NECB NorthEast Community Bancorp Inc

NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: NECB) (the “Company”), the parent holding company of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”), generated net income of $12.7 million, or $0.97 per basic share and $0.95 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net income of $11.8 million, or $0.80 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. In addition, the Company generated net income of $36.9 million, or $2.81 per basic share and $2.78 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net income of $34.2 million, or $2.42 per basic share and $2.41 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Kenneth A. Martinek, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong earnings due to the strong performance of our loan portfolio.   Despite the challenging high interest rate environment during 2023 that continued into most of 2024, offset by a reduction in interest rates towards the end of the third quarter of 2024, loan demand remained strong with originations and outstanding commitments remaining robust. As has been in the past, construction lending in high demand-high absorption areas continues to be our focus.”

Highlights for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are as follows:

• Performance metrics continue to be strong with a return on average total assets ratio of 2.62%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 16.48%, and an efficiency ratio of 36.04% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated a return on average total assets ratio of 2.61%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 16.55%, and an efficiency ratio of 36.37%.
• Net interest income increased by $1.2 million and $5.5 million, or 4.6% and 7.7%, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023.
• Our commitments, loans-in-process, and standby letters of credit outstanding totaled $659.0 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $719.6 million at December 31, 2023.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets increased $203.8 million, or 11.6%, to $2.0 billion at September 30, 2024, from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in assets was primarily due to an increase in net loans of $173.6 million and an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $29.1 million.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $29.1 million, or 42.4%, to $97.8 million at September 30, 2024 from $68.7 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was a result of an increase in deposits of $228.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in borrowings of $57.0 million, an increase of $173.6 million in net loans, and stock repurchases of $2.4 million.

Equity securities increased $2.4 million, or 13.5%, to $20.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $18.1 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in equity securities was attributable to the purchase of $2.0 million in equity securities during the third quarter of 2024 and market appreciation of $445,000 due to market interest rate volatility during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Securities held-to-maturity decreased $799,000, or 5.0%, to $15.1 million at September 30, 2024 from $15.9 million at December 31, 2023 due to $810,000 in maturities and pay-downs of various investment securities, partially offset by a decrease of $10,000 in the allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities.

Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased $173.6 million, or 11.0%, to $1.8 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, was primarily due to loan originations of $569.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, consisting primarily of $499.7 million in construction loans with respect to which approximately 34.1% of the funds were disbursed at loan closings, with the remaining funds to be disbursed over the terms of the construction loans. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we originated $44.7 million in commercial and industrial loans, $14.0 million in non-residential loans, $4.2 million in multi-family loans, and $600,000 in mixed-use loans.

Loan originations during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulted in a net increase of $148.8 million in construction loans, $14.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, $9.2 million in non-residential loans, $3.6 million in multi-family loans, and $788,000 in consumer loans. The increase in our loan portfolio was partially offset by decreases of $1.7 million in residential loans and $1.2 million in mixed-use loans, coupled with normal pay-downs and principal reductions.

The allowance for credit losses related to loans decreased to $4.8 million as of September 30, 2024 from $5.1 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to loans was due to a credit to the provision for credit losses totaling $145,000 and charge-offs of $115,000.  

Premises and equipment decreased $507,000, or 2.0%, to $24.9 million at September 30, 2024 from $25.5 million at December 31, 2023 primarily due to the depreciation of fixed assets.

Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank stock decreased $217,000, or 23.4%, to $712,000 at September 30, 2024 from $929,000 at December 31, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to the mandatory redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock totaling $315,000 in connection with the maturity of $7.0 million in advances in 2024, offset by purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock totaling $98,000 due to the growth of our mortgage loan portfolio.

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) increased $486,000, or 1.9%, to $25.6 million at September 30, 2024 from $25.1 million at December 31, 2023 due to increases in the BOLI cash value.

Accrued interest receivable increased $1.2 million, or 9.4%, to $13.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $12.3 million at December 31, 2023 due to an increase in the loan portfolio.

Real estate owned decreased $478,000, or 32.8%, to $978,000 at September 30, 2024 from $1.5 million at December 31, 2023 due to a charge-off of $478,000 resulting from a decrease in the estimated fair value of the foreclosed property.

Right of use assets — operating decreased $422,000, or 9.2%, to $4.1 million at September 30, 2024 from $4.6 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to amortization.

Other assets decreased $548,000, or 6.8%, to $7.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $8.0 million at December 31, 2023 due to decreases in tax assets of $671,000, prepaid expenses of $56,000, miscellaneous assets of $4,000, and securities receivables of $1,000, partially offset by increase in suspense accounts of $184,000.

Total deposits increased $228.0 million, or 16.3%, to $1.6 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in deposits was primarily due to the Bank offering competitive interest rates to attract deposits. This resulted in a shift in deposits whereby certificates of deposit increased $230.5 million, or 30.3%, and NOW/money market accounts increased $83.5 million, or 57.4%, partially offset by decreases in savings account balances of $53.4 million, or 27.7%, and non-interest bearing demand deposits of $32.6 million, or 10.9%.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $7.0 million, or 50.0%, to $7.0 million at September 30, 2024 from $14.0 million at December 31, 2023 due to the maturity of borrowings in 2024. Federal Reserve Bank borrowings of $50.0 million at December 31, 2023 were paid-off during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance increased $442,000, or 21.9%, to $2.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $2.0 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to accumulation of real estate tax payments by borrowers.

Lease liability – operating decreased $384,000, or 8.3%, to $4.2 million at September 30, 2024 from $4.6 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to amortization.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $2.4 million, or 17.8%, to $16.0 million at September 30, 2024 from $13.6 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to increases in dividends payable of $3.2 million and deferred compensation of $395,000, partially offset by a decrease in accrued expense of $810,000. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments decreased $130,000, or 12.5%, to $908,000 at September 30, 2024 from $1.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Stockholders’ equity increased $30.3 million, or 10.8% to $309.6 million at September 30, 2024, from $279.3 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to net income of $36.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the amortization expense of $1.4 million relating to restricted stock and stock options granted under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, a reduction of $652,000 in unearned employee stock ownership plan shares coupled with an increase of $532,000 in earned employee stock ownership plan shares, an exercise of stock options totaling $14,000, and $10,000 in other comprehensive income, partially offset by stock repurchases totaling $2.5 million and dividends paid and declared of $6.7 million.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $26.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $25.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net interest income of $1.2 million, or 4.6%, was primarily due to an increase in interest income that exceeded an increase in interest expense.

The increase in interest income is attributable to increases in the average balances of loans, interest-bearing deposits, and investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in the average balances of FHLB stock. The increase in interest income is also attributable to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases in 2023 that continued until September 2024.

The increase in market interest rates in 2023 that continued until September 2024 also caused an increase in our interest expense. As a result, the increase in interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in the cost of funds on our deposits and borrowed money. The increase in interest expense was also due to an increase in the average balances on our certificates of deposits, our interest-bearing demand deposits, and our borrowed money, offset by a decrease in the average balances on our savings and club deposits.

Total interest and dividend income increased $6.0 million, or 17.2%, to $41.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $35.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $282.6 million, or 18.0%, to $1.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 6 basis points from 8.95% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 8.89% for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Interest expense increased $4.9 million, or 48.9%, to $14.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 59 basis points from 3.86% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 4.45% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of  $301.8 million, or 29.1%, to $1.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.0 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Our net interest margin decreased 72 basis points, or 11.3%, to 5.68% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 6.40% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities outpacing the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded a provision for credit loss of $105,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a provision for credit loss of $156,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The credit loss expense of $105,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $105,000 primarily attributable to an increase in the weighted average remaining maturity for the aggregate unfunded off-balance sheet commitments. The credit loss expense of $156,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was comprised of credit loss for loans of $438,000, partially offset by credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $278,000 and credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity securities of $4,000.

With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $82,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to charge-offs of $71,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023. These charge-offs during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

We recorded no recoveries from previously charged-off loans during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.3 million compared to non-interest income of $221,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $1.1 million, or 510.4%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $977,000 in unrealized gain on equity securities, $225,000 in other loan fees and service charges, $26,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest income, and $14,000 in BOLI income, partially offset by a decrease of $114,000 in investment advisory fees.

The increase in unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $547,000 on equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss of $430,000 on equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The unrealized gain of $547,000 on equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due to market interest rate volatility during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

The increase of $225,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to an increase of $210,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees and an increase of $15,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees.

The decrease in investment advisory fees was due to the disposition in January 2024 of the Bank’s assets relating to the Harbor West Wealth Management Group. As a result of the transaction, the Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $1.0 million, or 11.7%, to $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $477,000 in real estate owned expense, $435,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $119,000 in occupancy expense, and $112,000 in outside data processing expense, partially offset by decreases of $53,000 in equipment expense, $39,000 in other operating expense, and $5,000 in advertising expense.

Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $4.9 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we had approximately $203,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $187,000 in tax exempt income for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Our effective income tax rates were 27.8% and 27.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $77.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to $72.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net interest income of $5.5 million, or 7.7%, was primarily due to an increase in interest income that exceeded an increase in interest expense.

The increase in interest income is attributable to increases in loans and interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by decreases in investment securities and FHLB stock. The increase in interest income is also attributable to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases during 2023 that continued until September 2024.

The increase in market interest rates in 2023 that continued until September 2024 also caused an increase in our interest expense. As a result, the increase in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in the cost of funds on our deposits and borrowed money. The increase in interest expense was also due to increases in the balances on our certificates of deposits, our interest-bearing demand deposits, and our borrowed money, offset by a decrease in the balances of our savings and club deposits.

Total interest and dividend income increased $24.2 million, or 25.4%, to $119.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $95.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $332.7 million, or 22.7%, to $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and an increase in the yield on interest earning assets by 19 basis points from 8.66% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 8.85% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Interest expense increased $18.7 million, or 79.9%, to $42.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $23.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 101 basis points from 3.35% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 4.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $355.6 million, or 38.2%, to $1.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $931.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Net interest margin decreased 80 basis points, or 12.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 to 5.74% compared to 6.54% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded a credit loss expense reduction totaling $286,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a credit loss expense totaling $767,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The credit loss expense reduction of $286,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000, a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $130,000, and a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $11,000. The credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to favorable trends in the economy.   The credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $130,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to a reduction of $69.1 million in the level of off-balance sheet commitments, partially offset by an increase in the weighted average remaining maturity for the aggregate unfunded off-balance sheet commitments during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

The credit loss expense of $767,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was comprised of credit loss expense for loans of $1.2 million, partially offset by a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $395,000 and credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $1,000.

We charged-off $115,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to charge-offs of $285,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The charge-offs of $115,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts. The charge-offs of $285,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were comprised of a charge-off of $159,000 related to three performing construction loans on the same project whereby we sold the loans to a third-party subsequent to June 30, 2023 at a loss of $159,000. The remaining charge-offs of $126,000 for the 2023 period were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

We recorded no recoveries from previously charged-off loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $2.6 million compared to non-interest income of $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $277,000, or 11.8%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $772,000 in unrealized gains on equity securities, $196,000 in other loan fees and service charges, and $23,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest income, offset by decreases of $371,000 in BOLI income and $343,000 in investment advisory fees.

The increase in unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $445,000 on equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss of $327,000 on equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The unrealized gain of $445,000 on equity securities during the 2024 period was due to market interest rate volatility during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The increase of $196,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to increases of $164,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees, $27,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees, and $5,000 in savings account fees.

The decrease in BOLI income was primarily due to two death claims totaling $1.8 million on BOLI policies that resulted in additional BOLI income of $404,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in investment advisory fees was due to the disposition in January 2024 of the Bank’s assets relating to the Harbor West Wealth Management Group. As a result of the transaction, the Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $3.2 million, or 12.1%, to $29.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $26.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $1.7 million in salaries and employee benefits, $800,000 in other operating expense, $475,000 in real estate owned expense, $286,000 in outside data processing expense, and $226,000 in occupancy expense, partially offset by decreases of $183,000 in equipment expense and $110,000 in advertising expense.

Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $14.4 million and $13.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we had approximately $597,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $956,000 in tax exempt income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in tax exempt income was due to two death claims totaling $1.8 million on BOLI policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Our effective income tax rates were 28.1% and 28.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets were $5.4 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $5.8 million at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had two non-performing construction loans totaling $4.4 million secured by the same project located in the Bronx, New York. We successfully foreclosed on these two loans on October 21, 2024 and the balances were transferred to foreclosed real estate. The other non-performing assets consisted of one foreclosed property at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets remained low at 0.27% at September 30, 2024 as compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2023.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses related to loans was $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans as of September 30, 2024, compared to $5.1 million, or 0.32% of total loans, as of December 31, 2023. Based on a review of the loans that were in the loan portfolio at September 30, 2024, management believes that the allowance for credit losses related to loans is maintained at a level that represents its best estimate of inherent losses in the loan portfolio that were both probable and reasonably estimable.

In addition, at September 30, 2024, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments totaled $908,000 and the allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $126,000.

Capital

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to assets ratio was 15.73% as of September 30, 2024.   At September 30, 2024, the Company had the ability to borrow $832.1 million from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $14.8 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and $8.0 million from Atlantic Community Bankers Bank.

The Bank’s capital position remains strong relative to current regulatory requirements and the Bank is considered a well-capitalized institution under the Prompt Corrective Action framework. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank had a tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 14.76% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.04%.

The Company completed its first stock repurchase program on April 14, 2023 whereby the Company repurchased 1,637,794 shares, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The cost of the stock repurchase program totaled $23.0 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.   Of the total shares repurchased under this program, 957,275 of such shares were repurchased during 2023 at a total cost of $13.7 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

The Company commenced its second stock repurchase program on May 30, 2023 whereby the Company will repurchase 1,509,218, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had repurchased 1,091,174 shares of common stock under its second repurchase program, at a cost of $17.2 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

About NorthEast Community Bancorp

NorthEast Community Bancorp, headquartered at 325 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601, is the holding company for NorthEast Community Bank, which conducts business through its eleven branch offices located in Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in New City, New York, White Plains, New York, and Danvers, Massachusetts. For more information about NorthEast Community Bancorp and NorthEast Community Bank, please visit www.necb.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, changes in market interest rates, regional and national economic conditions (including higher inflation and its impact on regional and national economic conditions), legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, including policies of the United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities, competition, demand for financial services in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, changes in the real estate market values in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company’s operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns, and changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available through the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

CONTACT:	Kenneth A. Martinek
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
PHONE:	(914) 684-2500

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited)
	September 30,				December 31,
	2024				2023
	(In thousands, except share
	and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions	$	16,023			$	13,394
Interest-bearing deposits		81,766				55,277
Total cash and cash equivalents		97,789				68,671
Certificates of deposit		100				100
Equity securities		20,547				18,102
Securities held-to-maturity (net of allowance for credit losses of $126 and $136, respectively)		15,061				15,860
Loans receivable		1,760,504				1,586,721
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net		(245	)			176
Allowance for credit losses		(4,833	)			(5,093	)
Net loans		1,755,426				1,581,804
Premises and equipment, net		24,945				25,452
Investments in restricted stock, at cost		712				929
Bank owned life insurance		25,568				25,082
Accrued interest receivable		13,463				12,311
Real estate owned		978				1,456
Property held for investment		1,380				1,407
Right of Use Assets – Operating		4,144				4,566
Right of Use Assets – Financing		348				351
Other assets		7,496				8,044
Total assets	$	1,967,957			$	1,764,135
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	267,592			$	300,184
Interest bearing		1,360,475				1,099,852
Total deposits		1,628,067				1,400,036
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		2,462				2,020
Borrowings		7,000				64,000
Lease Liability – Operating		4,241				4,625
Lease Liability – Financing		599				571
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		15,965				13,558
Total liabilities		1,658,334				1,484,810
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	$	—			$	—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 14,020,602 shares and 14,144,856 shares outstanding, respectively		140				142
Additional paid-in capital		109,368				109,924
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares		(5,911	)			(6,563	)
Retained earnings		205,699				175,505
Accumulated other comprehensive income		327				317
Total stockholders’ equity		309,623				279,325
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,967,957			$	1,764,135

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023				2024				2023
								(In thousands, except per share amounts)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans	$	39,484		$	33,757			$	114,821			$	91,826
Interest-earning deposits		1,472			1,181				4,058				2,886
Securities		227			199				662				650
Total Interest Income		41,183			35,137				119,541				95,362
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		14,630			9,889				40,459				23,050
Borrowings		257			109				1,559				299
Financing lease		10			10				29				28
Total Interest Expense		14,897			10,008				42,047				23,377
Net Interest Income		26,286			25,129				77,494				71,985
Provision for (reversal of) credit loss		105			156				(286	)			767
Net Interest Income after Provision for (Reversal of) Credit Loss		26,181			24,973				77,780				71,218
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Other loan fees and service charges		589			364				1,613				1,417
Earnings on bank owned life insurance		167			153				486				857
Investment advisory fees		-			114				-				343
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities		547			(430	)			445				(327	)
Other		46			20				90				67
Total Non-Interest Income		1,349			221				2,634				2,357
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,135			4,700				15,738				14,079
Occupancy expense		735			616				2,116				1,890
Equipment		187			240				661				844
Outside data processing		681			569				1,924				1,638
Advertising		128			133				310				420
Real estate owned expense		488			11				527				52
Other		2,607			2,646				7,864				7,064
Total Non-Interest Expenses		9,961			8,915				29,140				25,987
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		17,569			16,279				51,274				47,588
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		4,883			4,436				14,416				13,413
NET INCOME	$	12,686		$	11,843			$	36,858			$	34,175

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)								(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Per share data:
Earnings per share - basic	$	0.97			$	0.80			$	2.81			$	2.42
Earnings per share - diluted		0.95				0.80				2.78				2.41
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		13,075				14,743				13,108				14,143
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		13,417				14,822				13,279				14,192
Performance ratios/data:
Return on average total assets		2.62	%			2.87	%			2.61	%			2.95	%
Return on average shareholders' equity		16.48	%			17.26	%			16.55	%			16.95	%
Net interest income	$	26,286			$	25,129			$	77,494			$	71,985
Net interest margin		5.68	%			6.40	%			5.74	%			6.54	%
Efficiency ratio		36.04	%			35.17	%			36.37	%			34.96	%
Net charge-off ratio		0.02	%			0.02	%			0.01	%			0.03	%
Loan portfolio composition:										September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
One-to-four family									$	3,507			$	5,252
Multi-family										202,516				198,927
Mixed-use										28,399				29,643
Total residential real estate										234,422				233,822
Non-residential real estate										30,312				21,130
Construction										1,368,222				1,219,413
Commercial and industrial										125,520				111,116
Consumer										2,028				1,240
Gross loans										1,760,504				1,586,721
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net										(245	)			176
Total loans									$	1,760,259			$	1,586,897
Asset quality data:
Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing									$	-			$	-
Non-accrual loans										4,413				4,385
OREO property										978				1,456
Total non-performing assets									$	5,391			$	5,841
Allowance for credit losses to total loans										0.27	%			0.32	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans										109.52	%			116.15	%
Non-performing loans to total loans										0.25	%			0.28	%
Non-performing assets to total assets										0.27	%			0.33	%
Bank's Regulatory Capital ratios:
Total capital to risk-weighted assets										14.04	%			14.11	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets										13.76	%			13.78	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets										13.76	%			13.78	%
Tier 1 leverage ratio										14.76	%			16.21	%

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024											Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
	Average				Interest			Average				Average				Interest			Average
	Balance				and dividend			Yield				Balance				and dividend			Yield
	(In thousands, except yield/cost information)											(In thousands, except yield/cost information)
Loan receivable gross	$	1,717,875			$	39,484			9.19	%		$	1,446,946			$	33,757			9.33	%
Securities		34,920				212			2.43	%			33,754				181			2.14	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		712				15			8.43	%			929				18			7.75	%
Other interest-earning assets		98,903				1,472			5.95	%			88,156				1,181			5.36	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,852,410				41,183			8.89	%			1,569,785				35,137			8.95	%
Allowance for credit losses		(4,914	)										(4,404	)
Non-interest-earning assets		90,313											85,133
Total assets	$	1,937,809										$	1,650,514
Interest-bearing demand deposit	$	228,975			$	2,423			4.23	%		$	78,768			$	522			2.65	%
Savings and club accounts		140,047				848			2.42	%			235,613				1,624			2.76	%
Certificates of deposit		946,290				11,359			4.80	%			707,142				7,743			4.38	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,315,312				14,630			4.45	%			1,021,523				9,889			3.87	%
Borrowed money		23,603				267			4.52	%			15,631				119			3.05	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,338,915				14,897			4.45	%			1,037,154				10,008			3.86	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit		271,207											322,213
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		19,758											16,694
Total liabilities		1,629,880											1,376,061
Equity		307,929											274,453
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,937,809										$	1,650,514
Net interest income / interest spread					$	26,286			4.44	%						$	25,129			5.09	%
Net interest rate margin									5.68	%										6.40	%
Net interest earning assets	$	513,495										$	532,631
Average interest-earning assets
to interest-bearing liabilities		138.35	%										151.36	%

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024											Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
	Average				Interest			Average				Average				Interest			Average
	Balance				and dividend			Yield				Balance				and dividend			Yield
	(In thousands, except yield/cost information)											(In thousands, except yield/cost information)
Loan receivable gross	$	1,672,582			$	114,821			9.15	%		$	1,353,446			$	91,826			9.05	%
Securities		34,071				607			2.38	%			39,375				589			1.99	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		752				55			9.75	%			1,002				61			8.12	%
Other interest-earning assets		93,417				4,058			5.79	%			74,308				2,886			5.18	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,800,822				119,541			8.85	%			1,468,131				95,362			8.66	%
Allowance for credit losses		(4,977	)										(4,640	)
Non-interest-earning assets		90,087											83,200
Total assets	$	1,885,932										$	1,546,691
Interest-bearing demand deposit	$	202,097			$	6,300			4.16	%		$	84,920			$	1,433			2.25	%
Savings and club accounts		160,296				3,032			2.52	%			262,977				5,373			2.72	%
Certificates of deposit		880,741				31,127			4.71	%			567,378				16,244			3.82	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,243,134				40,459			4.34	%			915,275				23,050			3.36	%
Borrowed money		43,916				1,588			4.82	%			16,216				327			2.69	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,287,050				42,047			4.36	%			931,491				23,377			3.35	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit		282,786											329,993
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		19,163											16,373
Total liabilities		1,588,999											1,277,857
Equity		296,933											268,834
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,885,932										$	1,546,691
Net interest income / interest spread					$	77,494			4.49	%						$	71,985			5.31	%
Net interest rate margin									5.74	%										6.54	%
Net interest earning assets	$	513,772										$	536,640
Average interest-earning assets
to interest-bearing liabilities		139.92	%										157.61	%