ESSAバンコープの四半期報告

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to __________

Commission File No. 001-33384

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania	20-8023072
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

200 Palmer Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania	18360
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(570) 421-0531

(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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	ESSA	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 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, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filers,” “accelerated filers,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐

Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒

Emerging growth company	☐

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 February 7, 2024, there were 10,131,521 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

ESSA Bancorp, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents


		Page
	Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)	2

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	35

Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41

Item 4	Controls and Procedures	42

	Part II. Other Information

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	43

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	43

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	43

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	44

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	44

Item 5.	Other Information	44

Item 6.	Exhibits	45

Signature Page		46

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)


	December 31,			September 30,
	2023			2023
	(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	32,682		$	39,008
Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions		14,498			46,394
Total cash and cash equivalents		47,180			85,402
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $0)		288,768			334,056
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost net of allowance for credit losses of $0		51,012			52,242
Loans held for sale		—			250
Loans receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $15,430 and $18,525)		1,704,728			1,680,525
Regulatory stock, at cost		18,759			17,890
Premises and equipment, net		11,936			12,913
Bank-owned life insurance		39,238			39,026
Foreclosed real estate		3,195			3,311
Intangible assets, net		44			91
Goodwill		13,801			13,801
Deferred income taxes		5,857			6,877
Derivative and hedging assets		13,401			19,662
Other assets		27,519			27,200
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,225,438		$	2,293,246
LIABILITIES
Deposits	$	1,590,218		$	1,661,016
Short-term borrowings		361,500			374,652
Other borrowings		10,000			-
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance		10,077			6,550
Derivative and hedging liabilities		8,413			9,579
Other liabilities		24,506			21,741
TOTAL LIABILITIES		2,004,714			2,073,538
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)		-			-
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 18,133,095 issued; 10,131,521 and 10,394,689 outstanding at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively)		181			181
Additional paid in capital		182,528			182,681
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)		(5,896	)		(6,009	)
Retained earnings		155,247			151,856
Treasury stock, at cost; 8,001,574 and 7,738,406 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively		(104,050	)		(99,508	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(7,286	)		(9,493	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		220,724			219,708
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	2,225,438		$	2,293,246

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2023			2022
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable, including fees	$	21,414		$	16,085
Investment securities:
Taxable		3,887			2,091
Exempt from federal income tax		11			11
Other investment income		778			432
Total interest income		26,090			18,619
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		8,462			2,001
Short-term borrowings		2,656			958
Other borrowings		108			—
Total interest expense		11,226			2,959
NET INTEREST INCOME		14,864			15,660
(Release of) provision for credit losses		(397	)		150
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		15,261			15,510
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service fees on deposit accounts		696			799
Services charges and fees on loans		330			367
Loan swap fees		-			2
Unrealized (loss) gain on equity securities, net		(3	)		2
Trust and investment fees		393			402
Gain on sale of loans, net		118			-
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance		212			191
Insurance commissions		128			146
Other		87			6
Total noninterest income		1,961			1,915
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and employee benefits		6,746			6,740
Occupancy and equipment		1,229			1,046
Professional fees		1,025			1,243
Data processing		1,342			1,179
Advertising		136			186
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) premiums		380			188
Foreclosed real estate		101			(21	)
Amortization of intangible assets		47			47
Other		851			826
Total noninterest expense		11,857			11,434
Income before income taxes		5,365			5,991
Income taxes		1,028			1,125
NET INCOME	$	4,337		$	4,866
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.45		$	0.50
Diluted	$	0.45		$	0.50
Dividends per share	$	0.15		$	0.15

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2023			2022
	(dollars in thousands)
Net income	$	4,337		$	4,866
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Investment securities available for sale:
Unrealized holding gains		7,885			1,061
Tax effect		(1,656	)		(223	)
Net of tax amount		6,229			838
Derivative and hedging activities adjustments:
Changes in unrealized holding (losses) gains on derivatives included in net income		(2,745	)		668
Tax effect		579			(140	)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on derivatives included in net income		(2,350	)		(1,834	)
Tax effect		494			385
Net of tax amount		(4,022	)		(921	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		2,207			(83	)
Comprehensive income	$	6,544		$	4,783

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)


									Unallocated									Accumulated
	Common Stock					Additional			Common									Other			Total
	Number of					Paid In			Stock Held by			Retained			Treasury			Comprehensive			Stockholders’
	Shares			Amount		Capital			the ESOP			Earnings			Stock			Loss			Equity
	(dollars in thousands except share data)
Balance, September 30, 2022		10,371,022		$	181	$	182,173		$	(6,462	)	$	139,139		$	(99,800	)	$	(2,894	)	$	212,337
Net Income													4,866									4,866
Other comprehensive loss																			(83	)		(83	)
Cash dividends declared ($0.15 per share)													(1,463	)								(1,463	)
Stock based compensation							295															295
Allocation of ESOP stock							117			113												230
Allocation of treasury shares to incentive plan		30,848					(403	)								399						(4	)
Balance, December 31, 2022		10,401,870		$	181	$	182,182		$	(6,349	)	$	142,542		$	(99,401	)	$	(2,977	)	$	216,178


									Unallocated									Accumulated
	Common Stock					Additional			Common									Other			Total
	Number of					Paid In			Stock Held by			Retained			Treasury			Comprehensive			Stockholders’
	Shares			Amount		Capital			the ESOP			Earnings			Stock			Loss			Equity
	(dollars in thousands except share data)
Balance, September 30, 2023		10,394,689		$	181	$	182,681		$	(6,009	)	$	151,856		$	(99,508	)	$	(9,493	)	$	219,708
Net income													4,337									4,337
Other comprehensive income																			2,207			2,207
Cash dividends declared ($0.15 per share)													(1,476	)								(1,476	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13													530									530
Stock based compensation							293															293
Allocation of ESOP stock							75			113												188
Allocation of treasury shares to incentive plan		40,441					(521	)								521						—
Purchase of common stock		(303,609	)													(5,063	)					(5,063	)
Balance, December 31, 2023		10,131,521		$	181	$	182,528		$	(5,896	)	$	155,247		$	(104,050	)	$	(7,286	)	$	220,724

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2023			2022
	(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	4,337		$	4,866
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Release of) provision for credit losses		(397	)		150
Provision for depreciation and amortization		281			277
(Amortization) and accretion of discounts and premiums, net		(1,682	)		41
Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities		3			(2	)
Gain on sale of loans, net		(118	)		—
Origination of residential real estate loans for sale		(4,261	)		—
Proceeds on sale of residential real estate loans		4,629			—
Compensation expense on ESOP		188			230
Amortization of right-of-use asset		224			243
Stock based compensation		293			295
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(520	)		(2,083	)
Increase in accrued interest payable		2,324			341
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance		(212	)		(191	)
Deferred federal income taxes		433			306
Increase in accrued pension		(89	)		(78	)
Loss (gain) on foreclosed real estate, net		101			(21	)
Amortization of intangible assets		47			47
Other, net		1,130			(1,299	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		6,711			3,122
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment securities available for sale:
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities		79,906			5,364
Purchases		(25,181	)		(1,000	)
Investment securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities		1,224			1,260
Increase in loans receivable, net		(22,999	)		(68,678	)
Redemption of regulatory stock		7,345			3,295
Purchase of regulatory stock		(8,214	)		(6,006	)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate		15			50
Purchase of premises, equipment and software, net		(67	)		(399	)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		32,029			(66,114	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Decrease in deposits, net		(70,798	)		(10,037	)
Net (decrease)increase in short-term borrowings		(13,152	)		74,772
Proceeds from other borrowings		10,000			-
Purchase of common stock		(5,063	)		—
Increase in advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance		3,527			555
Dividends on common stock		(1,476	)		(1,463	)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities		(76,962	)		63,827
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(38,222	)		835
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR		85,402			27,937
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$	47,180		$	28,772
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Cash Paid:
Interest	$	8,901		$	2,618
Noncash items:
Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate		-			26
Unrealized holding gains		7,885			1,061

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), its wholly owned subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ESSACOR Inc.; Pocono Investments Company; ESSA Advisory Services, LLC; Integrated Financial Corporation; and Integrated Abstract Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated Financial Corporation. The primary purpose of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Bank. The Bank’s primary business consists of the taking of deposits and granting of loans to customers generally in Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered savings bank and is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The investment in the Bank on the parent company’s financial statements is carried at the parent company’s equity in the underlying net assets.

ESSACOR, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that has been used to purchase properties at tax sales that represent collateral for delinquent loans of the Bank. Pocono Investment Company is a Delaware corporation formed as an investment company subsidiary to hold and manage certain investments, including certain intellectual property. ESSA Advisory Services, LLC is a Pennsylvania limited liability company wholly owned by ESSA Bank & Trust. ESSA Advisory Services, LLC is a full-service insurance benefits consulting company offering group services such as health insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, dental, vision, and 401(k) retirement planning as well as individual health products. Integrated Financial Corporation is a Pennsylvania corporation that provided investment advisory services to the general public and is currently inactive. Integrated Abstract Incorporated is a Pennsylvania corporation that provided title insurance services and is currently inactive. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature. Operating results for the three month period ended December 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2024.

Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			December 31,
	2023			2022
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		18,133,095			18,133,095
Average treasury stock shares		(7,862,516	)		(7,734,761	)
Average unearned ESOP shares		(603,596	)		(648,860	)
Average unearned non-vested shares		(31,568	)		(52,619	)
Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share		9,635,415			9,696,855
Additional common stock equivalents (nonvested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share		1,766			8,818
Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share		9,637,181			9,705,673

At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 there were no shares of nonvested stock outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The accounting principles followed by the Company and its subsidiaries and the methods of applying these principles conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and to general practice within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date and related revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" and subsequent related updates. This ASU replaces the incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses and requires the Company to measure the current expected credit losses (CECL) on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans, held to maturity investment securities, off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments, and other financial instruments. In addition, ASC 326 requires credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down when management does not intend to sell or believes that it is not more likely than not they will be required to sell. This guidance became effective on October 1, 2023 for the Bank. The results reported for periods beginning after October 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards.

The Company adopted this guidance, and subsequent related updates, using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans, held to maturity debt securities and unfunded commitments. As a result the allowance for credit losses related to loans was decreased by $2,755,000. No reserve was required for investment securities held to maturity. The Company also recorded a reserve for unfunded commitments of $2,083,000. The corresponding increase to retained earnings as a result of these reserve changes was $672,000, before taxes and $530,000, net of tax.

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 326 related to presenting other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale debt securities prior to October 1, 2023 using the prospective transition approach, though no such charges had been recorded on the securities held by the Company as of the date of adoption.

The impact of the change from the incurred loss model to the current expected credit loss model is detailed below (in thousands).


	October 1, 2023
	Pre-adoption		Adoption Impact			As Reported
Assets
ACL on debt securities held-to-maturity	$	-	$	-		$	-
ACL on debt securities available for sale		-		-			-
ACL on debt securities loans
Real estate loans:		-		-			-
Residential		4,897		503			5,400
Construction		183		254			437
Commercial		11,983		(3,729	)		8,254
Commercial		941		(292	)		649
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		110		129			239
Home equity loans and lines of credit		346		423			769
Auto loans		2		2			4
Other		22		(4	)		18
Unallocated		41		(41	)		-
Liabilites
ACL for unfunded commitments		52		2,083			2,135
	$	18,577	$	(672	)	$	17,905

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) and Vintage Disclosures. The guidance amends ASC 326 to eliminate the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors, while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructuring activities by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Specifically, rather than applying TDR recognition and measurement guidance, creditors will determine whether a modification results in a new loan or continuation of existing loan. These amendments are intended to enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, the amendments to ASC 326 require that an entity disclose current-period gross writeoffs by year of origination within the vintage disclosures, which requires that an entity disclose the amortized cost basis of financing receivables by credit quality indicator and class of financing receivable by year of origination.

The guidance is only for entities that have adopted the amendments in Update 2016-13 for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption using prospective application, including adoption in an interim period where the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company adopted this guidance on October 1, 2023.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02, "Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)". The ASU allows entities to elect the proportional amortization method, on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis, for all equity investments in tax credit programs meeting the eligibility criteria in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 323-740-25-1. While the ASU does not significantly alter the existing eligibility criteria, it does provide clarifications to address existing interpretive issues. It also prescribes specific information reporting entities must disclose about tax credit investments each period. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, for public business entities, or January 1, 2024 for the Company. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which amends or supersedes various SEC paragraphs within the Codification to conform to past SEC announcements and guidance issued by the SEC. The ASU does not provide any new guidance so there is no transition or effective date associated with it. This ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (TOPIC 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Public entities are required to adopt the changes retrospectively, recasting each prior-period disclosure for which a comparative income statement is presented in the period of adoption. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which provides for improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This ASU is effective for public business entities for annual period beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of ASU 2023-09 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Entity's consolidated financial statements.

Investment Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, allowance for credit losses and fair value of investment securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	December 31, 2023
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Allowance for Credit Losses		Fair Value
Available for Sale
Fannie Mae	$	59,010	$	290	$	(3,699	)	$	-	$	55,601
Freddie Mac		54,416		40		(2,742	)		-		51,714
Governmental National Mortgage Association		14,159		96		(437	)		-		13,818
Total mortgage-backed securities		127,585		426		(6,878	)		-		121,133
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		9,575		-		(471	)		-		9,104
U.S. government treasury securities		49,828		17		-			-		49,845
U.S. government agency securities		29,422		5		(70	)		-		29,357
Corporate obligations		77,949		17		(6,863	)		-		71,103
Other debt securities		8,711		50		(535	)		-		8,226
Total	$	303,070	$	515	$	(14,817	)	$	-	$	288,768

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Allowance for Credit Losses
Held to Maturity
Fannie Mae	$	26,962	$	-	$	(3,791	)	$	23,171	$	-
Freddie Mac		21,603		-		(3,234	)		18,369		-
Total mortgage-backed securities		48,565		-		(7,025	)		41,540		-
U.S. government agency securities		2,447		-		(395	)		2,052		-
Total	$	51,012	$	-	$	(7,420	)	$	43,592	$	-


	September 30, 2023
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Available for sale
Fannie Mae	$	55,878	$	-	$	(6,418	)	$	49,460
Freddie Mac		49,833		1		(5,552	)		44,282
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities		6,986		-		(397	)		6,589
Total mortgage-backed securities		112,697		1		(12,367	)		100,331
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		9,794		-		(742	)		9,052
U.S. government treasury securities		123,562		19		(1	)		123,580
U.S. government agency securities		29,089		-		(137	)		28,952
Corporate obligations		73,962		-		(8,241	)		65,721
Other debt securities		7,139		-		(719	)		6,420
Total	$	356,243	$	20	$	(22,207	)	$	334,056

Held to maturity
Fannie Mae	$	27,652	$	-	$	(5,217	)	$	22,435
Freddie Mac		22,145		-		(4,424	)		17,721
Total		49,797		-		(9,641	)		40,156
U.S. government agency securities		2,445		-		(511	)		1,934
Total	$	52,242	$	-	$	(10,152	)	$	42,090

The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.


(in thousands)	For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023			For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Net (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities	$	(3	)	$	2
Less: Net (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		-			-
Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$	(3	)	$	2

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):


	Available For Sale				Held to Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	78,785	$	78,779	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years		39,478		37,874		—		—
Due after five years through ten years		70,017		63,294		6,809		5,988
Due after ten years		114,790		108,821		44,203		37,604
Total	$	303,070	$	288,768	$	51,012	$	43,592

For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company realized no gross gains or gross losses on proceeds from the sale on investment securities.

The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company's investments for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, which are aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):


	December 31, 2023
	Number of Securities		Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Greater					Total
			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
Fannie Mae		74	$	220	$	(10	)	$	68,383	$	(7,480	)	$	68,603	$	(7,490	)
Freddie Mac		65		6,629		(71	)		59,103		(5,905	)		65,732		(5,976	)
Governmental National Mortgage Association		14		2,134		(68	)		4,285		(369	)		6,419		(437	)
U.S. government agency securities		3		-		-			6,481		(465	)		6,481		(465	)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		10		-		-			9,104		(471	)		9,104		(471	)
Corporate obligations		87		5,060		(117	)		62,231		(6,746	)		67,291		(6,863	)
Other debt securities		17		386		-			5,870		(535	)		6,256		(535	)
Total		270	$	14,429	$	(266	)	$	215,457	$	(21,971	)	$	229,886	$	(22,237	)


	September 30, 2023
			Less than Twelve Months					Twelve Months or Greater					Total
	Number of Securities		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
Fannie Mae		77	$	5,675	$	(196	)	$	66,220	$	(11,439	)	$	71,895	$	(11,635	)
Freddie Mac		63		3,828		(159	)		57,168		(9,817	)		60,996		(9,976	)
Governmental National Mortgage Association securities		14		2,151		(51	)		4,438		(346	)		6,589		(397	)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		11		-		-			9,052		(742	)		9,052		(742	)
U.S. government treasury securities		1		24,705		(1	)		-		-			24,705		(1	)
U.S. government agency securities		4		24,582		(6	)		6,304		(642	)		30,886		(648	)
Corporate obligations		87		6,045		(273	)		59,677		(7,968	)		65,722		(8,241	)
Other debt securities		17		395		-			6,025		(719	)		6,420		(719	)
Total		274	$	67,381	$	(686	)	$	208,884	$	(31,673	)	$	276,265	$	(32,359	)

At December 31, 2023, the fair value of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded was $186.3 million, including unrealized losses of $14.8 million. These holdings were comprised of (1) 241 federal agency mortgage-backed securities, which are U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses, (2) two collateralized mortgage obligation bonds, (3) one state and political subdivisions bond and (4) one investment grade corporate bond. The Corporation does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position and is unlikely to be required to sell these securities before a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity. The Corporation concluded that the decline in fair value of these securities was not indicative of a credit loss. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $1.2 million at December 31, 2023 and is included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses.

At December 31, 2023, the fair value of held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded was $43.6 million, including unrealized losses of $7.4 million. These holdings were comprised of 29 federal agency mortgage-backed securities, which are U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. The Corporation did not recognize any credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities for the year ended December 31, 2023 or other-than-temporary impairment charges during 2022. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $79,000 at December 31, 2023 and is included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses.

Securities classified as held-to-maturity are included under the CECL methodology. Calculation of expected credit loss under CECL is done on a collective (“pooled”) basis, with assets grouped when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company notes that at December 31, 2023 all securities in the held-to-maturity classification are U.S. government agency and US government mortgage-backed securities; therefore, they share the same risk characteristics and can be evaluated on a collective basis. The expected credit loss on these securities is evaluated based on historical credit losses of this security type and the expected possibility of default in the future, and these securities are guaranteed by the U.S. government. U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities often receive the highest credit rating by rating agencies and the Company has concluded that the possibility of default is considered remote. The U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities held by the Company in the held-to-maturity category carry an AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s, Aaa from Moody’s Investor Services, and AAA from Fitch. The Company concludes that the long history with no credit losses for these securities (adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts) indicates an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. Management has concluded that there is no prepayment risk and it is expected to recover the recorded investment. The Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity.

Loans Receivable, Net and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):


	December 31, 2023		September 30, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	712,035	$	713,326
Construction		15,859		16,768
Commercial		851,098		821,958
Commercial		40,427		48,143
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		49,487		48,118
Home equity loans and lines of credit		49,323		48,212
Auto loans		292		523
Other		1,637		2,002
		1,720,158		1,699,050
Less allowance for credit losses		15,430		18,525
Net loans	$	1,704,728	$	1,680,525

The following table shows the amount of loans in each category that were individually and collectively evaluated for credit loss at the dates indicated (in thousands):


	Total Loans		Individually Evaluated for Credit Loss		Collectively Evaluated for Credit Loss
December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	712,035	$	1,624	$	710,411
Construction		15,859		-		15,859
Commercial		851,098		7,540		843,558
Commercial		40,427		635		39,792
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		49,487		-		49,487
Home equity loans and lines of credit		49,323		25		49,298
Auto loans		292		4		288
Other		1,637		2		1,635
Total	$	1,720,158	$	9,830	$	1,710,328

The following table shows the amount of loans in each category that were individually and collectively evaluated for impairment at the dates indicated (in thousands):


	Total Loans		Individually Evaluated for Impairment		Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
September 30, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	713,326	$	1,393	$	711,933
Construction		16,768		-		16,768
Commercial		821,958		7,664		814,294
Commercial		48,143		648		47,495
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		48,118		-		48,118
Home equity loans and lines of credit		48,212		27		48,185
Auto loans		523		-		523
Other		2,002		3		1,999
Total	$	1,699,050	$	9,735	$	1,689,315

The Company maintains a loan review system that allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential credit deterioration in loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. Specific credit loss allowances are established for identified losses based on a review of such information.

A loan is analyzed for credit loss when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All loans are evaluated independently. The Company does not aggregate such loans for evaluation purposes. Credit loss is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

The following table includes the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans with the associated allowance amount at the dates indicated, if applicable under ASC 310 (in thousands):


	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Associated Allowance
September 30, 2023
With no specific allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans
Residential	$	1,294	$	2,091	$	-
Construction		-		-		-
Commercial		6,240		7,094		-
Commercial		648		960		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		27		62		-
Auto Loans		-		-		-
Other		3		17		-
Total		8,212		10,224		-
With an allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans
Residential		99		103		7
Construction		-		-		-
Commercial		1,424		1,562		35
Commercial		-		-		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		-		-		-
Auto Loans		-		-		-
Other		-		-		-
Total		1,523		1,665		42
Total:
Real Estate Loans
Residential		1,393		2,194		7
Construction		-		-		-
Commercial		7,664		8,656		35
Commercial		648		960		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		27		62		-
Auto Loans		-		-		-
Other		3		17		-
Total Impaired Loans	$	9,735	$	11,889	$	42

The following tables represents the average recorded investments in the impaired loans and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired under ASC 310 (in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2022
	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no specific allowance recorded:
Real estate loans
Residential	$	1,216	$	1
Construction		-		-
Commercial		10,563		-
Commercial		699		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		35		-
Auto loans		6		-
Other		5		-
Total		12,524		1
With an allowance recorded:
Real estate loans
Residential		103		-
Construction		-		-
Commercial		1,570		-
Commercial		231		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		-		-
Auto loans		-		-
Other		-		-
Total		1,904		-
Total:
Real estate loans
Residential		1,319		1
Construction		-		-
Commercial		12,133		-
Commercial		930		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		35		-
Auto loans		6		-
Other		5		-
Total Impaired Loans	$	14,428	$	1

The Company uses a dual risk rating methodology to monitor the credit quality of the overall commercial loan portfolio. This rating system consists of a borrower rating scale from 1 to 14 and a collateral coverage rating scale from A to J that provides a mechanism to separate borrower creditworthiness from the value of collateral recovery in the event of default. The two ratings are combined using a matrix to develop an overall composite loan quality risk rating. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The Special Mention category includes assets that are fundamentally sound yet, exhibit potentially unacceptable credit risk or deteriorating trends or characteristics which if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Loans in the Substandard category have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and have a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the weaknesses are not corrected. All loans greater than 90 days past due are considered Substandard. Loans in the Doubtful category have all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans in the Loss category are considered uncollectible and of little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted.

To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Company has a structured loan rating process with several layers of internal and external oversight. Generally, consumer and residential mortgage loans are included in the Pass categories unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, or death, occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. The Company’s Commercial Loan Officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis. The Company’s credit management team performs an annual review of all commercial relationships $2,000,000 or greater. Confirmation of the appropriate risk grade is included in the review on an ongoing basis. The Company engages an external consultant to conduct loan reviews on at least a semiannual basis. Generally, the external consultant reviews commercial relationships greater than $1,000,000 and/or all criticized relationships equal to or greater than $500,000. Detailed reviews, including plans for resolution, are performed on loans classified as Substandard on a quarterly basis. Loans in the Substandard category that are analysed for credit loss are given separate consideration in the determination of the allowance.

The Bank uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass. Loans classified as pass are loans in which the condition of the borrower and the performance of the loans are satisfactory of better

Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution's credit position at some future date.

Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Based on the most recent analysis performed, the following table presents the recorded investment in non-homogenous pools by internal risk rating systems under ASC 326 (in thousands);



							Revolving	Revolving
	Term Loans Amortized on Cost Basis by Origination Year						Loans	Loans
							Amortized	Converted
December 31, 2023	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	Prior	Cost Basis	to Term	Total
Commercial real estate
Risk Rating
Pass	$24,285	$82,095	$135,993	$134,511	$77,428	$192,082	$191,203	$-	$837,597
Special Mention	-	-	-	-	2,297	65	-	-	2,362
Substandard	-	-	-	-	-	10,372	767	-	11,139
Doubtful	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	$24,285	$82,095	$135,993	$134,511	$79,725	$202,519	$191,970	$-	$851,098

Commercial real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-

Commercial
Risk Rating
Pass	$756	$13,681	$5,064	$2,386	$5,375	$10,385	$1,262	$-	$38,909
Special Mention	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Substandard	-	-	-	547	-	971	-	-	1,518
Doubtful	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	$756	$13,681	$5,064	$2,933	$5,375	$11,356	$1,262	$-	$40,427

Commercial
Current period gross charge-offs	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
Risk Rating
Pass	$2,400	$4,629	$9,022	$7,808	$17,464	$-	$8,164	$-	$49,487
Special Mention	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Substandard	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Doubtful	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	$2,400	$4,629	$9,022	$7,808	$17,464	$-	$8,164	$-	$49,487

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
Current period gross charge-offs	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-	$-

Total

Pass	$27,441	$100,405	$150,079	$144,705	$100,267	$202,467	$200,629	$-	$925,993
Special Mention	-	-	-	-	2,297	65	-	-	2,362
Substandard	-	-	-	547	-	11,343	767	-	12,657
Doubtful	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	$27,441	$100,405	$150,079	$145,252	$102,564	$213,875	$201,396	$-	$941,012

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate Pass and the criticized categories of Special Mention, Substandard, and Doubtful or Loss within the internal risk rating system at September 30, 2023 under ASC 310 (in thousands):


	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful or Loss		Total
September 30, 2023
Commercial real estate loans	$	807,736	$	3,200	$	11,022	$	-	$	821,958
Commercial		46,452		-		1,691		-		48,143
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		48,118		-		-		-		48,118
Total	$	902,306	$	3,200	$	12,713	$	-	$	918,219

The company monitors the credit risk profile by payment activity for residential and consumer loan classes. Loans past due over 90 days and loans on nonaccrual status are considered nonperforming. Nonperforming loans are reviewed monthly. The following table presents the carrying value of residential and consumer loans based on payment activity under ASC 326 (in thousands):



													Revolving		Revolving
	Term Loans Amortized on Cost Basis by Origination Year												Loans		Loans
													Amortized		Converted
December 31, 2023	2024		2023		2022		2021		2020		Prior		Cost Basis		to Term		Total
Residential real estate
Payment Performance
Performing	$	6,365	$	87,830	$	153,598	$	139,331	$	108,026	$	214,242	$	-	$	-	$	709,392
Nonperforming		-		205		-		-		-		2,438		-		-		2,643
Total	$	6,365	$	88,035	$	153,598	$	139,331	$	108,026	$	216,680	$	-	$	-	$	712,035

Residential real estate
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Construction
Payment Performance
Performing	$	455	$	13,350	$	2,054	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	15,859
Nonperforming		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	455	$	13,350	$	2,054	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	15,859

Construction
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Home equity loans and lines of credit										-
Payment Performance
Performing	$	2,527	$	11,740	$	7,942	$	2,052	$	1,679	$	3,607	$	19,667	$	58	$	49,272
Nonperforming		-		-		-		-		-		25		26		-		51
Total	$	2,527	$	11,740	$	7,942	$	2,052	$	1,679	$	3,632	$	19,693	$	58	$	49,323

Home equity loans and lines of credit
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Auto										-
Payment Performance
Performing	$	19	$	139	$	42	$	-	$	8	$	80	$	-	$	-	$	288
Nonperforming		-		-		-		-		-		4		-		-		4
Total	$	19	$	139	$	42	$	-	$	8	$	84	$	-	$	-	$	292

Auto
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Other										-
Payment Performance
Performing	$	72	$	340	$	171	$	118	$	15	$	466	$	426	$	-	$	1,608
Nonperforming		-		-		-		-		-		29		-		-		29
Total	$	72	$	340	$	171	$	118	$	15	$	495	$	426	$	-	$	1,637

Other
Current period gross charge-offs	$	-	$	10	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	10

Total
Payment Performance
Performing	$	9,438	$	113,399	$	163,807	$	141,501	$	109,728	$	218,395	$	20,093	$	58	$	776,419
Nonperforming		-		205		-		-		-		2,496		26		-		2,727
Total	$	9,438	$	113,604	$	163,807	$	141,501	$	109,728	$	220,891	$	20,119	$	58	$	779,146

. The following table presents the risk ratings in the consumer categories of performing and non-performing loans at and September 30, 2023 under ASC 310(in thousands):


	Performing		Non- performing		Total
September 30, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	710,757	$	2,569	$	713,326
Construction		16,768		-		16,768
Home equity loans and lines of credit		48,165		47		48,212
Auto loans		523		-		523
Other		1,972		30		2,002
Total	$	778,185	$	2,646	$	780,831

The Company further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 (in thousands):


			31-60 Days		61-89 Days		90 + Days		Total		Total
	Current		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Loans
December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	708,388	$	1,351	$	527	$	1,769	$	3,647	$	712,035
Construction		15,859		-		-		-		-		15,859
Commercial		839,405		10,015		813		865		11,693		851,098
Commercial		38,907		970		300		250		1,520		40,427
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		49,487		-		-		-		-		49,487
Home equity loans and lines of credit		49,295		-		2		26		28		49,323
Auto loans		255		23		10		4		37		292
Other		1,610		-		-		27		27		1,637
Total	$	1,703,206	$	12,359	$	1,652	$	2,941	$	16,952	$	1,720,158


			31-60 Days		61-89 Days		90 + Days		Total		Total
	Current		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Loans
September 30, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	710,290	$	792	$	199	$	2,045	$	3,036	$	713,326
Construction		16,768		-		-		-		-		16,768
Commercial		820,853		240		-		865		1,105		821,958
Commercial		47,893		-		-		250		250		48,143
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		48,118		-		-		-		-		48,118
Home equity loans and lines of credit		48,191		-		-		21		21		48,212
Auto loans		485		37		1		-		38		523
Other		1,959		10		33		-		43		2,002
Total	$	1,694,557	$	1,079	$	233	$	3,181	$	4,493	$	1,699,050

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on nonaccrual status and loans past due over 90 days and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):


	Nonaccrual with no ACL		Nonaccrual with ACL		Total Nonaccrual		Loans Past due over 90 days and still Accruing		Total nonperforming
December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	2,643	$	-	$	2,643	$	-	$	2,643
Construction		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial		7,639		-		7,639		-		7,639
Commercial		391		247		638		-		638
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		51		-		51		-		51
Auto loans		4		-		4		-		4
Other		29		-		29		-		29
Total	$	10,757	$	247	$	11,004	$	-	$	11,004

The following table presents nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2023 under ASC 310 (in thousands):


Non-Accrual Loans	September 30, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	2,569
Construction		-
Commercial		7,763
Commercial		652
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		47
Auto loans		-
Other		30
Total	$	11,061

There are no loans greater than 90 days past due that are accruing interest.

We maintain the ACL at a level that we believe to be appropriate to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan portfolios as of the balance sheet date. We established our allowance in accordance with guidance provided in Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC 326").

The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of expected losses inherent in the Company’s lending activities excluding loans accounted for under fair value. The allowance for credit losses are maintained through charges to the provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as expected losses are estimated. Loans or portions thereof that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

We maintain a credit review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential non performing loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. General credit loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual credit loss experience, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, management’s judgment and losses which are probable and reasonably estimable. The allowance is increased through provisions charged against current earnings and recoveries of previously charged-off loans. Loans that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. While management uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable loan losses, future credit provisions may be necessary, based on changing economic conditions. Payments received on non performing loans generally are either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. The allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 was maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and such losses were both probable and reasonably estimable.

In addition, the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for credit losses. The banking regulators may require that we recognize additions to the allowance based on its analysis and review of information available to it at the time of its examination.

Management reviews the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis using a defined, consistently applied process in order to make appropriate and timely adjustments to the ACL. When information confirms all or part of specific loans to be uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged off against the ACL.

The following table summarizes changes in the primary segments of the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):


																Home
													Obligations of			Equity
													States and			Loans and
	Real Estate Loans									Commercial			Political			Lines of			Auto			Other
	Residential			Construction			Commercial			Loans			Subdivisions			Credit			Loans			Loans			Unallocated			Total
Beginning balance at September 30, 2023	$	4,897		$	183		$	11,983		$	941		$	110		$	346		$	2		$	22		$	41		$	18,525
Impact of adopting ASC 326		503			254			(3,729	)		(292	)		129			423			2			(4	)	$	(41	)		(2,755	)
Charge-offs		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(10	)		-			(10	)
Recoveries		-			-			-			-			-			3			7			-			-			10
Provision		(511	)		(6	)		123			41			37			(26	)		(8	)		10			-			(340	)
Ending balance at December 31, 2023	$	4,889		$	431		$	8,377		$	690		$	276		$	746		$	3		$	18		$	-		$	15,430


ALL balance at September 30, 2022	$	5,122		$	319		$	10,754		$	698		$	283		$	361		$	22		$	22		$	947		$	18,528
Charge-offs		-			-			-			-			-			-			(21	)		-			-			(21	)
Recoveries		2			-			1			-			-			51			30			-			-			84
Provision		162			9			439			350			(8	)		(40	)		(17	)		-			(745	)		150
ALL balance at December 31, 2022	$	5,286		$	328		$	11,194		$	1,048		$	275		$	372		$	14		$	22		$	202		$	18,741

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded release of allowance for credit losses for residential real estate loans, construction real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and auto loans due to either decreased loan balances, improved asset quality, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or decreased charge-off activity in those segments. The Company

recorded credit provision expense for the commercial real estate loans, commercial loans segments, obligations of states and political subdivisions and other loans due to increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments.

During the three months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded provision expense for the residential real estate loans, construction real estate loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial loans segments due to either increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments. Credit provisions were recorded for loan loss for the obligations of states and political subdivisions, home equity loans and lines of credit and auto loans due to either decreased loan balances, improved asset quality, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or decreased charge-off activity in those segments.

The following table summarizes the amount of loans in each segments that were individually and collectively evaluated for credit loss as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):


											Home
									Obligations of		Equity
									States and		Loans and
	Real Estate Loans						Commercial		Political		Lines of				Other
	Residential		Construction		Commercial		Loans		Subdivisions		Credit		Auto Loans		Loans		Unallocated		Total
Individually evaluated for Credit Loss	$	6	$	-	$	-	$	16	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	22
Collectively evaluated for Credit Loss		4,883		431		8,377		674		276		746		3		18		-		15,408
Ending balance at December 31, 2023	$	4,889	$	431	$	8,377	$	690	$	276	$	746	$	3	$	18	$	-	$	15,430

The following table summarizes the primary segments of the ALL, segregated into two categories, the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2023 (in thousands):


											Home
									Obligations of		Equity
									States and		Loans and
	Real Estate Loans						Commercial		Political		Lines of				Other
	Residential		Construction		Commercial		Loans		Subdivisions		Credit		Auto Loans		Loans		Unallocated		Total
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	7	$	-	$	35	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	42
Collectively evaluated for impairment		4,890		183		11,948		941		110		346		2		22		41		18,483
ALL balance at September 30, 2023	$	4,897	$	183	$	11,983	$	941	$	110	$	346	$	2	$	22	$	41	$	18,525

Collateral-Dependent Loans

The following table presents the collateral-dependent loans by portfolio segment at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):


	Real Estate		Business Assets		Other
December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	2,643
Construction		-
Commercial		7,639
Commercial		-		638
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		51
Auto loans		-				4
Other		-				29
Total	$	10,333	$	638	$	33

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing term extensions and interest rate reductions. In some cases, the Company provides multiple types of concessions on one loan. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession,
such as and interest rate reduction, may be granted.

The following table shows the amortized cost basis at the end of the reporting period of the loans modified to borrowers
experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of concession granted under ASC 326 (in thousands):


Loan Modifications Made to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

	Combination - Term Extension and Interest Rate Reduction

	Amortized Cost Basis		% of Total Class of
	at December 31, 2023		Financing Receivable

Real estate loans:
Residential	$	71		0.01	%

Total	S	71

The following table describes the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty under ASC 326 during the quarter ended December 31, 2023:


Combination - Term Extension and Interest Rate Reduction

Loan Type	Financial Effect
Real estate loans:
Residential	Reduced weighted-average contractual interest rate form 7.25% to 5%. Extended term
	for 360 months. Only one loan was modified.

The Bank closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table depicts the performance of loans that have been modified in the last 3 months under ASC 326 (in thousands):


			31-60 Days		61-89 Days		90 + Days		Total
	Current		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due
December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Residential	$	71	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	71
Construction		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial		-		-		-		-		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity loans and lines of credit		-		-		-		-		-
Auto loans		-		-		-		-		-
Other		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	71	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	71

During the year ended September 30, 2023, the Bank adopted ASU 2022-02 on a modified retrospective basis. ASU 2022-02 eliminates the TDR accounting model, and requires that the Bank evaluate, based on the accounting for loan modifications, whether the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the modification results in a more-than-insignificant direct change in the contractual cash flows and represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. This change required all loan modifications to be accounted for under the general loan modification guidance in ASC 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, and subject entities to new disclosure requirements on loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Upon adoption of CECL, the TDRs were evaluated and included in the CECL loan segment pools if the loans shared similar risk characteristics to other loans in the pool or remained with individually evaluated loans for which the ACL was measured using the collateral-dependent or discounted cash flow method. The following table presents the most comparable required information for the prior period for impaired loans that were TDRs, with the recorded investment at December 31, 2022:

The following is a summary of troubled debt restructuring granted during the three months ended December 31, 2022 under ASC 310(dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
	Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Real estate loans:
Residential		1	$	51	$	54
Construction		—		—		—
Commercial		—		—		—
Commercial		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		—		—
Home equity loans and lines of credit		—		—		—
Auto loans		—		—		—
Other		—		—		—
Total		1	$	51	$	54

For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no loans defaulted on a modification agreement within one year of modification.

Deposits

Deposits consist of the following major classifications (in thousands):


	December 31, 2023		September 30, 2023
Non-interest bearing demand accounts	$	264,620	$	280,473
Interest bearing demand accounts		288,532		346,458
Money market accounts		367,505		366,866
Savings and club accounts		156,195		163,248
Certificates of deposit		513,366		503,971
Total	$	1,590,218	$	1,661,016

Net Periodic Benefit Cost-Defined Benefit Plan

For a detailed disclosure on the Bank’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 12 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2023 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table comprises the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2023			2022
Service Cost	$	-		$	-
Interest Cost		171			164
Expected return on plan assets		(261	)		(242	)
Partial settlement		-			-
Amortization of net loss from earlier periods		-			-
Net periodic benefit income	$	(90	)	$	(78	)

The Company’s board of directors adopted resolutions to freeze the status of the Defined Benefit Plan (“the plan”) effective February 28, 2017 (“the freeze date”). Accordingly, no additional participants have been allowed to enter the plan since February 28, 2017; no additional years of service for benefit accrual purposes have been credited since the freeze date under the plan; and compensation earned by participants after the freeze date is not taken into account under the plan.

Equity Incentive Plan

The Company previously maintained the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provided for a total of 2,377,326 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. Of the shares that were available under the Plan, 1,698,090 were available to be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and 679,236 were available to be issued as restricted stock. The Plan allowed for the granting of non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and restricted stock. Options granted under the plan were granted at no less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. As of the effective date of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (detailed below), no further grants will be made under the Plan and forfeitures of outstanding awards under the Plan will be added to the shares available under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

The Company replaced the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan with the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) which was approved by shareholders on March 3, 2016. The 2016 Plan provides for a total of 250,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. The 2016 Plan allows for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, ISOs and NSOs.

The Company classifies share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations to correspond with the same line item as compensation paid.

Restricted stock shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 vest over periods ranging from 3 to 39 months. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. The Company expenses the fair value of all share based compensation grants over the requisite service period.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $293,000 and $295,000 of share-based compensation expense, respectively, comprised of restricted stock expense. Expected future compensation expense relating to the restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 is $854,000 over the remaining vesting period of 3.75 years.

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2023, and changes therein during the nine month period then ended:


	Number of Restricted Stock			Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at September 30, 2023		32,512		$	17.03
Granted		40,586			14.85
Vested		(500	)		15.56
Forfeited		—			—
Nonvested at December 31, 2023		72,598		$	15.82

10.

Fair Value

The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated within the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The definition of fair value maintains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value but focuses on the exit price of the asset or liability. The exit price is the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid transfer the liability adjusted for certain inherent risks and restrictions. Expanded disclosures are also required about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables provide the fair value for assets and liabilities required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).


Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
	December 31, 2023
Assets	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Investment securities available for sale:
Mortgage backed securities	$	-	$	121,133	$	-	$	121,133
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		9,104		-		9,104
U.S. government treasury securities		-		49,845		-		49,845
U.S. government agency securities		-		29,357		-		29,357
Corporate obligations		-		68,128		2,975		71,103
Other debt securities		-		8,226		-		8,226
Total debt securities	$	-	$	285,793	$	2,975	$	288,768
Equity securities- financial services		29		-		-		29
Derivatives and hedging activities		-		13,401		-		13,401
Liabilities
Derivatives and hedging activities	$	-	$	8,413	$	-	$	8,413

	September 30, 2023
Assets	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Investment securities available for sale:
Mortgage backed securities	$	-	$	100,331	$	-	$	100,331
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		9,052		-		9,052
U.S. government treasury securities				123,580		-		123,580
U.S. government agency securities		-		28,952		-		28,952
Corporate obligations		-		62,885		2,836		65,721
Other debt securities		-		6,420		-		6,420
Total debt securities	$	-	$	331,220	$	2,836	$	334,056
Equity securities-financial services		32		-		-		32
Derivatives and hedging activities		-		19,662		-		19,662
Liabilities:
Derivatives and hedging activities	$	-	$	9,579	$	-	$	9,579

The following table presents a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level III investments for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands).


	Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level III)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Beginning balance	$	2,836	$	7,374
Purchases, sales, issuances, settlements, net		-		-
Total unrealized (loss) gain:
Included in earnings		-		-
Included in other comprehensive (loss) income		139		(175	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level III		-		-
	$	2,975	$	7,199

Each financial asset and liability is identified as having been valued according to a specified level of input, 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset.

The measurement of fair value should be consistent with one of the following valuation techniques: market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). For example, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach often use market multiples derived from a set of comparable. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative). Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach include matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on a security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Most of the securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs are limited to actively traded equity securities whose market price is readily available from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ exchange. A few securities are valued using Level 3 inputs, all of these are classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs.

Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported on a Non-Recurring Basis

The following tables provide the fair value for assets required to be measured and reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 by level within the fair value hierarchy:


Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date (in thousands)
	December 31, 2023
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Foreclosed real estate	$	-	$	-	$	3,195	$	3,195
Individually evaluated loans held for investment		-		-		9,808		9,808

	September 30, 2023
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Foreclosed real estate	$	-	$	-	$	3,311	$	3,311
Impaired loans		-		-		9,693		9,693

The following tables present additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:


	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value Estimate		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Average)
December 31, 2023
Individually evaluated loans held for investment	$	9,808	Appraisal of collateral (1)	Appraisal adjustments (2)	0% to 35% (20.7%)
Foreclosed real estate owned		3,195	Appraisal of collateral (1)	Appraisal adjustments (2)	10% (10.0%)


	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value Estimate		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Average)
September 30, 2023
Impaired loans	$	3,311	Appraisal of collateral (1)	Appraisal adjustments (2)	0% to 35% (20.8%)
Foreclosed real estate owned		9,693	Appraisal of collateral (1)	Appraisal adjustments (2)	10 to 35% (10.2%)

(1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various level 3 inputs which are not identifiable.

(2)

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses. The range of liquidation expenses and other appraisal adjustments are presented as a percent of the appraisal.

Foreclosed real estate is measured at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from foreclosed real estate.

Individually evaluated loans are reported at fair value utilizing level three inputs. For these loans, a review of the collateral is conducted and an appropriate allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan. At December 31, 2023, 36 individually analyzed loans with a carrying value of $9.8 million were reduced by an ACL totaling $22,000 resulting in a net fair value of $9.8 million based on Level 3 inputs.

At September 30, 2023, 49 impaired loans with a carrying value of $9.7 million were reduced by a specific valuation totaling $42,000 resulting in a net fair value of $9.7 million based on Level 3 inputs.

Assets and Liabilities not Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value

The following tables provide the carrying value and fair value for certain financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 by level within the fair value hierarchy:


	December 31, 2023
(in thousands)	Carrying Value		Level I		Level II		Level III		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Investment securities held to maturity	$	51,012	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Loans receivable, net		1,704,728		-		-		1,575,236		1,575,236
Mortgage servicing rights		914		-		-		1,430		1,430
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,590,218	$	1,076,852	$	-	$	495,286	$	1,572,138
Short term borrowings		361,500		—		—		365,684		365,684
Other borrowings		10,000						10,000		10,000


	September 30, 2023
(in thousands)	Carrying Value		Level I		Level II		Level III		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Investment securities held to maturity	$	52,242	$	-	$	42,090	$	-	$	42,090
Loans receivable, net		1,680,525		-		-		1,524,615		1,524,615
Mortgage servicing rights		874		-		-		1,470		1,470
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,661,016	$	1,157,045	$	-	$	499,101	$	1,656,146
Short-term borrowings		374,652		-		-		364,291		364,291

11.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows (in thousands):


	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Available for Sale			Derivatives			Total
Balance at September 30, 2023	$	66		$	(17,525	)	$	7,966		$	(9,493	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-			6,229			(2,166	)		4,063
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			(1,856	)		(1,856	)
Period change		-			6,229			(4,022	)		2,207
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	66		$	(11,296	)	$	3,944		$	(7,286	)
Balance at September 30, 2022	$	(1,108	)	$	(13,879	)	$	12,093		$	(2,894	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-			838			528			1,366
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		-			-			(1,449	)		(1,449	)
Period change		-			838			(921	)		(83	)
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	(1,108	)	$	(13,041	)	$	11,172		$	(2,977	)

The following table presents significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):


	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended December 31,						Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations
	2023			2022
Derivatives and hedging activities:
Interest expense, effective portion		2,350			1,834		Interest expense
Related income tax expense		(494	)		(385	)	Income taxes
Net effect on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period		1,856			1,449
Total reclassification for the period	$	1,856		$	1,449

12.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 (in thousands).


Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives
	As of December 31, 2023				As of September 30, 2023
Hedged Item	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
FHLB Advances	$	165,000	$	6,696	$	230,000	$	10,086
Commercial Loans		85,569		6,705		86,265		9,576
Total	$	250,569	$	13,401	$	316,265	$	19,662

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives
	As of December 31, 2023				As of September 30, 2023
Hedged Item	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
FHLB Advances	$	115,000	$	1,702	$	-	$	-
Commercial Loans	$	116,612	$	6,711	$	117,516	$	9,579
Total	$	231,612	$	8,413	$	117,516	$	9,579

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company has entered into interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed payments. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had twelve interest rate swaps with a notional principal amount of $280.0 million associated with the Company’s cash outflows associated with various FHLB advances and $202.2 million associated with associated with various commercial loans.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings), net of tax, and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The Company did not recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in earnings during the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives that will be reclassified to interest income/expense as interest payments are made/received on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company had $2.4 million of gains, which resulted in a decrease to interest expense. During the three months ended December 31, 2022, the Company had $1.8 million of gains which resulted in a decrease to interest expense. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $5.8 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands).


The Effect of Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivatives in Hedging Relationships	(Gain) Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended December 31,						Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended December 31,
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2023			2022				2023		2022
Interest Rate Products	$	(5,095	)	$	(1,166	)	Interest expense	$	2,350	$	1,834
Total	$	(5,095	)	$	(1,166	)		$	2,350	$	1,834

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

The Company also has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company fails to maintain its status as a well / adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Company would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.

As of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, the Company had no derivatives in a net liability position and was not required to post collateral against its obligations under these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.

13.

Contingent Liabilities

Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of Management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. The Company and its subsidiary, ESSA Bank and Trust (“ESSA B&T”) were named as defendants, among others, in an action commenced on December 8, 2016 by one plaintiff who sought to pursue the suit as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiff alleged that a bank previously acquired by the Company received unearned fees and kickbacks in the process of making loans, in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. In an order dated January 29, 2018, the district court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiff appealed the court’s ruling. In an opinion and order dated April 26, 2019, the appellate court reversed the district court’s order dismissing the plaintiff’s case against the Company and remanded the case to the district court in order to continue the litigation. The litigation is now proceeding before the district court. On December 9, 2019, the court permitted an amendment to the complaint to add two new plaintiffs to the case asserting similar claims. On May 21, 2020, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Fact and expert discovery is now complete, and the Company and ESSA B&T filed motions seeking to have the case dismissed (in whole or in part) and/or the class de-certified, as well as for other relief. Plaintiffs opposed the motions. On August 18, 2023 the Court granted the motions to dismiss as to the Company and ESSA B&T, with the result that the only remaining defendant is a now-dissolved former wholly-owned subsidiary of a previously-acquired company. The Court also amended its class certification order. Plaintiffs sought permission to appeal from these and other related rulings but the court denied their request. The Company and ESSA B&T will continue to vigorously defend against plaintiffs’ allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Company and/or ESSA B&T, the amount or range of such exposure is not currently estimable but could be substantial. On May 29, 2020, the Company and ESSA B&T were named as defendants in a second action commenced by three plaintiffs who also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiffs allege that a bank previously acquired by the Company received unearned fees and kickbacks from a different title company than the one involved in the previously discussed litigation in the process of making loans. The original complaint alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Sherman Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on September 30, 2020 that dropped the RICO claim, but they are continuing to pursue the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Sherman Act claims. The defendants moved to dismiss the Sherman Act claim on October 14, 2020, and that motion was denied on April 2, 2021. On March 13, 2023 the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is currently in the discovery phase. The Company and ESSA B&T intend to vigorously defend against plaintiffs’ allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Company and/or ESSA B&T, the amount or range of such exposure is not currently estimable but could be substantial.

14.

Revenue Recognition

Management determined that the primary sources of revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest income on loans and investments, along with certain noninterest revenue sources including investment security gains, loan servicing charges, gains on the sale of loans, and earnings on bank owned life insurance are not within the scope of Topic 606.

Noninterest income within the scope of Topic 606 are as follows:

Trust and Investment Fees

Trust and asset management income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days after month end through a direct charge to customer’s accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Optional services such as real estate sales and tax return preparation services are also available to existing trust and asset management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e. as incurred). Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e. net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Fees, Exchange, and Other Service Charges

Fees, interchange, and other service charges are primarily comprised of debit card income, ATM fees, cash management income, and other services charges. Debit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Mastercard. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a company ATM. Other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Insurance Commissions

Insurance income primarily consists of commissions received on product sales. The Company acts as an intermediary between the Company’s customer and the insurance carrier. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the policy. Shortly after the policy is issued, the carrier remits the commission payment to the Company, and the Company recognizes the revenue.

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

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

•

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

•

statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;

•

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

•

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this and any previous Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the following factors:

•

significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;

•

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

•

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

•

adverse changes in the securities markets;

•

legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;

•

our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;

•

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

•

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the FASB; and

•

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023

Total Assets. Total assets decreased by $67.8 million, or 3.0%, to $2.23 billion at December 31, 2023 from $2.3 billion at September 30, 2023 due primarily to decreases in total cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available for sale.

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents. Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $38.2 million, or 44.8%, to $47.2 million at December 31, 2023 from $85.4 million at September 30, 2023.

Net Loans. Net loans increased $24.2 million, or 1.4%, to $1.70 billion at December 31, 2023 from $1.68 billion at September 30, 2023. During this period, residential loans decreased $1.3 million to $712.0 million due primarily to the sale of $4.6 million of residential mortgage loans, construction loans decreased $909,000 to $15.9 million, commercial real estate loans increased $29.1 million to $851.1 million, commercial loans decreased $7.7 million to $40.4 million, obligations of states and political subdivisions increased $1.4 million to $49.5 million, home equity loans and lines of credit increased $1.1 million to $49.3 million, auto loans decreased $231,000 to $292,000 reflecting expected runoff of the portfolio following the Company’s previously announced discontinuation of indirect auto lending in July 2018, and other loans decreased $365,000 to $1.6 million.

Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale decreased $45.3 million, or 13.6%, to $288.8 million at December 31, 2023 from $334.1 million at September 30, 2023 due primarily to maturities of U.S. treasury securities.

Investment Securities Held to Maturity. Investment securities held to maturity decreased to $51.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $52.2 million at September 30, 2023. The Company carries some investment securities as held to maturity to manage fluctuations in comprehensive loss caused by interest rate changes.

Foreclosed Real Estate. Foreclosed real estate decreased to $3.2 million at December 31, 2023 from $3.3 million at September 30, 2023. The Company has one commercial real estate property which it is actively marketing.

Deposits. Deposits decreased $70.8 million, or 4.3%, to $1.59 billion at December 31, 2023 from $1.66 billion at September 30, 2023. Decreases in interest bearing demand accounts of $57.9 million, savings and club accounts of $7.1 million and non-interest bearing demand accounts of $15.9 million was offset in part by increases in certificates of deposit of $9.4 million and money market accounts of $639,000. At December 31, 2023, uninsured deposits, including fully collateralized public deposits of $181.2 million, amounted to approximately 30.9% of total deposits.

Short-Term and Other Borrowings. Short-term borrowings decreased to $361.5 million at December 31, 2023 from $374.7 million at September 30, 2023. Other borrowings of terms over one year from the FHLB increased to $10.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased by $1.0 million, or 0.46%, to $220.7 million at December 31, 2023 from $219.7 million at September 30, 2023. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to net income of $4.3 million, other comprehensive income of $2.2 million and a $530,000 cumulative effect adjustment due to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 which was partially offset by regular cash dividends of $0.15 per share which reduced stockholders’ equity by $1.5 million and purchases of treasury stock of $5.1 million.

Average Balance Sheets for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances, the yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,
	2023									2022
	Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/Cost			Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/Cost
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans(1)	$	1,706,957		$	21,414			4.99	%	$	1,484,083		$	16,085			4.30	%
Investment securities
Taxable(2)		198,825			2,584			5.17	%		91,437			926			4.02	%
Exempt from federal income tax(2)(3)		1,830			11			3.03	%		1,831			11			3.02	%
Total investment securities		200,655			2,595			5.15	%		93,268			937			4.00	%
Mortgage-backed securities		166,359			1,303			3.12	%		169,938			1,165			2.72	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,853			377			8.40	%		16,108			320			7.88	%
Other		29,674			401			5.38	%		13,185			112			3.37	%
Total interest-earning assets		2,121,498			26,090			4.89	%		1,776,582			18,619			4.16	%
Allowance for credit losses		(18,644	)								(18,587	)
Noninterest-earning assets		133,758									134,151
Total assets	$	2,236,612								$	1,892,146
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts	$	316,354		$	473			0.59	%	$	346,146		$	148			0.17	%
Money market accounts		363,083			2,023			2.22	%		387,640			1,043			1.07	%
Savings and club accounts		158,937			24			0.06	%		190,436			25			0.05	%
Certificates of deposit		525,141			5,942			4.50	%		165,974			785			1.88	%
Borrowed funds		357,794			2,764			3.07	%		278,476			958			1.36	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,721,309			11,226			2.59	%		1,368,672			2,959			0.86	%
Non-interest-bearing NOW accounts		255,452									270,190
Non-interest-bearing liabilities		40,227									38,138
Total liabilities		2,016,988									1,677,000
Equity		219,624									215,146
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,236,612								$	1,892,146
Net interest income				$	14,864								$	15,660
Interest rate spread								2.30	%								3.30	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	400,189								$	407,910
Net interest margin(4)								2.79	%								3.50	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities					123.25	%								129.80	%

_____________________

(1)

Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.

(2)

Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.

(3)

Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21.00% for the three ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

(4)

Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Net Income. Net income decreased $529,000, or 10.9%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to net income of $4.9 million for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to increases in non-interest expense and a decrease in net interest income partially offset by increases in non-interest income and a decrease in the provision for credit losses and the income tax provision.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $796,000, or 5.1%, to $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $15.7 million for the comparable period in 2022.

Interest Income. Total interest income was $26.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared with $18.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 reflecting increases in interest rates and total yield on average interest earning assets from 4.16% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 to 4.89% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. An increase of $344.9 million in average interest earning assets also contributed to the increase in interest income.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $11.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2023. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.59% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 from 0.86% for the comparable period in 2022, reflecting higher interest rates, repricing of deposits and higher-cost borrowings. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $352.6 million year-over-year.

Provision for Credit Losses. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, the provision for credit losses decreased $547,000, compared the three months ended December 31, 2022. On October 1, 2023 we implemented ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. This resulted in a decrease to the allowance for credit losses of $2.8 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a release of the allowance for credit losses of $397,000 which was made up of a release of $340,000 for loans and $57,000 for off balance sheet credit exposure. The Corporation did not recognize any credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities for the year ended December 31, 2023. For more information about our provision and allowance for credit losses and our loss experience, see “Financial Condition-Allowance for Credit Losses” below and Note 6 - Loans Receivable, Net of Allowance For Credit Losses on Loans to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The allowance for credit losses was $15.4 million, or 0.90% of loans outstanding, at December 31, 2023, compared to $18.5 million, or 1.09% of loans outstanding, at September 30, 2023.

Non-interest Income. Noninterest income increased 2.4% to $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Increases in gain on sale of loans net of $118,000 were partially offset by decreases in service charges and fees on deposit accounts of $103,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 compared with the comparable period in 2022.

Non-interest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $423,000, or 3.7%, to $11.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 compared with the comparable period a year earlier primarily reflecting increases in occupancy and equipment of $183,000, data processing of $163,000, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums of $192,000 and gain on foreclosed real estate of $100,000, partially offset by decreases in professional fees of $218,000 and advertising of $50,000.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $97,000 to $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 from the comparable 2022 period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 19.2% compared to 18.8% for the 2022 period.

The following table provides information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).


	December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023
Non-performing assets:
Non-accruing loans	$	11,004		$	11,061
Loans 90+ days delinquent and accruing interest		-			-
Total non-performing loans		11,004			11,061
Foreclosed real estate		3,195			3,311
Total non-performing assets	$	14,199		$	14,372
Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans		0.64	%		0.65	%
Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets		0.49	%		0.48	%
Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets		0.64	%		0.63	%
Ratio of allowance for credit losses to total loans		0.90	%		1.09	%

Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days delinquent. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and further income is recognized only to the extent received. Non-performing assets decreased $173,000 from September 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023. The $11.0 million of non-accruing loans at December 31, 2023 included 19 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $2.6 million, 21 commercial and commercial real estate loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $8.3 million and 5 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $84,000. Within the residential loan balance were $509,000 of loans past due less than 90 days. In the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company identified four residential loans which, although paying as agreed, have a high probability of default. Foreclosed real estate decreased $116,000 to $3.2 million at December 31, 2023. Foreclosed real estate consists of one commercial property.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations, as well as access to FHLB advances and other borrowing sources. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.

A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents and borrowings, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At December 31, 2023, $47.2 million of our assets were invested in cash and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the maturities of investment securities, principal repayments of mortgage-backed securities and increases in deposit accounts and borrowings. As of December 31, 2023, we had $311.5 million of borrowings outstanding from the Pittsburgh FHLB. We have access to total FHLB advances of up to approximately $888.8 million. The Company also has a fully secured $60.0 million borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

At December 31, 2023, we had $266.3 million in loan commitments outstanding, which included, in part, $115.5 million in undisbursed construction loans and land development loans, $54.1 million in unused home equity lines of credit, $81.7 million in commercial lines of credit and commitments to originate commercial loans, $13.4 million in performance standby letters of credit and $1.5 million in other unused commitments which are primarily to originate residential mortgage loans and multifamily loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2023 totaled $423.8 million, or 82.5% of certificates of deposit. If these maturing deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and borrowings. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2024. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, our cash flows are classified for financial reporting purposes as operating, investing or financing cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.7 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts differ from our net income because of a variety of cash receipts and disbursements that did not affect net income for the respective periods. Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities was $32.0 million and $(66.1) million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, principally reflecting our loan and investment security activities. Deposit and borrowing cash flows have comprised most of our financing activities, which resulted in net cash (used for) provided by financing activities of $(77.0) million and $63.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:

Allowance for Credit Losses.

The following discussion is regarding the critical accounting estimates related to the application of CECL, which was adopted on October 1, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses (ACL) represents an amount which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb expected credit losses on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of the size and current risk characteristics ot the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The ACL is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. The ACL is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous losses, and is increased or decreased by a provision for credit losses, which is recorded as a current period operating expense.

Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently complex and requires the use of significant and highly subjective estimates. The reasonableness of the ACL is reviewed quarterly by management.

Management believes it uses relevant information available to make determinations about the ACL and that it has established the existing allowance in accordance with GAAP. However, the determination of the ACL requires significant judgment, and estimates of expected credit losses in the loan portfolio can vary from the amounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize expected credit losses, future additions to the ACL may be necessary based on changes in the loans comprising the portfolio, changes in the current and forecasted economic conditions, changes in the interest rate environment which may directly impact prepayment and curtailment rate assumption, and changes in the financial condition of the borrowers.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but it is tested at least annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if indicators of impairment are present. If the estimated current fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no additional testing is required and an impairment loss is not recorded. The Company uses market capitalization and multiples of tangible book value methods to determine the estimated current fair value of its reporting unit. Based on this analysis, no impairment was recorded in 2023 or 2022.

The other intangibles assets are assigned useful lives, which are amortized on an accelerated basis over their weighted-average lives. The Company periodically reviews the intangible assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset may not be recoverable. Based on these reviews, no impairment was recorded in 2023 or 2022.

Fair Value Measurements. We group our assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

•

Level I – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

•

Level II – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

•

Level III – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in generally accepted accounting principles.

Fair value measurements for most of our assets are obtained from independent pricing services that we have engaged for this purpose. When available, we, or our independent pricing service, use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Subsequently, all of our financial instruments use either of the foregoing methodologies to determine fair value adjustments recorded to our financial statements. In certain cases, however, when market observable inputs for model-based valuation techniques may not be readily available, we are required to make judgments about assumptions market participants would use in estimating the fair value of financial instruments. The degree of management judgment involved in determining the fair value of a financial instrument is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. For financial instruments that trade actively and have quoted market prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectivity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. In addition, changes in the market conditions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. When market data is not available, we use valuation techniques requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, that could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved guidelines for managing the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives. Senior management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the asset/liability committee meets quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.

We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. The net proceeds from the Company’s stock offering increased our capital and provided management with greater flexibility to manage our interest rate risk. In particular, management used the majority of the capital we received to increase our interest-earning assets. There have been no material changes in our interest rate risk since September 30, 2023.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Corporation implemented new CECL accounting policies, procedures, and controls as part of its adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 and subsequent ASUs issued to amend ASC Topic 326. There were no other changes in ESSA’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, ESSA’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Part II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiary, ESSA Bank and Trust (“ESSA B&T”) were named as defendants, among others, in an action commenced on December 8, 2016 by one plaintiff who sought to pursue the suit as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiff alleged that a bank previously acquired by the Company received unearned fees and kickbacks in the process of making loans, in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. In an order dated January 29, 2018, the district court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiff appealed the court’s ruling. In an opinion and order dated April 26, 2019, the appellate court reversed the district court’s order dismissing the plaintiff’s case against the Company and remanded the case to the district court in order to continue the litigation. The litigation is now proceeding before the district court. On December 9, 2019, the court permitted an amendment to the complaint to add two new plaintiffs to the case asserting similar claims. On May 21, 2020, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Fact and expert discovery is now complete, and the Company and ESSA B&T filed motions seeking to have the case dismissed (in whole or in part) and/or the class de-certified, as well as for other relief. Plaintiffs opposed the motions. On August 18, 2023 the Court granted the motions to dismiss as to the Company and ESSA B&T, with the result that the only remaining defendant is a now-dissolved former wholly-owned subsidiary of a previously-acquired company. The Court also amended its class certification order. Plaintiffs sought permission to appeal from these and other related rulings but the court denied their request. The Company and ESSA B&T will continue to vigorously defend against plaintiffs’ allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Company and/or ESSA B&T, the amount or range of such exposure is not currently estimable but could be substantial.

On May 29, 2020, the Company and ESSA B&T were named as defendants in a second action commenced by three plaintiffs who also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiffs allege that a bank previously acquired by the Company received unearned fees and kickbacks from a different title company than the one involved in the previously discussed litigation in the process of making loans. The original complaint alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Sherman Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on September 30, 2020 that dropped the RICO claim, but they are continuing to pursue the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Sherman Act claims. The defendants moved to dismiss the Sherman Act claim on October 14, 2020, and that motion was denied on April 2, 2021. On March 13, 2023 the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is currently in the discovery phase. The Company and ESSA B&T intend to vigorously defend against plaintiffs’ allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Company and/or ESSA B&T, the amount or range of such exposure is not currently estimable but could be substantial.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For information regarding the Company’s risk factors, see Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2023.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


Company Purchases of Common Stock
Month Ending	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs(1)		Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
October 31, 2023		-	$	-		-		-
November 30, 2023		212,651	$	16.45		212,651		-
December 31, 2023		90,958	$	17.19		90,958		179,336
Total		303,609	$	16.67		303,609

(1) On June 6, 2022 the Company announced the authorization of a ninth repurchase program for up to 500,000 shares of its common stock. This program has no expiration date.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers.

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.”

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are either filed as part of this Report or are incorporated herein by reference:


3.1	Articles of Incorporation of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)

3.2	Bylaws of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)

4	Form of Common Stock Certificate of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101	Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition; (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Income; (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

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.


	ESSA BANCORP, INC.

Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Gary S. Olson
	Gary S. Olson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Allan A. Muto
	Allan A. Muto
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.1 2 essa-ex31_1.htm EX-31.1 EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Gary S. Olson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ESSA Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation;

2. 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;

3. 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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer 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 15-15(f)) for the registrant 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 registrant, 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 registrant’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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

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 registrant’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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Gary S. Olson
	Gary S. Olson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 3 essa-ex31_2.htm EX-31.2 EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Allan A. Muto, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ESSA Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation;

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Allan A. Muto
	Allan A. Muto
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1 4 essa-ex32_1.htm EX-32.1 EX-32.1

Exhibit 32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Gary S. Olson, Chief Executive Officer and President of ESSA Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”) and Allan A. Muto, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each certify in his capacity as an officer of the Company that he has reviewed the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”) and that to the best of his knowledge:

1, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 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 results of operations of the Company.


Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Gary S. Olson
	Gary S. Olson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 13, 2024	/s/ Allan A. Muto
	Allan A. Muto
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request,