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Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
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Risk Factors (Item 1A)
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Before deciding to invest in us or deciding to maintain or increase your investment, you should carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to the other information contained in this report and in our other filings with the SEC. The risks and uncertainties described below and in our other filings are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. If any of these known or unknown risks or uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriouslyharmed. In that event, the market price for our common stock could decline and you may lose your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Changes to interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our consolidated results of operations depend in large part on net interest income, which is the difference between (i) interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans, leases and securities, and (ii) interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed funds. As a result, our earnings and growth are significantly affected by interest rates, which are subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, to events in the capital markets, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. and the FRB. The nature and timing of any changes in such policies and their effect on us cannot be controlled and are extremely difficult to predict. An increase in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations, which could not only result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures, and charge-offs, but also necessitate further increases to our allowances for loan losses. A decrease in interest rates may trigger loan prepayments, which may serve to reduce net interest income if we are unable to lend those funds to other borrowers or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates.
We may be adversely affected by volatility in U.S. and global economic conditions and changes in fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory policies.
The economy in the U.S. and globally has experienced volatility in recent years and may continue to experience such volatility for the foreseeable future. Unfavorable or uncertain economic conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity, or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability of or increases in the cost of credit and capital; fluctuations in inflation or interest rates; uncertainties regarding fiscal and monetary policies; the timing and impact of changing governmental policies, including changes in guidance and interpretation by regulatory authorities; changes in trade policies by the U.S. or other countries; supply chain disruptions; consumer spending; employment levels; labor shortages; challenging labor market conditions; wage stagnation; U.S. government shutdowns; energy prices; home prices; commercial property values; bankruptcies and a default by a significant market participant or class of counterparties; natural ; climate change; epidemics; pandemics; terrorist attacks; acts of war; or a combination of these or other factors.
Volatile business and economic conditions could have adverse effects on our business, including the following:
• investors may have less confidence in the equity markets in general and in financial services industry stocks in particular, which could place downward pressure on our stock price and resulting market valuation;
• economic and market developments may further affect consumer and business confidence levels and may cause declines in credit usage and adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates;
• our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite loans become less predictive of future behaviors;
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• we could suffer decreases in demand for loans or other financial products and services or decreased deposits or other investments in accounts with us;
• competition in the financial services industry could intensify as a result of the increasing consolidation of financial services companies in connection with current market conditions or otherwise; and
• the value of loans and other assets or collateral securing loans may decrease.
Inflation can have an adverse impact on our business and on our customers.
The future rate of inflation and other economic factors remain uncertain, and the FRB may decrease or increase interest rates slower or faster than anticipated. If inflation increases and interest rates rise, the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, will decrease, although this effect is less pronounced for floating rate instruments. Prolonged periods of elevated inflation also may impact our profitability by negatively impacting our costs and expenses, including increasing funding costs and expenses related to talent acquisition and retention, and negatively impacting the demand for our products and services. Moreover, our customers are affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay their loans.
Our business may be adversely affected by changes in economic conditions in our market area.
Generally, our financial performance, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of the collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is very dependent on the business environment in the markets we operate in locally and the United States as a whole. An economic downturn could result in losses that materially and adversely affect our business. Recessionary economic conditions, increased unemployment, inflation, a decline in real estate values or other factors beyond our control may adversely affect the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and could result in higher loan and lease losses and lower net income for us.
In addition, deterioration, or defaults by issuers of the underlying collateral of our investment securities may cause additional credit-related charges to our income statement. Our ability to borrow from other financial institutions or to access the debt or equity capital markets on favorable terms or at all could be adversely affected by disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations.
If we are unable to access the capital markets, have prolonged net deposit outflows, or our borrowing costs increase, our liquidity and competitive position will be negatively affected.
Liquidity is essential to our business. We must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers. To manage liquidity, we draw upon a number of funding sources in addition to in-market deposit growth and repayments and maturities of loans and investments. Any inability to access the capital markets, illiquidity or volatility in the capital markets, a decrease in value of eligible collateral or an increase in collateral requirements (including as a result of credit concerns for short-term borrowing), changes to our relationships with our funding providers based on real or perceived changes in our risk profile, prolonged federal government shutdowns, or changes in regulations or regulatory guidance, or other events could negatively affect our access to or cost of funding, affecting our ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, or fund asset growth and new business initiatives at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences. Additionally, our liquidity or cost of funds may be negatively impacted by the or of the FRB to act as lender of last resort, simultaneous draws on lines of credit or deposits, the withdrawal of or to attract customer deposits, or increased regulatory liquidity, capital and margin requirements.
Although we maintain a liquid asset portfolio and have implemented strategies to maintain sufficient and diverse sources of funding to accommodate planned, as well as unanticipated, changes in assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet commitments under various economic conditions, a substantial, unexpected, or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on us. If the cost effectiveness or the availability of supply in these credit markets is reduced for a prolonged period of time, our funding needs may require us to access funding and manage liquidity by other means. These alternatives may include generating client deposits, extending the maturity of wholesale borrowings, borrowing under certain secured borrowing arrangements, using relationships developed with a variety of fixed income investors, selling or securitizing loans, and further managing loan growth and investment opportunities. These alternative means of funding may result in an increase to the overall cost of funds and may not be available under stressed conditions, which would cause us to liquidate a portion of our liquid asset portfolio to meet any funding needs.
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We face significant and increasing competition in the financial services industry.
We operate in a highly competitive environment that includes financial and non-financial services firms, including traditional banks, online banks, financial technology companies, wealth management companies and others. These companies compete on the basis of, among other factors, size, quality and type of products and services offered, price, technology and reputation. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (including machine learning and generative artificial intelligence) and quantum computing, have the potential to intensify competition and accelerate disruption in the financial services industry. Financial technology companies now offer services traditionally provided by financial institutions. These firms use technology and mobile platforms to enhance the ability of companies and individuals to borrow money, save and invest. We may not be as timely or successful in assessing the evolving competitive landscape and developing or introducing new products and services as our competitors. Our business may be negatively impacted if we, or our third-party providers, do not timely develop and apply emerging technologies, or if our initiatives in these areas are deficient or fail. Our, or our third-party providers’, inability, or resistance to timely or adapt operations, products and services to evolving regulatory and market environments, industry standards and consumer preferences could result in service , our business and affect our results of operations and reputation.
Development of new products services and technologies may impose additional costs on us and may expose us to increased operational risk.
The introduction of new products and services can entail significant time and resources, including regulatory approvals. Substantial risks and uncertainties are associated with the introduction of new products and services, including technical and control requirements that may need to be developed and implemented, rapid technological change in the industry, our ability to access technical and other information from its clients, the significant and ongoing investments required to bring new products and services to market in a timely manner at competitive prices and the preparation of marketing, sales and other materials that fully and accurately describe the product or service and its underlying risks. Our failure to manage these risks and uncertainties also exposes it to enhanced risk of operational lapses which may result in the recognition of financial statement liabilities. Regulatory and internal control requirements, capital requirements, competitive alternatives, vendor relationships and shifting market preferences may also determine if such initiatives can be brought to market in a manner that is timely and attractive to our clients. Implementation of certain new technologies, such as those related to artificial intelligence, automation and algorithms, may have unintended consequences, including or cybersecurity risk, due to their , potential , or our to use them effectively. to manage these risks in the development and implementation of new products or services could have a material effect on our business and reputation, as well as on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
There have been significant changes to U.S. trade policies, including tariffs affecting many countries and there continues to be significant discussion regarding other potential changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties, and tariffs, including the potential for additional tariffs. In addition, retaliatory tariffs have been imposed and additional retaliatory tariffs are likely. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs or other trade restrictions on products and materials that our customers import or export could cause the prices of our customers’ products to increase.
RISKS RELATED TO CREDIT
If our allowance for credit losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan and lease losses, our earnings may decrease.
We periodically make a determination of an allowance for credit losses based on available information, including, but not limited to, the quality of the loan and lease portfolio as indicated by trends in loan risk ratings, payment performance, economic conditions, the value of the underlying collateral and the level of nonaccruing and criticized loans and leases. Management relies on its loan officers and credit quality reviews, its experience, and its evaluation of economic conditions, among other factors, in determining the amount of provision required for the allowance for credit losses. Provisions to this allowance result in an expense for the period. If, as a result of general economic conditions, previously incorrect assumptions, or an increase in defaulted loans or leases, we determine that additional increases in the allowance for credit losses are necessary, additional expenses may be incurred.
Determining the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and trends, all of which may undergo material changes. We cannot be sure that we will be able to identify deteriorating credits before they become nonperforming assets or that we will be able to limit losses on those loans and leases that are identified. We have in the past been, and in the future may be, required to increase our allowance for credit losses for any of several reasons. State and federal regulators, in reviewing our loan and lease portfolio as part of a regulatory examination, may request that we increase the allowance for credit losses. Changes in economic conditions or
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individual business or personal circumstances affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans and leases, identification of additional problem loans and leases and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses. In addition, our regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for credit losses and may require us to increase the allowance for credit losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to income, or to charge-off loans, which, net of any recoveries, would decrease the allowance for credit losses on loans. Any such additional provisions for credit losses or charge-offs could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our loan and lease portfolios include commercial real estate mortgage loans and commercial loans and leases, including equipment leases, which are generally riskier than other types of loans.
Our commercial real estate and commercial loan and lease portfolios, including equipment leases, currently comprise 77.4% of total loans and leases. Payments on loans secured by commercial real estate are often dependent on the income produced by the underlying properties which, in turn, depends on the successful operation and management of the properties and the businesses that operate within them. Accordingly, repayment of these loans is subject to conditions in the real estate market and the local economy. Commercial loans and leases generally carry larger balances and involve a higher risk of nonpayment or late payment than residential mortgage loans. Most commercial loans and leases are secured by borrower business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and other fixed assets. Compared to real estate, these types of collateral are more difficult to monitor, harder to value, may depreciate more rapidly and may not be as readily saleable if repossessed. Repayment of commercial loans and leases is largely dependent on the business and financial condition of borrowers. Business cash flows are dependent on the demand for the products and services offered by the borrower's business. Such demand may be reduced when economic conditions are weak or when the products and services offered are viewed as less than those offered by competitors. Because of the risks associated with commercial real estate and commercial loans and leases, including equipment leases, we may experience higher rates of than if the portfolio were more heavily weighted toward residential mortgage loans. While we seek to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, there can be no assurance that these measures will protect credit-related .
A portion of our loan portfolio consists of loan participations, which may have a higher risk of loss than loans we originate because we are not the lead lender and we have limited control over credit monitoring.
We occasionally purchase loan participations. Although we underwrite these loan participations consistent with our general underwriting criteria, loan participations may have a higher risk of loss than loans we originate because we are limited in our ability to monitor the performance of the loan and rely significantly on the lead lender. Moreover, our decisions regarding the classification of a loan participation and loan loss provisions associated with a loan participation are made in part based upon information provided by the lead lender. A lead lender also may not monitor a participation loan in the same manner as we would for loans that we originate. At December 31, 2025, we held loan participation interests of $855.6 million.
We are subject to a variety of risks in connection with any sale of loans we may conduct.
We routinely sell newly originated residential mortgage loans and SBA guaranteed business loans, and may also sell other loans or loans portfolios. We may make certain representations and warranties to the purchaser concerning the loans sold and the procedures under which those loans have been originated and serviced. If any of these representations and warranties are invalid, we may be required to refund premiums, indemnify the purchaser for any related costs or losses, or it may be required to repurchase part or all of the affected loans. We may also be required to repurchase loans as a result of borrower fraud or in the event of early payment default by the borrower on a loan we have sold. Our ability to maintain seller/servicer relationships with government agencies and government backed entities may be jeopardized in the event of the emergence of one or more of the above risks. Demand for our loans in the secondary markets could also be affected by these risks, which could lead to a reduction in related business activities.
44 Business Capital’s SBA 7(a) lending program business is dependent upon the U.S. federal government, and we face specific risks associated with originating SBA loans.
44 Business Capital’s SBA 7(a) program lending business is dependent upon the U.S. federal government. Any changes to the SBA program, including but not limited to changes to the level of guarantee provided by the federal government on SBA loans, changes to program specific rules impacting volume eligibility under the guaranty program, as well as changes to the program amounts authorized by Congress or funding for the SBA program may also have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, any default by the U.S. government on its obligations or any prolonged government shutdown could, among other things, impede our ability to originate SBA loans or sell such loans in the secondary market, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, when we originate SBA 7(a) loans, we incur credit risk on the non-guaranteed portion of the loans, and if a customer defaults on a loan, we share any loss and recovery related to the loan pro-rata with the SBA.
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Environmental liability associated with our lending activities could result in losses.
In the course of business, we may acquire, through foreclosure, properties securing loans originated or purchased that are in default. Particularly in commercial real estate lending, there is a risk that material environmental violations could be discovered on these properties. In this event, we might be required to remedy these violations at the affected properties at our sole cost and expense. The cost of remedial action could substantially exceed the value of affected properties. We may not have adequate remedies against the prior owner or other responsible parties and could find it difficult or impossible to sell the affected properties. These events could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
The fair value of our investment securities can fluctuate due to factors outside of our control.
Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions with respect to individual securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and continued instability in the capital markets. Any of these factors, among others, could cause impairments and realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other comprehensive income, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects. The process for determining whether a security is impaired usually requires complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security. Significant negative changes to valuations could result in in the value of our securities portfolio, which could have an effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Potential downgrades of U.S. government securities by one or more of the credit ratings agencies could have a material adverse effect on our operations, earnings, and financial condition.
A possible future downgrade of the sovereign credit rating of the U.S. government and a decline in the perceived creditworthiness of U.S. government-related obligations could impact our ability to obtain funding that is collateralized by affected instruments, as well as affect the pricing of that funding when it is available. A downgrade may also adversely affect the market value of such instruments. We cannot predict if, when or how any changes to the credit ratings or perceived creditworthiness of these organizations will affect economic conditions. Such ratings actions could result in a significant adverse impact on us. Among other things, a downgrade in the U.S. government’s credit rating could adversely impact the value of our securities portfolio and may trigger requirements that we post additional collateral for trades relative to these securities. A downgrade of the sovereign credit rating of the U.S. government or the credit ratings of related institutions, agencies or instruments could significantly exacerbate the other risks to which we are subject and any related effects on the business, financial condition, and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO LIQUIDITY
Loss of deposits or a change in deposit mix could increase our cost of funding.
Deposits are a low cost and stable source of funding. We compete with banks and other financial institutions for deposits. Funding costs may increase if we lose deposits and are forced to replace them with more expensive sources of funding, if clients shift their deposits into higher cost products, or if we need to raise interest rates to avoid losing deposits. Higher funding costs reduce our net interest margin, net interest income and net income.
Wholesale funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits at maturity and support our operations and future growth.
We and the Bank must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers. To manage liquidity, we draw upon a number of funding sources in addition to core deposit growth and repayments and maturities of loans and investments. These sources include FHLB advances, proceeds from the sale of investments and loans, and liquidity resources at the holding company. Our ability to manage liquidity will be severely constrained if we are unable to maintain access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable costs. In addition, if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, our revenues may not increase proportionately to cover our costs. In this case, operating margins and profitability would be adversely affected. Turbulence in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition and the willingness of certain counterparties and customers to do business with us.
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Potential deterioration in the performance or financial position of the FHLB might restrict our funding needs and may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Significant components of our liquidity needs are met through our access to funding pursuant to our membership in the FHLB. The FHLB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for joining the FHLB is to obtain funding. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. Any deterioration in the FHLB’s performance or financial condition may affect our ability to access funding and/or require us to deem the required investment in FHLB stock to be impaired. If we are not able to access funding through the FHLB, we may not be able to meet our liquidity needs, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Similarly, if we deem all or part of our investment in FHLB stock impaired, such action could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. If such events were to occur again in the future and result in the receivership of financial institutions, there is no guarantee that the systemic risk exception would be invoked to allow the FDIC to complete its resolution of such financial institutions in a manner that fully protects depositors or counterparties.
We have exposure to a number of different counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, other commercial banks, investment banks, and other financial institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or customer. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be liquidated or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our ability to service our debt and pay dividends is dependent on capital distributions from the Bank, and these distributions are subject to regulatory limits and other restrictions.
We are a legal entity that is separate and distinct from the Bank. Our revenue (on a parent company only basis) is derived primarily from dividends paid to us by the Bank. Our right, and consequently the right of our shareholders, to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Bank through the payment of such dividends or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank (including depositors), except to the extent that certain claims of ours in a creditor capacity may be recognized. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of the Bank and other factors, that applicable regulatory authorities could assert that payment of dividends or other payments is an unsafe or unsound practice. If the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt or pay dividends on our common stock. Further, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or service our debt could be restricted if we do not maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital. A reduction or elimination of dividends could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and would affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See Item 1, “Business-Supervision and Regulation-Dividend Restrictions” and “Business-Supervision and Regulation-Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness-Regulatory Capital Requirements.”
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
Damage to our reputation could significantly harm our business, including our competitive position and business prospects.
We are dependent on our reputation within our market area, as a trusted and responsible financial services company, for all aspects of our business with customers, employees, vendors, third-party service providers, and others, with whom we conduct business or potential future businesses. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally (including the types of banking and other services that we provide) or us specifically could adversely affect our reputation and our ability to keep and attract customers and employees. Our actual or perceived failure to address various issues could give rise to negative public opinion and reputational risk that could cause harm to us and our business prospects. These issues include, but are not limited to, legal and regulatory requirements; properly maintaining customer and employee personal information; record keeping; money-laundering; sales and trading practices; ethical issues; appropriately addressing potential conflicts of interest; and the proper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products. Failure to appropriately address any of these issues could also give rise to additional regulatory restrictions and legal risks,
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which could, among other consequences, increase the size and number of litigationclaims and damages asserted or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties and cause us to incur related costs and expenses.
The proliferation of social media websites utilized by us and other third parties, as well as the personal use of social media by our employees and others, including personal blogs and social network profiles, also may increase the risk that negative, inappropriate or unauthorized information may be posted or released publicly that could harm our reputation or have other negative consequences, including as a result of our employees interacting with our customers in an unauthorized manner in various social media outlets. Any damage to our reputation could affect our ability to retain and develop the business relationships necessary to conduct business, which in turn could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, and the market price of our common stock.
We may be unable to attract and retain qualified key employees, which could adversely affect our business prospects, including our competitive position and results of operations.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled individuals. There is significant competition for those individuals with the experience and skills required to conduct many of our business activities. We may not be able to hire or retain the key personnel that we depend upon for success. The unexpectedloss of services of one or more of these or other key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of the markets in which we operate, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel. Frequently, we compete in the market for talent with entities that are not subject to comprehensive regulation, including with respect to the structure of incentive compensation. Our inability to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees could adversely impact our business.
We face continuing and growing security risks to our data, including the information we maintain relating to our customers.
In the ordinary course of business, we rely on electronic communications and information systems to conduct our business and to store sensitive data, including financial information regarding customers. Our electronic communications and information systems infrastructure, as well as the systems infrastructures of the third-party vendors we use to meet our data processing and communication needs, could be susceptible to cyberattacks, such as denial of service attacks, hacking, terrorist activities or identity theft. Financial services institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other means. Denial of service attacks have been launched against a number of large financial services institutions. Hacking and identity theft risks, in particular, could cause reputational . Notwithstanding the of measures, cybersecurity and the tactics, techniques and procedures used in change, develop and evolve rapidly and continuously, including from growth in third-party services that facilitate or carry out and from emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, which may be used to the tactics, techniques and procedures described above and facilitate new cyber . Although to date we have not experienced any material relating to or other information security , there can be no assurance that we will not such in the future. A or of our security systems could have a material effect on our business operations and financial condition.
We regularly assess and test our security systems and disaster preparedness, including back-up systems, but the risks are ongoing. As a result, cybersecurity and the continued enhancement of our controls and processes to protect our systems, data and networks from attacks, unauthorized access or significant damage remain a priority. Accordingly, we may be required to expend additional resources to enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or exposures. Any breach of our system security could result in disruption of our operations, unauthorized access to confidential customer information, significant regulatory costs, litigation exposure and other possible damages, loss or liability. Such costs or losses could exceed the amount of available insurance coverage, if any, and would affect our earnings. Also, any to prevent a security or to quickly and effectively deal with such a could impact customer confidence, our reputation and our ability to attract and keep customers.
We may not be able to successfully implement future information technology system enhancements, which could adversely affect our business operations and profitability.
We invest significant resources in information technology system enhancements in order to provide functionality and security at an appropriate level. We may not be able to successfully implement and integrate future system enhancements, which could adversely impact the ability to provide timely and accurate financial information in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, which could result in sanctions from regulatory authorities. Such sanctions could include fines and suspension of trading in our stock, among others. In addition, future system enhancements could have higher than expected
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costs and/or result in operating inefficiencies, which could increase the costs associated with the implementation as well as ongoing operations.
Failure to properly utilize system enhancements that are implemented in the future could result in impairment charges that adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations and could result in significant costs to remediate or replace the defective components. In addition, we may incur significant training, licensing, maintenance, consulting, and amortization expenses during and after systems implementations, and any such costs may continue for an extended period of time.
We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure.
Third party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure, such as internet connections, network access and core application processing. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control them or their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers or otherwise conduct our business efficiently and effectively. Replacing these third party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.
We may incur significant losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through a risk and control framework encompassing a variety of separate but complementary financial, credit, operational, compliance, and legal reporting systems; internal controls; management review processes; and other mechanisms. In some cases, management of our risks depends upon the use of analytical and/or forecasting tools and techniques, which, in turn, rely on assumptions and estimates. If these tools and techniques used to mitigate these risks are inadequate, or the assumption or estimates are inaccurate or otherwise flawed, we may fail to adequately protect against risks and may incur losses. While we believe that we have adopted appropriate management and compliance programs, compliance risks will continue to exist, particularly as we anticipate and adapt to new and evolving laws, rules and regulations and evolving interpretations by regulatory authorities. In addition there may be risks that exist, or that develop in the future, that we have not appropriately anticipated, identified or mitigated, which could lead to unexpectedlosses and our results of operations or financial condition could be materially affected.
Our internal controls, procedures and policies may fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well-designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in tax laws and regulations and differences in interpretation of tax laws and regulations may adversely impact our financial statements.
From time to time, local, state, or federal tax authorities change tax laws and regulations, which may result in a decrease or increase to our net deferred tax assets. Local, state, or federal tax authorities may interpret tax laws and regulations differently than we do and challenge tax positions that we have taken on tax returns. This may result in differences in the treatment of revenues, deductions, credits, and/or differences in the timing of these items. The differences in treatment may result in payment of additional taxes, interest or penalties that could have a material adverse effect on our results.
Natural disasters, acts of terrorism, future pandemics and other external events could harm our business.
Natural disasters can disrupt our operations, result in damage to our properties, reduce or destroy the value of the collateral for our loans and negatively affect the economies in which we operate, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. A significant natural disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, fire, or flood, could have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct business, and our insurance coverage may be insufficient to compensate for losses that may occur. Acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, or future pandemics could cause disruptions to our business or the economy as a whole. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material effect on our business, operations and financial condition.
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RISKS RELATED TO ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND ASSUMPTIONS
Our financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates, which, if wrong, could cause unexpectedlosses in the future.
Pursuant to GAAP, we are required to use certain assumptions and estimates in preparing our financial statements, including in determining loan loss and litigation reserves, goodwill impairment and the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, among other items. If assumptions or estimates underlying our financial statements are incorrect, we may experience material losses. See the "Critical Accounting Policies" section in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Changes in accounting standards can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or "FASB", changes the financial accounting and reporting principles that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes can be hard to anticipate and implement, and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in our restating prior period financial statements. Additionally, significant changes to accounting standards may require costly technology changes, additional training and personnel, and other expense that will negatively impact our results of operations.
We may be required to write down goodwill and other acquisition-related identifiable intangible assets.
When we acquire a business, a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition may be allocated to goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired determines the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to goodwill acquired. During 2025, we recorded $110.4 million of goodwill in connection with the Transaction. As of December 31, 2025, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets were $541.2 million. Under current accounting guidance, if we determine that goodwill or intangible assets are impaired, we would be required to write down the value of these assets. We conduct an annual review to determine whether goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets are impaired. We conduct a quarterly review for indicators of impairment of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company wrote off the trade name associated with BankRI in connection with the Bank Mergers. The expense was recorded in merger and restructuring expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. There were no impairmentlosses relating to other acquisition-related intangible assets recorded during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. We cannot provide assurance whether we will be required to take an charge in the future. Any charge would have a effect on stockholders' equity and financial results and may cause a in our stock price.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
We operate in a highly regulated industry, and laws and regulations, or changes in them, could limit or restrict our activities and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
We and the Bank are subject to extensive state and federal regulation and supervision. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters affecting us, including changes in the ownership or control of banks and bank holding companies, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. The FRB and the state banking regulators have the power to issue cease and desist orders to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulation, and the FRB possesses similar powers with respect to bank holding companies. Further, we expect to become subject to future laws, rules, and regulations beyond those currently proposed, adopted or contemplated in the U.S., as well as evolving interpretations of existing and future laws, rules and regulations. These and other restrictions limit the manner in which we and our banking subsidiaries may conduct business and obtain financing.
Various federal banking laws and regulations, including rules adopted by the FRB pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, impose additional requirements on bank holding companies with total assets of at least $10 billion. In addition, banks with total assets of at least $10 billion are primarily examined by the CFPB with respect to federal consumer protection laws and regulations. As of December 31, 2025, the Company and the Bank had total assets of $23.2 billion and $23.1 billion, respectively. As a result, we are subject to additional requirements including, but not limited to, establishing a dedicated risk committee of our Board of Directors, calculating our FDIC deposit insurance assessment using the large bank pricing rule and more frequent regulatory examinations. We have incurred significant expenses in connection with these compliance obligations and expect to continue to incur expenses to address heightened regulatory requirements.
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The laws, rules, regulations, and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. These changes could, among other things, subject us to additional costs, including costs of compliance; limit the types of financial services and products we may offer; and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies, or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties, and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. See the "Supervision and Regulation" section of Item 1, "Business."
We are subject to numerous laws designed to protect consumers, including the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to a wide variety of sanctions.
The CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other fair lending laws and regulations impose community investment and nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The CFPB, the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act or other fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, restrictions on expansion and restrictions on entering new business lines. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may become subject to enforcements actions even though noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional.
The financial services industry is subject to intense scrutiny from bank supervisors in the examination process and aggressive enforcement of federal and state regulations, particularly with respect to mortgage-related practices and other consumer compliance matters, and compliance with anti-money laundering, BSA and OFAC regulations, and economic sanctions against certain foreign countries and nationals. Enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. We maintain systems and procedures designed to ensure that we comply with applicable laws and regulations; however, some legal/regulatory frameworks provide for the imposition of fines or penalties for noncompliance even though the noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional and even though there was in place at the time systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance. to comply with these and other regulations, and supervisory expectations related thereto, may result in , , lawsuits, regulatory sanctions, reputation , or restrictions on our business.
We face significant legal risks, both from regulatory investigations and proceedings and from private actions brought against us.
As a participant in the financial services industry, many aspects of our business involve substantial risk of legal liability. From time to time, customers and others make claims and take legal action pertaining to the performance of our responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the performance of our responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to us, they may result in significant expenses, attention from management and financial liability. Any financial liability or reputational damage could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. There is no assurance that litigation with private parties will not increase in the future. Actions currently pending against us may result in judgments, settlements, fines, , or other results to us, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, or cause reputational to us.
The FRB may require us to commit capital resources to support the Bank.
Federal law requires that a holding company act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the FRB may require a holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may require the holding company to borrow the funds or raise capital. Any loans by a holding company to its subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by us to make a required capital injection becomes more and expensive and could have an effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We are subject to stringent capital requirements which may adversely impact return on equity, require additional capital raises, or limit the ability to pay dividends or repurchase shares.
Federal regulations establish minimum capital requirements for insured depository institutions, including minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, and define “capital” for calculating these ratios. The minimum capital requirements are: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. The regulations also establish a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5%, which if complied will result in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 8.5%; and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the capital conservation buffer amount. The application of these capital requirements could, among other things, require us to maintain higher capital resulting in lower returns on equity, and we may be required to obtain additional capital to comply or result in regulatory actions if we are unable to comply with such requirements. See Item 1, “Business-Supervision and Regulation-Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness-Regulatory Capital Requirements.”
RISKS RELATED TO THE TRANSACTION
We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction.
The success of the Transaction will depend on, among other things, the ability to realize the anticipated cost savings. To realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from the Transaction, we must successfully integrate and combine the legacy Brookline and Berkshire businesses in a manner that permits those cost savings to be realized without adversely affecting current revenues and future growth. If we are not able to successfullyachieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Transaction may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the Transaction could be less than anticipated, and integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of the Company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Transaction. Integration efforts may also management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an effect on the Company for an period after completion of the Transaction. An to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, as well as any and issues encountered in the integration process, could have an effect upon our revenues, levels of expenses and operating results.
We may be unable to retain personnel successfully following the Transaction.
The success of the Transaction will depend in part on our ability to retain the talents and dedication of key employees of the legacy Brookline and Berkshire businesses. It is possible that these employees may decide not to remain with the Company. If we are unable to retain key employees, including management, who are critical to the successful integration and future operations of the companies, we could face disruptions in its operations, loss of existing customers, loss of key information, expertise or know-how and unanticipated additional recruitment costs. In addition, if key employees terminate their employment, our business activities may be adversely affected and management’s attention may be diverted from successfully integrating the legacy Brookline and Berkshire businesses to hiring suitable replacements, all of which may cause our business to . In addition, we may not be to locate or retain suitable replacements for any key employees who leave.
Our future results following our recently completed Transaction may suffer if the combined company does not effectively manage its expanded operations.
The size of our business increased significantly as a result of the Transaction. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage this expanded business, which may pose challenges for management, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new operations and associated increased costs and complexity. We may also face increased scrutiny from governmental authorities as a result of the increased size of our business. There can be no assurances that we will be successful or that we will realize the expected operating efficiencies, revenue enhancement or other benefits currently anticipated from the Transaction.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNING OUR COMMON STOCK
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:
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• quarterly variations in our operating results or the quality of our assets;
• operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors;
• changes in expectations as to our future financial performance;
• announcements of innovations, new products, strategic developments, significant contracts, acquisitions and other material events by us or our competitors;
• the operating and securities price performance of other companies that investors believe are comparable to us;
• our past and future dividend practices;
• future sales of our equity or equity-related securities; and
• changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as interest rates, stock, commodity or real estate valuations or volatility.
Future capital offerings may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources or, if the Bank's capital ratios fall below required minimums, we could be forced to raise additional capital by making additional offerings of debt, common or preferred stock, trust preferred securities, and senior or subordinated notes. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of our future offerings. Moreover, we cannot assure you that such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Our inability to raise sufficient additional capital on acceptable terms when needed could adversely affect our businesses, financial condition, and results of operations.
Provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Delaware Law, as Well as State and Federal Banking Regulations, Could Delay or Prevent a Takeover of Us by a Third Party.
Provisions in the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the corporate law of the State of Delaware, and state and federal regulations could delay, defer, or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit stockholders, or otherwise adversely affect the price of its common stock. These provisions include: limitations on voting rights of beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of common stock; supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations; the election of directors to terms of one year; and advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the Board of Directors and for proposing matters that stockholders may act on at stockholder meetings. In addition, the Company is subject to Delaware laws, including one that prohibits engaging in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years from the date the person became an interested stockholder unless certain conditions are met. These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for the Company's common stock at a premium over market price or affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, its common stock. These provisions could also proxy contests and make it more for stockholders to elect directors other than the candidates nominated by the Board of Directors.
MD&A (Item 7)
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
Beacon Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is the holding company for Beacon Bank & Trust and its subsidiaries and Clarendon Private.
The Company offers a wide range of commercial, business and retail banking services, including a full complement of cash management products, foreign exchange services, on-line and mobile banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment advisory services. Clarendon Private is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Through Clarendon Private and the Trust and Investments Division of the Bank, the Company offers a wide range of wealth management services to individuals, families, endowments and foundations to help these clients meet their long-term financial goals.
As a full-service financial institution with 147 banking offices throughout New England and New York, the Bank and its subsidiaries focus their efforts on developing and deepening long-term banking relationships with qualified customers through a full complement of products, excellent customer service, and strong risk management.
The competition for loans and leases and deposits remains , with growth and pricing influenced by the FRB's interest rate-setting actions. Management's scenario analysis of deposit sensitivity to the current rate environment and customer demand for non-depository investment alternatives suggests further deposit mix migration and increased sensitivity to interest rates.
As the interest rate environment resets to a more normal, upward-sloping yield curve with shorter-term interest rates lower than longer term interest rates, management expects the net interest margin to increase modestly. This is due to deposit and wholesale funding costs repricing at lower rates, while loans do not reprice at the same magnitude, as well as the accretions from the purchase accounting marks. If both short- and long-term interest rates fall, net interest income models, using a projected flat balance sheet with stable deposit balances, forecast that a parallel decrease in rates will have a negative impact on the Company's net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin. While the Company's current asset sensitivity rate is approximately 40%, shifting to a more asset sensitive balance sheet could have additional pressure on interest margins.
As discussed above, changes in interest rates could also precipitate a change in the mix and volume of the Company's deposits and loans. The future operating results of the Company will depend on its ability to maintain or increase the current net interest income, manage credit risk, increase sources of non-interest income, while managing non-interest expenses.
The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BBT.”
Executive Overview
Balance Sheet
Total assets increased $11.3 billion, or 95.0%, to $23.2 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $11.9 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to the assets assumed in the Transaction. The Transaction created a $23 billion Northeast franchise by combining Legacy Berkshire’s stable, more rural funding base with Legacy Brookline’s commercial lending focus in metro markets. The highly-complementary geographic footprints had minimal branch overlap ensuring minimal market disruption while also providing business diversification, fee income opportunities and improved competitive positioning. The Transaction also created meaningful near-term cost synergies while positioning the Company to benefit from future economies of scale.
Total loans and leases increased $8.3 billion, or 84.4%, to $18.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $9.8 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to the loans assumed in the Transaction partially offset by the sales of $332.6 million of purchased mortgage loans acquired in the Transaction. The Company's commercial loan portfolios, which are comprised of commercial real estate loans and commercial loans and leases, totaled $14.0 billion, or 77.4% of total loans and leases as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $5.7 billion, or 69.8%, from $8.2 billion, or 84.1% of total loans and leases, as of December 31, 2024.
Total investment securities increased $0.8 billion, or 88.7%, to $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $0.9 billion as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to investment securities assumed in the Transaction partially offset by the sale of $176.4 million of the Legacy Berkshire's investment portfolio during the third quarter.
Cash and cash equivalents increased $1.5 billion, or 275.5%, to $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $0.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to cash and equivalents assumed in the Transaction and an increased payroll deposit balance at December 31, 2025.
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Total deposits increased $10.6 billion, or 119.2%, to $19.5 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $8.9 billion as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to the deposits assumed in the Transaction. Core deposits, which include demand checking, NOW, non-payroll money market and savings accounts, totaled $13.1 billion, or 67.0% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $6.9 billion, or 112.6%, from $6.1 billion, or 69.1% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. Payroll deposits totaled $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2025, all of which was assumed in the Transaction. Certificate of deposit balances totaled $4.2 billion, or 21.3% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $2.3 billion, or 120.5%, from $1.9 billion, or 21.2% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. Brokered deposit balances totaled $0.4 billion, or 2.1% of total deposits as of December 31, 2025, a decrease of $0.5 billion, or 52.8%, from $0.9 billion, or 9.8% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024.
Total borrowed funds decreased $731.5 million, or 48.1%, to $788.4 million as of December 31, 2025 from $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2024 as combined liquidity as a result of the Transaction and the increase in deposits allowed for reduction in borrowings.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2025 totaled $116.7 million, or 0.50% of total assets, compared to $70.5 million, or 0.59% of total assets, as of December 31, 2024. Total net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $37.6 million, or 0.30% of average loans and leases, compared to $28.2 million, or 0.29% of average loans and leases, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase of $46.2 million in nonperforming assets was primarily driven by the Transaction.
The ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases was 1.40% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 1.28% as of December 31, 2024.
The ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to nonaccrual loans and leases was 221.49% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 180.37% as of December 31, 2024.
Capital Strength
The Company is a "well-capitalized" bank holding company as defined in the FRB's Regulation Y. The Company's common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.95% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 10.46% as of December 31, 2024. The Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.25% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 9.06% as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the Company's Tier 1 risk-based ratio was 11.12%, compared to 10.56% as of December 31, 2024. The Company's total risk-based ratio was 13.01% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 12.42% as of December 31, 2024.
The Company's ratio of stockholders' equity to total assets was 10.75% and 10.26% as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company's tangible equity ratio was 8.62% and 8.27% as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Net Income
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported net income of $90.3 million, or $1.03 per basic and diluted share, an increase of $21.6 million, or 31.4%, from $68.7 million, or $0.77 per basic and diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net income is primarily the result of an increase in net interest income of $173.5 million and an increase in non-interest income of $24.3 million, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $147.9 million driven by merger costs, an increase in the provision for credit losses on loans of $19.4 million, and an increase in the provision for income taxes of $8.6 million.
The return on average assets was 0.59% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 0.60% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The return on average stockholders' equity was 5.44% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 5.67% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Net interest margin was 3.56% for the year ended December 31, 2025, up from 3.06% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net interest margin is a result of a decrease of 54 basis points in the Company's cost of interest bearing liabilities to 3.05% in 2025 from 3.59% in 2024, and an increase in the yield on interest-earning assets of 4 basis points to 5.87% in 2025 from 5.83% in 2024.
Results for 2025 included a provision for credit losses of $41.4 million, as discussed in the "Allowance for Credit Losses—Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses" section below.
Non-interest income increased $24.3 million to $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was driven by four months of combined Company activity in 2025.
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Non-interest expense increased $147.9 million to $389.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $241.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was largely attributable to an increase of $57.5 million in merger and restructuring expense and increases in all other non-interest expense categories for the four months of combined Company activity in 2025.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The accounting policies described below are considered critical to understanding the Company's financial condition and operating results. Such accounting policies are considered to be especially important because they involve a higher degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. The use of different judgments, assumptions and estimates could result in material differences in the Company's operating results or financial condition.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Description. The allowance for credit losses represents management's estimate of expected losses over the life of the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan and lease losses and reserve for unfunded commitments, which are classified as a contra-asset and liability within other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are made by charges to the provision for credit losses. Losses on loans and leases are deducted from the allowance when all or a portion of a loan or lease is considered uncollectible. The determination of the loans on which full collectability is not reasonably assured, the estimates of the fair value of the underlying collateral, and the assessment of economic and other conditions are subject to assumptions and judgments by management. Valuation allowances could differ materially as a result of changes in, or different interpretations of, these assumptions and judgments.
Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis and reviews its conclusion as to the amount to be established with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
Judgments and Uncertainties. In estimating the allowance for credit losses, the Company relies on models and economic forecasts developed by external parties as the primary driver of the allowance for credit losses. These models and forecasts are based on nationwide sets of data. As a result, the Company has calibrated the output of these models to match the performance of a relevant set of peer institutions during the development dataset in order to make the results more relevant to the Company. Additionally, economic forecasts can change significantly over an economic cycle and have a significant level of uncertainty associated with them. The performance of the models is dependent on the variables used in the models being reasonable proxies for the portfolio’s performance; however, these variables may not capture all sources of risk within the portfolio. As a result, management reviews the results and makes qualitative adjustments to the models to capture limitations of the models as necessary. Such qualitative factors may include adjustments to better capture the risk of specialty lending portfolios, the imprecision associated with the economic forecasts, and the ability of the models to capture emerging risks within the portfolio that may not be represented in the historical dataset. These judgments are thoroughly evaluated through management’s review process, and revised on a quarterly basis to account for changes in the facts and circumstances of the portfolio.
Effect If Actual Results Differ From Assumptions. The allowance for credit losses is a reflection of the Company’s best estimate of loss based on a forecast of future conditions as of a point in time. Conditions in the future may vary from those forecasts, causing realized losses to be either higher or lower than forecasted, which will result in either additional provisions from income or a benefit to income based on the performance of the portfolio.
Business Combinations
Business combinations are generally accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting whereby assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. The determination of fair value may involve the use of internal or third-party valuation specialists to assist in the determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities at the acquisition date, including loans and leases and core deposit intangible. The excess of the cost of acquisition over these fair values is recognized as goodwill. A description of the valuation methodologies used to estimate the fair values of the significant assets acquired and liabilities assumed can be found in Note 2, "Business Combinations" within the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures" to enhance the annual income tax disclosure requirements. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted ASU 2023-09 as of January 1, 2025. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
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In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-08, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans". This ASU aligns the initial recognition of the allowance for loan losses on purchased loans between PCD and non‑PCD assets by applying the gross‑up approach previously required only for PCD loans. The Company elected to adopt this ASU, effective January 1, 2025, and applied it to the Transaction completed in the third quarter, as permitted under the guidance.
See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding recent accounting developments.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation to GAAP
In addition to evaluating the Company’s results of operations in accordance with GAAP, management periodically supplements this evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as the operating earnings metrics, the return on average tangible assets, return on average tangible equity, the tangible stockholders' equity, tangible equity ratio, tangible book value per share and dividend payout ratio. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding the Company’s underlying operating performance and trends, and facilitates comparisons with the performance assessment of financial performance, including non-interest expense control, while the tangible equity ratio and tangible book value per share are used to analyze the relative strength of the Company’s capital position.
The methodologies used by the Company for determining the non-GAAP financial measures discussed above may differ from those used by other financial institutions.
Operating Earnings
Operating earnings exclude the after-tax impact of securities gains, the Day 1 CECL provision and merger and restructuring expense. By excluding such items, the Company's results can be measured and assessed on a more consistent basis from period to period. Items excluded from operating earnings are also excluded when calculating the operating return and operating efficiency ratios.
The following table summarizes the Company's operating earnings and operating earnings per share ("EPS") for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Net income, as reported
Less:
Security (losses) gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax) (1)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax) (2)
Operating earnings
Earnings per share, as reported
Less:
Security gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax) (1)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax) (2)
Operating earnings per share
(1) The 2025 Merger Day1 CECL provision on unfunded commitments was related to the Transaction. The 2023 Merger Day1 CECL provision was related to the acquisition of PCSB in the first quarter of 2023.
(2) The 2025 Merger and restructuring expense was related to the Transaction The 2024 Merger and restructuring expense was related to a non-recurring restructuring charge due to the exit of the specialty vehicle business at Eastern Funding. The 2023 and 2022 Merger and restructuring expense was related to the acquisition of PCSB in the first quarter of 2023.
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The following table summarizes the Company's operating return on average assets, operating return on average tangible assets, operating return on average stockholders' equity and operating return on average tangible stockholders' equity for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Operating earnings
Average total assets
Less: Average goodwill and average identified intangible assets, net
Average tangible assets
Return on average assets
Less:
Security gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax)
Operating return on average assets
Return on average tangible assets
Less:
Security gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax)
Operating return on average tangible assets
Average total stockholders' equity
Less: Average goodwill and average identified intangible assets, net
Average tangible stockholders' equity
Return on average stockholders' equity
Less:
Security gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax)
Operating return on average stockholders' equity
Return on average tangible stockholders' equity
Less:
Security gains (after-tax)
Add:
Merger Day 1 CECL provision (after tax)
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Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Merger and restructuring expense (after-tax)
Operating return on average tangible stockholders' equity
The following table summarizes the Company’s return on average tangible assets and return on average tangible stockholders’ equity for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net income, as reported
Average total assets
Less: Average goodwill and average identified intangible assets, net
Average tangible assets
Return on average tangible assets
Average total stockholders' equity
Less: Average goodwill and average identified intangible assets, net
Average tangible stockholders' equity
Return on average tangible stockholders' equity
The following table summarizes the Company's tangible equity ratio for the periods indicated:
At December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Total stockholders' equity
Less: Goodwill and identified intangible assets, net
Tangible stockholders' equity
Total assets
Less: Goodwill and identified intangible assets, net
Tangible assets
Tangible equity ratio
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The following table summarizes the Company's tangible book value per share for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Tangible stockholders' equity
Common shares issued
Less:
Treasury shares
Unallocated ESOP
Unvested restricted stock
Common shares outstanding
Tangible book value per share
The following table summarizes the Company's dividend payout ratio for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Dividends paid
Net income, as reported
Dividend payout ratio
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Financial Condition
Loans and Leases
The following table summarizes the Company's portfolio of loan and lease receivables as of the dates indicated:
At December 31,
Balance
Percent
of Total
Balance
Percent
of Total
Balance
Percent
of Total
Balance
Percent
of Total
Balance
Percent
of Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate loans:
Commercial real estate
Multi-family mortgage
Construction
Total commercial real estate loans
Commercial loans and leases:
Commercial
Equipment financing
Total commercial loans and leases
Consumer loans:
Residential mortgage
Home equity
Other consumer
Total consumer loans
Total loans and leases
Allowance for loan and lease losses
Net loans and leases
The following table sets forth the growth in the Company’s loan and lease portfolios during the year ending December 31, 2025:
At December 31,
At December 31,
Dollar Change
Percent Change
(Annualized)
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total loans and leases
Total core loans and leases
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The following table presents the maturity distribution of the Company's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025
1 Year or Less
After 1-5 Years
After 5-15 Years
After 15 Years
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
The following table presents the distribution of the Company's loans that were due after one year between fixed and variable interest rates as of December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025
Fixed
Variable
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
The Company's loan portfolio consists primarily of first mortgage loans secured by commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located in the Company's primary lending area, loans to business entities, including commercial lines of credit, loans to condominium associations and loans and leases used to finance equipment used by small businesses. The Company also provides financing for construction and development projects, home equity and other consumer loans.
The Company employs seasoned commercial lenders and retail bankers who rely on community and business contacts as well as referrals from customers, attorneys and other professionals to generate loans and deposits. Existing borrowers are also an important source of business since many of them have more than one loan outstanding with the Company. The Company's ability to originate loans depends on the strength of the economy, trends in interest rates, and levels of customer demand and market competition.
The Company's current policy is that the total credit exposure to one obligor relationship may not exceed $90.0 million unless approved by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Credit Officer, or Management Loan Committee. As of December 31, 2025, there was one borrower with commitments over $90.0 million. The total of those commitments was $94.9 million or 0.8% of total loans and commitments as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's maximum credit exposure without the approval of the Credit Committee, a committee of Legacy Brookline's Board of Directors, was $60.0 million and there were four borrowers with loans and commitments over $60.0 million. The total of those loans and commitments was $267.3 million, or 2.3% of total loans and commitments, as of December 31, 2024.
The Company has written underwriting policies to control the inherent risks in loan origination. The policies address approval limits, loan-to-value ratios, appraisal requirements, debt service coverage ratios, loan concentration limits and other matters relevant to loan underwriting.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
The commercial real estate portfolio is comprised of commercial real estate loans, multi-family mortgage loans, and construction loans and is the largest component of the Company's overall loan portfolio, representing 55.5% of total loans and leases outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
Typically, commercial real estate loans are larger in size and involve a greater degree of risk than owner-occupied residential mortgage loans. Loan repayment is usually dependent on the successful operation and management of the properties and the value of the properties securing the loans. Economic conditions can greatly affect cash flows and property values.
A number of factors are considered in originating commercial real estate and multi-family mortgage loans. The qualifications and financial condition of the borrower (including credit history), as well as the potential income generation and the value and condition of the underlying property, are evaluated. When evaluating the qualifications of the borrower, the Company considers the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower's experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower's payment history with the Company and other financial institutions. Factors considered in evaluating the
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underlying property include the net operating income of the mortgaged premises before debt service and depreciation, the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of cash flow before debt service to debt service), the use of conservative capitalization rates, and the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value. Generally, personal guarantees are obtained from commercial real estate loan borrowers.
Commercial real estate and multi-family mortgage loans are typically originated for terms of five to fifteen years with amortization periods of 20 to 30 years. Many of the loans are priced at inception on a fixed-rate basis generally for periods ranging from two to five years with repricing periods for longer-term loans. When possible, prepayment penalties are included in loan covenants on these loans. For commercial customers who are interested in loans with terms longer than five years, the Company offers loan level derivatives to accommodate customer need.
The Company's urban and suburban market area is characterized by a large number of apartment buildings, condominiums and office buildings. As a result, commercial real estate and multi-family mortgage lending has been a significant part of the Company's activities for many years. These types of loans typically generate higher yields, but also involve greater credit risk. Many of the Company's borrowers have more than one multi-family or commercial real estate loan outstanding with the Company.
The commercial real estate portfolio was composed primarily of loans secured by multi-family buildings ($2.3 billion), retail stores ($1.9 billion), industrial properties ($1.3 billion), office buildings ($1.2 billion), mixed-use properties ($491.8 million), lodging services ($556.0 million) and food services ($73.8 million) as of December 31, 2025.
The following table presents the percentage of the Company's commercial real estate loan portfolio by borrower type that is owner and non-owner occupied as of December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025
Owner Occupied
Non-Owner Occupied
Total
Borrower type:
Multi-family buildings
Office buildings
Retail stores
Industrial properties
Mixed-use properties
Lodging services
Food Services
Other
Total
The following table presents the percentage of the Company's commercial real estate loan portfolio by geographic concentration that is owner and non-owner occupied as of December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025
Owner Occupied
Non-Owner Occupied
Total
Geographic concentration:
New England
New York
Other
Total
Construction and development financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate and thus has lower concentration limits than do other commercial credit classes. Risk of loss on a construction loan is largely dependent upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of construction costs, the estimated time to sell or rent the completed property at an adequate price or rate of occupancy, and market conditions. If the estimates and projections prove to be inaccurate, the Company may be confronted with a project which, upon completion, has a value that is insufficient to assure full loan repayment.
Criteria applied in underwriting construction loans for which the primary source of repayment is the sale of the property is different from the criteria applied in underwriting construction loans for which the primary source of repayment is the
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stabilized cash flow from the completed project. For those loans where the primary source of repayment is from resale of the property, in addition to the normal credit analysis performed for other loans, the Company also analyzes project costs, the attractiveness of the property in relation to the market in which it is located and demand within the market area. For those construction loans where the source of repayment is the stabilized cash flow from the completed project, the Company analyzes not only project costs but also how long it might take to achievesatisfactory occupancy and the reasonableness of projected rental rates in relation to market rental rates.
Commercial Loans
The commercial loan and lease portfolio is comprised of commercial and equipment financing loans and leases representing 21.9% of total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
The commercial loan and lease portfolio is composed primarily of loans in the following sectors: small businesses ($1.4 billion), food services ($411.7 million), rental and leasing services ($380.6 million), manufacturing ($285.3 million), retail ($217.3 million), transportation services ($208.3 million) and recreation services ($150.4 million) as of December 31, 2025.
The following table presents the percentage of the Company's commercial loan portfolio by geographic concentration as of December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025
At December 31, 2024
Total
Total
Geographic concentration:
New England
New York
Other
Total
The Company provides commercial banking services to companies in its market area. Product offerings include lines of credit, term loans, letters of credit, deposit services and cash management. These types of credit facilities have as their primary source of repayment cash flows from the operations of a business. Interest rates offered are available on a floating basis tied to the prime rate or a similar index or on a fixed-rate basis referenced on the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston index.
Credit extensions are made to established businesses on the basis of loan purpose and assessment of capacity to repay as determined by an analysis of their financial statements, the nature of collateral to secure the credit extension and, in most instances, the personal guarantee of the owner of the business as well as industry and general economic conditions.
The Company’s equipment financing divisions focus on market niches in which its lenders have deep experience and industry contacts, and on making loans to customers with business experience. An important part of the Company’s equipment financing loan origination volume comes from equipment manufacturers, distributors, and owner-operated start-ups as well as existing customers that are expanding their operations. The equipment financing portfolio is composed primarily of loans to finance vended-laundry, and to a lesser degree larger industrial laundries, tow trucks, fitness, and convenience/grocery stores. Typically, the loans are priced at a fixed rate of interest and require monthly payments over their 5- to 10-year life. The yields earned on equipment financing loans are higher than those earned on the commercial loans made by the Bank because they involve a higher degree of credit risk. Equipment financing customers are typically small-business owners who operate with limited financial resources and who face greater risks when the economy weakens or unforeseenadverse events arise. Because of these characteristics, personal guarantees of borrowers are usually obtained along with liens on available assets. The size of loan is determined by an analysis of cash flow and other characteristics pertaining to the business and the equipment to be financed, based on detailed revenue and profitability data of similar operations.
Consumer Loans
The consumer loan portfolio is comprised of residential mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and other consumer loans representing, 22.6% of total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The Company focuses its mortgage and home equity lending on existing and new customers within its branch networks in its urban and suburban marketplaces in New England and New York.
The Company originates adjustable and fixed rate residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residences. Each residential mortgage loan granted is subject to a satisfactorily completed application, employment verification, credit history and a demonstrated ability to repay the debt. Generally, loans are not made when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%
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unless private mortgage insurance is obtained and/or there is a financially strong guarantor. Appraisals are performed by outside independent appraisers.
Underwriting guidelines for home equity loans and lines of credit are similar to those for residential mortgage loans. Home equity loans and lines of credit are limited to no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan including the amount of any existing first mortgage liens.
Other consumer loans have historically been a modest part of the Company's loan originations. As of December 31, 2025, other consumer loans equaled $141.4 million, or 0.8% of total loans outstanding.
Asset Quality
Criticized and Classified Assets
The Company's management rates certain loans and leases as OAEM, "substandard" or "doubtful" based on criteria established under banking regulations. These loans and leases are collectively referred to as "criticized" assets. Loans and leases rated OAEM have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects of the loan or lease at some future date. Loans and leases rated as substandard are inadequately protected by the payment capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans and leases have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of debt and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if existing deficiencies are not corrected. Loans and leases rated as doubtful have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt and partial loss of principal is likely. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $683.7 million of total assets that were designated as criticized. This compares to $252.7 million of assets designated as criticized as of December 31, 2024. The increase of $431 million in criticized assets was primarily driven by the Transaction.
Nonperforming Assets
"Nonperforming assets" consist of nonaccrual loans and leases, OREO and other repossessed assets. Under certain circumstances, the Company may restructure the terms of a loan or lease as a concession to a borrower, except for acquired loans and leases which are individually evaluated against expected performance on the date of acquisition. These restructured loans and leases are generally considered "nonperforming loans and leases" until a history of collection of at least six months on the restructured terms of the loan or lease has been established. OREO consists of real estate acquired through foreclosure proceedings and real estate acquired through acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Other repossessed assets consist of assets that have been acquired through foreclosure that are not real estate and are included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Accrual of interest on loans generally is discontinued when contractual payment of principal or interest becomes past due 90 days or, if in management's judgment, reasonable doubt exists as to the full timely collection of interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accruals cease and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed and charged against current interest income. Interest payments on nonaccrual loans are generally applied to principal. If collection of the principal is reasonably assured, interest payments are recognized as income on the cash basis. Loans are generally returned to accrual status when principal and interest payments are current, full collectability of principal and interest is reasonably assured and a consistent record of at least six months of performance has been achieved.
In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and the Company makes or reasonably expects to make certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan is classified as a modified loan. In determining whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties, the Company considers, among other factors, if the debtor is in payment default or is likely to be in payment default in the foreseeable future without the modification, the debtor declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, there is substantial doubt that the debtor will continue as a going concern, the debtor's entity-specific projected cash flows will not be sufficient to service its debt, or the debtor cannot obtain funds from sources other than the existing creditors at market terms for debt with similar risk characteristics.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had nonperforming assets of $116.7 million, representing 0.50% of total assets, compared to nonperforming assets of $70.5 million, or 0.59% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. The increase of $46.2 million was primarily driven by the Transaction.
The Company evaluates the underlying collateral of each nonaccrual loan and lease and continues to pursue the collection of interest and principal. Management believes that the current level of nonperforming assets remains manageable relative to the size of the Company's loan and lease portfolio. If economic conditions were to worsen or if the marketplace were to experience prolonged economic stress, it is likely that the level of nonperforming assets would increase, as would the level of charged-off loans.
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Past Due and Accruing
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $37.8 million loans and leases greater than 90 days past due and accruing, compared to $0.8 million as of December 31, 2024.
The following table sets forth information regarding nonperforming assets for the periods indicated:
At December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonperforming loans and leases:
Nonaccrual loans and leases:
Commercial real estate
Multi-family mortgage
Construction
Total commercial real estate loans
Commercial
Equipment financing
Total commercial loans and leases
Residential mortgage
Home equity
Other consumer
Total consumer loans
Total nonaccrual loans and leases
Other real estate owned
Other repossessed assets
Total nonperforming assets
Loans and leases past due greater than 90 days and accruing
Total delinquent loans and leases 61-90 days past due
Total nonaccrual loans and leases as a percentage of total loans and leases
Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets
Total delinquent loans and leases 61-90 days past due as a percentage of total loans and leases
Allowances for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses consists of general and specific allowances and reflects management's estimate of expected loan and lease losses over the life of the loan or lease. Management uses a consistent and systematic process and methodology to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. Management continuously evaluates and challenges inputs and assumptions in the allowance for credit losses.
While management evaluates currently available information in establishing the allowance for credit losses, future adjustments to the allowance for loan and lease losses may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations. Management performs a comprehensive review of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly
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basis. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review a financial institution's allowance for credit losses and carrying amounts of other real estate owned. Such agencies may require the financial institution to recognize additions or reductions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
The Company’s allowance methodology provides a quantification of probable losses in the portfolio. Under the current methodology, management estimates losses over the life of the loan using reasonable and supportable forecasts. Forecasts, loan data, and model documentation are extensively analyzed and reviewed throughout the quarter to ensure estimated losses are appropriate at quarter end. Qualitative adjustments are applied when model output does not align with management expectations. These adjustments are thoroughly reviewed and documented to provide clarity and a reasonable basis for any deviations from the model. For December 31, 2025, qualitative adjustments were applied to the commercial real estate, commercial, and consumer portfolios resulting in a net addition in total reserves compared to modeled calculations.
The following tables present the changes in the allowance for loans and lease losses by portfolio category for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Commercial
Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2024
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Merger Day 1 allowance on non-PCD loans
Merger Day 1 allowance on PCD loans
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses excluding unfunded commitments
Balance at December 31, 2025
Total loans and leases
Total allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Commercial
Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2023
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Balance at December 31, 2024
Total loans and leases
Total allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases
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Year Ended December 31, 2023
Commercial
Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2022
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Balance at December 31, 2023
Total loans and leases
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Commercial
Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2021
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Balance at December 31, 2022
Total loans and leases
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Commercial
Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2020
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Balance at December 31, 2021
Total loans and leases
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases
At December 31, 2025, the allowance for loan and lease losses increased to $252.8 million, or 1.40% of total loans and leases outstanding. This compared to an allowance for loan and lease losses of $125.1 million, or 1.28% of total loans and leases outstanding, as of December 31, 2024.The increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses was primarily due to the Transaction.
Net charge-offs in the loans and leases portfolio for the years ending December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $37.6 million and $24.5 million, respectively. The $13.1 million increase in net charge-offs was primarily driven by net charge-off increases of $7.3 million in commercial loans and $6.3 million in commercial real estate loans, offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in consumer loans. $5.7 million of the increase was related to the Transaction.
Management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses as of December 31, 2025 is appropriate based on the facts and circumstances discussed further below.
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The following tables set forth the Company's percent of allowance for loan and lease losses to the total allowance for loan and lease losses and the percent of loans to total loans for each of the categories listed at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
Amount
Percent of
Allowance
to Total
Allowance
Percent of
Loans
in Each
Category to
Total
Loans
Amount
Percent of
Allowance
to Total
Allowance
Percent of
Loans
in Each
Category to
Total
Loans
Amount
Percent of
Allowance
to Total
Allowance
Percent of
Loans
in Each
Category to
Total
Loans
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate
Multi-family mortgage
Construction
Total commercial real estate loans
Commercial
Equipment financing
Total commercial loans and leases
Residential mortgage
Home equity
Other consumer
Total consumer loans
Total
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At December 31,
Amount
Percent of
Allowance
to Total
Allowance
Percent of
Loans
in Each
Category to
Total
Loans
Amount
Percent of
Allowance
to Total
Allowance
Percent of
Loans
in Each
Category to
Total
Loans
(Dollars in Thousands)
Commercial real estate
Multi-family mortgage
Construction
Total commercial real estate loans
Commercial
Equipment financing
Total commercial loans and leases
Residential mortgage
Home equity
Other consumer
Total consumer loans
Total
Investment Securities and Restricted Equity Securities
The investment portfolio exists primarily for liquidity purposes, and secondarily as sources of interest and dividend income, interest-rate risk management and tax planning as a counterbalance to loan and deposit flows. Investment securities are utilized as part of the Company's asset/liability management and may be sold in response to, or in anticipation of, factors such as changes in market conditions and interest rates, deposit outflows, liquidity concentrations and regulatory capital requirements.
The investment policy of the Company, which is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis, specifies the types of investments that are acceptable, required investment ratings by at least one nationally recognized rating agency, concentration limits and duration guidelines. Compliance with the investment policy is monitored on a regular basis. In general, the Company seeks to maintain a high degree of liquidity and targets cash, cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale balances between 10% and 14% of total assets.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities increased $2.3 billion, or 159.3%, to $3.7 billion as of December 31, 2025 compared to $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase was impacted by the Transaction. Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities were 16.1% of total assets as of December 31, 2025, compared to 12.1% of total assets at December 31, 2024.
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized cost and market value of the Company's investment securities at the dates indicated:
At December 31,
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
(In Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
GSE debentures
GSE CMOs
GSE MBSs
Municipal obligations
Corporate debt obligations
U.S. Treasury bonds
Foreign government obligations
Total investment securities available-for-sale
Restricted equity securities:
FHLB stock
FRB stock
Other
Total restricted equity securities
Total investment securities and restricted equity securities primarily consist of investment securities available-for-sale, stock in the FHLB and stock in the FRB. The total securities portfolio increased $798.0 million, or 81.6% since December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the total securities portfolio was 7.65% of total assets, compared to 8.22% of total assets as of December 31, 2024.
The fair value of investment securities is based principally on market prices and dealer quotes received from third-party, nationally-recognized pricing services for identical investment securities such as U.S. Treasury and agency securities. The Company's equity securities held-for-trading, if any, are priced this way and are included in Level 1. These prices are validated by comparing the primary pricing source with an alternative pricing source when available. When quoted market prices for identical securities are unavailable, the Company uses market prices provided by independent pricing services based on recent trading activity and other observable information, including but not limited to market interest-rate curves, referenced credit spreads and estimated prepayment speeds where applicable. These investments include certain U.S. and government agency debt securities, municipal and corporate debt securities, GSEs, MBSs and CMOs, trust preferred securities, and equity securities held-for-trading, all of which are included in Level 1, 2 and 3.
Additionally, management reviews changes in fair value from period to period and performs testing to ensure that prices received from the third parties are consistent with their expectation of the market. Changes in the prices obtained from the pricing service are analyzed from month to month, taking into consideration changes in market conditions including changes in mortgage spreads, changes in U.S. Treasury security yields and changes in generic pricing of 15-year and 30-year securities. Additional analysis may include a review of prices provided by other independent parties, a yield analysis, a review of average life changes using Bloomberg analytics and a review of historical pricing for the particular security.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of all investment securities available-for-sale was $1.7 billion and carried a total of $27.5 million of net unrealized losses, compared to a fair value of $895.0 million and net unrealized losses of $69.4 million as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, $552.9 million, or 32.7%, of the portfolio, had gross unrealized losses of $44.7 million. This compares to $705.3 million, or 78.8%, of the portfolio with gross unrealized losses of $70.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company's increased unrealized loss position in 2025 was primarily driven by higher interest rates year over year. In 2024, U.S. Treasury yields rose across the 3-to-10 year part of the curve which negatively impacted the value of the Company's longer duration primarily in the GSE CMOs and GSE MBS security portfolios. For additional discussion on investment securities available-for-sale by security type, see Note 4, "Investment Securities" to the consolidated financial statements.
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The Company reviews its debt securities portfolio on a quarterly basis in accordance with ASC 326. This analysis is done using probability of default and loss given default assumptions where a model is created to determine CECL for the remaining life of the securities. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized $0.1 million as an allowance for credit loss. For additional discussion on how the Company validates fair values provided by the third-party pricing service, see Note 21, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” to the consolidated financial statements.
Maturities, calls and principal repayments for investment securities available-for-sale totaled $190.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $174.0 million for the same period in 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company purchased $33.1 million of investment securities available-for-sale, compared to $148.5 million for the same period in 2024. The Company sold investment securities available-for-sale during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Proceeds from the sale of investment securities available-for-sale were $176.3 million. Securities sales executed during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 were related to the Transaction, resulting in a restructuring of the portfolio. There was no gain or loss on the sale. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not sell any investment securities available-for-sale.
Restricted Equity Securities
FHLB Stock —The Company invests in the stock of the FHLB as a requirement to borrow funds from the FHLB. As of December 31, 2025, the Company owned stock in the FHLB with a carrying value of $29.4 million, a decrease of $31.7 million from $61.1 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company continually reviews its investment to determine if impairment exists. The Company reviews recent public filings, rating agency analysis and other factors when making its determination. See Note 5, "Restricted Equity Securities" to the consolidated financial statements for further information about the FHLB.
Federal Reserve Bank Stock —The Company invests in the stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as a condition of the membership for the Bank in the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank is the primary federal regulator for the Company and the Bank.
Carrying Value, Weighted Average Yields, and Contractual Maturities of Investment and Restricted Equity Securities
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the carrying value, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of the Company's investment and restricted equity securities portfolio at the date indicated.
Balance at December 31, 2025
One Year or Less
After One Year
Through Five Years
After Five Years
Through Ten Years
After Ten Years
Total
Carrying
Value
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
Carrying
Value
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
Carrying
Value
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
Carrying
Value
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
Carrying
Value
Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
(Dollars in Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
GSE debentures
GSE CMOs
GSE MBSs
Municipal obligations
Corporate debt obligations
U.S. Treasury bonds
Foreign government obligations
Total investment securities available-for-sale
Restricted equity
securities (2):
FHLB stock
FRB stock
Other stock
Total restricted equity securities
(1) Yields have been calculated on a pre-tax basis. The Company holds no investment securities available-for-sale that are tax-exempt.
(2) Equity securities have no contractual maturity, therefore they are reported above in the over ten year maturity column.
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Deposits
The following table presents the Company's deposit mix at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
Amount
Percent
of Total
Weighted
Average
Rate
Amount
Percent
of Total
Weighted
Average
Rate
Amount
Percent
of Total
Weighted
Average
Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)
Non-interest-bearing deposits:
Demand checking accounts
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificate of deposit accounts
Brokered deposit accounts
Total interest-bearing deposits
Total deposits
The Company seeks to increase its core deposits and decrease its loan-to-deposit ratio over time, while continuing to increase deposits as a percentage of total funding sources. The Company's loan-to-deposit ratio was 92.4% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 109.9% as of December 31, 2024.
Total deposits increased $10.6 billion, or 119.2%, to $19.5 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to $8.9 billion as of December 31, 2024. Deposits as a percentage of total assets increased from 74.8% as of December 31, 2024 to 84.0% as of December 31, 2025. The increase was impacted by the Transaction.
In 2025, core deposits increased $6.9 billion. The ratio of core deposits to total deposits decreased from 69.1% as of December 31, 2024 to 67.0% as of December 31, 2025, as a result of increases in certificate of deposit accounts.
Certificate of deposit accounts increased $2.3 billion to $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2024. Certificate of deposit accounts increased as a percentage of total deposits to 21.3% as of December 31, 2025 from 21.2% as of December 31, 2024.
Brokered deposits decreased $458.6 million to $410.4 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $869.0 million as of December 31, 2024. Brokered deposits decreased as a percentage of total deposits to 2.1% as of December 31, 2025 from 9.8% as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in brokered deposits was primarily driven by an increase in customer deposits allowing for less reliance on brokered deposits. Brokered deposits allow the Company to seek additional funding by attracting deposits from outside the Company's core market. The Company's investment policy limits the amount of brokered deposits to 15% of total assets.
The following table sets forth the distribution of the average balances of the Company's deposit accounts for the years indicated and the weighted average interest rates on each category of deposits presented. Averages for the years presented are based on daily balances.
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Year Ended December 31,
Average
Balance
Percent
of Total
Average
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
Average
Balance
Percent
of Total
Average
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
Average
Balance
Percent
of Total
Average
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)
Core deposits:
Non-interest-bearing demand checking accounts
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts (non-payroll)
Total core deposits
Certificate of deposit accounts
Payroll deposits
Brokered deposit accounts
Total deposits
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had outstanding certificate of deposit of $250,000 or more, maturing as follows:
At December 31,
Amount
Weighted
Average Rate
Amount
Weighted
Average Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)
Maturity period:
Six months or less
Over six months through 12 months
Over 12 months
Total certificate of deposit of $250,000 or more
The following table presents the Company's insured and uninsured deposit mix at the date indicated.
At December 31, 2025
(Dollars in Millions)
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Brokered
Total
Insured or Collateralized
Uninsured
Total
Composition
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had uninsured municipal deposits requiring collateral of $240.0 million, included in Insured or Collateralized in the table above, which are covered by specific collateral and FHLB letters of credit. The remaining deposits, included in Insured or Collateralized in the table above, are insured with the FDIC.
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Borrowed Funds
The following table sets forth certain information regarding FHLB advances, subordinated debentures and notes and other borrowed funds for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Borrowed funds:
Average balance outstanding
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year
Balance outstanding at end of year
Weighted average interest rate for the period
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
Advances from the FHLB
On a long-term basis, the Company intends to continue to grow its core deposits. The Company also uses FHLB borrowings and other wholesale borrowings as part of the Company's overall strategy to fund loan growth and manage interest-rate risk and liquidity. The advances are secured by a blanket security agreement which requires the Bank to maintain certain qualifying assets as collateral, principally mortgage loans and securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to outstanding advances. The maximum amount that the FHLB will advance to member institutions, including the Company, fluctuates from time to time in accordance with the policies of the FHLB. The Company may also borrow from the Federal Reserve Discount Window as necessary.
FHLB borrowings decreased $800.1 million to $0.6 billion as of December 31, 2025 from $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2024. The Company's remaining borrowing capacity from the FHLB for advances and repurchase agreements was $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2025.
Other Borrowed Funds
In addition to advances from the FHLB and subordinated debentures and notes, the Company utilizes other funding
sources as part of the overall liquidity strategy. Those funding sources include repurchase agreements and committed and uncommitted lines of credit with several financial institutions.
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank also has access to funding through certain uncommitted lines via AFX as well as committed and uncommitted lines from other large financial institutions. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no borrowings outstanding with these committed and uncommitted lines.
The Company has access to the Federal Reserve Discount Window to supplement its liquidity. The Company has $601.9 million of borrowing capacity at the FRB as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any borrowings with the FRB outstanding.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $33.1 million in interest-bearing cash held as collateral from dealer counterparties. This compares to $79.6 million outstanding as of December 31, 2024. This cash collateralizes the fair value of the dealer side of derivative transactions.
Subordinated Debentures and Notes
The Company has two $5.0 million subordinated debentures due on June 26, 2033 and March 17, 2034, respectively. The Company is obligated to pay 3-month CME term SOFR plus spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 3.10% and 3-month CME term SOFR plus spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 2.79%, respectively, on a quarterly basis until the debentures mature.
The Company sold $75.0 million of 6.0% fixed-to-floating subordinated notes due September 15, 2029. The Company is obligated to pay 3-month CME term SOFR plus spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 3.32% quarterly until the notes mature in September 2029. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had capitalized costs of $0.4 million in relation to the issuance of these subordinated notes.
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In connection with the Transaction, the Company assumed ten year subordinated notes in the amount of $100.0 million. The interest rate is fixed at 5.50% until June 30, 2027, after which the notes become callable and will bear interest at a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate (which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR), plus 249 basis points.
The Company holds 100% of the common stock of Berkshire Hills Capital Trust I (“Trust I”) which is included in other assets with a cost of $0.5 million. The sole asset of Trust I is $15.5 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures due in 2035. These debentures bear interest at a variable rate equal to 3-month CME Term SOFR plus 1.85%. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest for up to five years on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, with certain limitations, including a restriction on the payment of dividends to shareholders while such interest payments on the debentures have been deferred. The Company has not exercised this right to defer payments. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures at par value on each quarterly payment date. Trust I is considered a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, Trust I is not consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.
The Company holds 100% of the common stock of SI Capital Trust II (“Trust II”) which is included in other assets with a cost of $0.2 million. The sole asset of Trust II is $8.2 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures due in 2036. These debentures bear interest at a variable rate equal to 3-month CME Term SOFR plus 1.70%. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest for up to five years on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, with certain limitations, including a restriction on the payment of dividends to shareholders while such interest payments on the debentures have been deferred. The Company has not exercised this right to defer payments. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures at par value. Trust II is considered a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, Trust II is not consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.
The following table summarizes the Company's subordinated debentures and notes at the dates indicated.
Carrying Amount
Issue Date
Rate
Maturity Date
Next Call Date
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(Dollars in Thousands)
June 26, 2003
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + spread adjustment of 0.26% + 3.10%
June 26, 2033
March 26, 2026
March 17, 2004
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + spread adjustment of 0.26% + 2.79%
March 17, 2034
March 17, 2026
June 30, 2005
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + spread adjustment of 0.26% + 1.85%
August 23, 2035
February 23, 2026
September 21, 2006
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + spread adjustment of 0.26% + 1.70%
December 15, 2036
March 15, 2026
September 15, 2014
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + spread adjustment of 0.26% + 3.32%
September 15, 2029
March 16, 2026
June 30, 2022
Variable;
3-month CME term SOFR + 2.49%
July 1, 2032
June 30, 2027
Total
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company has entered into loan level derivatives, risk participation agreements, and foreign exchange contracts with certain commercial customers and concurrently enters into offsetting swaps with third-party financial institutions. The Company may also, from time to time, enter into risk participation agreements. The Company uses interest rate futures that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments.
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The following table summarizes certain information concerning the Company's loan level derivatives, risk participation agreements, and foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
At December 31, 2025
At December 31, 2024
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest rate derivatives (Notional amounts):
Loan level derivatives (Notional Amount):
Receive fixed, pay variable
Pay fixed, receive variable
Risk participation-out agreements
Risk participation-in agreements
Foreign exchange contracts (Notional Amount)
Buys foreign currency, sells U.S. currency
Sells foreign currency, buys U.S. currency
Fixed weighted average interest rate of the swap portfolio
Floating weighted average interest rate of the swap portfolio
Weighted average remaining term to maturity (in months)
Fair value:
Recognized as an asset:
Interest rate derivatives
Loan level derivatives
Risk participation-out agreements
Foreign exchange contracts
Recognized as a liability:
Interest rate derivatives
Loan level derivatives
Risk participation-in agreements
Foreign exchange contracts
Stockholders' Equity and Dividends
The Company's total stockholders' equity was $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2025, representing a $1.3 billion increase compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by purchase price consideration as a result of the Transaction, net income of $90.3 million, unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale of $33.1 million, partially offset by dividends paid by the Company of $63.1 million, and restricted stock, net of awards surrendered of $54.6 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the dividend payout ratio was 69.9%, compared to 69.9% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The dividends paid in the fourth quarter of 2025 represented the Company's 107th consecutive quarter of dividend payments. The Company's quarterly dividend distribution was $0.135 for each of the first two quarters and $0.3225 for each of the last two quarters, per share for 2025.
Stockholders' equity represented 10.75% of total assets as of December 31, 2025 and 10.26% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. Tangible stockholders' equity (total stockholders' equity less goodwill and identified intangible assets, net) represented 8.62% of tangible assets (total assets less goodwill and identified intangible assets, net) as of December 31, 2025 and 8.27% as of December 31, 2024.
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Results of Operations
The Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 include income from the four months following the Transaction and the results of Legacy Brookline prior to September 1, 2025. While Legacy Berkshire was the legal acquirer and surviving corporation following the Transaction, Legacy Brookline is considered the acquirer for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the Company’s historical operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, as presented and discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, do not include the historical results of Legacy Berkshire.
The primary drivers of the Company's net income are net interest income, which is strongly affected by the net yield on and growth of interest-earning assets and liabilities ("net interest margin"), the quality of the Company's assets, its levels of non-interest income and non-interest expense, and its tax provision.
The Company's net interest income represents the difference between interest income earned on its investments, loans and leases, and its cost of funds. Interest income is dependent on the amount of interest-earning assets outstanding during the period and the yield earned thereon. Cost of funds is a function of the average amount of deposits and borrowed money outstanding during the year and the interest rates paid thereon. Net interest margin is calculated by dividing net interest income by average interest-earning assets. Net interest spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The increases or decreases, as applicable, in the components of interest income and interest expense, expressed in terms of fluctuation in average volume and rate, are summarized under "Rate/Volume Analysis" below. Information as to the components of interest income, interest expense and average rates is provided under "Average Balances, Net Interest Income, Interest-Rate Spread and Net Interest Margin" below.
Because the Company's assets and liabilities are not identical in duration and in repricing dates, the differential between the two is vulnerable to changes in market interest rates as well as the overall shape of the yield curve. These vulnerabilities are inherent to the business of banking and are commonly referred to as "interest-rate risk." How interest-rate risk is measured and, once measured, how much interest-rate risk is taken are based on numerous assumptions and other subjective judgments. See the discussion in the "Measuring Interest-Rate Risk" section of Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" below.
The quality of the Company's assets also influences its earnings. Loans and leases that are not paid on a timely basis and exhibit other weaknesses can result in the loss of principal and/or interest income. Additionally, the Company must make timely provisions to the allowance for loan and lease losses based on estimates of probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. These additions, which are charged against earnings, are necessarily greater when greater probable losses are expected. Further, the Company incurs expenses as a result of resolving troubled assets. These variables reflect the "credit risk" that the Company takes on in the ordinary course of business and are further discussed under "Financial Condition—Asset Quality" above.
Average Balances, Net Interest Income, Interest-Rate Spread and Net Interest Margin
The following table sets forth information about the Company's average balances, interest income and interest rates earned on average interest-earning assets, interest expense and interest rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities, interest-rate spread and net interest margin for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. Average balances are derived from daily average balances and yields include fees, costs and purchase-accounting-related premiums and discounts which are considered adjustments to coupon yields in accordance with GAAP.
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Year Ended December 31,
Average
Balance
Interest (1)
Average
Yield/
Cost
Average
Balance
Interest (1)
Average
Yield/
Cost
Average
Balance
Interest (1)
Average
Yield/
Cost
(Dollars in Thousands)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Debt securities
Restricted equity securities
Short-term investments
Total investments
Commercial real estate loans (2)
Commercial loans (2)
Equipment financing (2)
Consumer loans (2)
Total loans and leases
Total interest-earning assets
Allowance for loan and lease losses
Non-interest-earning assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificate of deposit accounts
Brokered deposit accounts
Total interest-bearing deposits (3)
Advances from the FHLB
Subordinated debentures and notes
Other borrowed funds
Total borrowed funds
Total interest-bearing liabilities
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand checking accounts (3)
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities
Total liabilities
Stockholders' equity
Total liabilities and equity
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) / Interest-rate spread (4)
Less adjustment of tax-exempt income
Net interest income
Net interest margin (5)
(1) Tax-exempt income on debt securities, equity securities and industrial revenue bonds are included in commercial real estate loans on a tax-equivalent basis.
(2) Loans on nonaccrual status are included in the average balances.
(3) Including non-interest-bearing checking accounts, the average interest rate on total deposits was 2.29%, 2.68% and 2.08% in the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(4) Interest-rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets.
See "Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024" and "Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023" below for a discussion of average assets and liabilities, net interest income, interest-rate spread and net interest margin.
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Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents, on a tax-equivalent basis, the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in 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 (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume), and (iii) the net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
Year Ended
December 31, 2025
Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2024
Year Ended
December 31, 2024
Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Increase
(Decrease) Due To
Increase
(Decrease) Due To
Volume
Rate
Net Change
Volume
Rate
Net Change
(In Thousands)
Interest and dividend income:
Investments:
Debt securities
Restricted equity securities
Short-term investments
Total investments
Loans and leases:
Commercial real estate loans
Commercial loans and leases
Equipment financing
Consumer loans
Total loans
Total change in interest and dividend income
Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificate of deposit accounts
Brokered deposit accounts
Total deposits
Borrowed funds:
Advances from the FHLB
Subordinated debentures and notes
Other borrowed funds
Total borrowed funds
Total change in interest expense
Change in tax-exempt income
Change in net interest income
See "Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024" and "Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023" below for a discussion of changes in interest income, interest-rate spread and net interest margin resulting from changes in rates and volumes.
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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased $173.5 million to $503.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $329.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase year over year reflects a $179.6 million increase in interest income on loans and leases and a $24.6 million increase in interest income on debt securities, short term investments and restricted equity securities, partially offset by a $30.7 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The increases year over year were impacted by the Transaction.
Net interest margin increased 50 basis points to 3.56% in 2025 from 3.06% in 2024. The Company's weighted average interest rate on loans increased to 6.14% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 6.07% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The yield on interest-earning assets increased to 5.87% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 5.83% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase is the result of higher yields on loans and leases and investments. The Company recorded $4.8 million in prepayment penalties and late charges, which contributed 3 basis points to yields on interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $3.4 million, or 3 basis points, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 54 basis points to 3.05% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2024. Refer to "Financial Condition - Borrowed Funds" above for more details.
Management aims to position the balance sheet to be neutral to changes in interest rates. As a result of the Federal Reserve's rate cuts which began in September 2024 and continued throughout 2025, the Treasury yield curve has become less inverted in recent months, with shorter-term interest rates decreasing.
This trend positively impacts the Company's net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin. Management anticipates that net interest margin will increase as deposit and wholesale funding costs decrease more rapidly than loan yields. If the Federal Reserve cuts rates in the near term, net interest income and net interest margin will be highly dependent on the Company's ability and timing to reduce deposit pricing as well as the overall mix of funding.
Interest Income—Loans and Leases
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income—loans and leases:
Commercial real estate loans
Commercial loans
Equipment financing
Residential mortgage loans
Other consumer loans
Total interest income—loans and leases (1)
(1) Tax-exempt income of $2.6 million at December 31, 2025 and $1.3 million at December 31, 2024 is excluded from the table above.
Interest income from loans and leases was $767.6 million for 2025, and represented a yield on total loans of 6.14%. This compares to $587.9 million of interest on loans and leases and a yield of 6.07% for 2024. The $179.6 million increase in interest income from loans and leases was primarily attributable to an increase of $164.4 million in volume and an increase of $16.6 million in interest rates changes, partially offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in tax-exempt income. The year over year increase in interest income from loans and leases was impacted by the Transaction.
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Interest Income—Investments
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income—investments:
Debt securities
Marketable and restricted equity securities
Short-term investments
Total interest income—investments
Total investment income was $65.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $40.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the yield on total investments was 3.89% compared to 3.70% as of December 31, 2024. This year over year increase in total investment income of $24.6 million, or 60.7%, was driven by a $22.2 million increase due to volume and a $2.4 million increase due to rates. The year over year increase in total investment income was impacted by the Transaction.
Interest Expense—Deposits and Borrowed Funds
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificate of deposit accounts
Brokered deposit accounts
Total interest expense—deposits
Borrowed funds:
Advances from the FHLB
Subordinated debentures and notes
Other borrowed funds
Total interest expense—borrowed funds
Total interest expense
Deposits
In 2025, interest paid on deposits increased $47.5 million, or 20.4%, compared to 2024. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by an increase of $77.5 million primarily driven by the growth in volume of average customer deposits and payroll deposits partially offset by a decline in average brokered deposits balance, offset by a decrease of $29.9 million due to lower interest rates. For the year ended December 31, 2025, purchase accounting amortization was $2.1 million on acquired deposits and one basis point, compared to $1.0 million and one basis point for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Borrowed Funds
As of December 31, 2025, the Company's borrowed funds include $555.8 million in FHLB borrowings, $198.6 million in subordinated debentures and notes, and $34.0 million in other borrowed funds. In 2025, the average balance of FHLB borrowings decreased $297.6 million, or 26.5%, the average balance of other borrowed funds decreased $29.5 million, or 37.4%, and the average balance of subordinated debentures and notes increased $38.2 million, or 45.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2025.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, interest paid on borrowed funds decreased $16.8 million, or 25.5%, year over year. The cost of borrowed funds decreased to 4.86% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 5.04% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was driven by a decrease of $12.3 million due to volume and a decrease
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of $4.5 million due to borrowing rates. For the year ended December 31, 2025, purchase accounting amortization was $0.2 million on acquired borrowed funds compared to amortization of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The year over year fluctuation in interest expense on deposits and borrowed funds was impacted by the Transaction.
Provision for Credit Losses
The provisions for credit losses are set forth below:
Year Ended
December 31,
(In Thousands)
Provision (credit) for credit losses:
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Unfunded credit commitments
Investment securities available-for-sale
Total provision (credit) for credit losses
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the provision for credit losses increased $19.7 million to $41.4 million from $21.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was driven by the day 1 provision on unfunded commitments assumed through the Transaction compared to a release in unfunded commitment reserve in 2024.
See management’s discussion of “Financial Condition — Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” and Note 7, “Allowance for Credit Losses,” to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of how management determined the allowance for loan and lease losses for each portfolio and class of loans.
Non-Interest Income
The following table sets forth the components of non-interest income:
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Deposit fees
Loan fees
Loan level derivative income, net
Gain on sales of loans and leases
Wealth management fees
Other
Total non-interest income
Deposit fees increased $9.1 million, or 86.6%, to $19.7 million compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2024, primarily driven by activity due to the Transaction.
Gain on sales of loans and leases increased $4.7 million, or 490.6%, to $5.6 million compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2024, primarily driven by the activity of 44 Business Capital which was assumed in the Transaction.
Wealth management fees increased $3.8 million, or 62.7%, to $9.7 million compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2024, primarily driven by activity due to the Transaction.
Other non-interest income increased $5.3 million or 129.9%, to $9.4 million compared to $4.1 million for the same period in 2024, primarily driven by activity due to the Transaction.
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Non-Interest Expense
The following table sets forth the components of non-interest expense:
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Compensation and employee benefits
Occupancy
Equipment and data processing
Professional services
FDIC insurance
Advertising and marketing
Amortization of identified intangible assets
Merger and restructuring expense
Other
Total non-interest expense
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased $47.5 million, or 33.0%, to $191.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $143.7 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily driven by activity due to the Transaction.
Equipment and data expense increased $17.3 million, or 63.4%, to $44.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $27.4 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily driven by activity due to the Transaction.
Merger and restructuring expense increased $57.5 million to $61.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $4.2 million for the same period in 2024 as a result of the Transaction.
The efficiency ratio increased to 70.48% for the year ended December 31, 2025 from 68.09% for the same period in 2024.
Provision for Income Taxes
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income,
Effective tax rate
The Company recorded income tax expense of $31.6 million for 2025, compared to $23.0 million for 2024. This represents an effective tax rate of 25.9% and 25.1% for 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Net Interest Income
Net interest income decreased $10.1 million to $329.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $339.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease year over year reflects a $61.4 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, along with a $3.0 million decrease in interest income on debt securities, short term investments and restricted equity securities, partially offset by a $54.2 million increase in interest income on loans and leases which is reflective of the increase in volume and interest rate environment.
Net interest margin decreased 18 basis points to 3.06% in 2024 from 3.24% in 2023. The Company's weighted average interest rate on loans increased to 6.07% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 5.72% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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The yield on interest-earning assets increased to 5.83% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 5.50% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase is the result of higher yields on loans and leases and investments. The Company recorded $3.4 million in prepayment penalties and late charges, which contributed 3 basis points to yields on interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $2.9 million, or 3 basis points, for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 59 basis points to 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 3.00% for the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to "Financial Condition - Borrowed Funds" above for more details.
Management aims to position the balance sheet to be neutral to changes in interest rates. As a result of the Federal
Reserve's rate cut which began in September and continued into the fourth quarter, the Treasury yield curve has become less inverted in recent months, with shorter-term interest rates decreasing.
This trend positively impacts the Company's net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin. Management anticipates that net interest margin will increase as deposit and wholesale funding costs decrease more rapidly than loan yields. If the Federal Reserve cuts rates in the near term, net interest income and net interest margin will be highly dependent on the Company's ability and timing to reduce deposit pricing as well as the overall mix of funding.
Interest Income—Loans and Leases
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income—loans and leases:
Commercial real estate loans
Commercial loans
Equipment financing
Residential mortgage loans
Other consumer loans
Total interest income—loans and leases
Interest income from loans and leases was $587.9 million for 2024, and represented a yield on total loans of 6.07%. This compares to $533.7 million of interest on loans and leases and a yield of 5.72% for 2023. The $54.2 million increase in interest income from loans and leases was primarily due to an increase of $31.2 million related to interest rates changes, and an increase of $23.0 million in origination volume.
Interest Income—Investments
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income—investments:
Debt securities
Marketable and restricted equity securities
Short-term investments
Total interest income—investments
Total investment income was $40.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $43.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the yield on total investments was 3.70% compared to 3.72% as of December 31, 2023. This year over year decrease in total investment income of $3.0 million, or 6.8%, was driven by a $2.1 million decrease due to volume and a $0.9 million decrease due to rates.
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Interest Expense—Deposits and Borrowed Funds
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificate of deposit accounts
Brokered deposit accounts
Total interest expense—deposits
Borrowed funds:
Advances from the FHLB
Subordinated debentures and notes
Other borrowed funds
Total interest expense—borrowed funds
Total interest expense
Deposits
In 2024, interest paid on deposits increased $57.3 million, or 32.6%, compared to 2023. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by an increase of $41.9 million due to higher interest rates and an increase of $15.4 million primarily driven by the growth in volume of certificate of deposit balances and savings accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2024, purchase accounting amortization was $1.0 million on acquired deposits and one basis point, compared to $1.3 million and one basis point for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Borrowed Funds
As of December 31, 2024, the Company's borrowed funds include $1.4 billion in FHLB borrowings, $84.3 million in subordinated debentures and notes, and $79.6 million in other borrowed funds. In 2024, the average balance of FHLB borrowings increased $31.4 million, or 2.9%, the average balance of other borrowed funds, which includes repurchase agreements and other borrowings, decreased $45.9 million, or 36.8%, and the average balance of subordinated debentures and notes increased $142.0 thousand, or 0.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, interest paid on borrowed funds increased $4.1 million, or 6.6%, year over year. The cost of borrowed funds increased to 5.04% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 4.69% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in interest expense was driven by an increase of $4.3 million due to borrowing rates partially offset by a decrease of $0.2 million due to volume. For the year ended December 31, 2024, purchase accounting amortization was $0.2 million on acquired borrowed funds compared to amortization of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Provision for Credit Losses
The provisions for credit losses are set forth below:
Year Ended
December 31,
(In Thousands)
Provision (credit) for credit losses:
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Consumer
Total provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
Unfunded credit commitments
Investment securities available-for-sale
Total provision (credit) for credit losses
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the provision for credit losses decreased $16.6 million to $21.6 million from $38.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the provision for 2024 was largely driven by the lack of a day one provision of $16.7 million in acquired loans as a result of the PCSB acquisition.
See management’s discussion of “Financial Condition — Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” and Note 7, “Allowance for Credit Losses,” to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of how management determined the allowance for loan and lease losses for each portfolio and class of loans.
Non-Interest Income
The following table sets forth the components of non-interest income:
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Deposit fees
Loan fees
Loan level derivative income, net
Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities, net
Gain on sales of loans and leases
Other
Total non-interest income
For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest income decreased $6.3 million, or 19.8%, to $25.6 million compared to $31.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases of 2.2 million in loan level derivative income, net, $1.7 million in gain on sales of investment securities, net, and $1.6 million in gain on sales of loans and leases.
Loan level derivative income, net, decreased $2.2 million, or 57.4%, to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $3.9 million for the same period in 2023, driven by lower levels of swap deals in 2024.
There was no gain on sales of investment securities for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to a gain of $1.7 million for the same period in 2023, driven by a $1.7 million gain on sales of investments from the repositioning of the PCSB portfolio in 2023 and no sales of investment securities in 2024.
Gain on sales of loans and leases decreased $1.6 million, or 63.2%, to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $2.6 million for the same period in 2023, driven by a decrease in loan participations in 2024.
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Non-Interest Expense
The following table sets forth the components of non-interest expense:
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Compensation and employee benefits
Occupancy
Equipment and data processing
Professional services
FDIC insurance
Advertising and marketing
Amortization of identified intangible assets
Merger and restructuring expense
Other
Total non-interest expense
For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense increased $2.3 million, or 1.0%, to $241.9 million compared to $239.5 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by increases of $4.8 million in compensation and employee benefits and $1.9 million in occupancy expense, partially offset by decreases of $3.2 million in merger and restructuring expense, 1.1 million in amortization of identified intangible assets, and 1.0 million in other expenses.
The efficiency ratio increased to 68.09% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 64.45% for the same period in 2023. The increase year over year was primarily driven by lower net interest income and non-interest income, and higher non-interest expense in 2024.
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased $4.8 million, or 3.5%, to $143.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $138.9 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by higher incentive/bonus, salaries, and health care benefits expenses.
Occupancy expense increased $1.9 million, or 9.2%, to $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $20.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by higher building maintenance, leasehold improvement depreciation, and rent expenses.
Merger and restructuring expense decreased $3.2 million, or 43.3%, to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $7.4 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was driven by higher merger-related expenses due to the PCSB acquisition in 2023, compared to Berkshire Hills Bancorp merger-related expenses and restructuring costs at Eastern Funding in 2024.
Provision for Income Taxes
Year Ended
December 31,
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
(Dollars in Thousands)
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income,
Effective tax rate
The Company recorded income tax expense of $23.0 million for 2024, compared to $18.9 million for 2023. This represents an effective tax rate of 25.1% and 20.1% for 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in the Company's effective tax rate was due to the lack of participation in energy tax credit investments in 2024 compared to 2023 as well as an increase in merger and restructuring expenses which were not tax deductible during the period.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet current and future financial obligations of a short-term nature. The Company further defines liquidity as the ability to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers, as well as to earnings enhancementopportunities, in a changing marketplace. Liquidity management is monitored by an ALCO, consisting of members of management, which is responsible for establishing and monitoring liquidity targets as well as strategies and tactics to meet these targets. The primary source of funds for the payment of dividends and expenses by the Company are dividends paid to it by the Bank. The primary sources of liquidity for the Bank consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, borrowed funds, maturing investment securities and net income.
In the fourth quarter, the Company operated with increased liquidity. During the year, the Company shifted its balance sheet asset mix to include additional cash. Management will continue to monitor the economic conditions and evaluate changes to the Company’s liquidity position.
The Company held higher levels of on balance sheet liquidity in the form of cash and available-for-sale securities in the fourth quarter due to the Transaction. Cash and equivalents at the end of the quarter were $2.0 billion, or 8.8% of the balance sheet, compared to $543.6 million, or 4.6% of the balance sheet, as of December 31, 2024, primarily driven by elevated payroll deposits as a result of the Transaction. In general, in a normal operating environment, the Company seeks to maintain liquidity levels of cash, cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale of between 10% and 14% of total assets. As of December 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale totaled $3.7 billion, or 16.1% of total assets. This compares to $1.4 billion, or 12.1% of total assets, as of December 31, 2024. The increase was impacted by the Transaction.
Deposits, which are considered the most stable source of liquidity, totaled $19.5 billion as of December 31, 2025 and represented 96.1% of total funding (the sum of total deposits and total borrowings), compared to deposits of $8.9 billion, or 85.4% of total funding, as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to the deposits assumed in the Transaction. Core deposits, which consist of demand checking, NOW, savings and non-payroll money market accounts, totaled $13.1 billion as of December 31, 2025 and represented 67.0% of total deposits, compared to core deposits of $6.1 billion, or 69.1% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, the Company had $410.4 million of brokered deposits as of December 31, 2025, which represented 2.1% of total deposits, compared to $869.0 million or 9.8% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. The Company offers attractive interest rates based on market conditions to increase deposits balances, while managing cost of funds.
Borrowings are used to diversify the Company's funding mix and to support asset growth. When profitable lending and investment opportunities exist, access to borrowings provides a means to grow the balance sheet. Borrowings totaled $0.8 billion as of December 31, 2025, representing 3.9% of total funding, compared to $1.5 billion, or 14.6% of total funding, as of December 31, 2024 as combined liquidity as a result of the Transaction and the increase in deposits allowed for reduction in borrowings. Management will continue to monitor economic conditions and make adjustments to the balance sheet mix as appropriate.
As members of the FHLB of Boston, the Bank has access to both short- and long-term borrowings. The Company's remaining borrowing capacity from the FHLB of Boston for advances and repurchase agreements was $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, based on the level of qualifying collateral available for these borrowings.
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank also has access to funding through certain uncommitted lines via AFX as well as other large financial institution specific lines.
The Company had a $50.0 million committed line of credit for contingent liquidity as of December 31, 2025.
The Company has access to the Federal Reserve Discount Window to supplement its liquidity. The Company has $601.9 million of borrowing capacity at the FRB as of December 31, 2025.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding with the FRB nor with these committed and uncommitted lines.
Additionally, the Bank has access to liquidity through repurchase agreements and brokered deposits.
While management believes that the Company has adequate liquidity to meet its commitments, and to fund the Banks lending and investment activities, the availabilities of these funding sources are subject to broad economic conditions and could be restricted in the future. Such restrictions would impact the Company's immediate liquidity and/or additional liquidity needs.
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Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company and the Bank were under the primary regulation of and required to comply with the capital requirements of the FRB. At those dates, the Company and the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and the Bank was considered "well-capitalized." See "Supervision and Regulation" in Item 1 and Note 19, "Regulatory Capital Requirements", for the Company's and the Bank's actual and required capital amounts and ratios.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
The Company is party to off-balance sheet financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include loan commitments, standby and commercial letters of credit and loan level derivatives. According to GAAP, these financial instruments are not recorded in the financial statements until they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. The effect of such activity on the Company's financial condition and results of operations, such as recorded liability for unfunded credit commitment, is immaterial. See Note 13, "Commitments and Contingencies," to the consolidated financial statements for a description of off-balance-sheet financial instruments.
