Magyar Bancorp, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this filing and in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company’s press releases or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases, “anticipate,” “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “projected,” “believes”, or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks previously disclosed by the Company in Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K as may be supplemented by Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition, technological developments, retention and recruitment of qualified personnel, and market acceptance of the Company’s pricing, products and services, and with respect to the loans extended by the Company and real estate owned, the following: risks related to the economic environment in the market areas in which the Bank operates, particularly with respect to the real estate market in New Jersey; the risk that the value of the real estate securing these loans may decline in value; and the risk that significant expense may be incurred by the Company in connection with the resolution of these loans.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including regional and national economic conditions, substantial changes in levels of market interest rates, credit and other risks of lending and investing activities, and competitive and regulatory factors, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Critical accounting policies may involve complex subjective decisions or assessments. Please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K for the Company’s critical accounting policies. There were no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023

Total Assets. Total assets increased $9.4 million, or 1.0%, to $916.7 million at December 31, 2023 from $907.3 million at September 30, 2023. The increase was attributable to higher balances of loans receivable, net of allowance for credit loss, offset by lower interest-earning deposits with banks.

Interest Earning Deposits. Interest-earning deposits with banks decreased $21.4 million, or 30.8%, to $48.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $69.4 million at September 30, 2023 resulting primarily from deployment of these fund into loans receivable during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Loans Receivable. Total loans receivable increased $31.3 million, or 4.5%, to $729.5 million at December 31, 2023 from $698.2 million at September 30, 2023. The increase in total loans receivable during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 occurred in commercial real estate loans, which increased $18.2 million, or 4.7%, to $407.4 million, construction loans, which increased $12.8 million, or 58.5%, to $34.6 million and one-to four-family residential real estate loans (including home equity loans and lines of credit), which increased $3.5 million, or 1.4%, to $258.2 million. Partially offsetting these increases were commercial business loans, which decreased $3.1 million, or 10.4%, to $27.0 million and other loans, which decreased $120,000, or 5.1%, to $2.2 million during the quarter.

As of December 31, 2023, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was estimated at approximately 267%. Management believes that Magyar Bank has implemented appropriate risk management practices, including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which include monitoring loan portfolio performance and stressing of the commercial real estate portfolio under adverse economic conditions.

Total non-performing loans decreased $233,000, or 4.6%, to $4.9 million at December 31, 2023 from $5.1 million at September 30, 2023. The decline was attributable to payments received on one residential mortgage loan that was no longer delinquent more than 90 days at December 31, 2023. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 0.66% at December 31, 2023 from 0.73% at September 30, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses was unchanged at $8.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 on October 1, 2023, the Company’s allowance for credit losses decreased $492,000. Growth in loans receivable and loan commitments during the quarter resulted in additional provisions for credit loss totaling $481,000. The Company’s allowance for on-balance sheet credit losses decreased to $7.7 million at December 31, 2023 from $8.3 million at September 30, 2023 while its reserve for off-balance sheet commitments increased to $637,000 at December 31, 2023 from $0 at September 30, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of non-performing loans increased to 171.5% at December 31, 2023 from 163.9% at September 30, 2023. Our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.14% at December 31, 2023 compared with 1.19% at September 30, 2023. Future increases in the allowance for credit losses may be necessary based on possible future increases in non-performing loans and charge-offs, the possible deterioration of collateral values, and the possible deterioration of the current economic environment.

Investment Securities. At December 31, 2023, investment securities totaled $96.6 million, reflecting an increase of $646,000, or 0.7%, from September 30, 2023. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company purchased securities totaling $4.0 million and experienced a $584,000 increase in the market value of its available-for-sale investment securities. Offsetting these increases were repayments from mortgage-backed securities totaling $1.4 million and the maturity of a $2.5 million U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise debt security. There were no sales of investment securities during the period.

Investment securities at December 31, 2023 consisted of $66.9 million in mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, $23.0 million in U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities, $3.0 million in corporate notes, $3.5 million in municipal bonds, and $203,000 in “private-label” mortgage-backed securities. There was no allowance for credit losses for the Company’s investment securities for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Deposits. Total deposits increased $8.1 million, or 1.1%, to $763.5 million at December 31, 2023 from $755.4 million at September 30, 2023.

The inflow in deposits occurred in money market accounts, which increased $22.0 million, or 7.7%, to $306.9 million, in certificates of deposit (including individual retirement accounts), which increased $7.8 million, or 7.4%, to $112.5 million and in interest-bearing checking accounts (NOW), which increased $4.6 million, or 4.0%, to $119.7 million. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in non-interest bearing checking accounts, which decreased $24.1 million, or 12.8%, to $164.4 million and savings accounts, which decreased $2.2 million, or 3.5%, to $60.0 million. Included in the certificates of deposit were $13.8 million in brokered certificates of deposit.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowings decreased $719,000, or 2.4%, to $28.8 million at December 31, 2023 from $29.5 million at September 30, 2023. The Company repaid a matured long term advance totaling $2.4 million and borrowed a zero- cost, three-year advance totaling $1.7 million the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased $1.7 million, or 1.7%, to $106.5 million at December 31, 2023 from $104.8 million at September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to net income of $1.6 million, followed by $440,000 in other comprehensive income, a $354,000 increase for the tax effected adoption of ASU 2016-13, a $161,000 increase for stock-based compensation and a $50,000 increase for ESOP shares allocated during the quarter. Partially offsetting these increases were $716,000 in dividends paid ($0.11 per share) and 19,232 shares repurchased during the quarter totaling $192,000. As a result, the Company’s book value per share increased to $16.01 at December 31, 2023 from $15.70 at September 30, 2023.

Average Balance Sheet for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The following table presents certain information regarding the Company’s financial condition and net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The table presents the annualized average yield on interest-earning assets and the annualized average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. We derived the yields and costs by dividing annualized income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. We derived average balances from daily balances over the period indicated. Interest income includes fees that we consider adjustments to yields.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) Calculated using the Company's 21% federal tax rate.

(2) Includes passbook savings, money market passbook and club accounts.

(3) Includes interest-bearing checking and money market accounts.

(4) Includes certificates of deposits and individual retirement accounts.

(5) Calculated as annualized net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Net Income. Net income decreased $158,000, or 8.7%, to $1,652,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 compared with net income of $1,810,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to higher provisions for credit loss and other expenses, partially offset by higher net interest income.

Net Interest and Dividend Income. Net interest and dividend income increased $353,000, or 5.1%, to $7.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from $6.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was attributable to a $112.3 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets between periods, partially offset by a 31 basis point decrease in the Company’s net interest margin to 3.29% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 3.60% for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $3.1 million, or 35.9%, to $11.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared with $8.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was attributable to an 82 basis point increase in the yield on earning assets to 5.26% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 4.44% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 as well as a $112.3 million, or 14.8%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The increase in yield on the Company’s assets was attributable to higher market interest rates between periods.

The average balance of loans receivable, net of allowance for loan loss, increased $60.0 million to $703.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023 from $643.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022 while the yield on loans receivable increased 78 basis points to 5.69% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 4.91% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 due to higher market interest rates. The higher average balance and yield accounted for a $2.1 million, or 26.7%, increase in loan interest income between periods.

Interest earned on investment securities, including interest-earning deposits and excluding FHLB stock, increased $902,000, or 174.1%, to $1.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 from $518,000 for the prior year quarter. A 160 basis point increase in the yield on such assets to 3.39% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 1.79% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and the average balance of investment securities and interest-earning deposits increased by $51.5 million, or 44.6%, to $167.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 167.9%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 153 basis points to 2.80% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared with 1.27% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 resulting primarily from higher market interest rates. In addition, the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $109.0 million, or 21.7%, to $611.2 million.

The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $98.5 million, or 20.4%, to $581.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 from $483.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, while the average cost of such deposits increased 157 basis points to 2.78% from 1.21%. As a result, interest paid on interest-bearing deposits increased $2.6 million to $4.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared with $$1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 due to higher market interest rate environment.

Interest paid on borrowings increased $100,000, or 73.5%, to $236,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from $136,000 for the prior year period. The increase was the result of a 33 basis point increase in the cost of borrowings to 3.16% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from 2.83% for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Average balance of borrowings increased $10.5 million to $29.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $19.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recorded a provision of $481,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $317,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The higher provisions resulted from growth in the Company’s loan portfolio during the three months ended December 31, 2023, specifically in commercial real estate and construction loans. The Company recorded $461 in net recoveries during the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared with $0 in net recoveries during the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Other Income. Other income increased $12,000, or 2.0%, to $609,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $597,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Higher service charge income from loan prepayment penalties and a $60,000 gain on the sale of land during the quarter were partially offset by lower interest rate swap fees and gains on the sale of SBA loans.

Other Expenses. Other expenses increased $439,000, or 9.6%, to $5.0 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

The increase in other expense was primarily attributable to higher compensation and benefit expense, which increased $226,000, or 8.6%, to $2.8 million, due to fewer open positions between periods and the addition of a commercial lender in September 2023. Also contributing to the increase were higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums and other expenses. Deposit insurance premiums increased $49,000, or 90.7%, from deposit growth and higher insurance assessment rates implemented by the FDIC for all insured institutions effective January 1, 2023. Other expenses increased $100,000, or 20.3%, from higher loan origination and servicing costs, higher losses on fraudulent checks, and higher OREO expenses.

Income Tax Expense. The Company recorded tax expense of $700,000 on pre-tax income of $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $780,000 on pre-tax income of $2.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 29.8% compared with 30.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

The Company’s liquidity is a measure of its ability to fund loans, pay withdrawals of deposits, and other cash outflows in an efficient, cost-effective manner. The Company’s short-term sources of liquidity include maturity, repayment and sales of assets, excess cash and cash equivalents, new deposits, other borrowings, and new advances from the FHLBNY. Based on eligible loan collateral pledged to the FHLBNY at December 31, 2023, we had an aggregate borrowing capacity of $122.9 million. There has been no material adverse change during the three months ended December 31, 2023 in the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to fund their operations.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had commitments outstanding under letters of credit totaling $1.1 million, commitments to originate loans totaling $20.6 million, and commitments to fund undisbursed balances of closed loans and unused lines of credit totaling $95.3 million. There has been no material change during the three months ended December 31, 2023 in any of the Company’s other contractual obligations or commitments to make future payments.

Capital Requirements

At December 31, 2023, the Bank’s Tier 1 capital as a percentage of the Bank’s total assets was 10.81%, and total qualifying capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets was 15.81%.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

There were no material changes to the risk factors relevant to the Company’s operations as described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 filed on December 15, 2023.