50.5 million at June 30, 2023 from $52.3 million at June 30, 2022. The primary reasons for the changes in stockholders’ equity from June 30, 2022 were the repurchase of Company stock of $6.0 million, dividends paid totaling $1.5 million, and a decrease in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income of $1.0 million, partially offset by net income of $5.7 million, the vesting of restricted stock awards, stock options, and the release of employee stock ownership plan shares totaling $620,000, and the proceeds from the issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options of $328,000.

Average Balances, Net Interest Income Yields Earned and Rates Paid. The following table shows for the periods indicated the total dollar amount of interest from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Tax-exempt income and yields have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis. All average balances are based on monthly balances. Management does not believe that the monthly averages differ significantly from what the daily averages would be.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) Includes loans held for sale.

(2) Includes retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss.

(3) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(4) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by net average interest-earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of interest-related assets and liabilities have affected Home Federal Bancorp’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior year rate), (ii) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by current year volume), and (iii) total change in rate and volume. The combined effect of changes in both rate and volume has been allocated proportionately to the change due to rate and the change due to volume.

(In thousands)

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

General. The increase in net income for the year ended June 30, 2023 resulted primarily from a $4.2 million, or 24.2%, increase in net interest income, and a decrease of $61,000, or 5.4%, in provision for income taxes, partially offset by an increase of $1.5 million, or 10.5%, in non-interest expense, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 39.6%, in non-interest income, and an increase of $532,000, or 158.3% in provision for loan losses. The increase in the provision for loan losses is mainly due to growth in the overall loan portfolio. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $7.4 million, or 38.5%, increase in total interest income, partially offset by a $3.2 million, or 170.6%, increase in total interest expense. The Company’s average interest rate spread was 3.37% for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to 3.11% for the year ended June 30, 2022. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.73% for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to 3.27% for the year ended June 30, 2022.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income amounted to $21.6 million for fiscal year 2023, an increase of $4.2 million, or 24.2%, compared to $17.4 million for fiscal year 2022. The increase was due primarily to an increase of $7.4 million in total interest income, partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in total interest expense.

The average interest rate spread increased from 3.11% for fiscal 2022 to 3.37% for fiscal 2023, while the average balance of interest-earning assets increased from $531.2 million to $577.8 million during the same periods. The percentage of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 141.05% for fiscal 2023 compared to 143.32% for fiscal 2022. The average rate paid on certificates of deposit increased from 1.37% for fiscal 2022 to 2.34% for fiscal 2023. Net interest margin increased to 3.73% for fiscal 2023 compared to 3.27% for fiscal 2022.

Interest income increased $7.4 million, or 38.5%, to $26.6 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $19.2 million for fiscal 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest income from loans of $6.0 million, an increase in interest income on other earning assets of $750,000 and an increase of$696,000 in interest income from investment and mortgage-backed securities. The increase in the average balance of loans receivable was primarily due to new loans originated by our commercial lending division and loans acquired in the acquisition of First National Bank of Benton. The average yield of the loan portfolio increased by 57 basis points during fiscal 2023 mainly due to a higher interest rate environment.

Interest expense increased $3.2 million, or 170.6%, to $5.1 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $1.9 million for fiscal 2022, primarily as a result of decreases in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits.

Provision for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings as losses are estimated to have occurred in our loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of the underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information or events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is impaired, the measurement of such impairment is based upon the fair value of the collateral of the loan. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded investment in the loan, we will recognize the impairment by creating a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge against earnings.

An allowance is also established for uncollectible interest on loans classified as substandard. The allowance is established by a charge to interest income equal to all interest previously accrued, and income is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash payments are received. When, in management’s judgment, the borrower’s ability to make interest and principal payments is back to normal, the loan is returned to accrual status.

A provision of $868,000 was made to the allowance during fiscal 2023, compared to a provision of $336,000 in fiscal 2022. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $1.6 million of non-performing assets (defined as non-accruing loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and other real estate owned) compared to $2.2 million of non-performing assets at June 30, 2022, consisting of seven single family residential loans two non-real estate commercial loans, one consumer loan, and two single-family residences at June 30, 2023, compared to seven single-family residential loans at June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-performing assets from $2.2 million at June 30, 2022 to $1.7 million at June 30, 2023 was primarily due to improved loan credit quality. At June 30, 2023, the Company had ten single family residential loans, three commercial non-real-estate loans, two commercial real estate loans, and three home equity line-of-credit loans classified as substandard compared to five single family residential loans and two commercial real estate loans classified as substandard at June 30, 2022. There were no loans classified as doubtful at June 30, 2023 or 2022.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income amounted to $2.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 39.6%, compared to non-interest income of $3.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2022. The $1.4 million decrease in non-interest income for the year ended June 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a decrease of $1.5 million in gain on sale of loans, a $232,000 decrease in other non-interest income, and a $10,000 decrease in income from bank owned life insurance, partially offset by an increase of $329,000 in service charges on deposit accounts, and a $52,000 decrease in loss on sale of fixed assets and real estate owned . The decrease in gain on sale of loans for the year ended June 30, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in refinance activity causing a decrease in mortgage loan originations. The Company sells most of its long-term fixed rate residential mortgage loan originations primarily in order to manage interest rate risk.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $1.5 million, or 10.5%, in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The $1.5 million increase in non-interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2023, compared to the prior year period, is primarily attributable to increases of $875,000 in professional fees which were primarily due to FNBB acquisition costs, $267,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, $174,000 in amortization of core deposit intangible expense, $143,000 in deposit insurance premium expense, $69,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $22,000 in data processing expense, and $11,000 in advertising expense, partially offset by decreases of $22,000 in loan and collection expense, $14,000 in audit and examination fees, $5,000 in other non-interest income, and $4,000 in franchise and bank shares tax expense.

Provision for Income Tax Expense. The provision for income taxes amounted to $1.1 million for both the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Our effective tax rate was 15.7% for fiscal 2023 and 18.8% for fiscal 2022.

Exposure to Changes in Interest Rates

Our ability to maintain net interest income depends upon our ability to earn a higher yield on interest-earning assets than the rates we pay on deposits and borrowings. Our interest-earning assets consist primarily of securities available-for-sale and long-term residential and commercial mortgage loans, which have fixed rates of interest. Consequently, our ability to maintain a positive spread between the interest earned on assets and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings can be adversely affected when market rates of interest rise.

Although long-term, fixed-rate mortgage loans made up a significant portion of our interest-earning assets at June 30, 2023, we sold a substantial amount of our one-to-four family residential loans we originated and maintained a significant portfolio of available-for-sale securities during the past few years in order to better position the Company for a rising interest rate environment in the long term. At June 30, 2023 and 2022, securities available-for-sale amounted to $39.6 million and $28.1 million, respectively, or 6.04% and 4.8%, respectively, of total assets at such dates.

Quantitative Analysis. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provides a quarterly report on the potential impact of interest rate changes upon the market value of portfolio equity. Management reviews the quarterly reports from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which show the impact of changing interest rates on net portfolio value. Net portfolio value is the difference between incoming and outgoing discounted cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts.

Net Portfolio Value. Our interest rate sensitivity is monitored by management through the use of a model which internally generates estimates of the change in our net portfolio value (“NPV”) over a range of interest rate scenarios. NPV is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts. The NPV ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the NPV in that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario. The following table sets forth our NPV as of June 30, 2023:

(Dollars in thousands)

Qualitative Analysis. Our ability to maintain a positive “spread” between the interest earned on assets and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings is affected by changes in interest rates. Our fixed-rate loans generally are profitable, if interest rates are stable or declining since these loans have yields that exceed our cost of funds. If interest rates increase, however, we would have to pay more on our deposits and new borrowings, which would adversely affect our interest rate spread. In order to counter the potential effects of dramatic increases in market rates of interest, we have underwritten our mortgage loans to allow for their sale in the secondary market. Total loan originations amounted to $244.0 million for fiscal 2023 and $339.6 million for fiscal 2022, while loans sold amounted to $24.9 million and $87.2 million during the same respective periods. We have invested excess funds from loan payments and prepayments and loan sales in investment securities classified as available-for-sale. As a result, Home Federal Bancorp is not as susceptible to rising interest rates as it would be if its interest-earning assets were primarily comprised of long-term fixed rate mortgage loans. With respect to its floating or adjustable rate loans, Home Federal Bancorp writes interest rate floors and caps into such loan documents. Interest rate floors limit our interest rate risk by limiting potential decreases in the interest yield on an adjustable rate loan to a certain level. As a result, we receive a minimum yield even if rates decline farther, and the interest rate on the particular loan would otherwise adjust to a lower amount. Conversely, interest rate ceilings limit the amount by which the yield on an adjustable rate loan may increase to no more than six percentage points over the rate at the time of origination. Finally, we intend to place a greater emphasis on shorter-term consumer loans and commercial business loans in the future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Home Federal Bancorp maintains levels of liquid assets deemed adequate by management. Our liquidity ratio averaged 21.42% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings, and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity, as appropriate, to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our primary sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, loan sales and earnings, and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits. In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term interest-earning accounts and other assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. Our deposit accounts with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas amounted to $5.0 million and $11.9 million at June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

A significant portion of our liquidity consists of securities classified as available-for-sale and cash and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are net income, principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, and increases in deposit accounts. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, we have borrowing agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, which provide an additional source of funds. At June 30, 2023, we had no advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and had $212.2 million in additional borrowing capacity. Additionally, at June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank was a party to a Master Purchase Agreement with First National Bankers Bank, whereby Home Federal Bank may purchase Federal Funds from First National Bankers Bank in an amount not to exceed $20.4 million. There were no amounts purchased under this agreement as of June 30, 2023. In addition, Home Federal Bancorp had available an $10.0 million line of credit agreement at June 30, 2023 with First National Bankers Bank. At June 30, 2023 there was an $8.6 million balance in the credit line.

At June 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding loan commitments of $53.4 million to originate loans and commitments under unused lines of credit of $15.0 million. At June 30, 2023, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year or less totaled $168.2 million, or 88.3% of total certificates of deposit. Based on prior experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. In addition, the cost of such deposits could be significantly higher upon renewal in a rising interest rate environment. We intend to utilize our high levels of liquidity to fund our lending activities. If additional funds are required to fund lending activities, we intend to sell our securities classified as available-for-sale, as needed.

At June 30, 2023, Home Federal Bank exceeded each of its capital requirements with tangible equity, common equity Tier 1, core, and total risk-based capital ratios of 8.69%, 12.79%, 8.69%, and 13.95%, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company will transition to CECL from the current incurred loss method and recognized a one-time, after-tax cumulative effect adjustment. The Company has been evaluating the impact. At this time, the Company estimates the allowance for credit losses will increase between 4% to 9%. The amount determined from adoption will be recognized as a cumulative effective to the July 1, 2023 retained earnings. Regulations of the federal banking agencies provide an optional CECL transition provision that allows a banking organization that experiences a reduction in retained earnings as of its CECL adoption date to elect to phase in the regulatory capital impact of that reduction over a three-year period. Under the regulations, the Company is required to begin the three-year transition in the first fiscal year it has adopted CECL, which for The Company is fiscal year 2024. As a result, the regulatory capital impact of The Company’ adoption of CECL is being phased in from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and have not had any such arrangements during the two years ended June 30, 2023. See Notes 9 and 14 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented herein regarding Home Federal Bancorp have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which generally require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in relative purchasing power over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on Home Federal Bancorp’s performance than does the effect of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services, since such prices are affected by inflation to a larger extent than interest rates.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations thereunder). Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the beliefs, expectations or opinions of Home Federal Bancorp and its management regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as: “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate”, or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional terms such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “may”, “likely”, “probably”, or “possibly.” Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumption, many of which are difficult to predict and generally are beyond the control of Home Federal Bancorp and its management, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) economic and competitive conditions which could affect the volume of loan originations, deposit flows and real estate values; (2) the levels of non-interest income and expense and the amount of loan losses; (3) competitive pressure among depository institutions increasing significantly; (4) changes in the interest rate environment causing reduced interest margins; (5) general economic conditions, either nationally or in the markets in which Home Federal Bancorp is or will be doing business, being less favorable than expected (6) political and social unrest including acts of war or terrorism; or (7) legislation or changes in regulatory requirements adversely affecting the business in which Home Federal Bancorp will be engaged. Home Federal Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

(a) Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures 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 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations and are operating in an effective manner.

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

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

Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements prepared for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2023.

(c) No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.