Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2019

General

The Company is a Maryland corporation headquartered in Oswego, New York. The Company is 100% owned by public shareholders. The primary business of the Company is its investment in Pathfinder Bank (the "Bank"), a New York State chartered commercial bank, which is 100% owned by the Company. The Bank has two wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Pathfinder Risk Management Company, Inc. (“PRMC”) and Whispering Oaks Development Corp. All significant inter-company accounts and activity have been eliminated in consolidation. Although the Company owns, through its subsidiary PRMC, 51% of the membership interest in FitzGibbons Agency, LLC (“Agency”), the Company is required to consolidate 100% of FitzGibbons within the consolidated financial statements. The 49% of which the Company does not own is accounted for separately as a noncontrolling interest within the consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2019, the Company and subsidiaries had total consolidated assets of $1.1 billion, total consolidated liabilities of $966.9 million and shareholders' equity of $89.0 million plus noncontrolling interest of $229,000, which represents the 49% of FitzGibbons not owned by the Company.

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The following discussion reviews the Company's financial condition at September 30, 2019 and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019 or any other period.

The following material under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is written with the presumption that the users of the interim financial statements have read, or have access to, the Company's latest audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2019 (“the consolidated annual financial statements”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the two years then ended. Therefore, only material changes in financial condition and results of operations are discussed in the remainder of Item 2.

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions and may describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to:

• Credit quality and the effect of credit quality on the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses;
• Deterioration in financial markets that may result in impairment charges relating to our securities portfolio;
• Competition in our primary market areas;
• Changes in interest rates and national or regional economic conditions;
• Changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board;
• Significant government regulations, legislation and potential changes thereto;
• A reduction in our ability to generate or originate revenue-producing assets as a result of compliance with heightened capital standards;
• Increased cost of operations due to greater regulatory oversight, supervision and examination of banks and bank holding companies, and higher deposit insurance premiums;
• Cyberattacks, computer viruses and other technological threats that may breach the security of our websites or other systems;
• Technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected;
• Limitations on our ability to expand consumer product and service offerings due to anticipated stricter consumer protection laws and regulations; and
• Other risks described herein and in the other reports and statements we file with the SEC.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's consolidated annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow practices within the banking industry. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated annual financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain accounting policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be

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materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices or are provided by unaffiliated third-party sources, when available. When third party information is not available, valuation adjustments are estimated in good faith by management.

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the annual audited consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the consolidated annual financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, pension obligations, the evaluation of investment securities for other than temporary impairment, the estimation of fair values for accounting and disclosure purposes, and the evaluation of goodwill for impairment to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective and complex judgments. These areas could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment on the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

Our Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses policy establishes criteria for selecting loans to be measured for impairment based on the following:

Residential and Consumer Loans:

• All loans rated substandard or worse, on nonaccrual, and above our total related credit (“TRC”) threshold balance of $300,000.
• All Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

Commercial Lines and Loans, Commercial Real Estate and Tax-exempt loans:

• All loans rated substandard or worse, on nonaccrual, and above our TRC threshold balance of $100,000.
• All Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses as compared to the loan carrying value. For all other loans and leases, the Company uses the general allocation methodology that establishes an allowance to estimate the probable incurred loss for each risk-rating category.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the future tax consequences. This is attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating and capital loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. If current available evidence about the future raises doubt about the likelihood of a deferred tax asset being realized, a valuation allowance is established. The judgment about the level of future taxable income, including that which is considered capital, is inherently subjective and is reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. In the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company established, through a charge to earnings, a valuation allowance in the amount of $136,000 in order to reserve against deferred tax assets related to New York State income taxes. Effective in January 2018, the Company adopted a modification methodology, made available following changes

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to the New York State tax code, effecting how the Company’s state income tax liability is computed. Under this adopted methodology, it is unlikely that the Company will pay income taxes to New York in future periods and it is therefore probable that the Company’s deferred tax assets related to New York State income taxes are unlikely to further reduce the Company’s state income tax rate in the future. Accordingly, a valuation allowance against the value of those deferred tax assets was established to reduce the net deferred tax asset related to New York income taxes to $-0-. At September 30, 2019, the Company had a valuation allowance of $77,000 established against the future projected benefits of deferred tax assets related to New York State income tax obligations. There were no valuation allowances against deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018. The Company’s effective tax rate typically differs from the 21% federal statutory tax rate due primarily to tax-exempt income from specific types of investment securities and loans, bank owned life insurance, and, to a much lesser degree, the utilization of low income housing tax credits. These factors, which typically lower the effective tax rate for the Company, were offset by the establishment of the valuation allowance described above resulting in an effective tax rate of 23.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering most employees. The plan provides defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary. On May 14, 2012, we informed our employees of our decision to freeze participation and benefit accruals under the plan, primarily to reduce some of the volatility in earnings that can accompany the maintenance of a defined benefit plan. Pension and post-retirement benefit plan liabilities and expenses are based upon actuarial assumptions of future events; including fair value of plan assets, interest rates, and the length of time the Company will have to provide those benefits. The assumptions used by management are discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated annual financial statements.

The Company carries all of its available-for-sale investments at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported, net of tax, as an adjustment to shareholders' equity and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), except for the credit-related portion of debt securities impairment losses and OTTI of equity securities which are charged to earnings. The Company's ability to fully realize the value of its investments in various securities, including corporate debt securities, is dependent on the underlying creditworthiness of the issuing organization. In evaluating the debt securities (both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity) portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) if we intend to sell the security; (2) if it is “more likely than not” we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) if the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. When the fair value of a held-to-maturity or available-for-sale security is less than its amortized cost basis, an assessment is made as to whether OTTI is present. The Company considers numerous factors when determining whether a potential OTTI exists and the period over which the debt security is expected to recover. The principal factors considered are (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, (2) the financial condition of the issue and (guarantor, if any) and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, industry or geographic area, (3) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, (4) any changes to the rating of the security by a NRSRO, and (5) the presence of credit enhancements, if any, including the guarantee of the federal government or any of its agencies.

The estimation of fair value is significant to several of our assets; including loans, available-for-sale and marketable equity investment securities, intangible assets, foreclosed real estate, and the value of loan collateral when valuing impaired loans. These are all recorded at either fair value, or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are determined based on third party sources, when available. Furthermore, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments as a part of the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements. Fair values on our available-for-sale securities may be influenced by a number of factors; including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates, and the shape of yield curves.

Fair values for securities available-for-sale are obtained from unaffiliated third party pricing services. Where available, fair values are based on quoted prices on a nationally recognized securities exchange. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using quoted market prices for similar benchmark securities. Management made no adjustments to the fair value quotes that were provided by the pricing sources. Fair values for marketable equity securities are based on quoted prices on a nationally recognized securities exchange for similar benchmark securities. The fair values of foreclosed real estate and the underlying collateral value of impaired loans are typically determined based on evaluations by third parties, less estimated costs to sell. When necessary, appraisals are updated to reflect changes in market conditions.

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Management performs an annual evaluation of our goodwill for possible impairment at each of our reporting units. Based on the results of the December 31, 2018 evaluation, management has determined that the carrying value of goodwill was not impaired as of that date. The evaluation approach is described in Note 10 of the consolidated annual financial statements. Further information on the estimation of fair values can be found in Note 22 to the consolidated annual financial statements.

Recent Events

On September 23, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per common and preferred share, payable to shareholders of record as of October 18, 2019 on November 8, 2019.

Overview and Results of Operations

The following represents the significant highlights of the Company’s operating results between the third quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2018.

• Total net income increased $310,000, or 31.5%, to $1.3 million.
• Basic and diluted earnings per share both decreased $0.01 to $0.22.
• Return on average assets increased by seven basis points to 0.51% as the increase in the Company’s net income slightly outpaced the increase in average assets.
• Net interest income, after provision for loan losses, increased $500,000, or 8.2%, to $6.6 million. Excluding the provision, net interest income increased $809,000, or 12.7%, to $7.2 million. This increase in net interest income was primarily due to the increase in average balances of interest earning assets, accompanied by an increase in the average yield earned on interest-earning assets.
• Net interest margin decreased by one basis point to 3.01%, primarily as a result of a $112.0 million increase in the average balance of time deposits, coupled with a 58 basis point increase in the average rate paid on time deposits. The increases in the average rates paid on time deposits reflected the competitive environment for such deposits within the Company’s marketplace as well as a general increase in short-term interest rates nationally.
• The effective income tax rate increased 6.3% to 19.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to 13.6% for the same three month period in 2018. The increase was primarily related to the tax benefit recognized related to the cashless exercise of incentive stock options in the prior year quarter.

The following represents significant highlights of the Company’s operating results between the first nine months of 2019 and the first nine months of 2018.

• Net income decreased $518,000, or 17.7%, to $2.4 million.
• Basic and diluted earnings per share were both $0.47 per share and decreased $0.24 per share and $0.22 per share, respectively.
• Return on average assets decreased 11 basis points to 0.33% between the year-over-year nine month periods as net income (the numerator of the ratio) decreased by $518,000, or 17.7%, resulting in a seven basis point decrease in the return on average assets between the year-over-year nine month periods. Further, average assets (the denominator of the ratio) grew $95.8 million, or 10.8%, resulting in a four basis point decrease in the return on average assets between the year-over-year nine month periods.
• Net interest income, after provision for loan losses, increased by $1.0 million, or 5.8%, to $19.1 million. This increase in earnings was primarily due to the increase in average balances of interest earning assets, accompanied by an increase in the average yield earned on interest-earning assets.
• Net interest margin decreased by nine basis points to 2.94%, primarily as a result of a $117.5 million increase in the average balance of time deposits, coupled with a 76 basis point increase in the average rate paid on time deposits. The increases in the average rates paid on time deposits reflected the competitive environment for such deposits within the Company’s marketplace as well as a general increase in short-term interest rates nationally.
• The effective income tax rate increased 9.1% to 23.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to 14.6% for the same nine month period in 2018. This increase was primarily related to the nonrecurring establishment, through a charge to earnings, of a $136,000 valuation allowance to reserve against deferred tax assets related to New York State income taxes. Excluding the nonrecurring charge, the increase in
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income tax expense and the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the previous period, was primarily attributable to the recognition of tax benefits of $115,000 in the first nine months of 2018 that resulted from the cashless exercise of incentive stock options by certain executives of the Company.

The following reflects the significant changes in financial condition between the periods of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2019. In addition, the following reflects significant changes in asset quality metrics between September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2019.

• Total assets increased $123.0 million, or 13.2% to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2019, as compared to December 31, 2018, primarily due to increases in loans, cash and cash equivalents, and investment securities. These increases were funded largely by increases in deposits, including brokered deposits, as well as the cash flow from the sale and maturity of investment securities.
• Asset quality metrics remained stable in comparison to recent reporting periods. The Company’s consistent asset quality metrics are reflective of its disciplined risk management process, along with the relative economic stability of its Central New York State market area. The annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans ratio was 0.07% for the third quarter of 2019, compared to 0.12% for the third quarter of 2018, and 0.22% for the fourth quarter of 2018. Nonperforming loans to total loans decreased two basis points to 0.73% at September 30, 2019, compared to 0.75% at September 30, 2018. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased 38 basis points to 0.73% at September 30, 2019, compared to 0.35% at December 31, 2018. Correspondingly, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans at September 30, 2019 was 156.43%, as compared to 167.72% at September 30, 2018, and 340.13% at December 31, 2018.

The Company had net income of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to net income of $985,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The $310,000 increase in net income was due primarily to a $1.9 million increase in interest and dividend income and a $346,000 increase in noninterest income. The increase in net income was partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in interest expense, a $370,000 increase in noninterest expenses, and a $309,000 increase in the provisions for loans losses.

Net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased $809,000, or 12.7%, to $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $6.4 million for the same three month period in 2018. The increase was primarily the result of the increase in average interest-earning asset balances due to increases in average loans and average taxable investment securities. The positive effects of increased average interest-earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same three month period in 2018, were also enhanced by an increase in the average yield of interest-earning assets of 31 basis points to 4.47% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from 4.16% for the same three month period of the previous year. These positive factors on net interest income were partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $91.5 million, or 12.6%, and an increase of 39 basis points on the average interest rate paid on those liabilities.

The $346,000, or 36.8%, increase in noninterest income in the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same quarterly period in 2018, was primarily the result of a $181,000 net increase in the net gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities, from a loss of $60,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to a net gain of $121,000 for the same quarter in 2019. The investment securities sales were part of the Company’s portfolio optimization and liquidity management strategies. It is the intention of management to reinvest the proceeds of these investment securities sales into potentially higher yielding interest-earning assets in future periods. Further contributing to the increase in noninterest income was a $108,000 increase on service charges on deposit accounts and a $32,000 increase in loan servicing fees. All other noninterest income categories increased by an aggregate $25,000, or 3.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year quarter.

The $370,000, or 6.3%, increase in noninterest expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same quarterly period in 2018, was primarily a result of a $98,000 increase in building and occupancy costs, a $95,000 increase in data processing charges, an $84,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, and an $80,000 increase in advertising expense. The increase in building and occupancy costs and data processing charges were partially due to expenses related to our new banking location in Onondaga County. These increases are consistent with branch and operational growth. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense reflected an increase in staffing levels intended to meet increased loan demand and to better serve customers and potential customers as the Bank’s operations

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continue to expand primarily into Onondaga County, New York. Advertising expense increased primarily as the result of increases in the level of brand awareness advertising expenditures primarily focused on the Onondaga County market. All other noninterest expense categories increased $13,000, or 1.1%, in aggregate during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same three month period in 2018.

In comparing the year-over-year third quarter periods, the return on average assets increased seven basis points to 0.51% due to the effects of the increase in net income (the numerator in the ratio), partially offset by the increase in average assets (the denominator in the ratio). Average assets increased due to increases in average loans and average taxable investment securities of $93.4 million and $40.2 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the same quarter of 2018. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $89.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared with the same quarter in 2018. The increase in deposits was the result of organic growth within our existing marketplace coupled with targeted promotions for our time deposit products.

The Company had net income of $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to net income of $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The $518,000 decrease in net income was due primarily to a $3.8 million increase in interest expense, a $2.0 million increase in noninterest expense, a $245,000 increase in income tax expense, and a $153,000 increase in the provision for loan losses. The increase expenses were partially offset by an increase of $5.0 million in interest and dividend income and a $739,000 increase in noninterest income.

Net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased $1.2 million, or 6.2%, to $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same nine month period in the previous year. The increase was a result of the increase in average balances on loans and taxable investment securities and an increase in the average yield earned on those balances, partially offset by an increase in the average balance and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities between the year-over-year nine month periods.

The $739,000, or 25.8%, increase in noninterest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same nine month period in 2018, was primarily the result of a net increase of $421,000 in the net gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities from a loss of $189,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to a net gain of $232,000 for the same nine month period in 2019. The investment securities sales were part of the Company’s portfolio optimization and liquidity management strategies. It is the intention of management to reinvest the proceeds of these investment securities sales into potentially higher yielding interest-earning assets in future periods. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest income was service charges on deposit accounts, debit interchange fees, earnings and gain on bank owned life insurance, and loan servicing fees, which increased $191,000, $65,000, $36,000, and $36,000, respectively. All other noninterest income categories decreased by $10,000, or 0.7%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year period.

The $2.0 million, or 11.6%, increase in noninterest expense was due primarily to an increase of $998,000, or 10.6%, in salary and employee benefits expense that reflected, in part, approximately $170,000 in one-time employee severance payments and $217,000 in reduced accrued earnings from the Company’s defined benefit pension plan (due primarily to market value declines in the Company’s pension assets at December 31, 2018). The remainder of the year-over-year increase in salary and employee benefits expense of $611,000 was primarily due to increases in staffing levels intended to meet increased loan demand and to better serve customers and potential customers as the Bank’s operations continue to expand into Onondaga County. In addition, data processing costs, building and occupancy costs, and foreclosed real estate expenses increased $345,000, $297,000, and $231,000, respectively. The increase in data processing and building and occupancy costs were partially due to expenses related to our new banking location in Onondaga County. Foreclosed real estate expenses increased due to expenses related to the final disposition of a single foreclosed commercial property. All other noninterest expense categories increased $163,000, or 3.3%, in aggregate for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same nine month period in 2018.

Return on average assets decreased 11 basis points to 0.33% between the year-over-year nine month periods as net income (the numerator of the ratio) decreased by $518,000, or 17.7%, resulting in a seven basis point decrease in the return on average assets between the year-over-year nine month periods. Further, average assets (the denominator of the ratio) grew $95.8 million, or 10.8%, resulting in a four basis point decrease in the return on average assets between the year-over-year nine month periods.

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For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded $600,000 in provision for loan losses as compared to $291,000 in the same prior year three month period. This $309,000 increase in the provision for the three month period is reflective of continued significant growth in the Bank’s commercial and consumer lending portfolios, as well as changes to both quantitative and environmental factors deemed appropriate for the Bank’s loan portfolio. Average loan balances increased $93.4 million, or 15.2%, in the third quarter of 2019 as compared with the same quarter of 2018.

For the first nine months of 2019, we recorded $1.4 million in provision for loan losses as compared to $1.2 million in the same prior year nine month period. This $153,000 increase in the provision for loan losses was reflective of continued significant growth in the Bank’s commercial and consumer lending portfolios. Average loan balances increased $64.5 million, or 10.7%, from September 30, 2019 as compared with the same prior year period.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the Company's primary source of operating income for payment of operating expenses and providing for loan losses. It is the amount by which interest earned on loans, interest-earning deposits, and investment securities, exceeds the interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in net interest income and net interest margin result from the interaction between the volume and composition of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, related yields, and associated funding costs.

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The following tables set forth information concerning average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average yields and rates thereon for the periods indicated. Interest income and resultant yield information in the tables has not been adjusted for tax equivalency. Averages are computed on the daily average balance for each month in the period divided by the number of days in the period. Yields and amounts earned include loan fees. Nonaccrual loans have been included in interest-earning assets for purposes of these calculations.

(Dollars in thousands)

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(Dollars in thousands)

As indicated in the above tables, net interest income, before provision for loan losses, increased $809,000, or 12.7%, to $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $6.4 million for the same prior year period. This increase was due principally to the $111.8 million, or 13.2%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets, and an increase of 31 basis points on the average yield earned on those assets. These positive factors on net interest income were partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $91.5 million, or 12.6%, and an increase of 39 basis points on the average interest rate paid on those liabilities. In total, net interest margin decreased one basis point to 3.00% due largely to the increase in rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities, as noted above. The following analysis should also be viewed in conjunction with the table below which reports the changes in net interest income attributable to rate and volume.

Interest and dividend income increased $1.9 million, or 21.6%, to $10.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $8.8 million for the same three month period in 2018. The increase in interest and dividend income was due principally to the increase in average interest-earning assets (primarily loans and taxable investment securities), which increased between the year-over-year third quarter periods by $133.5 million, or 16.5%. The increase in the average balance of loans reflected the Company’s continued success in its expansion within the greater Syracuse, New York market. Further supporting the quarter-over-quarter increase in interest income, the average yield on the loans and taxable investment portfolio improved 29 basis points to 4.99% and 23 basis points to 3.12%, respectively. This increase

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in the average yield on loans was the result of new loan production being added to the loan portfolio at rates slightly higher than the average yields of the previously existing portfolio. The increase in the average yield on taxable investment securities was the result of an increase in book yields on adjustable-rate securities and the purchase of new securities, often with longer durations or more credit risk exposure, at rates higher than the average yields of securities within the previously-existing portfolio whose balances continue to be reduced by amortization and maturities.

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 increased $1.1 million, or 45.0%, to $3.5 million when compared to the same prior year period. Deposit interest expense increased $1.0 million, or 54.7%, to $2.8 million due to an $89.9 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits accompanied by a 41 basis point increase in the average annualized rate paid on these deposits to 1.56% for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared with the same three month period in 2018. This increase in the average rate was primarily due to a 58 basis point increase in the average rate paid on time deposits, during the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same three month period in 2018. The increase in the average rate paid on time deposits reflected the competitive environment for such deposits within the Company’s marketplace. Further contributing to the increase in interest expense was an $88,000 increase in borrowings expense, which increased due to a $1.5 million increase in the average balance of borrowings.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, increased $1.2 million, or 6.2%, to $20.5 million compared to $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was due principally to the $82.6 million, or 9.8%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets, and an increase of 35 basis points on the average yield earned on those assets. These positive factors on net interest income were partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $71.9 million, or 9.9%, and an increase of 52 basis points on the average interest rate paid on those liabilities. Interest and dividend income increased $5.0 million, or 19.4%, to $30.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $25.6 million for the same nine month period in 2018. The increase in interest and dividend income was due principally to the increase in average balances of loan and taxable investment securities, which increased 10.7% and 18.2%, respectively, between the year-over-year nine month periods. The increase in the average balance of loans reflected the Company’s continued success in its expansion within the greater Syracuse market. These increases were also positively affected by the increase in the average yield on loans and taxable investment securities of 28 basis points to 4.90% and 52 basis points to 3.16%, respectively. This increase in the average yield on loans was the result of new loan production being added to the loan portfolio at rates slightly higher than the average rates of the previously existing portfolio. The increase in the average yield on taxable investment securities was the result of an increase in book yields on adjustable-rate securities and the purchase of new securities, often with longer durations or more credit risk exposure, at rates higher than the average rates of securities within the previously-existing portfolio whose balances continue to be reduced by amortization, maturities and sales.

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased $3.8 million, or 59.6%, to $10.1 million as compared to $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in interest expense was due principally to the increase in average interest-bearing liabilities of $71.9 million, along with a 52 basis point increase in the average rate paid on these liabilities to 1.68%. Deposit expense increased $3.2 million, or 66.9%. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits, which included brokered deposits, increased $63.3 million between the year-over-year nine month periods. Deposit interest expense increased 51 basis points to 1.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared with the same nine month period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to a 76 basis point increase in the average rate paid on time deposits, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same time period in 2018. The increase in rates paid on those deposits reflected the competitive environment for such deposits within the Company’s marketplace. Further contributing to the increase in interest expense was a $552,000 increase in borrowings expense, which increased due to an $8.6 million increase in the average balance of borrowings.

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Rate/Volume Analysis

Net interest income can also be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the volume or amount of these assets and liabilities. The following table represents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) total increase or decrease. Changes attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated ratably.

(In thousands)

Provision for Loan Losses

We establish a provision for loan losses, which is charged to operations, at a level management believes is appropriate to absorb probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as future events change. The provision for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.

Management extensively reviews recent trends in historical losses, qualitative factors and specific reserve needs on loans individually evaluated for impairment in its determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. We recorded $600,000 in provision for loan losses for the three month period ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $291,000 for the three month period ended September 30, 2018. The $309,000 increase in the provision for the three month period is reflective of continued significant growth in the Bank’s commercial and consumer lending portfolios, as well as changes to both quantitative and environmental factors deemed appropriate for the Bank’s loan portfolio. Average loan balances increased $93.4 million, or 15.2%, in the third quarter of 2019 as compared with the same quarter of 2018.

For the first nine months of 2019, we recorded $1.4 million in provision for loan losses as compared to $1.2 million in the same prior year nine month period. The $153,000 increase in the provision for loan losses was reflective of continued significant growth in the Bank’s commercial and consumer lending portfolio. Average loan balances increased $64.5 million, or 10.7%, in the first nine months of 2019 as compared with the same prior year period.

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The Company measures delinquency based on the amount of past due loans as a percentage of total loans. The ratio of delinquent loans to total loans decreased to 1.36% at September 30, 2019 as compared to 1.81% at December 31, 2018. Delinquent loans (numerator) decreased $1.3 million while total loan balances (denominator) increased $105.4 million at September 30, 2019, as compared to December 31, 2018. The decrease in past due loans was primarily driven by a decrease of $5.3 million in loans delinquent 30-59 days. This was partially offset by an increase of $3.2 million in loans delinquent more than 90 days and a $716,000 increase in loans delinquent 60-89 days. The decrease in loans 30-59 days past due at September 30, 2019 as compared to December 31, 2018 was primarily due to eight commercial real estate loans totaling $4.2 million and six commercial lines of credit totaling $1.0 million, which were no longer 30-59 days delinquent at September 30, 2019. The increase in loans delinquent 90 days or more at September 30, 2019 as compared to December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the addition of seven commercial real estate loans totaling $2.5 million and six other commercial and industrial loans totaling $590,000. The increase in loans 60-89 days past due at September 30, 2019 as compared to December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the addition of four other commercial and industrial loans totaling $384,000 and a $270,000 increase in residential loans 60-89 days past due.

At September 30, 2019, there were $9.8 million in loans past due including $2.8 million in loans 30-59 days past due, $1.8 million in loans 60-89 days past due and $5.2 million in loans 90 or more days past due. At December 31, 2018, there were $11.2 million in loans past due, including $8.1 million in loans 30-59 days past due, $1.1 million in loans 60-89 days past due and $2.0 million in loans 90 or more days past due.

Noninterest Income

The Company's noninterest income is primarily comprised of fees on deposit account balances and transactions, loan servicing, commissions, including insurance agency commissions, and net gains on sales of securities, loans, and foreclosed real estate.

The following table sets forth certain information on noninterest income for the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands)

The $346,000 or 36.8%, increase in noninterest income in the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same quarterly period in 2018, was partially due to the net increase of $181,000 in the net gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities from a loss of $60,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to a net gain of $121,000 for the same quarter in 2019. The investment securities sales were part of the Company’s portfolio optimization and liquidity management strategies. It is the intention of management to reinvest the proceeds of these investment securities sales into potentially higher yielding interest-earning assets in future periods.

Excluding the effects of the quarter over quarter increase in gains on the sale of investment securities, all other noninterest income categories increased in aggregate by $165,000, or 16.5% to $1.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2019 as compared with $1.0 million in the same quarter of 2018. This $165,000 quarter over quarter increase in noninterest income, excluding the effects of gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities, was due primarily to

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increases of $108,000 in service charges on deposit accounts and $32,000 in loan servicing fees. All other noninterest income categories increased by $25,000, or 3.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year quarter.

The $739,000, or 25.8%, increase in noninterest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same nine month period in 2018, was primarily the result of a net increase of $421,000 in the net gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities from a loss of $189,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to a net gain of $232,000 for the same nine month period in 2019. The investment securities sales were part of the Company’s portfolio optimization and liquidity management strategies. It is the intention of management to reinvest the proceeds of these investment securities sales into potentially higher yielding interest-earning assets in future periods.

Excluding the effects of the period over period increase in gains on the sale of investment securities, all other noninterest income categories increased in aggregate by $318,000, or 10.4%, to $3.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared with $3.0 million in the same nine month period of 2018. This $318,000 period over period increase in noninterest income, excluding the effects of gains on the sales and redemptions of investment securities, was due primarily to increases in service charges on deposit accounts, debit interchange fees, earnings and gain on bank owned life insurance, and loan servicing fees, which increased $191,000, $65,000, $36,000, and $36,000, respectively. All other noninterest income categories decreased by $10,000, or 0.7%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year period.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth certain information on noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands)

The $370,000, or 6.3%, increase in noninterest expense between the year-over-year third quarter periods was principally due to increases in building and occupancy costs, data processing costs, salaries and employee benefits expense, and advertising expenses. The detail of the components of the overall increase in noninterest expense is as follows:

• The increase in building and occupancy costs was primarily due to $30,000 in additional depreciation expense related to recently completed building modernization and refurbishment projects, a $21,000 increase in property taxes, a $16,000 increase in utilities and communications, a $10,000 increase in building and land lease expense, and a $10,000 increase in building and machine maintenance. These increases are consistent with branch and operational growth.
• The $95,000 increase in data processing costs was primarily due to $67,000 in additional depreciation related to recently completed projects and a $32,000 increase in internet banking services. These increases are consistent with branch and operational growth.
• The $84,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to the same three month period in 2018, was primarily due to increases of $142,000 in salary expense and increases of $117,000 in employee benefits expense, including employee payroll tax expenses. Offsetting these increases was an $186,000 decrease in commission expense. Commission expense decreased primarily due to additional
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accruals in the second quarter of 2018 that related to the timing of commissions payments, primarily to the senior management team of the Agency under a revised compensation formula established at the end of 2017. Salaries expense increased primarily as the result of additional staff members supporting current and planned asset growth and risk management activities as well as increased customer service and other operating costs reflecting the ramp-up period for our two new banking locations in Oneida and Onondaga counties. The year-over-year increases in employee benefit expenses were consistent with the salary increases discussed above.

• Advertising expense increased $80,000 primarily as the result of increases in the level of brand awareness advertising expenditures primarily focused on the Onondaga County market.
• All other noninterest expense categories increased $13,000, or 1.1%, in aggregate during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same three month period in 2018.

The $2.0 million, or 11.6%, increase in noninterest expenses between the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 and the same nine month period in the prior year was principally due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, data processing expense, building and occupancy costs, and foreclosed real estate expense. The detail of the components of the overall increase in noninterest expense is as follows:

• The $998,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the same nine month period in 2018, was primarily due to increases of $906,000 in salary expense and increases of $554,000 in employee benefits expense, including employee payroll tax expenses. Offsetting these increases was a $466,000 decrease in commission expenses. Commission expense decreased primarily due to additional accruals in the prior year in the second quarter of 2018 that related to the timing of commissions payments, primarily to the senior management team of the Agency under a revised compensation formula established at the end of 2017. Salaries expense increased primarily as the result of additional staff members supporting current and planned asset growth and risk management activities as well as increased customer service and other operating costs reflecting the ramp-up period for our two new banking locations in Oneida and Onondaga counties. The year-over-year increases in employee benefit expenses were consistent with the salary increases discussed above.
• The $345,000 increase in data processing costs was primarily due to $195,000 in additional depreciation related to recently completed projects, a $78,000 increase in processing fees paid by the Bank that were based on increased levels of customer activity primarily transacted through its electronic delivery channels, a $29,000 increase in maintenance costs, and a $27,000 increase in supplies. These increases are consistent with branch and operational growth.
• The increase in building and occupancy costs was primarily due to $70,000 in additional depreciation expense related to recently completed building modernization and refurbishment projects, a $58,000 increase in utilities and communications, a $42,000 increase in property taxes, a $36,000 increase in building and machine maintenance, and a $29,000 increase in building and land lease expense. These increases are consistent with branch and operational growth.
• Foreclosed real estate expenses increased $231,000 as a result of property taxes paid on a foreclosed property. This foreclosed property was sold in February 2019 and is no longer in foreclosed real estate at September 30, 2019.
• All other noninterest expense categories increased $163,000, or 3.3%, in aggregate for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same nine month period in 2018.

At September 30, 2019, the Bank serviced 193 residential mortgage loans in the aggregate amount of $11.5 million that have been sold on a non-recourse basis to FNMA. FNMA is the only unrelated third-party that has acquired loans originated by the Bank. On an infrequent basis, loans previously sold to FNMA that subsequently default may be found to have underwriting defects that place the loans out of compliance with the representations and warranties made by the Bank. This can occur at any time while the loan is outstanding. In such cases, the Bank is required to repurchase the defaulted loans from FNMA. Repurchase losses sustained by the Bank include all costs incurred by FNMA as part of the foreclosure process, including items such as delinquent property taxes and legal fees. Management continues to monitor the underwriting standards applied to all residential mortgage loan originations and subsequent sales through its quality control processes and considers these occurrences and their related expenses to be isolated instances.

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Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased $167,000 to $324,000, with an effective tax rate of 19.9%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $157,000, with an effective tax rate of 13.6%, for the same three-month period in 2018. The increase in income tax expense in the current quarter, as compared to the same quarter in 2018, was primarily due to the $476,000 increase in pretax income. Further contributing to the increase in income tax expense in the current quarter, as compared to the same quarter in 2018, was the recognition of tax benefits of $41,000 in the third quarter of 2018 that resulted from the cashless exercise of incentive stock options by certain executives of the Company. There were no tax benefits derived from the exercise of these options in the third quarter of 2019.

Income tax expense increased $245,000 to $750,000, with an effective tax rate of 23.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $505,000, with an effective tax rate of 14.6% for the same nine month period in 2018. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company established, through a charge to earnings, a valuation allowance in the amount of $136,000, increasing the Company’s effective tax rate by 4.3%, in order to establish a reserve against deferred tax assets related to New York State income taxes. Effective in January 2018, the Company adopted a modification methodology, made available following changes to the New York State tax code, effecting how the Company’s state income tax liability is computed. Under this adopted methodology, it is unlikely that the Company will pay income taxes to New York in future periods and it is therefore probable that the Company’s deferred tax assets related to New York State income taxes are unlikely to further reduce the Company’s State tax rate in the future. Accordingly, a valuation allowance against the recorded value of those deferred tax assets was established in order to reduce the net deferred tax asset related to New York income taxes to $-0- at September 30, 2019. There were no valuation allowances against deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% due primarily to tax-exempt income from specific types of investment securities and loans, bank owned life insurance, and, to a much lesser degree, the utilization of low income housing credits. In addition, the tax effects of certain incentive stock option activity may also reduce the Company’s effective tax rate on a sporadic basis. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 these effects reduced the Company’s effective tax rate by 0.6%. Excluding the nonrecurring charge related to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, income tax expense in the first nine months of 2019 would have been $109,000 more than the prior period, and the effective tax rate would have been 19.4%. Excluding the nonrecurring charge, the increase in income tax expense and the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to the previous period, was primarily attributable to the recognition of tax benefits of $115,000 in the first nine months of 2018 that resulted from the cashless exercise of incentive stock options by certain executives of the Company.

Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.22 per share for the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $0.23 per basic and diluted share for the same quarter of 2018.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.47 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $0.71 and $0.69, respectively, for the same prior year period. The decrease in earnings per share between these two periods was due to the decrease in net income between these two time periods. Further information on earnings per share can be found in Note 3 of this Form 10-Q.

Changes in Financial Condition

Assets

Total assets increased $123.0 million, or 13.2%, to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2019 as compared to $933.1 million at December 31, 2018. This increase was due primarily to increases in loans, cash and cash equivalents, and in investment securities.

Total loans receivable increased $104.6 million, or 17.1%, to $717.6 million at September 30, 2019 from $613.0 million at December 31, 2018. Commercial loans, consumer loans, and residential loans recorded increases between these two dates, with increases of $53.6 million, $45.5 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.

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Investment securities increased $2.8 million, or 1.2%, to $234.9 million at September 30, 2019, as compared to $232.0 million at December 31, 2018 and is consistent with the Company’s portfolio optimization and liquidity management strategies.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $13.5 million, or 51.1%, to $39.8 million at September 30, 2019, as compared to $26.3 million at December 31, 2018. The $13.5 million increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to a strategic increase in short-term liquidity in anticipation of continued high levels of demand for loan fundings during the fourth quarter of 2019. The Bank considers its statutorily required cash reserve balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank to be restricted cash. Total restricted cash was -$0- and $4.0 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Liabilities

Total liabilities increased $98.3 million, or 11.3%, to $966.9 million at September 30, 2019 compared to $868.7 million at December 31, 2018. Deposits increased $132.5 million, or 18.2%, to $859.6 million at September 30, 2019, compared to $727.1 million at December 31, 2018. This increase was the result of an increase in retail deposits of $40.6 million, primarily due to increases in time deposits. This increase was further enhanced by the seasonally-normal strong deposit inflows related to the Bank’s municipal depositor relationships, which increased $34.4 million. The increase in these customer deposits during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was partially offset by a decrease in business deposits of $8.5 million. Brokered deposits increased $66.1 million primarily as a result of additional brokered time deposits the Bank took on in March 2019 and September 2019. In March 2019, the Bank took on additional brokered time deposits through an unrelated financial institution in the amount of $24.0 million, of which $8.0 million matured. In September 2019, the Bank took on an additional $10.0 million of brokered time deposits from the same unrelated financial institution. The Bank utilizes the Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) provided by Promontory Interfinancial Network and other deposits acquired through unaffiliated financial institutions as forms of brokered deposits. At September 30, 2019, deposits obtained through the use of these services increased $39.1 million to $80.5 million as compared to $41.4 million at December 31, 2018. Borrowed funds balances from the FHLB-NY decreased $39.3 million, or 33.1%, to $79.3 million at September 30, 2019 from $118.5 million at December 31, 2018 as the borrowing needs of the Bank decreased due to the growth in deposits.

Shareholders’ Equity

The Company’s shareholders’ equity, exclusive of the noncontrolling interest, increased $24.7 million, or 38.5%, to $89.0 million at September 30, 2019 from $64.2 million at December 31, 2018. This increase was principally due to the $20.1 million increase in additional paid in capital, a $3.3 million increase in comprehensive income, a $1.2 million increase in retained earnings, and a $135,000 increase in ESOP shares earned. Additional paid in capital increased as a result of the proceeds received from the Private Placement of common and preferred shares that took place in May 2019. Comprehensive income increased primarily as the result of the appreciation in the fair market value of our available-for-sale investment securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The slight increase in retained earnings resulted from $2.4 million in net income recorded in the first nine months of 2019. Partially offsetting the increase in retained earnings was $805,000 in cash dividends declared on our common stock, $139,000 in cash dividends declared on our preferred stock, and $15,000 in cash dividends declared on our issued warrant. In addition, retained earnings was further reduced by a $239,000 one-time adjustment, at January 1, 2019, related to the cumulative effect of the capitalization of the operating lease right-of-use-assets based on the adoption of ASU 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842).

Capital

Capital adequacy is evaluated primarily by the use of ratios which measure capital against total assets, as well as against total assets that are weighted based on defined risk characteristics. The Company’s goal is to maintain a strong capital position, consistent with the risk profile of its banking operations. This strong capital position serves to support growth and expansion activities while at the same time exceeding regulatory standards. At September 30, 2019, the Bank met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” institution, i.e. a leverage capital ratio exceeding 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 8%, Tier 1 common equity exceeding 6.5%, and a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%.

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In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer is separate from the capital ratios required under the Prompt Corrective Actions (“PCA”) standards. In order to avoid these restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum levels of the following capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: (1) Core Capital, (2) Total Capital and (3) Common Equity. The capital conservation buffer requirement is now fully implemented at 2.5% of risk-weighted assets as of January 1, 2019. At September 30, 2019, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios, including the capital buffer requirements.

On May 24, 2018, The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (the “EGRRCPA”) was enacted, which repeals or modifies certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and eases regulations on all but the largest banks. The EGRRCPA’s provisions include, among other things: (i) exempting banks with less than $10 billion in assets from the ability-to-repay requirements for certain qualified residential mortgage loans held in portfolio; (ii) not requiring appraisals for certain transactions valued at less than $400,000 in rural areas; (iii) exempting banks that originate fewer than 500 open-end and 500 closed-end mortgages from HMDA’s expanded data disclosures; (iv) clarifying that, subject to various conditions, reciprocal deposits of another depository institution obtained using a deposit broker through a deposit placement network for purposes of obtaining maximum deposit insurance would not be considered brokered deposits subject to the FDIC’s brokered-deposit regulations; (v) raising eligibility for the 18-month exam cycle from $1 billion to banks with $3 billion in assets; and (vi) simplifying capital calculations by requiring regulators to establish for institutions under $10 billion in assets a community bank leverage ratio (tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets) at a percentage not less than 8% and not greater than 10% that such institutions may elect to replace the general applicable risk-based capital requirements for determining well-capitalized status. The federal banking agencies have set the community bank leverage ratio at 9.0%. The new rule is effective on January 1, 2020. In addition, the law required the Federal Reserve Board to raise the asset threshold under its Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement from $1 billion to $3 billion for bank or savings and loan holding companies that are exempt from consolidated capital requirements, provided that such companies meet certain other conditions such as not engaging in significant nonbanking activities.

Pathfinder Bank’s capital amounts and ratios as of the indicated dates are presented in the following tables:

(Dollars in thousands)

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Regulation G, a rule adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), applies to certain SEC filings, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.” GAAP is generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure (if a comparable GAAP measure exists) and a statement of the Company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures. The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required. Financial institutions like the Company and its subsidiary bank are subject to an array of bank regulatory capital measures that are financial in nature but are not based on GAAP. The Company follows industry practice in disclosing its financial condition under these various regulatory capital measures, including period-end regulatory capital ratios for its subsidiary bank, in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. The Company provides, below, an explanation of the calculations, as supplemental information, for non-GAAP measures included in the consolidated annual financial statements. In addition, the Company provides a reconciliation of its subsidiary bank’s disclosed regulatory capital measures, below.

(Dollars in thousands)

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Loan and Asset Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table represents information concerning the aggregate amount of non-performing assets at the indicated dates:

(Dollars In thousands)

Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans, nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”), and foreclosed real estate (‘‘FRE”). The Company generally places a loan on nonaccrual status and ceases accruing interest when loan payment performance is deemed unsatisfactory and the loan is past due 90 days or more. There are no loans that are past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. Loans are considered modified in a TDR when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company makes a concession(s) to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. These modifications may include, among others, an extension of the term of the loan, and granting a period when interest-only payments can be made, with the principal payments made over the remaining term of the loan or at maturity. TDRs are included in the above table within the categories of nonaccrual loans or accruing TDRs. There was one nonaccruing TDR loan, with an aggregate carrying value of $74,000 included among the nonaccrual loans detailed in the table above at September 30, 2019.

As indicated in the table above, nonperforming assets at September 30, 2019 were $5.5 million and were $2.2 million higher than the $3.3 million reported at December 31, 2018, due primarily to an increase of $3.4 million in nonperforming commercial and commercial real estate loans and a $200,000 increase in nonperforming consumer loans, partially offset by decreases of $1.0 million in FRE and $399,000 in nonperforming residential real estate loans.

As indicated in the nonperforming asset table above, FRE balances decreased $1.0 million to $148,000 at September 30, 2019 from $1.2 million at December 31, 2018, following six sales from the portfolio and three additions to the portfolio during the nine month period ended September 30, 2019. More information regarding foreclosed real estate can be found in Note 8 of this Form 10-Q.

Fair values for commercial FRE are initially recorded based on market value evaluations by third parties, less costs to sell (“initial cost basis”). On a prospective basis, residential FRE assets will be initially recorded at the lower of the net amount of loan receivable or the real estate’s fair value less costs to sell. Any write-downs required when the related loan receivable is exchanged for the underlying real estate collateral at the time of transfer to FRE are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Values are derived from appraisals, similar to impaired loans, of underlying collateral or discounted cash flow analysis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically and assets are marked to current fair value, not to exceed the initial cost basis for the FRE property.

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The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the statement of condition. The allowance for loan losses was $8.3 million and $7.3 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans decreased three basis points to 1.15% at September 30, 2019 from 1.18% at December 31, 2018. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the allowance for loan losses based on quantitative and qualitative factors and has determined that the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb the losses in the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2019.

The Company considers a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan. The measurement of impaired loans is generally based upon the fair value of the collateral, with a portion of the impaired loans measured based upon the present value of future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate. A specific reserve is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of the majority of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral. For loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals or broker price opinions. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the Bank will reevaluate the collateral which secures the loan. For real estate, the Company will obtain a new appraisal or broker’s opinion whichever is considered to provide the most accurate value in the event of sale. An evaluation of equipment held as collateral will be obtained from a firm able to provide such an evaluation. Collateral will be inspected not less than annually for all impaired loans and will be reevaluated not less than every two years. Appraised values and broker opinion values are discounted due to the market’s perception of a reduced price of Bank-owned property and the Bank’s desire to sell the property more quickly to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $8.1 million and $6.0 million in loans, respectively, which were deemed to be impaired, having established specific reserves of $779,000 and $631,000, respectively, on these loans. The increase in impaired loans between these two dates was primarily driven by increases of $1.8 million, $291,000, and $93,000, in impaired commercial real estate, other commercial and industrial loans, and other consumer loans. The $148,000 increase in specific reserves for impaired loans at September 30, 2019, as compared to December 31, 2018 was primarily due to an $84,000 increase in specific reserves for other commercial and industrial loans and an $82,000 increase in specific reserve for commercial lines of credit.

Management has identified potential credit problems which may result in the borrowers not being able to comply with the current loan repayment terms and which may result in those loans being included in future impaired loan reporting. Potential problem loans totaled $14.3 million as of September 30, 2019, a decrease of $297,000, or 2.0%, as compared to $14.6 million at December 31, 2018. These loans have been internally classified as special mention, substandard, or doubtful, yet are not currently considered impaired.

Appraisals are obtained at the time a real estate secured loan is originated. For commercial real estate held as collateral, the property is inspected every two years.

In the normal course of business, the Bank has infrequently sold residential mortgage loans and participation interests in commercial loans. As is typical in the industry, the Bank makes certain representations and warranties to the buyer. The Bank maintains a quality control program for closed loans and considers the risks and uncertainties associated with potential repurchase requirements to be minimal.

Liquidity

Liquidity management involves the Company’s ability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals, maintain reserve requirements, and otherwise operate the Company on an ongoing basis. The Company's primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowed funds, amortization and prepayment of loans and maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. The Company manages the pricing of deposits to maintain a desired deposit composition and balance. In addition, the Company invests excess funds in short-term interest-earning and other assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.

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The Company's liquidity has been enhanced by its ability to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”), whose competitive advance programs and lines of credit provide the Company with a safe, reliable, and convenient source of funds. A significant decrease in deposits in the future could result in the Company having to seek other sources of funds for liquidity purposes. Such sources could include, but are not limited to, additional borrowings, brokered deposits, negotiated time deposits, the sale of "available-for-sale" investment securities, the sale of securitized loans, or the sale of whole loans. Such actions could result in higher interest expense and/or losses on the sale of securities or loans.

Through the first nine months of 2019, as indicated in the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company reported net cash flows from operating activities of $6.6 million and net cash outflows of $105.8 million related to investing activities. The net cash outflows from investing activities primarily was due to a net $106.7 million increase in loan balances, partially offset by a $845,000 decrease in all other investing activities in aggregate. The Company reported net cash flows from financing activities of $112.7 million generated principally by increased deposit balances of $66.5 million, increased brokered deposits balances of $66.0 million, and by net proceeds from the Private Placement offering totaling $19.6 million. This was partially offset by an aggregate decrease in net cash of $39.4 million from all other financing sources, including dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders of $885,000.

The Company has a number of existing credit facilities available to it. At September 30, 2019, total credit available to the Company under the existing lines of credit was approximately $173.9 million at FHLBNY, the Federal Reserve Bank, and two other correspondent banks. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $79.3 million of the available lines of credit utilized, including encumbrances supporting outstanding letters of credit, described above, on its existing lines of credit with $94.6 million available.

The Asset Liability Management Committee of the Company is responsible for implementing the policies and guidelines for the maintenance of prudent levels of liquidity. As of September 30, 2019, management reported to the Board of Directors that the Company is in compliance with its liquidity policy guidelines.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is also a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. At September 30, 2019, the Company had $132.0 million in outstanding commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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