SEC Filing | Ponce Bank

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10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024


☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-41255

Ponce Financial Group, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Maryland	87-1893965
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2244 Westchester Avenue Bronx, NY	10462
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (718) 931-9000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

    Title of each class

    Trading
Symbol(s)

    Name of each exchange on which registered

    Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

    PDLB

    The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of May 8, 2024, the registrant had 23,811,732 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.


Auditor Firm Id: 339	Auditor Name: Mazars USA LLP	Auditor Location: New York, New York, USA

Table of Contents


		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	1
Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements	1
	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	47
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	47
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	48
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	48
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	48
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	48
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	48
Item 5.	Other Information	48
Item 6.	Exhibits	49
Signatures		50

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)


	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks:
Cash	$	29,972		$	28,930
Interest-bearing deposits		104,752			110,260
Total cash and cash equivalents		134,724			139,190
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (Note 3)		116,044			119,902
Held-to-maturity securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $473 at March 31, 2024 and $398 at December 31, 2023; at amortized cost (fair value 2024 $438,113; 2023 $450,042) (Note 3)		452,955			461,748
Placements with banks		249			249
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value (Note 4)		7,860			9,980
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $24,664 at March 31, 2024 and $26,154 at December 31, 2023 (Note 5)		1,981,428			1,895,886
Accrued interest receivable		18,063			18,010
Premises and equipment, net		17,396			16,053
Right of use assets (Note 6)		31,021			31,272
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) stock, at cost		23,892			19,377
Deferred tax assets		13,919			14,332
Other assets		21,151			24,723
Total assets	$	2,818,702		$	2,750,722
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits (Note 7)	$	1,585,784		$	1,507,620
Operating lease liabilities		32,486			32,684
Accrued interest payable		4,218			11,965
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		13,245			10,778
Borrowings (Note 8)		680,421			684,421
Other liabilities		8,866			11,859
Total liabilities		2,325,020			2,259,327
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 225,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and as of December 31, 2023.		225,000			225,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 24,886,711 shares issued and 23,790,497 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and 24,886,711 shares issued and 23,785,520 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023		249			249
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,096,214 shares as of March 31, 2024 and 1,101,191 shares as of December 31, 2023		(9,702	)		(9,747	)
Additional paid-in-capital		207,584			207,106
Retained earnings		99,834			97,420
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 14)		(16,590	)		(15,649	)
Unearned compensation ─ ESOP; 1,402,296 shares as of March 31, 2024 and 1,435,732 shares as of December 31, 2023		(12,693	)		(12,984	)
Total stockholders' equity		493,682			491,395
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,818,702		$	2,750,722

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Interest and dividend income:
Interest on loans receivable	$	30,664		$	19,700
Interest on deposits due from banks		2,911			197
Interest and dividend on securities and FHLBNY stock		6,091			6,459
Total interest and dividend income		39,666			26,356
Interest expense:
Interest on certificates of deposit (1)		6,380			3,225
Interest on other deposits (1)		6,540			2,812
Interest on borrowings		7,923			5,074
Total interest expense		20,843			11,111
Net interest income		18,823			15,245
Benefit for credit losses (Note 3) (Note 5)		(180	)		(174	)
Net interest income after benefit for credit losses		19,003			15,419
Non-interest income:
Service charges and fees		473			491
Brokerage commissions		8			15
Late and prepayment charges		359			729
Income on sale of mortgage loans		302			99
Other		565			485
Total non-interest income		1,707			1,819
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits		7,844			7,446
Occupancy and equipment		3,667			3,570
Data processing expenses		1,127			1,192
Direct loan expenses		732			412
Provision for contingencies		164			985
Insurance and surety bond premiums		253			265
Office supplies, telephone and postage		249			399
Professional fees		1,723			1,455
Grain recoveries (Note 5)		(53	)		(914	)
Marketing and promotional expenses		100			128
Directors' fees and regulatory assessment		179			155
Other operating expenses		965			1,268
Total non-interest expense		16,950			16,361
Income before income taxes		3,760			877
Provision for income taxes		1,346			546
Net income	$	2,414		$	331
Earnings per common share (Note 10):
Basic	$	0.11		$	0.01
Diluted	$	0.11		$	0.01
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 10):
Basic		22,353,492			23,293,013
Diluted		22,366,728			23,324,532

(1)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, $1.4 million of interest expense were reclassified from Interest on other deposits to Interest on certificates of deposits.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

(In thousands)


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Net income	$	2,414		$	331
Net change in unrealized (losses) gain on securities:
Unrealized (losses) gain		(1,196	)		1,564
Income benefit (tax) effect		255			(333	)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(941	)		1,231
Total comprehensive income	$	1,473		$	1,562

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)


																	Accumulated			Unallocated
									Treasury			Additional					Other			Common
	Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Stock,			Paid-in			Retained		Comprehensive			Stock
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		At Cost			Capital			Earnings		Income (Loss)			of ESOP			Total
Balance, December 31, 2023		225,000	$	225,000		23,785,520	$	249	$	(9,747	)	$	207,106		$	97,420	$	(15,649	)	$	(12,984	)	$	491,395
Net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			2,414		—			—			2,414
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—		(941	)		—			(941	)
Release of restricted stock units		—		—		4,977		—		45			(45	)				—			—			—
ESOP shares committed to be released (33,436 shares)		—		—		—		—		—			6			—		—			291			297
Share-based compensation		—		—		—		—		—			517			—		—			—			517
Balance, March 31, 2024		225,000	$	225,000		23,790,497	$	249	$	(9,702	)	$	207,584		$	99,834	$	(16,590	)	$	(12,693	)	$	493,682


																	Accumulated			Unallocated
									Treasury			Additional					Other			Common
	Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Stock,			Paid-in			Retained		Comprehensive			Stock
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		At Cost			Capital			Earnings		Loss			of ESOP			Total
Balance, December 31, 2022		225,000	$	225,000		24,859,353	$	249	$	(2	)	$	206,508		$	92,955	$	(17,860	)	$	(14,150	)		492,700
Net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			331		—			—			331
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—		1,231			—			1,231
Impact of CECL adoption, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			1,113		—			—			1,113
Release of restricted stock units		—		—		4,147		—		—			—			—		—			—			—
ESOP shares committed to be released (33,436 shares)		—		—		—		—		—			(29	)		—		—			291			262
Share-based compensation		—		—		—		—		—			404			—		—			—			404
Balance, March 31, 2023		225,000	$	225,000		24,863,500	$	249	$	(2	)	$	206,883		$	94,399	$	(16,629	)	$	(13,859	)	$	496,041

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

(In thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024			2023
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	2,414		$	331
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of premiums/discounts on securities, net		(39	)		(30	)
Gain on sale of loans		(276	)		—
Gain on derivatives		—			(119	)
Grain recoveries		(53	)		(914	)
Benefit for credit losses		(180	)		(174	)
Depreciation and amortization		673			742
ESOP compensation expense		297			262
Share-based compensation expense		517			404
Deferred income taxes		667			391
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in mortgage loans held for sale, fair value		2,396			(1,008	)
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(53	)		(386	)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		3,572			(778	)
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable		(7,747	)		377
Decrease in operating lease liabilities		(198	)		(224	)
Increase in advance payments by borrowers		2,467			5,178
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(2,996	)		2,094
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,461			6,146
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Net purchase and redemption of FHLBNY stock		(4,500	)		5,452
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments on securities		11,419			21,140
Placements with banks		—			249
Net increase in loans		(79,278	)		(117,890	)
Purchase of loans		(5,956	)		—
Purchases of premises and equipment		(1,776	)		(235	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(80,091	)		(91,284	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net increase in deposits		78,164			84,465
Net proceeds from borrowings		(4,000	)		131,000
Net cash provided by financing activities		74,164			215,465
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(4,466	)		130,327
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		139,190			54,360
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	134,724		$	184,687
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest on deposits and borrowings	$	28,590		$	10,734
Cash paid for income taxes	$	290		$	37

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1. Nature of Business

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation:

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (hereafter referred to as “we,” “our,” “us,” “Ponce Financial Group, Inc.,” or the “Company”) is the holding company of Ponce Bank (“Ponce Bank” or the “Bank”), a federally chartered stock savings association. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary Ponce Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ponce De Leon Mortgage Corp., which is a mortgage banking entity. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in the Company' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 19, 2024 (the "2023 Form 10-K").

Reclassification of Prior Periods Presentation: Certain prior periods amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reporting results of operations and did not affect previously reported amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Deposits (Note 8) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 for details on the reclassification.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted:

In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The amendments in this ASU require improved reportable segment information on an annual and interim basis, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoptions is permitted. The Company does not expect this standard to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, "Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740)." The amendment to this update addresses investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This update also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.

Note 2. Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock

On June 7, 2022, the Company‎ closed a private placement (the “Private Placement”) of 225,000 shares of the Company’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A‎, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price equal to $225.0 million in cash, to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) pursuant to the Emergency Capital Investment Program (“ECIP”).‎ The holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a dividend payable in cash quarterly at an annual rate dependent on certain factors as reported by the Company to Treasury in a quarterly supplemental report. The initial dividend rate is zero percent for the first two years after issuance, and thereafter the floor dividend rate is 0.50% and the ceiling dividend rate is 2.00%. After 10 years of issuance, the perpetual dividend rate in effect, will be determined based on said floor and ceiling. The actual dividend rate that will be paid by the Company on the Preferred Stock cannot be determined at this time.

The ECIP investment by the Treasury is part of a program to invest over $8.7 billion into Community Development Financial Institution (“CDFI”) or ‎Minority Depository Institution (“MDI”), of which Ponce Bank is both. The ECIP is intended to incentivize CDFIs and MDIs to provide loans, grants, ‎and forbearance to small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and consumers in low-income and underserved communities that may have been ‎disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.‎

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference, subject to certain limitations, in the amount of the sum of $1,000 per share plus declared and unpaid dividends (without accumulation of undeclared dividends) on each share.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3. Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024
				Gross		Gross
	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost			Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,991		$	—	$	(211	)	$	2,780
Corporate Bonds		25,782			—		(2,262	)		23,520
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (1)		38,183			—		(6,229	)		31,954
FHLMC Certificates		9,903			—		(1,424	)		8,479
FNMA Certificates		60,158			—		(10,948	)		49,210
GNMA Certificates		102			—		(1	)		101
Total available-for-sale securities	$	137,119		$	—	$	(21,075	)	$	116,044

Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds	$	25,000		$	—	$	(289	)	$	24,711
Corporate Bonds		82,500			—		(2,211	)		80,289
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (1)		207,079			—		(7,468	)		199,611
FHLMC Certificates		3,819			—		(253	)		3,566
FNMA Certificates		116,085			—		(5,263	)		110,822
SBA Certificates		18,945			169		—			19,114
Allowance for Credit Losses		(473	)		—		—			—
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	452,955		$	169	$	(15,484	)	$	438,113

(1)

Comprised of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”) issued securities.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


	December 31, 2023
				Gross		Gross
	Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost			Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,990		$	—	$	(206	)	$	2,784
Corporate Bonds		25,790			—		(2,122	)		23,668
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (1)		39,375			—		(6,227	)		33,148
FHLMC Certificates		10,163			—		(1,482	)		8,681
FNMA Certificates		61,359			—		(9,842	)		51,517
GNMA Certificates		104			—		—			104
Total available-for-sale securities	$	139,781		$	—	$	(19,879	)	$	119,902

Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds	$	25,000		$	—	$	(181	)	$	24,819
Corporate Bonds		82,500			—		(2,691	)		79,809
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (1)		212,093			104		(5,170	)		207,027
FHLMC Certificates		3,897			—		(244	)		3,653
FNMA Certificates		118,944			—		(4,088	)		114,856
SBA Certificates		19,712			166		—			19,878
Allowance for Credit Losses		(398	)		—		—			—
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	461,748		$	270	$	(12,374	)	$	450,042

(1)

Comprised of FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA issued securities.

The Company’s securities portfolio had 40 available-for-sale securities and 33 held-to-maturity securities at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were no available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities sold during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023. One held-to-maturity security in the amount of $10.0 million matured and/or was called during the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no securities that matured and/or were called during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company did not purchase any available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following table presents the Company's gross unrealized losses and fair values of its securities, aggregated by the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	March 31, 2024
	Securities With Gross Unrealized Losses
	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total		Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	—	$	—		$	2,780	$	(211	)	$	2,780	$	(211	)
Corporate Bonds		—		—			23,520		(2,262	)		23,520		(2,262	)
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		—		—			31,954		(6,229	)		31,954		(6,229	)
FHLMC Certificates		—		—			8,479		(1,424	)		8,479		(1,424	)
FNMA Certificates		—		—			49,210		(10,948	)		49,210		(10,948	)
GNMA Certificates		—		—			101		(1	)		101		(1	)
Total available-for-sale securities	$	—	$	—		$	116,044	$	(21,075	)	$	116,044	$	(21,075	)
Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds	$	—	$	—		$	24,711	$	(289	)	$	24,711	$	(289	)
Corporate Bonds		3,304		(196	)		76,985		(2,015	)		80,289		(2,211	)
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		33,444		(423	)		166,167		(7,045	)		199,611		(7,468	)
FHLMC Certificates		—		—			3,566		(253	)		3,566		(253	)
FNMA Certificates		—		—			110,822		(5,263	)		110,822		(5,263	)
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	36,748	$	(619	)	$	382,251	$	(14,865	)	$	418,999	$	(15,484	)


	December 31, 2023
	Securities With Gross Unrealized Losses
	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total		Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	—	$	—		$	2,784	$	(206	)	$	2,784	$	(206	)
Corporate Bonds		—		—			23,668		(2,122	)		23,668		(2,122	)
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		—		—			33,148		(6,227	)		33,148		(6,227	)
FHLMC Certificates		—		—			8,681		(1,482	)		8,681		(1,482	)
FNMA Certificates		—		—			51,517		(9,842	)		51,517		(9,842	)
GNMA Certificates		—		—			—		—			—		—
Total available-for-sale securities	$	—	$	—		$	119,798	$	(19,879	)	$	119,798	$	(19,879	)
Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds	$	—	$	—		$	24,819	$	(181	)	$	24,819	$	(181	)
Corporate Bonds		3,288		(212	)		76,521		(2,479	)		79,809		(2,691	)
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		81,875		(725	)		112,339		(4,445	)		194,214		(5,170	)
FHLMC Certificates		—		—			3,653		(244	)		3,653		(244	)
FNMA Certificates		—		—			114,856		(4,088	)		114,856		(4,088	)
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	85,163	$	(937	)	$	332,188	$	(11,437	)	$	417,351	$	(12,374	)

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had 40 available-for-sale securities, for both periods, and 30 and 31 held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, with gross unrealized loss positions. Management reviewed the financial condition of the entities underlying the securities at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The unrealized losses related to the Company debt securities were issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. The Company does not believe

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

that the debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2024 represents a credit loss impairment. The gross unrealized loss positions related to mortgage-backed securities and other obligations issued by the U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government and have a long history of zero credit loss. Total gross unrealized losses were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates relative to when the investment securities were purchased and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities.

Management reviewed the collectability of the corporate bonds taking into consideration of such factors as the financial condition of the issuers, reported regulatory capital ratios of the issuers, credit ratings, including ratings in effect as of the reporting date. Management believes the unrealized losses on the corporate bonds are primarily attributable to changes in the interest rates and not changes in the credit quality of the issuers of the corporate bonds.

The following is a summary of maturities of securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Amounts are shown by contractual maturity. Because borrowers for mortgage-backed securities have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties, at any time, these securities are included as a total within the table.


	March 31, 2024
	Amortized			Fair
	Cost			Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—
More than one year through five years		2,991			2,780
More than five years through ten years		—			—
		2,991			2,780
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		4,000			3,910
More than one year through five years		1,000			137
More than five years through ten years		20,782			19,473
		25,782			23,520
Mortgage-Backed Securities		108,346			89,744
Total available-for-sale securities	$	137,119		$	116,044
Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—
More than one year through five years		25,000			24,711
More than five years through ten years		—			—
		25,000			24,711
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		25,000			24,673
More than one year through five years		50,000			48,851
More than five years through ten years		7,500			6,765
		82,500			80,289
Mortgage-Backed Securities		345,928			333,113
Allowance for Credit Losses		(473	)		—
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	452,955		$	438,113

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


	December 31, 2023
	Amortized			Fair
	Cost			Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—
More than one year through five years		2,990			2,784
More than five years through ten years		—			—
		2,990			2,784
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		4,000			3,863
More than one year through five years		1,000			536
More than five years through ten years		20,790			19,269
		25,790			23,668
Mortgage-Backed Securities		111,001			93,450
Total available-for-sale securities	$	139,781		$	119,902
Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—
More than one year through five years		25,000			24,819
More than five years through ten years		—			—
		25,000			24,819
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		25,000			24,650
More than one year through five years		50,000			48,265
More than five years through ten years		7,500			6,894
		82,500			79,809
Mortgage-Backed Securities		354,646			345,414
Allowance for Credit Losses		(398	)		—
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	461,748		$	450,042

At March 31, 2024, 20 available-for-sale securities with a fair value totaling $66.0 million and 11 held-to-maturity securities with an amortized cost totaling $136.6 million were pledged at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("FRBNY") as collateral for borrowing activities. At December 31, 2023, 26 available-for-sale securities with a fair value totaling $93.3 million and 17 held-to-maturity securities with an amortized cost totaling $193.3 million were pledged at the FRBNY as collateral for borrowing activities.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities:


	For the Three
	Months Ended		For the Year Ended
	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Allowance for credit losses on securities at beginning of period	$	398	$	—
Impact on CECL adoption		—		662
Provision (benefit) for credit losses		75		(264	)
Allowance for credit losses on securities at end of period	$	473	$	398

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the entire allowance for credit losses on securities was allocated to corporate bonds.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 4. Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

The following table provides the fair value and contractual principal balance outstanding of loans held for sale accounted for under the fair value options:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value	$	7,860	$	9,980
Mortgage loans held for sale, contractual principal outstanding		7,776		9,864
Fair value less unpaid principal balance	$	84	$	116

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank had 10 loans and 19 loans in the amount of $7.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, that were classified as held for sale and accounted for under the fair value option accounting guidance for financial assets and financial liabilities.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were $4.4 million, for both periods, in loans held for sale that were greater than 90 days past due and non-accrual with a substandard risk rating.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 5. Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Loans receivable at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential
Investor-Owned	$	339,331		$	343,689
Owner-Occupied		150,842			152,311
Multifamily residential		545,825			550,559
Nonresidential properties		327,350			342,343
Construction and land		608,665			503,925
Total mortgage loans		1,972,013			1,892,827
Nonmortgage loans:
Business loans		26,664			19,779
Consumer loans (1)		6,741			8,966
Total non-mortgage loans		33,405			28,745
Total loans, gross		2,005,418			1,921,572
Net deferred loan origination costs		674			468
Allowance for Credit Losses		(24,664	)		(26,154	)
Loans receivable, net	$	1,981,428		$	1,895,886

(1)

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, consumer loans include $5.7 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of microloans originated by the Bank pursuant to its arrangement with Grain.

The Company’s lending activities are conducted principally in metropolitan New York City. The Company primarily grants loans secured by real estate to individuals and businesses pursuant to an established credit policy applicable to each type of lending activity in which it engages. Although collateral provides assurance as a secondary source of repayment, the Company ordinarily requires the primary source of repayment to be based on the borrowers’ ability to generate continuing cash flows. The Company also evaluates the collateral and creditworthiness of each customer. The credit policy provides that depending on the borrowers’ creditworthiness and type of collateral, credit may be extended up to predetermined percentages of the market value of the collateral or on an unsecured basis. Real estate is the primary form of collateral. Other important forms of collateral are time deposits and marketable securities.

For disclosures related to the allowance for credit losses and credit quality, the Company does not have any disaggregated classes of loans below the segment level.

Credit-Quality Indicators: Internally assigned risk ratings are used as credit-quality indicators, which are reviewed by management on a quarterly basis.

The objectives of the Company’s risk-rating system are to provide the Board of Directors and senior management with an objective assessment of the overall quality of the loan portfolio, to promptly and accurately identify loans with well-defined credit weaknesses so that timely action can be taken to minimize credit loss, to identify relevant trends affecting the collectability of the loan portfolio, to isolate potential problem areas and to provide essential information for determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.

Below are the definitions of the internally assigned risk ratings:

•

Strong Pass – Loans to a new or existing borrower collateralized at least 90 percent by an unimpaired deposit account at the Company.

•

Good Pass – Loans to a new or existing borrower in a well-established enterprise in excellent financial condition with strong liquidity and a history of consistently high level of earnings, cash flow and debt service capacity.

•

Satisfactory Pass – Loans to a new or existing borrower of average strength with acceptable financial condition, satisfactory record of earnings and sufficient historical and projected cash flow to service the debt.

•

Performance Pass – Existing loans that evidence strong payment history but document less than average strength, financial condition, record of earnings, or projected cash flows with which to service the debt.

•

Special Mention – Loans in this category are currently protected but show one or more potential weaknesses and risks which may inadequately protect collectability or borrower’s ability to meet repayment terms at some future date if the weakness or weaknesses are not monitored or remediated.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

•

Substandard – Loans that are inadequately protected by the repayment capacity of the borrower or the current sound net worth of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans in this category have well defined weaknesses and risks that jeopardize the repayment. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that some loss may be sustained if the deficiencies are not remediated.

•

Doubtful – Loans that have all the weaknesses of loans classified as “Substandard” with the added characteristics that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans within the top four categories above are considered pass rated, as commonly defined. Risk ratings are assigned as necessary to differentiate risk within the portfolio. Risk ratings are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised to reflect changes in the borrowers’ financial condition and outlook, debt service coverage capability, repayment performance, collateral value and coverage as well as other considerations.

The following tables present credit risk ratings by loan segment as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	March 31, 2024
	Mortgage Loans								Nonmortgage Loans
							Construction						Total
	1-4 Family		Multifamily		Nonresidential		and Land		Business		Consumer		Loans
	(in thousands)
Risk Rating:
Pass	$	480,635	$	540,088	$	324,319	$	602,489	$	26,434	$	6,741	$	1,980,706
Special mention		1,855		—		2,517		—		230		—		4,602
Substandard		7,683		5,737		514		6,176		—		—		20,110
Total	$	490,173	$	545,825	$	327,350	$	608,665	$	26,664	$	6,741	$	2,005,418


	December 31, 2023
	Mortgage Loans								Nonmortgage Loans
							Construction						Total
	1-4 Family		Multifamily		Nonresidential		and Land		Business		Consumer		Loans
	(in thousands)
Risk Rating:
Pass	$	485,747	$	546,471	$	339,726	$	497,266	$	19,759	$	8,966	$	1,897,935
Special mention		2,150		1,109		2,527		—		—		—		5,786
Substandard		8,103		2,979		90		6,659		20		—		17,851
Total	$	496,000	$	550,559	$	342,343	$	503,925	$	19,779	$	8,966	$	1,921,572

An aging analysis of loans, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, is as follows:


	March 31, 2024
			30-59		60-89		90 Days						90 Days
			Days		Days		or More				Nonaccrual		or More
	Current		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Total		Loans		Accruing
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential
Investor-Owned	$	338,650	$	—	$	281	$	400	$	339,331	$	400	$	—
Owner-Occupied		148,969		—		—		1,873		150,842		1,873		—
Multifamily residential		540,088		—		1,639		4,098		545,825		4,098		—
Nonresidential properties		324,392		2,517		—		441		327,350		441		—
Construction and land		602,488		—		—		6,177		608,665		6,177		—
Nonmortgage loans:
Business		26,005		274		9		376		26,664		146		230
Consumer		5,983		364		394		—		6,741		—		—
Total	$	1,986,575	$	3,155	$	2,323	$	13,365	$	2,005,418	$	13,135	$	230

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


	December 31, 2023
			30-59		60-89		90 Days						90 Days
			Days		Days		or More				Nonaccrual		or More
	Current		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Total		Loans		Accruing
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential
Investor-Owned	$	342,896	$	—	$	—	$	793	$	343,689	$	793	$	—
Owner-Occupied		150,181		—		—		2,130		152,311		2,130		—
Multifamily residential		546,471		1,109		—		2,979		550,559		2,979		—
Nonresidential properties		342,343		—		—		—		342,343		—		—
Construction and land		497,266		—		—		6,659		503,925		6,659		—
Nonmortgage loans:
Business		19,240		366		8		165		19,779		165		—
Consumer		7,423		536		1,007		—		8,966		—		—
Total	$	1,905,820	$	2,011	$	1,015	$	12,726	$	1,921,572	$	12,726	$	—

The following schedules detail the composition of the allowance for credit losses on loans and the related recorded investment in loans as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023:



	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Mortgage Loans														Nonmortgage Loans						Total
	1-4 Family Investor Owned			1-4 Family Owner Occupied			Multifamily			Nonresidential			Construction and Land		Business			Consumer			For the Period
	(in thousands)
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Balance, beginning of period	$	4,415		$	2,012		$	4,365		$	3,176		$	4,807	$	531		$	6,848		$	26,154
Provision (benefit) charged to expense		(158	)		(49	)		(151	)		(940	)		1,596		82			(635	)		(255	)
Charge-offs		—			—			—			—			—		(52	)		(1,302	)		(1,354	)
Recoveries		—			—			—			—			—		—			119			119
Balance, end of period	$	4,257		$	1,963		$	4,214		$	2,236		$	6,403	$	561		$	5,030		$	24,664
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	75		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	142		$	—		$	217
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		4,257			1,888			4,214			2,236			6,403		419			5,030			24,447
Total	$	4,257		$	1,963		$	4,214		$	2,236		$	6,403	$	561		$	5,030		$	24,664
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	399		$	1,874		$	4,098		$	441		$	6,177	$	146		$	—		$	13,135
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		338,932			148,968			541,727			326,909			602,488		26,518			6,741			1,992,283
Total	$	339,331		$	150,842		$	545,825		$	327,350		$	608,665	$	26,664		$	6,741		$	2,005,418

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Mortgage Loans												Nonmortgage Loans					Total
	1-4 Family Investor Owned		1-4 Family Owner Occupied		Multifamily			Nonresidential		Construction and Land			Business		Consumer			For the Period
	(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
Balance, beginning of period	$	3,863	$	1,723	$	8,021		$	2,724	$	2,683		$	120	$	15,458		$	34,592
Provision (benefit) charged to expense		135		182		455			16		750			1		(1,860	)		(321	)
Impact of CECL adoption		766		146		(3,962	)		578		(911	)		236		57			(3,090	)
Charge-offs		—		—		—			—		—			—		(2,569	)		(2,569	)
Recoveries		—		—		—			—		—			—		363			363
Balance, end of period	$	4,764	$	2,051	$	4,514		$	3,318	$	2,522		$	357	$	11,449		$	28,975
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	60	$	100	$	—		$	37	$	—		$	40	$	—		$	237
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		4,704		1,951		4,514			3,281		2,522			317		11,449			28,738
Total	$	4,764	$	2,051	$	4,514		$	3,318	$	2,522		$	357	$	11,449		$	28,975
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	5,234	$	5,576	$	1,439		$	792	$	11,905		$	40	$	—		$	24,986
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		349,325		143,905		551,991			313,768		223,252			19,850		14,227			1,616,318

Total	$	354,559	$	149,481	$	553,430		$	314,560	$	235,157		$	19,890	$	14,227		$	1,641,304


	For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
	Mortgage Loans														Nonmortgage Loans						Total
	1-4 Family Investor Owned			1-4 Family Owner Occupied		Multifamily			Nonresidential			Construction and Land			Business			Consumer			For the Period
	(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
Balance, beginning of year	$	3,863		$	1,723	$	8,021		$	2,724		$	2,683		$	120		$	15,458		$	34,592
Provision (benefit) charged to expense		(214	)		143		306			(126	)		3,035			235			(2,142	)		1,237
Impact of CECL adoption		766			146		(3,962	)		578			(911	)		236			57			(3,090	)
Charge-offs		—			—		—			—			—			(63	)		(7,227	)		(7,290	)
Recoveries		—			—		—			—			—			3			702			705
Balance, end of year	$	4,415		$	2,012	$	4,365		$	3,176		$	4,807		$	531		$	6,848		$	26,154
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	—		$	72	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	161		$	—		$	233
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		4,415			1,940		4,365			3,176			4,807			370			6,848			25,921
Total	$	4,415		$	2,012	$	4,365		$	3,176		$	4,807		$	531		$	6,848		$	26,154
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	793		$	2,130	$	2,979		$	—		$	6,659		$	165		$	—		$	12,726
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		342,896			150,181		547,580			342,343			497,266			19,614			8,966			1,908,846
Total	$	343,689		$	152,311	$	550,559		$	342,343		$	503,925		$	19,779		$	8,966		$	1,921,572

Loans are considered impaired when current information and events indicate all amounts due may not be collectable according to the contractual terms of the related loan agreements. Impaired loans are identified by applying normal loan review procedures in accordance with the allowance for credit losses methodology. Management periodically assesses loans to determine whether impairment exists. Any loan that is, or will potentially be, no longer performing in accordance with the terms of the original loan contract is evaluated to determine impairment.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following information relates to impaired loans as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023:


	Unpaid Contractual		Recorded Investment		Recorded Investment		Total				Average		Interest Income
	Principal		With No		With		Recorded		Related		Recorded		Recognized
As of and For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024	Balance		Allowance		Allowance		Investment		Allowance		Investment		on a Cash Basis
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential	$	2,256	$	1,825	$	448	$	2,273	$	75	$	2,598	$	4
Multifamily residential		4,069		4,098		—		4,098		—		3,539		35
Nonresidential properties		441		441		—		441		—		221		—
Construction and land		6,177		6,177		—		6,177		—		6,418		987
Nonmortgage loans:
Business		146		—		146		146		142		156		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	13,089	$	12,541	$	594	$	13,135	$	217	$	12,932	$	1,026

	Unpaid Contractual		Recorded Investment		Recorded Investment		Total				Average		Interest Income
	Principal		With No		With		Recorded		Related		Recorded		Recognized
As of and For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023	Balance		Allowance		Allowance		Investment		Allowance		Investment		on a Cash Basis
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential	$	11,212	$	9,452	$	1,358	$	10,810	$	160	$	10,197	$	83
Multifamily residential		1,437		1,439		—		1,439		—		720		—
Nonresidential properties		833		452		340		792		37		796		7
Construction and land		11,905		11,905		—		11,905		—		9,736		—
Nonmortgage loans:
Business		40		—		40		40		40		20		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	25,427	$	23,248	$	1,738	$	24,986	$	237	$	21,469	$	90


	Unpaid Contractual		Recorded Investment		Recorded Investment		Total				Average		Interest Income
	Principal		With No		With		Recorded		Related		Recorded		Recognized
As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2023	Balance		Allowance		Allowance		Investment		Allowance		Investment		on a Cash Basis
	(in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential	$	2,906	$	2,475	$	448	$	2,923	$	72	$	4,812	$	82
Multifamily residential		2,966		2,979		—		2,979		—		1,463		151
Nonresidential properties		—		—		—		—		—		198		—
Construction and land		6,650		6,659		—		6,659		—		8,211		—
Nonmortgage loans:
Business		165		—		165		165		161		104		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total	$	12,687	$	12,113	$	613	$	12,726	$	233	$	14,788	$	233

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-02 on January 1, 2023. Since adoption, the Company has not modified any loans with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. These modifications may include a reduction in interest rate, an extension in term, principal forgiveness and/or other than insignificant payment delay. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no loans with modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023, the Company classified certain loans as troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loans when credit terms to a borrower in financial difficulty were modified, in accordance with ASC 310-40. With the adoption of ASU

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

2022-02 as of January 1, 2023, the Company has ceased to recognize or measure for new TDRs but those existing at December 31, 2022 will remain until settled.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 20 and 21 troubled debt restructured loans totaling $5.6 million and $5.9 million of which $4.9 million and $5.2 million are on accrual status, respectively. There were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring.

Write-off and write-down of Microloans

On November 1, 2023, Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Grain signed a Perpetual Software License Agreement in order for the Bank to assume the servicing of the remaining Grain loans. In order to facilitate the transfer of the servicing responsibilities to the Bank, Grain granted the Bank a perpetual right and license to use the Grain software, including the source code to service the remaining loans.

At March 31, 2024, the Bank had 11,939 Grain microloans outstanding, net of put backs, with an aggregate balance totaling $5.7 million and which were performing, in management’s opinion, comparably to similar portfolios, offset by an $4.9 million allowance for credit losses, resulting in $0.9 million in Grain microloans. Since the beginning of the Bank’s agreement with Grain and through March 31, 2024, 45,322 microloans amounting to $24.1 million have been deemed to be fraudulent and put back to Grain. The Company has written-down a total of $15.4 million, net of recoveries, of the Grain Receivable and received $6.8 million in cash from Grain and through the application of security deposits connected to fraudulent loan accounts. The Bank also opted to use the $1.8 million grant it received from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Rapid Response ‎Program to defray the Grain Receivable. The application of those amounts resulted in no net receivable. Additionally, the Company wrote-off its equity investment in Grain of $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s total exposure to Grain was $0.9 million of the remaining microloans, net of allowance for credit losses, excluding $1.6 million of security deposits by Grain borrowers. The $0.1 million of recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the $0.9 million recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2023 related to Grain is included in non-interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Grain Technology, Inc. ("Grain") Total Exposure as of March 31, 2024
(in thousands)
Receivable from Grain
Microloans originated - put back to Grain (inception-to-March 31, 2024)	$	24,051
Write-downs, net of recoveries (inception-to-date as of March 31, 2024)		(15,406	)
Cash receipts from Grain (inception-to-March 31, 2024)		(6,819	)
Grant/reserve (inception-to-March 31, 2024)		(1,826	)
Net receivable as of March 31, 2024	$	—
Microloan receivables from Grain borrowers
Grain originated loans receivable as of March 31, 2024	$	5,731
Allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024 (1)		(4,868	)
Microloans, net of allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024	$	863
Investments
Investment in Grain	$	1,000
Investment in Grain write-off		(1,000	)
Investment in Grain as of March 31, 2024	$	—
Total exposure to Grain as of March 31, 2024 (2)	$	863

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(1) Excludes $1.6 million of security deposits by Grain originated borrowers reported in deposits in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Conditions.

(2) Total remaining exposure to Grain borrowers. These loans are now serviced by the Bank.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Losses

Also included within the scope of the CECL standard are off-balance sheet loan commitments, which includes the unfunded portion of committed lines of credit and construction loans.

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the company is exposed to credit risk through a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The Company uses similar assumptions and risk factors that are developed for collectively evaluated financing receivables. This estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments to be funded over its estimated life.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the allowance for off-balance sheet credit losses was $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which is included in the "Other liabilities" on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in credit loss provision for off-balance-sheet items, which are included in "Provision for contingencies" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for off-balance-sheet credit losses:


	For the Three
	Months Ended		For the Year Ended
	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitment at beginning of period	$	3,613	$	354
Impact on CECL adoption		—		948
Provision for credit losses		164		2,311
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitment at end of period	$	3,777	$	3,613

Note 6. Leases

The Company has 16 operating leases for branches (including headquarters) and office spaces and five operating leases for equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from less than one year to approximately 14.8 years, none of which has a renewal option reasonably certain of exercise, which has been reflected in the Company’s calculation of lease term.

Certain leases have escalation clauses for operating expenses and real estate taxes. The Company’s non-cancelable operating lease agreements expire through 2038.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:


	March 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating lease ROU assets	$	31,021		$	31,272
Operating lease liabilities		32,486			32,684
Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases	12.4 years			12.6 years
Weighted average discount rate-operating leases		4.9	%		4.9	%

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The components of lease expense and cash flow information related to leases were as follows:


		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2024		2023
		(Dollars in thousands)
Lease Cost
Operating lease cost	Occupancy and equipment	$	1,026	$	1,015
Operating lease cost	Other operating expenses		3		4
Short-term lease cost	Other operating expenses		5		6
Variable lease cost	Occupancy and equipment		39		31
Total lease cost		$	1,073	$	1,056

The Company’s minimum annual rental payments under the terms of the leases are as follows at March 31, 2024:


	Minimum Rental
Years ended December 31:	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2024	$	2,912
2025		3,818
2026		3,668
2027		3,537
2028		3,594
Thereafter		25,474
Total Minimum payments required		43,003
Less: implied interest		10,517
Present value of lease liabilities	$	32,486

Note 7. Deposits

Deposits at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Demand (1)	$	191,541	$	185,151
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW/IOLA accounts (1)		73,202		77,909
Money market accounts		482,344		432,735
Reciprocal deposits		97,718		96,860
Savings accounts		112,713		114,139
Total NOW, money market, reciprocal and savings		765,977		721,643
Certificates of deposit of $250K or more		146,296		132,153
Brokered certificates of deposits (2)		94,689		98,729
Listing service deposits (2)		12,688		14,433
Certificates of deposit less than $250K		374,593		355,511
Total certificates of deposit		628,266		600,826
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,394,243		1,322,469
Total deposits	$	1,585,784	$	1,507,620

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(1)

As of December 31, 2023, $58.2 million were reclassified from demand to NOW/IOLA accounts.

(2)

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were $1.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in individual listing service deposits amounting to $250,000 or more. All brokered certificates of deposit individually amounted to less than $250,000.

At March 31, 2024 scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit were as follows:


	(in thousands)
2024	$	406,857
2025		127,741
2026		43,472
2027		47,284
2028		2,245
Thereafter		667
	$	628,266

Overdrawn deposit accounts that have been reclassified to loans amounted to $0.1 million as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Note 8. Borrowings

The Bank had outstanding term advances from the FHLBNY and the FRBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 as indicated below.

FHLBNY Advances: As a member of the FHLBNY, the Bank has the ability to borrow from the FHLBNY based on a certain percentage of the value of the Bank's qualified collateral, as defined in the FHLBNY Statement of Credit Policy, at the time of the borrowing. In accordance with an agreement with the FHLBNY, the qualified collateral must be free and clear of liens, pledges and encumbrances.

The Bank had $480.4 million and $380.4 million of outstanding term advances from the FHLBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Bank had no overnight line of credit advance from the FHLBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

FRBNY Advances: The Bank also has additional borrowing capacity under a secured line with the FRBNY secured by 36.7% of our total securities portfolio with amortized cost of $216.8 million at March 31, 2024. The Bank had $200.0 million and $304.0 million of outstanding term advances from the FRBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Borrowed funds at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consist of the following and are summarized by maturity and call date below:


	March 31,							December 31,
	2024							2023
	Scheduled Maturity		Redeemable at Call Date		Weighted Average Rate			Scheduled Maturity		Redeemable at Call Date		Weighted Average Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Term advances ending:
2024	$	109,321	$	109,321		5.15	%	$	363,321	$	363,321		4.55	%
2025		250,000		250,000		4.69			50,000		50,000		4.41
2026		50,000		50,000		4.83			—		—		—
2027		212,000		212,000		3.44			212,000		212,000		3.44
2028		9,100		9,100		3.84			9,100		9,100		3.84
Thereafter		50,000		50,000		3.35			50,000		50,000		3.35
	$	680,421	$	680,421		4.28	%	$	684,421	$	684,421		4.10	%

Interest expense on term advances totaled $7.9 million and $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 9. Derivatives and Hedging

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Company utilized derivative financial instruments to accommodate the business needs and to hedge the exposure that this creates for the Company. All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and are measured at fair value. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Bank is a party to two interest rate swap transactions designated as fair value hedges. One interest rate swap is for a period of two years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2025 with a notional amount of $150.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.885% and receive the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate. The other interest rate swap is for a period of three years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2026 with a notional amount of $100.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.62% and receive the SOFR rate.

The tables present the notional amount and fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments, as well as their location on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.


			Fair Value
	Notional		Loans Receivable		Other Liabilities
	(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2024
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts	$	250,000	$	1,496	$	1,496
Total Derivatives	$	250,000	$	1,496	$	1,496


			Fair Value
	Notional		Loans Receivable		Other Liabilities
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2023
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts	$	250,000	$	4,435	$	4,435
Total Derivatives	$	250,000	$	4,435	$	4,435

Note 10. Earnings Per Share

The following table presents a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(Dollars in thousands except share data)

Net income	$	2,414	$	331

Common shares outstanding for basic EPS:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		23,788,856		24,862,118
Less: Weighted average unallocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) shares		1,435,364		1,569,105
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		22,353,492		23,293,013
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.11	$	0.01
Potential dilutive common shares:
Add: Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards and stock options		13,236		31,519
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		22,366,728		23,324,532
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.11	$	0.01

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 11. Commitments, Contingencies and Credit Risk

Financial Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk: In the normal course of business, financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk may be used to meet the financing needs of customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement in particular classes of financial instruments.

The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represent the amounts of potential accounting loss should the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer default, and the value of any existing collateral become worthless. The same credit policies are used in making commitments and contractual obligations as for on-balance-sheet instruments. Financial instruments whose contractual amounts represent credit risk at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Commitments to grant mortgage loans	$	540,823	$	529,768
Unfunded commitments under lines of credit		64,807		61,739
	$	605,630	$	591,507

Commitments to Grant Mortgage Loans: Commitments to grant mortgage loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as all terms and conditions are met as established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses, and may require payment of a fee by the borrower. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties. Material losses are not anticipated as a result of these transactions.

Commitments to Sell Loans at Lock-in Rates: In order to assure itself of a marketplace to sell its loans, The Bank has agreements with investors who will commit to purchase loans at locked-in rates. The Bank has off-balance sheet market risk to the extent that the Bank does not obtain matching commitments from these investors to purchase the loans. This will expose the Bank to the lower of cost or market valuation environment.

Repurchases, Indemnifications and Premium Recaptures: Loans sold by the Bank under investor programs are subject to repurchase or indemnification if they fail to meet the origination criteria of those programs. In addition, loans sold to investors are also subject to repurchase or indemnifications if the loan is two or three months delinquent during a set period which usually varies from six months to a year after the loan is sold. There are no open repurchase or indemnification requests for loans sold as a correspondent lender or where the Company acted as a broker in the transaction as of March 31, 2024.

Unfunded Commitments Under Lines of Credit: Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extension of credit to existing customers. These lines of credit are uncollateralized and usually contain a specified maturity date and, ultimately, may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.

Unfunded Commitments with Bamboo: On October 1, 2022, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Bamboo Payment Holding LLC ("Bamboo"). Under the agreement, the Company purchased from Bamboo 180 Membership Interest Units representing an aggregate amount equal to up to 19.84% of total issued and outstanding Membership Interest in Bamboo for a purchase price of $2.5 million. During 2023, the Company made additional contributions for a total of $1.2 million. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company made two additional contributions for a total of $0.5 million and then made an additional payment of $0.2 million in April of 2024 for a total investment in Bamboo of $4.4 million. With over a decade processing payments in Latin America, Bamboo has a diverse network connects Latin American local payment processing to global companies as well as domestic solutions to locally based organizations.

Unfunded Commitments with Oaktree: In December of 2021, the Bank committed to invest $5.0 million in Oaktree SBIC Fund, L.P. ("Oaktree"). As of March 31, 2024, the total unfunded commitment was $2.4 million.

Unfunded Commitments with Silvergate: In April of 2022, the Company committed to invest $5.2 million in EJF Silvergate Ventures Fund LP ("Silvergate"). As of March 31, 2024, the total unfunded commitment was $2.3 million.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Letters of Credit: Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Letters of credit are largely cash secured.

Concentration by Geographic Location: Loans, commitments to extend credit and letters of credit have been granted to customers who are located primarily in the New York City metropolitan area. Generally, such loans most often are secured by residential properties. The loans are expected to be repaid from the borrowers' cash flows.

Legal Matters: The Company is involved in various legal proceedings which have arisen in the normal course of business. Management believes that resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Note 12. Fair Value

The following fair value hierarchy is used based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Placements with Banks, Accrued Interest Receivable, Advance Payments by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable: The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. These assets and liabilities are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Available-for-Sale Securities: These financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models (e.g., matrix pricing) or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Examples of such instruments include government agency bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Level 3 securities are securities for which significant unobservable inputs are utilized. There were no changes in valuation techniques used to measure similar assets during the period.

FHLBNY Stock: The carrying value of FHLBNY stock approximates fair value since the Bank can redeem such stock with FHLBNY at cost. As a member of the FHLBNY, the Company is required to purchase this stock, which is carried at cost and classified as restricted equity securities.

Loans Receivable: For variable rate loans, which reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair values, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios. The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using estimated market rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios. Impaired loans are valued using a present value discounted cash flow method, or the fair value of the collateral. Loans are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Loans Held for Sale: Loans held for sale, at fair value, consists of loans originated for sale by the Bank and accounted for under the fair value option. These assets are valued using stated investor pricing for substantially equivalent loans as Level 2. In determining fair value, such measurements are derived based on observable market data, including whole-loan transaction pricing and similar market transactions adjusted for portfolio composition, servicing value and market conditions. Loans held for sale by the Bank are carried at the lower of cost or fair value as determined by investor bid prices.

Under the fair value option, management has elected, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, fair value for substantially all forms of mortgage loans originated for sale on a recurring basis. The fair value carrying amount of mortgages held for sale measured under the fair value option was $7.9 million and the aggregate unpaid principal amounted to $7.8 million.

Other Real Estate Owned: Other real estate owned represents real estate acquired through foreclosure, and is recorded at fair value less estimated disposal costs on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management's estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

or a current appraised value, the asset is classified as Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the asset is classified as Level 3.

Deposits: The fair values of demand deposits, savings, NOW and money market accounts equal their carrying amounts, which represent the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-term, fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies market interest rates on certificates of deposit to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on such deposits. Deposits are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

FHLBNY Advances: The fair value of the advances is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current market-based FHLBNY interest rates for advances of similar maturity to a schedule of maturities of such advances. These borrowings are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Derivatives: The Company works directly with a third-party vendor to provide periodic valuations for its interest-rate risk-management agreements to determine fair value of its interest rate swaps executed for interest-rate risk management. The vendor utilizes standard valuation methodologies applicable to interest rate derivatives based on readily observable market data and are therefore considered Level 2 valuations.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Fair values for off-balance-sheet instruments (lending commitments and standby letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing. Off-balance-sheet instruments are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

The following tables detail the assets that are carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and indicate the level within the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine the fair value:


			March 31, 2024
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,780	$	2,780	$	—	$	—
Corporate bonds		23,520		—		23,520		—
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		31,954		—		31,954		—
FHLMC Certificates		8,479		—		8,479		—
FNMA Certificates		49,210		—		49,210		—
GNMA Certificates		101		—		101		—
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, at fair value		7,860		—		7,860		—
Interest rate swap		1,496		—		1,496		—
	$	125,400	$	2,780	$	122,620	$	—


			December 31, 2023
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,784	$	2,784	$	—	$	—
Corporate bonds		23,668		536		23,132		—
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		33,148		—		33,148		—
FHLMC Certificates		8,681		—		8,681		—
FNMA Certificates		51,517		—		51,517		—
GNMA Certificates		104		—		104		—
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, at fair value		9,980		—		9,980		—
Interest rate swap		4,435		—		4,435		—
	$	134,317	$	3,320	$	130,997	$	—

Management’s assessment and classification of an investment within a level can change over time based upon maturity or liquidity of the investment and would be reflected at the beginning of the quarter in which the change occurred.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following tables detail the assets carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine the fair value:


	March 31, 2024
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	13,135	$	—	$	—	$	13,135


	December 31, 2023
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	12,726	$	—	$	—	$	12,726

Losses on assets carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis were de minimis for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:


	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
March 31, 2024
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	134,724	$	134,724	$	—	$	—	$	134,724
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value		116,044		2,780		113,264		—		116,044
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost, net		452,955		—		438,113		—		438,113
Placements with banks		249		—		249		—		249
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value		7,860		—		7,860		—		7,860
Loans receivable, net		1,981,428		—		—		1,935,063		1,935,063
Accrued interest receivable		18,063		—		18,063		—		18,063
FHLBNY stock		23,892		23,892		—		—		23,892
Interest rate swap		1,496		—		1,496		—		1,496
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand deposits		191,541		191,541		—		—		191,541
Interest-bearing deposits		765,977		765,977		—		—		765,977
Certificates of deposit		628,266		—		621,250		—		621,250
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		13,245		—		13,245		—		13,245
Borrowings		680,421		—		667,493		—		667,493
Interest rate swap		1,496		—		1,496		—		1,496
Accrued interest payable		4,218		—		4,218		—		4,218

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2023
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	139,190	$	139,190	$	—	$	—	$	139,190
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value		119,902		3,320		116,582		—		119,902
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost		461,748		—		450,042		—		450,042
Placements with banks		249		—		249		—		249
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value		9,980		—		9,980		—		9,980
Loans receivable, net		1,895,886		—		—		1,844,507		1,844,507
Accrued interest receivable		18,010		—		18,010		—		18,010
FHLBNY stock		19,377		19,377		—		—		19,377
Interest rate swap		4,435				4,435				4,435
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand deposits (1)		185,151		185,151		—		—		185,151
Interest-bearing deposits (1)		721,643		721,643		—		—		721,643
Certificates of deposit		600,826		—		594,234		—		594,234
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		10,778		—		10,778		—		10,778
Borrowings		684,421		—		674,155		—		674,155
Interest rate swap		4,435		—		4,435		—		4,435
Accrued interest payable		11,965		—		11,965		—		11,965

(1)

As of December 31, 2023, $58.2 million were reclassified from demand deposits to interest-bearing deposits.

The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the valuation hierarchy at the end of the applicable reporting periods. There were no transfers of Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Fair value for Level 3 securities was determined using a third-party pricing service with limited levels of activity and price transparency.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Loan commitments on which the committed interest rate is less than the current market rate are insignificant at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The fair value information about financial instruments are disclosed, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The estimated fair value amounts for 2024 and 2023 have been measured as of their respective period-ends and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these consolidated financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than amounts reported at each period.

The information presented should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only required for a limited portion of the Company's assets and liabilities. Due to the wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company's disclosures and those of other banks may not be meaningful.

Note 13. Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s operations and financial statements. Under the regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total risk-based and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (as defined), common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined), and Tier 1 capital

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

to adjusted total assets (as defined) adjusted total assets (as defined). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the applicable capital adequacy requirements specified below have been met.

The below minimum capital requirements exclude the capital conservation buffer required to avoid limitations on capital distributions including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The applicable capital buffer for the Bank was 14.8% at March 31, 2024 and 15.3% at December 31, 2023.

The most recent notification from the OCC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, common equity risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There were no conditions or events since then that have changed the Bank's category.

The Company's and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 as compared to regulatory requirements are as follows:


									To Be Well
									Capitalized Under
						For Capital			Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes			Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio	Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2024
Ponce Financial Group, Inc.
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	$	537,748		24.47	%	$	175,777	8.00%	$	219,721		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		510,271		23.22	%		131,833	6.00%		175,777		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		285,271		12.98	%		98,874	4.50%		142,819		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets		510,271		17.59	%		116,020	4.00%		145,025		5.00	%
Ponce Bank
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	$	497,240		22.79	%	$	174,565	8.00%	$	218,206		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		469,950		21.54	%		130,924	6.00%		174,565		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		469,950		21.54	%		98,193	4.50%		141,834		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets		469,950		16.26	%		115,642	4.00%		144,552		5.00	%


											To Be Well
											Capitalized Under
						For Capital					Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2023
Ponce Financial Group, Inc.
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	$	533,513		25.06	%	$	170,302		8.00	%	$	212,878		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		507,042		23.82	%		127,727		6.00	%		170,302		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		282,042		13.25	%		95,795		4.50	%		138,371		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets		507,042		19.71	%		102,911		4.00	%		128,639		5.00	%
Ponce Bank
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets	$	492,622		23.30	%	$	169,153		8.00	%	$	211,441		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		466,151		22.05	%		126,865		6.00	%		169,153		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		466,151		22.05	%		95,149		4.50	%		137,437		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets		466,151		17.49	%		106,591		4.00	%		133,239		5.00	%

Ponce Bank, through its Mortgage World division, is subject to various net worth requirements in connection with lending agreements that Ponce Bank has entered with purchase facility lenders. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in the Bank’s Mortgage World division being unable to originate and service loans, and, therefore, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank was in compliance with the applicable minimum capital requirements specified above.

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows:


	March 31, 2024
	December 31, 2023			Change			March 31, 2024
	(in thousands)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net	$	(15,649	)	$	(941	)	$	(16,590	)
Total	$	(15,649	)	$	(941	)	$	(16,590	)


	December 31, 2023
	December 31, 2022			Change		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net	$	(17,860	)	$	2,211	$	(15,649	)
Total	$	(17,860	)	$	2,211	$	(15,649	)

Note 15. Transactions with Related Parties

Directors, executive officers and non-executive officers of the Company have been customers of and have had transactions with the Bank, and it is expected that such persons will continue to have such transactions in the future. Aggregate loan transactions with related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
	(in thousand)
Beginning balance	$	8,810		$	8,318
Originations		1,182			578
Payments		(50	)		(65	)
Ending balance	$	9,942		$	8,831

The Company held deposits in the amount of $8.8 million and $8.4 million from directors, executive officers and non-executive officers at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

General

Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”). The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto appearing in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "assume," "plan," "seek," "expect," "will," "may," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "target" and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

•

statements of the Company’s goals, intentions and expectations;

•

statements regarding its business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;

•

statements regarding the quality of its loan and investment portfolios; and

•

estimates of the risks and future costs and benefits;

These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

•

the scope, duration and severity of rising interest rates, and its effects on our business and operations, our customers, including their ability to make timely payments on loans, our service providers, and on the economy and financial markets in general;

•

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

•

general economic conditions, either nationally or in the market areas, that are worse than expected;

•

the Company’s ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment;

•

changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;

•

the ability to access cost-effective funding;

•

fluctuations in real estate values and real estate market conditions;

•

demand for loans and deposits in the market area;

•

the Company’s ability to implement and change its business strategies;

•

competition among depository and other financial institutions;

•

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce the Company’s margins and yields, its mortgage banking revenues, the fair value of financial instruments or the level of loan originations, or increase the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans the Company have made and make;

•

adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets;

•

changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

•

adverse changes related to the businesses of our partners, including Grain Technology, Inc. (“Grain”) specifically (as defined herein);

•

changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan or investment portfolios;

•

technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected;

•

the inability of third party providers to perform as expected;

•

the Company’s ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

•

the Company’s ability to successfully integrate into its operations, any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel the Company may acquire and management’s ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames, and any goodwill charges related thereto;

•

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

•

the Company’s ability to retain key employees;

•

the Company’s compensation expense associated with equity allocated or awarded to its employees; and

•

changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that the Company may own.

Additional factors that may affect the Company’s results are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Risk Factors” filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 19, 2024.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no duty to and does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Federal Economic Relief Funds To Aid Lending

Emergency Capital Investment Program

On June 7, 2022, Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for Ponce Bank,‎ closed a private placement (the “Private Placement”) of 225,000 shares of the Company’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A‎, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price equal to $225,000,000 in cash, to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) pursuant to the Emergency Capital Investment Program (“ECIP”).‎ The holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a dividend payable in cash quarterly at an annual rate dependent on certain factors as reported by the Company to Treasury in a quarterly supplemental report. The initial dividend rate is zero percent for the first two years after issuance, and thereafter the floor dividend rate is 0.50% and the ceiling dividend rate is 2.00%. After 10 years of issuance, the perpetual dividend rate in effect, will be determined based on said floor and ceiling. The actual dividend rate that will be paid by the Company on the Preferred Stock cannot be determined at this time.

CDFI Equitable Recovery Program

On September 26, 2023, the Bank received a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Treasury as part of the CDFI Equitable Recovery Program ("ERP") which aims to help CDFI's further their mission of helping low and low-to-moderate income communities recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bank Enterprise Award Program

On November 6, 2023, the Bank received a $0.5 million grant as part of the Bank Enterprise Award Program from the CDFI. Awards under the Bank Enterprise Award Program are subject to the program terms and must be used for qualified activities, which include providing loans, investments and financial services to residents and businesses in distressed communities.

Derivatives and Hedging

During 2023, the Company entered into two derivative financial instruments contracts to enhance its ability to manage interest rate risk that exist as part of its ongoing operations. The Company manages these risks as part of its asset and liability management process. The Company utilized derivative financial instruments to accommodate the business needs and to hedge the exposure that this creates for the Company. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Bank is a party to two interest rate swap transactions. One interest rate swap is for a period of two years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2025 with a notional amount of $150.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.885% and receive the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate. The other interest rate swap is for a period of three years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2026 with a notional amount of $100.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.62% and receive the SOFR rate.

Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting estimates are necessary in the application of certain accounting policies and procedures and are particularly susceptible to significant change. Critical accounting policies are defined as those involving significant judgments and assumptions by management and that could have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets, liabilities or on income under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes that the most critical accounting policy relates to the allowance for credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses is established as probable incurred losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for credit losses charged to earnings. Credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. If our loss rate factor was to increase 10 basis points, our reserve would increase by approximately $2.0 million. Likewise, if our loss rate factor was to decrease 10 basis points, our reserve would decrease by approximately $2.0 million.

The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expenses. The estimates and assumptions used are based on historical experience and various other factors and are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, resulting in a change that could have a material impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

See Note 1, “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the accompanying Financial Statements for a discussion of significant accounting policies.

Factors Affecting the Comparability of Results

Write-off and Write-Down.

In 2020, the Company entered into a business arrangement with the FinTech startup company Grain. Grain’s product is a mobile application geared to the underbanked, minorities and new generations entering the financial services market. In employing this mobile application, the Bank uses non-traditional underwriting methodologies to provide revolving credit to borrowers who otherwise may gravitate to using alternative non-bank lenders. Under the terms of its former agreement with Grain, the Bank was the lender for Grain-originated microloans with credit lines currently up to $1,500 and, where applicable, the depository for related security deposits. Grain originated and serviced these microloans and is responsible for maintaining compliance with the Bank's origination and servicing standards, as well as applicable regulatory and legal requirements. If a microloan was found to be fraudulent, became 90 days delinquent upon 90 days of origination or defaulted due to a failure of Grain to properly service the microloan, the Bank’s applicable standards for origination or servicing were deemed to have not been complied with and the microloan was put back to Grain, who then became responsible for the microloan and any related losses. The microloans put back to Grain were accounted for as an “other asset,” specifically referred to herein as the “Grain Receivable.” Grain was victimized by cyber fraud using synthetic and other forms of fraudulent identifications, a phenomenon that has become prevalent with Fintechs. Pursuant to the terms of its arrangement with Grain, loans found to be fraudulent were put back to Grain and the Company discontinued originating new loans with Grain after May 31, 2022. On November 1, 2023, the Company and Grain signed a Perpetual Software License Agreement in order for the Bank to assume the servicing of the remaining Grain loans. In order to facilitate the transfer of the servicing responsibilities to the Bank, Grain granted the Bank a perpetual right and license to use the Grain software, including the source code to service the ‎remaining loans.


Grain Technology, Inc. ("Grain") Total Exposure as of March 31, 2024
(in thousands)
Receivable from Grain
Microloans originated - put back to Grain (inception-to-March 31, 2024)	$	24,051
Write-downs, net of recoveries (inception-to-date as of March 31, 2024)		(15,406	)
Cash receipts from Grain (inception-to-March 31, 2024)		(6,819	)
Grant/reserve (inception-to-March 31, 2024)		(1,826	)
Net receivable as of March 31, 2024	$	—
Microloan receivables from Grain borrowers
Grain originated loans receivable as of March 31, 2024	$	5,731
Allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024 (1)		(4,868	)
Microloans, net of allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024	$	863
Investments
Investment in Grain	$	1,000
Investment in Grain write-off		(1,000	)
Investment in Grain as of March 31, 2024	$	—
Total exposure to Grain as of March 31, 2024 (2)	$	863

(1) Excludes $1.6 million of security deposits by Grain originated borrowers reported in deposits in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Conditions.

(2) Total remaining exposure to Grain borrowers. These loans are now serviced by the Bank.

Vision 2025 Evolves

The Company has deployed a Fintech-based small business automated lending technology in partnership with LendingFront Technologies, Inc. The technology is a mobile application that digitizes the lending workflow from pre-approval to servicing and enables the Company to originate, close and fund small business loans within very short spans of time, without requiring a physical presence within banking offices and with automated underwriting using both traditional and non-traditional methods. The application has full loan origination and servicing capabilities and is integrated with Salesforce. All Commercial Relationship Officers and Business Development Managers will utilize these capabilities. The Company is seeking to establish loan origination partnerships with non-profit and community-based organizations to ensure penetration in underserved and underbanked markets.

The Company also established a relationship with Raisin Solutions US LLC ("Raisin") (formerly known as SaveBetter, LLC), a fintech startup focusing on deposits. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $445.9 million in such deposits. The recent regulatory easing of brokered deposit rules enables the Company to classify such deposits as core deposits.

On October 1, 2022, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Bamboo Payment Holding LLC ("Bamboo"). Under the agreement, the Company purchased from Bamboo 180 Membership Interest Units representing an aggregate amount equal to up to 19.84% of total issued and outstanding Membership Interest in Bamboo for a purchase price of $2.5 million. During 2023, the Company made additional contributions for a total of $1.2 million. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company

made two additional contributions for a total of $0.5 million and made an additional payment of $0.2 million in April of 2024 for a total investment in Bamboo of $4.4 million. With over a decade processing payments in Latin America, Bamboo has a diverse network connects Latin American local payment processing to global companies as well as domestic solutions to locally based organizations.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $1.06 billion in assets, $918.5 million in loans and $809.8 million in deposits. The Company has since grown to $2.82 billion in assets, $1.98 billion in loans receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $24.7 million, and $1.59 billion in deposits at March 31, 2024, all while investing in infrastructure, implementing digital banking, diversifying its product offering and partnering with Fintech companies. Now, the Company believes that it is poised to enhance its presence, locally and in similar communities outside New York, as a leading CDFI and MDI financial institution holding company.

On June 7, 2022, the Company issued 225,000 shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock‎, par value $0.01 for an aggregate purchase price equal to $225.0 million in cash to the Treasury, pursuant to the Treasury’s ECIP‎. Under the ECIP, Treasury provided investment capital directly to depository institutions that are CDFIs or MDIs or their holding companies, to provide loans, grants, and forbearance for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and consumers, in low-income and underserved communities. Treasury has indicated that the investment will qualify as Tier 1 capital. No dividends will accrue or be due for the first two years after issuance. For years three through ten, depending upon the level of qualified and/or deep impact lending made in targeted communities, as defined in the ECIP guidelines, dividends will be at an annual rate of either 2.0%, 1.25% or 0.5% and, thereafter, will be fixed at one of the foregoing rates. Holders of Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights, with the exception of voting rights on certain matters as outlined in the Certificate of Designations. The Company has the option to redeem the shares of Preferred Stock (i) in whole or in part on any dividend payment date on or after June 15, 2027, or (ii) in whole but not in part at any time within ninety days following a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event, as defined below, in each case at a cash redemption price equal to the liquidation amount, with an amount equal to any dividends that have been declared but not paid prior to the redemption date. The Company may not redeem shares of Preferred Stock without having received the prior approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency for the Company, as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, to the extent required under applicable capital rules. Such redemptions are subject to certain conditions and limitations. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference, subject to certain limitations, in the amount of the sum of $1,000 per share plus declared and unpaid dividends (without accumulation of undeclared dividends) on each share.

A “Regulatory Capital Treatment Event” means a good-faith determination that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision of or in the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the Federal Reserve and other appropriate federal bank regulatory agencies) that is enacted or becomes effective after the initial issuance of any share of the Preferred Stock; (ii) any proposed change in those laws, rules or regulations that is announced after the initial issuance of any share of the Preferred Stock; or (iii) any official administrative or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules or regulations or policies with respect thereto that is announced or becomes effective after the initial issuance of the Preferred Stock, there is more than an insubstantial risk that we will not be entitled to treat the full liquidation preferences of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding as “Additional Tier 1 Capital” (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy standards of Federal Reserve Regulation Q, 12 C.F.R. Part 217 (or, as and if applicable, the successor capital adequacy guidelines, rules or regulations of the Federal Reserve or the capital adequacy guidelines, rules or regulations of any successor appropriate federal banking agency), as then in effect and applicable, for as long as any share of Preferred Stock is outstanding.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Total Assets. Total consolidated assets increased $68.0 million, or 2.5%, to $2.82 billion at March 31, 2024 from $2.75 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets is largely attributable to increases of $85.5 million in net loans receivable, $4.5 million in Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock and $1.3 million in premises and equipment, partially offset by decreases of $8.8 million in held-to-maturity securities, $4.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $3.9 million in available-for-sale securities, $3.6 million in other assets and $2.1 million in mortgage loans held for sale.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $4.5 million, or 3.2%, to $134.7 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $139.2 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily the result of increases of $79.3 million in net loans, $7.7 million decrease in accrued interest in payable, $6.0 million purchase of loans, $4.5 million in net redemption of FHLB stock and $4.0 million repayment of borrowings. The decrease was offset by an increase of $78.2 million in net deposits, $11.4 million in principal repayment on securities, $3.6 million decrease in other assets, $2.5 million from advance payments by borrowers and $2.4 million in net loans held for sale.

Securities. The composition of securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and the amounts maturing of each classification are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024					December 31, 2023
	Amortized			Fair		Amortized			Fair
	Cost			Value		Cost			Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—		—			—
More than one year through five years		2,991			2,780		2,990			2,784
More than five years through ten years		—			—		—			—
		2,991			2,780		2,990			2,784
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less		—			—		—			—
More than three months through one year		4,000			3,910		4,000			3,863
More than one year through five years		1,000			137		1,000			536
More than five years through ten years		20,782			19,473		20,790			19,269
		25,782			23,520		25,790			23,668
Mortgage-Backed Securities		108,346			89,744		111,001			93,450
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	137,119		$	116,044	$	139,781		$	119,902

Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Agency Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		—			—		—			—
More than one year through five years		25,000			24,711		25,000			24,819
More than five years through ten years		—			—		—			—
		25,000			24,711		25,000			24,819
Corporate Bonds:
Amounts maturing:
Three months or less	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
More than three months through one year		25,000			24,673		25,000			24,650
More than one year through five years		50,000			48,851		50,000			48,265
More than five years through ten years		7,500			6,765		7,500			6,894
		82,500			80,289		82,500			79,809
Mortgage-Backed Securities		345,928			333,113		354,646			345,414
Allowance for Credit Losses		(473	)		—		(398	)		—
Total Held-to-Maturity Securities	$	452,955		$	438,113	$	461,748		$	450,042

The Company securities portfolio decreased $8.8 million in held-to-maturity and $3.9 million in available-for-sale during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to changes in principal.

Gross Loans Receivable. The composition of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023 and the percentage of each classification to total loans are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024					December 31, 2023					Increase (Decrease)
	Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent			Dollars			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
1-4 Family residential
Investor-Owned	$	339,331		16.9	%	$	343,689		17.9	%	$	(4,358	)		(1.3	%)
Owner-Occupied		150,842		7.5	%		152,311		7.9	%		(1,469	)		(1.0	%)
Multifamily residential		545,825		27.2	%		550,559		28.7	%		(4,734	)		(0.9	%)
Nonresidential properties		327,350		16.3	%		342,343		17.8	%		(14,993	)		(4.4	%)
Construction and land		608,665		30.4	%		503,925		26.2	%		104,740			20.8	%
Total mortgage loans		1,972,013		98.3	%		1,892,827		98.5	%		79,186			4.2	%
Nonmortgage loans:
Business loans		26,664		1.4	%		19,779		1.0	%		6,885			34.8	%
Consumer loans (1)		6,741		0.3	%		8,966		0.5	%		(2,225	)		(24.8	%)
		33,405		1.7	%		28,745		1.5	%		4,660			16.2	%
Total	$	2,005,418		100.0	%	$	1,921,572		100.0	%	$	83,846			4.4	%

(1)

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, consumer loans include $5.7 million and $8.0 million of microloans originated by the Bank pursuant to its arrangement with Grain.

Based on current internal loan reviews, the Company believes that the quality of our underwriting, our weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 57.6% and our customer selection processes have served us well and provided us with a reliable base with which to maintain a well-protected loan portfolio.

Commercial real estate loans, as defined by applicable banking regulations, include multifamily residential, nonresidential properties, and construction and land mortgage loans. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately 5.0% and 5.3%, respectively, of the outstanding principal balance of the Bank’s commercial real estate mortgage loans were secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate. Owner-occupied commercial real estate is similar in many ways to commercial and industrial lending in that these loans are generally made to businesses predominantly on the basis of the cash flows of the business rather than on valuation of the real estate.

Banking regulations have established guidelines relating to the amount of construction and land mortgage loans and investor- owned commercial real estate mortgage loans of 100% and 300% of total risk-based capital, respectively. Should a bank’s ratios be in excess of these guidelines, banking regulations generally require an increased level of monitoring in these lending areas by bank management. The Bank’s policy is to operate within the 150% guideline for construction and land mortgage loans and up to 450% for investor owned commercial real estate mortgage loans. Both ratios are calculated by dividing certain types of loan balances for each of the two categories by the Bank’s total risk-based capital. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank’s construction and land mortgage loans as a percentage of total risk-based capital was 122.8% and 102.5%, respectively. Investor owned commercial real estate mortgage loans as a percentage of total risk-based capital was 299.0% and 269.1% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. At March 31, 2024, the Bank was slightly above the 100% guidelines established by the banking regulations but under the 150% guidelines set by the Bank for construction and land mortgage loans and within the 300% guideline for investor owned commercial real estate mortgage loans established by banking regulators. Management believes that it has established the appropriate level of controls to monitor the Bank’s lending in these areas.

Loans Held For Sale. Loans held for sale, at fair value, at March 31, 2024 decreased $2.1 million, or 21.2%, to $7.9 million from $10.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Deposits. The composition of deposits at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and changes in dollars and percentages are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024					December 31, 2023					Increase (Decrease)
			Percent					Percent
	Amount		of Total			Amount		of Total			Dollars			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Demand (1)	$	191,541		12.1	%	$	185,151		12.3	%	$	6,390			3.5	%
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW/IOLA accounts (1)		73,202		4.6	%		77,909		5.2	%		(4,707	)		(6.0	%)
Money market accounts		482,344		30.4	%		432,735		28.7	%		49,609			11.5	%
Reciprocal deposits		97,718		6.2	%		96,860		6.4	%		858			0.9	%
Savings accounts		112,713		7.1	%		114,139		7.6	%		(1,426	)		(1.2	%)
Total NOW, money market, reciprocal and savings		765,977		48.3	%		721,643		47.9	%		44,334			6.1	%
Certificates of deposit of $250K or more		146,296		9.2	%		132,153		8.7	%		14,143			10.7	%
Brokered certificates of deposit (2)		94,689		6.0	%		98,729		6.6	%		(4,040	)		(4.1	%)
Listing service deposits (2)		12,688		0.8	%		14,433		1.0	%		(1,745	)		(12.1	%)
Certificates of deposit less than $250K (1)		374,593		23.6	%		355,511		23.5	%		19,082			5.4	%
Total certificates of deposit		628,266		39.6	%		600,826		39.8	%		27,440			4.6	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,394,243		87.9	%		1,322,469		87.7	%		71,774			5.4	%
Total deposits	$	1,585,784		100.0	%	$	1,507,620		100.0	%	$	78,164			5.2	%

(1)

As of December 31, 2023, $58.2 million were reclassified from demand to NOW/IOLA accounts.

(2)

When wholesale funding is necessary to complement the Company's core deposit base, management determines which source is best suited to address both liquidity risk and interest rate risk in line with management objectives. The Company’s Interest Rate Risk Policy imposes limitations on overall wholesale funding and noncore funding reliance. The overall reliance on wholesale funding and noncore funding were within those policy limitations as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Management Asset/Liability Committee generally meets on a bi-weekly basis to review funding needs, if any, and to ensure the Company operates within the approved limitations.

Borrowings. The Bank had outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 of $680.4 million and $684.4 million, respectively, in term advances from the FHLBNY and FRBNY. Additionally, the Bank had two unsecured lines of credit in the amount of $75.0 million with two correspondent banks for both periods at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, under which there was nothing outstanding at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Bank had no overnight line of credit advance at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Stockholders’ Equity. The Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity increased $2.3 million, or 0.47%, to $493.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $491.4 million at December 31, 2023. This increase in stockholders’ equity was largely attributable to $2.4 million in net income, $0.5 million impact to additional paid in capital as a result of share-based compensation and $0.3 million from release of ESOP shares, offset by $0.9 million in other comprehensive loss.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

The discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below. The results of operations for interim periods may not be indicative of future results.

Overview. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $2.4 million compared to net income of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Earnings per basic and diluted share was $0.11 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.01 for three months ended March 31, 2023. The $2.1 million increase of net income from the three months ended March 31, 2023, was due to increases of $3.6 million in net interest income, partially offset by increases of $0.8 million in provision for income taxes and $0.6 million in non-interest expense and a decrease of $0.1 million in noninterest income.

The following table presents the results of operations for the periods indicated:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,						Increase (Decrease)
	2024			2023			Dollars			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest and dividend income	$	39,666		$	26,356		$	13,310			50.5	%
Interest expense		20,843			11,111			9,732			87.6	%
Net interest income		18,823			15,245			3,578			23.5	%
Benefit for credit losses		(180	)		(174	)		(6	)		3.4	%
Net interest income benefit provision for loan losses		19,003			15,419			3,584			23.2	%
Non-interest income		1,707			1,819			(112	)		(6.2	%)
Non-interest expense		16,950			16,361			589			3.6	%
Income before income taxes		3,760			877			2,883			328.7	%
Provision for income taxes		1,346			546			800			146.5	%
Net income	$	2,414		$	331		$	2,083			629.3	%
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.11		$	0.01		$	0.08			589.6	%
Diluted	$	0.11		$	0.01		$	0.08			590.1	%

Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $13.3 million, or 50.5%, to $39.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $26.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Interest income on loans receivable, which is the Company’s primary source of income, increased $11.0 million, or 55.7%, to $30.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $19.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Included in this increase was the recovery of $1.0 million in interest income from a construction loan that was previously nonperforming.

Interest and dividend income on securities and FHLBNY stock and deposits due from banks increased $2.3 million, or 35.2%, to $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table presents interest income on loans receivable for the periods indicated:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Change
	2024		2023		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
1-4 Family residential	$	7,546	$	6,053	$	1,493			24.7	%
Multifamily residential		6,921		6,096		825			13.5	%
Nonresidential properties		4,359		3,673		686			18.7	%
Construction and land		11,224		2,762		8,462			306.4	%
Business loans		412		588		(176	)		(29.9	%)
Consumer loans		202		528		(326	)		(61.7	%)
Total interest income on loans receivable	$	30,664	$	19,700	$	10,964			55.7	%

The following table presents interest and dividend income on securities and FHLBNY stock and deposits due from banks for the periods indicated:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Change
	2024		2023		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest on deposits due from banks	$	2,911	$	197	$	2,714			1,377.7	%
Interest on securities		5,619		6,075		(456	)		(7.5	%)
Dividend on FHLBNY stock		472		384		88			22.9	%
Total interest and dividend income	$	9,002	$	6,656	$	2,346			35.2	%

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $9.7 million, or 87.6%, to $20.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in the average cost of funds.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Change
	2024		2023		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Certificates of deposit	$	6,380	$	3,225	$	3,155			97.8	%
Money market		6,292		2,091		4,201			200.9	%
Savings		28		30		(2	)		(6.7	%)
NOW/IOLA		218		688		(470	)		(68.3	%)
Advance payments by borrowers		2		3		(1	)		(33.3	%)
Borrowings		7,923		5,074		2,849			56.1	%
Total interest expense	$	20,843	$	11,111	$	9,732			87.6	%

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $3.6 million, or 23.5%, to $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $15.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The $3.6 million increase in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was attributable to an increase of $13.3 million in interest and dividend income primarily due to increases in average loans receivable, interest and dividend income on securities and FHLBNY stock and deposits due from banks, partially offset by an increase of $9.7 million in interest expense due primarily to a higher average cost of funds on interest bearing liabilities,

Net interest rate spread decreased by 6 basis points to 1.82% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from 1.88% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in the net interest rate spread for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities of 102 basis points to 3.89% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from 2.87% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and an increase in the average yields on interest-earning assets of 96 basis points to 5.71% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from 4.75% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net interest margin decreased 4 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to 2.71% from 2.75% for three months ended March 31, 2023, reflecting an increase in cost of funds.

The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%-5.50% during its July 26, 2023 meeting, pushing borrowing costs to the highest level in 22 years. At the January 31, 2024 meeting, the Federal Reserve signaled that it will hold interest steady and indicated it is not ready to start cutting rates. The prior rate increases were in response to inflation rising at a rate not seen in over 40 years. Because of this rising rate environment, the speed with which it is anticipated to be implemented, the significant competitive pressures in our markets and the potential negative impact of these factors on our deposit and loan pricing, our net interest margin may be negatively impacted. Our net interest income may also be negatively impacted if the demand for loans decreases due to the rate increases, alone or in tandem with the concurrent inflationary pressures. We may be negatively impacted if we are unable to appropriately time adjustments to our funding costs and the rates we earn on our loans.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $0.1 million, or 6.2%, to $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The $0.1 million decrease in non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was attributable to a decrease of $0.4 million in late and prepayment charges, partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in income from mortgage loans and $0.1 million in other non-interest income.

The following table presents non-interest income for the periods indicated:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Change
	2024		2023		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Service charges and fees	$	473	$	491	$	(18	)		(3.7	%)
Brokerage commissions		8		15		(7	)		(46.7	%)
Late and prepayment charges		359		729		(370	)		(50.8	%)
Income on sale of mortgage loans		302		99		203			205.1	%
Other		565		485		80			16.5	%
Total non-interest income	$	1,707	$	1,819	$	(112	)		(6.2	%)

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $0.6 million, or 3.60%, to $17.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $16.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The $0.6 million increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was attributable to a $0.9 million decrease in Grain consumer microloan recoveries, increases of $0.4 million in compensation and benefits, $0.3 million in direct loan expense and

$0.3 million in professional fees, partially offset by decreases of $0.8 million in provision for contingencies, $0.3 million in other operating expenses and $0.2 million in office supplies, telephone and postage.

The following table presents non-interest expense for the periods indicated:


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,						Change
	2024			2023			Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Compensation and benefits	$	7,844		$	7,446		$	398			5.3	%
Occupancy and equipment		3,667			3,570			97			2.7	%
Data processing expenses		1,127			1,192			(65	)		(5.5	%)
Direct loan expense		732			412			320			77.7	%
Provision for contingencies		164			985			(821	)		(83.4	%)
Insurance and surety bond premiums		253			265			(12	)		(4.5	%)
Office supplies, telephone and postage		249			399			(150	)		(37.6	%)
Professional fees		1,723			1,455			268			18.4	%
Grain recoveries		(53	)		(914	)		861			(94.2	%)
Marketing and promotional expenses		100			128			(28	)		(21.9	%)
Directors' fees and regulatory assessment		179			155			24			15.5	%
Other operating expenses		965			1,268			(303	)		(23.9	%)
Total non-interest expense	$	16,950		$	16,361		$	589			3.6	%

Income Tax Provision. The Company had a provision for income taxes of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2023.

Average Balance Sheets

The following table sets forth average outstanding balances, average yields and rates, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as the effects would be immaterial. Average balances are derived from average daily balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024							2023
	Average							Average
	Outstanding				Average			Outstanding				Average
	Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate (1)			Balance		Interest		Yield/Rate (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (2)	$	1,979,263		30,664		6.23	%	$	1,572,148	$	19,700		5.08	%
Securities (3)		576,235		5,619		3.92	%		631,138		6,075		3.90	%
Other (4) (5)		238,432		3,383		5.71	%		48,473		581		4.86	%
Total interest-earning assets		2,793,930		39,666		5.71	%		2,251,759		26,356		4.75	%
Non-interest-earning assets (5)		106,566							123,007
Total assets	$	2,900,496						$	2,374,766
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW/IOLA (6) (7)	$	82,849	$	218		1.06	%	$	71,765	$	688		3.89	%
Money market (7) (8)		544,563		6,292		4.65	%		314,241		2,091		2.70	%
Savings		113,501		28		0.10	%		128,876		30		0.09	%
Certificates of deposit (8)		629,528		6,380		4.08	%		516,327		3,225		2.53	%
Total deposits		1,370,441		12,918		3.79	%		1,031,209		6,034		2.37	%
Advance payments by borrowers		12,886		2		0.06	%		12,919		3		0.09	%
Borrowings		771,070		7,923		4.13	%		523,705		5,074		3.93	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,154,397		20,843		3.89	%		1,567,833		11,111		2.87	%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand (6)		198,862		—					268,372		—
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		54,061		—					42,038		—
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities		252,923		—					310,410		—
Total liabilities		2,407,320		20,843					1,878,243		11,111
Total equity		493,176							496,523
Total liabilities and total equity	$	2,900,496				3.89	%	$	2,374,766				2.87	%
Net interest income			$	18,823						$	15,245
Net interest rate spread (9)						1.82	%						1.88	%
Net interest-earning assets (10)	$	639,533						$	683,926
Net interest margin (11)						2.71	%						2.75	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						129.69	%						143.62	%

(1)

Annualized where appropriate.

(2)

Loans include loans and mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value.

(3)

Securities include available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

(4)

Includes FHLBNY demand account and FHLBNY stock dividends and FRBNY demand deposits.

(5)

FRBNY demand deposits for prior period have been reclassified for consistency.

(6)

Includes reclassification of $48.4 million average outstanding balances from non-interest bearing demand to NOW/IOLA for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

(7)

Include $0.7 million of interest expense reclassified from money market to NOW/IOLA for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

(8)

Includes reclassification of $135.0 million average outstanding balances and $1.4 million of interest expenses from money market to certificates of deposit for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

(9)

Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities.

(10)

Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

(11)

Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on the Company’s net interest income for the periods indicated. The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024 vs. 2023
	Increase (Decrease) Due to						Total Increase
	Volume			Rate			(Decrease)
	(In thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)	$	5,308		$	5,656		$	10,964
Securities (2)		(482	)		26			(456	)
Other		2,301			501			2,802
Total interest-earning assets		7,127			6,183			13,310
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW/IOLA		113			(583	)		(470	)
Money market		1,563			2,638			4,201
Savings		(3	)		1			(2	)
Certificates of deposit		740			2,415			3,155
Total deposits		2,413			4,471			6,884
Advance payments by borrowers		3			(4	)		(1	)
Borrowings		2,459			390			2,849
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,875			4,857			9,732
Change in net interest income	$	2,252		$	1,326		$	3,578

(1)

Loans include loans and mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value.

(2)

Securities include available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

Management of Market Risk

General. The most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk because, as a financial institution, the majority of the Bank’s assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a principal part of our operations is to manage interest rate risk and limit the exposure of its financial condition and results of operations to changes in market interest rates. The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee ("ALCO") is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in the Bank’s assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate, given the business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with policies and guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. The Bank currently utilizes a third-party modeling solution that is prepared on a quarterly basis, to evaluate its sensitivity to changing interest rates, given the Bank’s business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

The Bank engages in hedging activities, such as swap transactions. The Bank is a party to two interest rate swap transactions. One interest rate swap is for a period of two years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2025 with a notional amount of $150.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.885% and receive the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate. The other interest rate swap is for a period of three years effective October 12, 2023 and terminates on November 1, 2026 with a notional amount of $100.0 million. The Bank will pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.62% and receive the SOFR rate (see Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net Interest Income Simulation Models. Management utilizes a respected, sophisticated third party designed asset liability modeling software that measures the Bank’s earnings through simulation modeling. Earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and off-balance sheet financial instruments are combined with forecasts of interest rates for the next 12 months and are combined with other factors in order to produce various earnings simulations over that same 12-month period. To limit interest rate risk, the Bank has policy guidelines for earnings risk which seek to limit the variance of net interest income in both gradual and instantaneous changes to interest

rates. As of March 31, 2024, in the event of an instantaneous upward and downward change in rates from management's interest rate forecast over the next twelve months, assuming a static balance sheet, the following estimated changes are calculated:


	Net Interest Income		Year 1 Change
Rate Shift (1)	Year 1 Forecast		from Level
	(Dollars in thousands)
+400	$	70,939	(4.59%)
+300		71,890	(3.31%)
+200		72,812	(2.07%)
+100		73,650	(0.95%)
Level		74,354	— %
-100		75,052	0.94%
-200		76,598	3.02%
-300		76,993	3.55%
-400		77,488	4.21%

(1)

Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.

Although an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates was used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under these scenarios, management believes that a gradual shift in interest rates would have a more modest impact. Further, the earnings simulation model does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could alter any potential adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

The behavior of the deposit portfolio in the baseline forecast and in alternate interest rate scenarios set out in the table above is a key assumption in the projected estimates of net interest income. The projected impact on net interest income in the table above assumes no change in deposit portfolio size or mix from the baseline forecast in alternative rate environments. In higher rate scenarios, any customer activity resulting in the replacement of low-cost or noninterest-bearing deposits with higher-yielding deposits or market-based funding would reduce the benefit in those scenarios.

At March 31, 2024, the earnings simulation model indicated that the Bank was in compliance with the Board of Directors approved Interest Rate Risk Policy.

Economic Value of Equity Model. While earnings simulation modeling attempts to determine the impact of a changing rate environment to net interest income, the Economic Value of Equity Model (“EVE”) measures estimated changes to the economic values of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items as a result of interest rate changes. Economic values are determined by discounting expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items, which establishes a base case EVE. Rates are then shocked as prescribed by the Interest Rate Risk Policy to measure the sensitivity in EVE values for each of those shocked rate scenarios versus the base case. The Interest Rate Risk Policy sets limits for those sensitivities. At March 31, 2024, the EVE modeling calculated the following estimated changes in EVE due to instantaneous upward and downward changes in rates:


									EVE as a Percentage of Present
									Value of Assets (3)
			Estimated Increase (Decrease) in									Increase
Change in Interest	Estimated		EVE						EVE			(Decrease)
Rates (basis points) (1)	EVE (2)		Amount			Percent			Ratio (4)			(basis points)
	(Dollars in thousands)
+400	$	380,026	$	(121,447	)		(24.22	%)		14.85	%		(2,422	)
+300		412,842		(88,631	)		(17.67	%)		15.79	%		(1,767	)
+200		440,660		(60,813	)		(12.13	%)		16.52	%		(1,213	)
+100		466,941		(34,532	)		(6.89	%)		17.17	%		(689	)
Level		501,473		—			—	%		18.12	%		—
-100		507,223		5,750			1.15	%		18.03	%		115
-200		518,464		16,991			3.39	%		20.04	%		339
-300		529,416		27,943			5.57	%		18.23	%		557
-400		554,601		53,128			10.59	%		18.68	%		1,059

(1)

Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.

(2)

EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.

(3)

Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.

(4)

EVE Ratio represents EVE divided by the present value of assets.

discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could alter the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

At March 31, 2024, the EVE model indicated that the Bank was in compliance with the Board of Directors’ approved Interest Rate Risk Policy.

Most Likely Earnings Simulation Models. Management also analyzes a most-likely earnings simulation scenario that projects the expected change in rates based on a forward yield curve adopted by management using expected balance sheet volumes forecasted by management. Separate growth assumptions are developed for loans, investments, deposits, etc. Other interest rate scenarios analyzed by management may include delayed rate shocks, yield curve steepening or flattening, or other variations in rate movements to further analyze or stress the balance sheet under various interest rate scenarios. Each scenario is evaluated by management and weighted to determine the most likely result. These processes assist management to better anticipate financial results and, as a result, management may determine the need to review other operating strategies and tactics which might enhance results or better position the balance sheet to reduce interest rate risk going forward.

Each of the above analyses may not, on its own, be an accurate indicator of how net interest income will be affected by changes in interest rates. Income associated with interest-earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by changes in interest rates. In addition, the magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates may have a significant impact on net interest income. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities fluctuate in advance of changes in general market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in general market rates. In addition, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features (generally referred to as interest rate caps and floors) which limit changes in interest rates. Prepayment and early withdrawal levels also could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the maturity of certain instruments. The ability of many borrowers to service their debts also may decrease during periods of rising interest rates. The ALCO Committee reviews each of the above interest rate sensitivity analyses along with several different interest rate scenarios as part of its responsibility to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established liquidity, loan, investment, borrowing and capital policies.

Management's model governance, model implementation and model validation processes and controls are subject to review in the Bank’s regulatory examinations to ensure they are in compliance with the most recent regulatory guidelines and industry and regulatory practices. Management utilizes a respected, sophisticated third party designed asset liability modeling software to help ensure implementation of management's assumptions into the model are processed as intended in a robust manner. That said, there are numerous assumptions regarding financial instrument behaviors that are integrated into the model. The assumptions are formulated by combining observations gleaned from the Bank’s historical studies of financial instruments and the best estimations of how, if at all, these instruments may behave in the future given changes in economic conditions, technology, etc. These assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. Additionally, given the large number of assumptions built into Bank’s asset liability modeling software, it is difficult, at best, to compare its results to other banks.

The ALCO Committee may determine that the Company should over time become more or less asset or liability sensitive depending on the underlying balance sheet circumstances and its conclusions regarding interest rate fluctuations in future periods. The historically low benchmark federal funds interest rate of the last several years implemented in response the turmoil resulting from COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%-5.50% during its July 26, 2023 meeting, pushing borrowing costs to the highest level in 22 years. At the January 31, 2024 meeting, the Federal Reserve signaled that it will hold interest steady and indicated it is not ready to start cutting rates. The recent increases were in response to inflation rising at a rate not seen in over 40 years. Because of this rising rate environment, the speed with which it is anticipated to be implemented, the significant competitive pressures in our markets and the potential negative impact of these factors on our deposit and loan pricing, our net interest margin may be negatively impacted. Our net interest income may also be negatively impacted if the demand for loans decreases due to the rate increases, alone or in tandem with the concurrent inflationary pressures. We may be negatively impacted if we are unable to appropriately time adjustments to our funding costs and the rates we earn on our loans.

GAP Analysis. In addition, management analyzes interest rate sensitivity by monitoring the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity "gap." The interest rate sensitivity gap is the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of interest bearing-liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets maturing or repricing during a period exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities maturing or repricing during the same period, and a gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities maturing or repricing during a period exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive assets maturing or repricing during the same period.

The following table sets forth the Company’s interest-earning assets and its interest-bearing liabilities at March 31, 2024, which are anticipated to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown based upon certain assumptions. The amounts of assets and liabilities shown which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of term to repricing or the contractual maturity of the asset or liability. The table sets forth an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2024, on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments and scheduled rate adjustments. The loan amounts in the table reflect principal balances expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of contractual amortization and as a result of contractual rate adjustments on adjustable-rate loans.


	March 31, 2024
	Time to Repricing
	Zero to 90 Days			Zero to 180 Days			Zero Days to One Year			Zero Days to Two Years			Zero Days to Five Years			Five Years Plus			Total Earning Assets & Costing Liabilities			Non Earning Assets & Non Costing Liabilities			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	$	104,752		$	104,752		$	104,752		$	104,752		$	104,752		$	—		$	104,752		$	29,972		$	134,724
Securities (1)		27,326			73,223			118,594			205,072			345,586			245,056			590,642			(21,643	)		568,999
Placements with banks		249			249			249			249			249			—			249			—			249
Net loans (includes LHFS)		240,783			347,450			601,938			1,095,788			1,894,501			102,601			1,997,102			(7,814	)		1,989,288
FHLBNY stock		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			23,892			23,892
Other assets		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			101,550			101,550
Total	$	373,110		$	525,674		$	825,533		$	1,405,861		$	2,345,088		$	347,657		$	2,692,745		$	125,957		$	2,818,702
Liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits	$	47,142		$	94,284		$	188,568		$	377,135		$	695,328		$	67,792			763,120		$	194,398		$	957,518
Certificates of deposit		217,467			298,694			487,897			569,981			628,266			—			628,266			—			628,266
Borrowings		50,000			50,000			309,321			409,321			630,421			50,000			680,421			—			680,421
Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			58,815			58,815
Total liabilities		314,609			442,978			985,786			1,356,437			1,954,015			117,792			2,071,807			253,213			2,325,020
Capital		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			493,682			493,682
Total liabilities and capital	$	314,609		$	442,978		$	985,786		$	1,356,437		$	1,954,015		$	117,792		$	2,071,807		$	746,895		$	2,818,702
Asset/liability gap	$	58,501		$	82,696		$	(160,253	)	$	49,424		$	391,073		$	229,865		$	620,938
Gap/assets ratio		118.59	%		118.67	%		83.74	%		103.64	%		120.01	%		295.14	%		129.97	%

(1)

Includes available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

The following table sets forth the Company’s interest-earning assets and its interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 2023, which are anticipated to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown based upon certain assumptions. The amounts of assets and liabilities shown which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of term to repricing or the contractual maturity of the asset or liability. The table sets forth an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023, on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments and scheduled rate adjustments. The loan amounts in the table reflect principal balances expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of contractual amortization and as a result of contractual rate adjustments on adjustable-rate loans.


	December 31, 2023
	Time to Repricing
	Zero to 90 Days			Zero to 180 Days			Zero Days to One Year			Zero Days to Two Years			Zero Days to Five Years			Five Years Plus			Total Earning Assets & Costing Liabilities			Non Earning Assets & Non Costing Liabilities			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Interest-bearing deposits in banks	$	110,260		$	110,260		$	110,260		$	110,260		$	110,260		$	—		$	110,260		$	28,930		$	139,190
Securities (1)		26,981			68,513			116,391			208,107			359,754			242,162			601,916			(20,266	)		581,650
Placement with banks		249			249			249			249			249			—			249			—			249
Net loans (includes LHFS)		192,336			295,027			500,951			982,210			1,797,535			111,445			1,908,980			(3,114	)		1,905,866
FHLBNY stock		19,392			19,392			19,392			19,392			19,392			—			19,392			(15	)		19,377
Other assets		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			104,390			104,390
Total	$	349,218		$	493,441		$	747,243		$	1,320,218		$	2,287,190		$	353,607		$	2,640,797		$	109,925		$	2,750,722
Liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits	$	43,026		$	86,052		$	172,104		$	344,208		$	647,511		$	69,506		$	717,017		$	189,777		$	906,794
Certificates of deposit		220,322			291,437			449,484			508,888			600,826			—			600,826			—			600,826
Borrowings		204,000			304,000			363,321			413,321			634,421			50,000			684,421			—			684,421
Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			67,286			67,286
Total liabilities		467,348			681,489			984,909			1,266,417			1,882,758			119,506			2,002,264			257,063			2,259,327
Capital		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			491,395			491,395
Total liabilities and capital	$	467,348		$	681,489		$	984,909		$	1,266,417		$	1,882,758		$	119,506		$	2,002,264		$	748,458		$	2,750,722
Asset/liability gap	$	(118,130	)	$	(188,048	)	$	(237,666	)	$	53,801		$	404,432		$	234,101		$	638,533
Gap/assets ratio		74.72	%		72.41	%		75.87	%		104.25	%		121.48	%		295.89	%		131.89	%

(1)

Includes available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes require making certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the net interest income and EVE tables presented assume that the composition of the interest-sensitive assets

and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the net interest income and EVE tables provide an indication of the interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and EVE and will differ from actual results. Furthermore, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates both on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.

In the event of changes in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the gap table.

Interest rate risk calculations also may not reflect the fair values of financial instruments. For example, decreases in market interest rates can increase the fair values of loans, deposits and borrowings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity describes the ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of the Company’s customers and to fund current and future planned expenditures.

Although maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The most liquid assets are cash and interest-bearing deposits in banks. The levels of these assets are dependent on operating, financing, lending, and investing activities during any given period. The Bank had $480.4 million and $380.4 million of outstanding term advances from FHLBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Bank had no overnight line of credit advance from the FHLBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Bank also has additional borrowing capacity of $222.5 million with the FHLBNY secured by the Bank's loans portfolio at March 31, 2024.

The Bank had $200.0 million and $304.0 million of outstanding term advances from the FRBNY at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.5 million and $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities, which consists primarily of disbursements for loan originations and purchase of equipment offset by principal collections on loans and proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments on securities was ($80.1) million and ($91.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities, consisting of activities in borrowing and deposit accounts, was $74.2 million and $215.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Bank’s management took steps to enhance the Company’s liquidity position by increasing its on balance sheet cash and cash equivalents position in order to meet unforeseen liquidity events and to fund upcoming funding needs.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all regulatory capital requirements were met, resulting in the Company and the Bank being categorized as well capitalized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Management is not aware of any conditions or events that would change this categorization.

Material Cash Requirements

Commitments. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely is a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit. Although these contractual obligations represent the Company’s future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans originated. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate loans and extend credit of $605.6 million and $591.5 million, respectively.

It is anticipated that the Company will have sufficient funds available to meet its current lending commitments. Certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in 2024 totaled $406.9 million. Management expects that a substantial portion of the maturing time deposits will be renewed. However, if a substantial portion of these deposits are not retained, the Company may utilize FHLBNY advances, unsecured credit lines with correspondent banks, or raise interest rates on deposits to attract new accounts, which may result in higher levels of interest expense.

Contractual Obligations. In the ordinary course of its operations, the Company enters into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds

and deposit liabilities. There have been no material changes in the Company’s material cash requirements under its contractual obligations as discussed in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

Other Material Cash Requirements. In addition to contractual obligations, the Company’s material cash requirements also includes compensation and benefits expenses for its employees, which were $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company also has material cash requirements for occupancy and equipment expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization of $0.4 million, related to rental expenses, general maintenance and cleaning supplies, guard services, software licenses and other miscellaneous expenses, which were $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The information required by this item is included in Part I, Item 2 of this report under “Management of Market Risk”.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings as a plaintiff or a defendant other than routine legal proceeding occurring in the ordinary course of business. At March 31, 2024, the Company was not involved in any legal proceedings the outcome of which management believes would be material to its financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our 2023 Form 10-K and the risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in our other SEC filings, which could materially affect our businesses, financial condition or future results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors from those disclosed in Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K or our other SEC filings.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None

Item 5. Other Information.

None

Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit Number		Description



3.1		Articles of Incorporation of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-258394) filed with the Commission on August 3, 2021).

3.2		Bylaws of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (attached as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-258394) filed with the Commission on August 3, 2021).

3.3		Articles Supplementary to the Charter of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41255) filed with the Commission on June 9, 2022).

31.1*		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

* Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (Registrant)

Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Carlos P. Naudon
		Carlos P. Naudon
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Sergio J. Vaccaro
		Sergio J. Vaccaro
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Carlos P. Naudon, certify that:

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ponce Financial Group, Inc.;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the small business issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The small business issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the small business issuer and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the small business issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the small business issuer's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer's most recent fiscal quarter (the small business issuer's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer's internal control over financial reporting; and

The small business issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the small business issuer's auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the small business issuer's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the small business issuer's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Carlos P. Naudon
		Carlos P. Naudon President
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Sergio J. Vaccaro, certify that:

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ponce Financial Group, Inc.;

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(a)

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the small business issuer's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Sergio J. Vaccaro
		Sergio J. Vaccaro Executive Vice President
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.


Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Carlos P. Naudon
		Carlos P. Naudon President
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.


Date: May 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Sergio J. Vaccaro
		Sergio J. Vaccaro Executive Vice President
		Chief Financial Officer