OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2024

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented elsewhere in this report. For additional information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2023, in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including adverse changes in economic, political and market conditions, losses from the Company’s lending activities, increases in interest rates, the possible loss of key personnel, the impact of increasing competition, the impact of changes in government regulation, the possibility of liabilities arising from violations of federal and state securities laws and the impact of changes in technology in the banking industry. Although the Company believes that its forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding its business and future market conditions, there can be no assurances that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from any results expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.

Strategic Plan

Our key strategic initiatives are designed to generate continued growth in earning assets, core transaction and savings deposits, treasury management fee income, and lower costs. Continued emphasis on expansion of our footprint and exploring additional lines of business are also part of our plans.

Presently, we intend to continue to limit our growth in loans and other illiquid assets. Therefore, we do not expect a material increase in our loan balances during the coming quarter. However, we expect to continue focus any loan growth on originating multi-family, non-owner occupied, commercial real estate, and skilled nursing receivable facility loans. As to deposits, we are focused on increasing our on-balance sheet liquidity by identifying deposit growth opportunities among our existing customer base and prospects throughout Florida and the United States. With respect to treasury management, our focus will remain on merchant cash advance providers and the related electronic funds transfer line of business. For this revenue source to increase further in a meaningful way, automation will be necessary in order to further improve efficiency. We are currently investing in the necessary technology to achieve this end.

Going forward, our strategic plan will be to continue to emphasize and build upon initiatives focused on strengthening internal controls, credit oversight and credit administrative processes and procedures. Moreover, management continues to identify loan growth opportunities, subject to the above caveat, that are designed to improve overall profitability without sacrificing credit quality and underwriting standards. This strategic direction is expected to be facilitated by maintaining credit administration objectives including a risk-based and comprehensive credit culture and a credit administrative infrastructure that reinforces appropriate risk management practices.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, the Bank commenced offering U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) SBA 7A loans. SBA 7A loans are generally used to establish a new business or assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. With SBA loan programs, there are set eligibility requirements and underwriting standards outlined by SBA that can change as the government alters its fiscal policy. These loans are generally secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and real estate. The Bank hired two full-time SBA staff. At September 30, 2024, SBA 7A loans amounted to $4.7 million. The Bank sells the guaranteed portion of the SBA loans.

Additionally, management has implemented initiatives that have enabled us to grow our loan portfolio primarily with locally generated relationships in the non-owner occupied, multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. However, out-of-area loans and loan pool purchases will be considered as deemed appropriate and subject to proper due diligence to further increase interest income and for portfolio diversification purposes.

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The Company’s management evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and based on this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.