Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
View risk factors by ticker
Search filings by term
Risk Factors - RVSB
-New additions in green
-Changes in blue
-Hover to see similar sentence in last filing
Land loans represent loans made to developers for the purpose of acquiring raw land and/or for the subsequent development and sale of residential lots. Such loans typically finance land purchases and infrastructure development of properties (e.g., roads, utilities, etc.) with the aim of making improved lots ready for subsequent sales to consumers or builders for ultimate construction of residential units. The primary source of repayment is generally the cash flow from developer sale of lots or improved parcels of land, secondary sources and personal guarantees, which may provide an additional measure of security for such loans.
At March 31, 2025, land loans totaled $4.6 million, or 0.4% of total loans, compared to $5.7 million, or 0.6% of total loans at March 31, 2024. The largest land loan had an outstanding balance at March 31, 2025 of $1.3 million and was performing according to its original payment terms. At March 31, 2025, all of the land loans were secured by properties located in Washington and Oregon. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no land loans on non-accrual status.
Real Estate Construction. The Company originates three types of residential construction loans: (i) speculative construction loans, (ii) custom/presold construction loans and (iii) construction/permanent loans. The Company also originates construction loans for the development of business properties and multi-family dwellings. All of the Company’s real estate construction loans were made on properties located in Washington and Oregon.
8
The composition of the Company’s construction loan portfolio, including undisbursed funds, was as follows at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
(1) Includes undisbursed funds of $16.6 million and $55.9 million at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Speculative construction loans are made to home builders and are termed “speculative” because the home builder does not have, at the time of loan origination, a signed contract with a home buyer who has a commitment for permanent financing with either the Company or another lender for the finished home. The home buyer may be identified either during or after the construction period, with the risk that the builder will have to service the speculative construction loan and finance real estate taxes and other carrying costs of the completed home for a significant period after the completion of construction until a home buyer is identified. The largest speculative construction loan at March 31, 2025 was a loan to finance the construction of a single family home of $695,000 that is secured by property located in the Company’s market area. The largest speculative construction loan at March 31, 2024 was a loan to finance the construction of 36 townhomes totaling $8.2 million that is secured by property located in the Company’s market area. The average balance of loans in the speculative construction loan portfolio at March 31, 2025 was $373,000. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no speculative construction loans on non-accrual status.
Presold construction loans are made to homebuilders who, at the time of construction, have a signed contract with a home buyer who has a commitment for permanent financing for the finished home from the Company or another lender. Presold construction loans are generally originated for a term of 12 months. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, presold construction loans totaled $4.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
The composition of land and speculative/presold construction loans by geographical area is as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
Unlike speculative and presold construction loans, custom construction loans are made directly to the homeowner. Construction/permanent loans are originated to the homeowner rather than the homebuilder along with a commitment by the Company to originate a permanent loan to the homeowner to repay the construction loan at the completion of construction. The construction phase of a construction/permanent loan generally lasts six to nine months. The 8 Table of Contentsconstruction phase of a construction/permanent loan generally lasts six to nine months. At the completion of construction, the Company may either originate a fixed-rate mortgage loan or an adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loan or use its mortgage brokerage capabilities to obtain permanent financing for the client with another lender. For adjustable rate loans, the interest rates adjust on their first adjustment date. See “Mortgage Brokerage” and “Mortgage Loan Servicing” below for more information. At March 31, 2025, the Company had no construction/permanent loans.
9
The Company provides construction financing for non-residential business properties and multi-family dwellings. At March 31, 2025, commercial construction loans totaled $18.4 million, or 62.9% of total real estate construction loans, and 1.7% of total loans. Borrowers may be the business owner/occupier of the building who intends to operate their business from the property upon construction, or non-owner developers. The expected source of repayment of these loans is typically the sale or refinancing of the project upon completion of the construction phase. In certain circumstances, the Company may provide or commit to take-out financing upon construction. Take-out financing is subject to the project meeting specific underwriting guidelines. No assurance can be given that such take-out financing will be available upon project completion. These loans are secured by office buildings, retail rental space, mini storage facilities, assisted living facilities and multi-family dwellings located in the Company’s market area. At March 31, 2025, the largest commercial construction loan had a balance of $5.8 million and was performing according to its original repayment terms. The average balance of loans in the commercial construction loan portfolio at March 31, 2025 was $2.6 million. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no commercial construction loans on non-accrual status.
The Company has originated construction and land acquisition and development loans where a component of the cost of the project was the interest required to service the debt during the construction period of the loan, sometimes known as interest reserves. The Company allows disbursements of this interest component as long as the project is progressing as originally projected and if there has been no deterioration in the financial standing of the borrower or the underlying project. If the Company determines that there is such deterioration, or if the loan becomes nonperforming, the Company halts any disbursement of those funds identified for use in paying interest. In some cases, additional interest reserves may be taken by use of deposited funds or through credit lines secured by separate and additional collateral. For additional information concerning the risks related to construction lending, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Lending Activities – Our real estate construction loans are based upon estimates of costs and the value of the completed project, and as with land loans may be more difficult to liquidate, if necessary.”
The Company intends to continue proactively managing its construction loan portfolio in fiscal year 2026, while selectively originating new construction loans to qualified borrowers.
Consumer Lending. Consumer loans totaled $112.1 million at March 31, 2025 and were comprised of $78.3 million of real estate one-to-four family loans, $18.9 million of home equity lines of credit, $373,000 of land loans to consumers for the future construction of one-to-four family homes and $14.4 million of other secured and unsecured consumer loans. Consumer loans totaled $98.1 million at March 31, 2024 and were comprised of $82.4 million of real estate one-to-four family loans, $13.5 million of home equity lines of credit, $452,000 of land loans to consumers for the future construction of one-to-four family homes and $1.7 million of other secured and unsecured consumer loans.
The majority of our real estate one-to-four family loans are located in the Company’s primary market area. Underwriting standards require that real estate one-to-four family loans generally be owner occupied and that originated loan amounts not exceed 80% (95% with private mortgage insurance) of the lesser of current appraised value or cost of the underlying collateral. Terms typically range from 15 to 30 years. At March 31, 2025, the Company had one residential real estate loan of $30,000 on non-accrual status compared to one residential real estate loan of $36,000 at March 31, 2024. All of these loans were secured by properties located in Oregon and Washington. At March 31, 2024, the Company had one residential real estate loan totaling $36,000 on non-accrual status compared to three residential real estate loans totaling $86,000 at March 31, 2023. All of these loans were secured by properties located in Oregon and Washington. The Company no longer originates real estate one-to-four family loans.
The Company also originates a variety of installment loans, including loans for debt consolidation and other purposes, automobile loans, boat loans and savings account loans. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no installment loans on non-accrual status.
Installment consumer loans generally entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly, such as mobile homes, automobiles, boats and recreational vehicles. In these cases, we face the risk that any collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. Thus, the recovery and sale of such property could be insufficient to compensate us for the principal outstanding on these loans as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further collection efforts against the borrower beyond obtaining a deficiency judgment. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability and are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit our ability to recover on such loans.
10
Loan Maturity. The following table sets forth certain information at March 31, 2025 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the loan portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity, but does not include potential prepayments. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments or stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. Loan balances are reported net of deferred fees (in thousands):
The following table sets forth the dollar amount of loans due after one year from March 31, 2025, which have fixed and adjustable interest rates (in thousands):
Loan Commitments. The Company issues commitments to originate commercial, CRE, multi-family, land, construction, home equity and other installment loans, based on its existing underwriting criteria and conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. The Company issues commitments to originate commercial loans, other real estate mortgage loans, construction loans, real estate one-to-four family (“home equity”) loans and other installment loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. Commitments are typically valid for up to 45 days and are subject to the Company’s standard terms and conditions. Collateral is not required to support these commitments. At March 31, 2025, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate loans of $5.5 million compared to $10.0 million at March 31, 2024.
Mortgage Brokerage. The Company employs commissioned brokers who originate mortgage loans (including construction loans) for various mortgage companies. Loans brokered to mortgage companies are closed in the name of, and funded by, the purchasing mortgage company and are not originated as an asset of the Company. In return, the Company receives a fee ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% of the loan amount that it shares with the commissioned broker. Loans previously brokered to the Company are closed on the Company’s books and the commissioned broker receives a portion of the origination fee. Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the Company transitioned to a model where it no longer originates and sells mortgage loans to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (“FHLMC”) as all mortgage loan originations are instead brokered to various third-party mortgage companies. The Company does, however, continue to service its existing FHLMC portfolio. Brokered loans totaled $25.1 million and $21.3 million as of March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Brokered loans totaled $21.3 million and $22.0 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no loans brokered to the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. Gross fees of $201,000 and $213,000, including brokered loan fees, were earned in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The interest rate environment has a strong influence on the loan volume and amount of fees generated from the mortgage broker activity. The prevailing interest rate environment significantly influences both the volume of loans and the fees generated through our mortgage brokerage activity. In general, during periods of rising interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount of loan fees generally decrease as a result of decreased mortgage loan demand. In general, during periods of rising interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount 10 Table of Contentsof loan fees generally decrease as a result of decreased mortgage loan demand. Conversely, during periods of
11
falling interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount of loan fees generally increase as a result of the increased mortgage loan demand.
Mortgage Loan Servicing. The Company is a qualified servicer for the FHLMC. Prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Company typically sold its fixed-rate residential one-to-four family loans with original maturities of 15 years or more, as well as balloon mortgage loans, to the FHLMC as part of its asset/liability strategy. Prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Company historically sold its fixed-rate residential one-to-four family mortgage loans that it originated with maturities of 15 years or more and balloon mortgages to the FHLMC as part of its asset/liability strategy. These loans were sold on a non-recourse basis, meaning that the FHLMC assumed the risk of loss in the event of foreclosure, and the Company retained no credit risk post-sale. Although the Company no longer sells loans to the FHLMC, it continues to service previously sold loans. In its servicing role, the Company collects borrower payments, manages escrow accounts, oversees foreclosure proceedings, and performs other servicing responsibilities. At March 31, 2025, total loans serviced for others were $59.8 million, of which $28.2 million were serviced for the FHLMC.
Nonperforming Assets. Nonperforming assets were $155,000 or 0.01% of total assets at March 31, 2025, compared to $178,000 or 0.01% of total assets at March 31, 2024. The Company had net charge-offs totaling $90,000 during fiscal 2025 compared to a net recovery of $13,000 during fiscal 2024. The Company had no other real estate owned or foreclosed assets at March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Loans are reviewed regularly and it is the Company’s general policy that when a loan is 90 days or more delinquent or when collection of principal or interest appears doubtful, it is placed on non-accrual status, at which time the accrual of interest ceases and a reserve for any unrecoverable accrued interest is established and charged against operations. In general, payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance on a cash-basis method.
The Company continues to proactively manage its residential construction and land acquisition and development loan portfolios. At March 31, 2025, the Company’s residential construction and land acquisition and development loan portfolios were $10.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, as compared to $16.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no nonperforming loans in the residential construction loan portfolio or the land acquisition and development portfolio. For the years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no charge-offs or recoveries in the residential construction and land acquisition and development loan portfolios.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s nonperforming loans at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
12
At March 31, 2025, all of the Company’s nonperforming loans are to borrowers with properties located in Southwest Washington. At that date, 60.8% of the Company’s nonperforming loans, totaling $94,000, were individually evaluated for a specific allowance of credit losses. These loans were either charged down to the estimated fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs, or carried a specific reserve to reduce their net carrying value. These loans have been charged down to the estimated fair market value of the collateral less selling costs or carry a specific reserve to reduce the net carrying value. No specific reserves were recorded for these individually evaluated nonperforming loans as of March 31, 2025. At March 31, 2025, the largest single nonperforming loan was a CRE loan with an outstanding balance of $57,000.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s nonperforming assets at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) | Consists entirely of SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans at March 31, 2024. |
The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s nonperforming assets by loan type and geographical area at the dates indicated (in thousands):
13
At March 31, 2025 and 2024, loans delinquent 30 – 89 days were 0.38% and 0.17% of total loans, respectively. At March 31, 2025, loans 30-89 days past due were comprised of SBA government guaranteed loans (which are included in commercial business), commercial business, CRE, and consumer loans. The SBA government guaranteed loans comprise a substantial amount of the total loans 30-89 days past due at March 31, 2025. At March 31, 2024, loans 30-89 days past due were comprised of commercial business and consumer loans. At March 31, 2025, CRE loans 30-89 days past due were $242,000. There were no CRE loans 30-89 days past at March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, CRE loans represented the largest portion of our loan portfolio at 55.7% of total loans, followed by commercial business loans, which represented 21.9% of total loans.
In accordance with the Company’s policy guidelines, unsecured loans are generally charged-off when no payments have been received for three consecutive months unless an alternative action plan is in effect. Consumer installment loans delinquent six months or more that have not received at least 75% of their required monthly payment in the last 90 days are charged-off. In addition, loans discharged in bankruptcy proceedings are charged-off. Loans under bankruptcy protection with no payments received for four consecutive months are charged-off. The outstanding balance of a secured loan that is in excess of the net realizable value is generally charged-off if no payments are received for four to five consecutive months. However, charge-offs are postponed if alternative proposals to restructure, obtain additional guarantors, obtain additional assets as collateral or a potential sale of the underlying collateral would result in full repayment of the outstanding loan balance. Once any other potential sources of repayment are exhausted, the impaired portion of the loan is charged-off. Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, once an amount is determined to be a confirmed loan loss it is promptly charged-off.
Asset Classification. Federal regulations provide for the classification of lower quality loans and other assets (such as other real estate owned and repossessed property), debt and equity securities, as substandard, doubtful or loss. An asset is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and pay capacity of the borrower or of any collateral pledged. Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness and include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values. Assets classified as loss are those considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.
When the Company classifies problem assets as either substandard or doubtful, we may determine that the loan is impaired and establish a specific allowance in an amount we deem prudent to address the risk specifically or we may allow the loss to be addressed in the general allowance. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been specifically allocated to particular problem assets. When a problem asset is classified by us as a loss, we are required to charge off the asset in the period in which it is deemed uncollectible.
The aggregate amount of the Company’s classified loans (comprised entirely of substandard loans), general loss allowances, specific loss allowances and net recoveries were as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
All loans on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2025 were categorized as classified loans. Classified loans at March 31, 2025 were comprised of three commercial business loans totaling $763,000, three commercial real estate loans totaling $2.1 million, three multi-family real estate loans totaling $66,000 and one one-to-four family real estate loan for $30,000. The net increase in classified loans during the period was primarily due to the downgrades of two commercial real estate loans totaling $2.0 million, two commercial business loans totaling $725,000, and two multi-family real estate loans totaling $47,000. These downgrades were offset by the payoffs of one commercial real estate of $520,000 and one multi-family loan for $8,000 along with paydowns of loans totaling $50,000.
14
ACL. The Company maintains an ACL to provide for expected credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) guidelines. The adequacy of the ACL is evaluated monthly to maintain levels sufficient to provide for expected credit losses existing at the balance sheet date. For additional discussion of the Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriate level of the ACL see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates.”
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $100,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 compared to no provision or recapture of credit losses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The provision for credit losses for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to growth in the loan portfolio. The lack of a provision for credit losses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to credit upgrades, payoffs of higher credit risk loans, updates to economic forecasts, changes in loan portfolio balances, composition, and characteristics.
At March 31, 2025, the ACL was $15.4 million, or 1.45% of total loans, compared to $15.4 million, or 1.50% of total loans at March 31, 2024. Net charge-offs totaled $90,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, compared to net recoveries of $13,000 for the prior fiscal year.At March 31, 2024, the ACL was $15.4 million, or 1.50% of total loans, compared to $15.3 million, or 1.52% of total loans at March 31, 2023. Net recoveries totaled $13,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared to $36,000 for the prior fiscal year. At March 31, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses was more than sufficient to cover nonperforming loans, with a coverage ratio exceeding 9,900%, compared to 8,600% at the end of the prior fiscal year. The Company’s general valuation allowance for pooled or “collectively evaluated” loans was 1.45% and 1.50% at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Criticized loans, which are comprised of special mention loans, increased $11.8 million to $48.5 million at March 31, 2025 from $36.7 million at March 31, 2024. These loans represented approximately 4.56% of the Company’s total loan portfolio as of March 31, 2025, compared to 3.58% at the prior year-end. The net increase was mainly attributable to the downgrade of eight commercial real estate loans totaling $13.6 million, the largest of which was $3.7 million. Four of these downgraded commercial real estate loans, totaling $8.6 million, were to a related borrower that the Company continues to monitor closely.
The criticized loan balance at March 31, 2025 also includes a $15.3 million CRE loan that was downgraded to special mention in fiscal year 2023. The increases in the criticized loans balance at March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024 were partially offset by normal loan paydowns, payoffs and grade changes totaling $2.2 million.
Classified loans increased $2.2 million to $2.9 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $723,000 at March 31, 2024. The increase in classified loans is mainly due to the downgrade of $2.0 million CRE due to borrower cash flow deterioration. The Company is actively monitoring this relationship and working with the borrower to address performance issues.
Management considers the ACL to be adequate at March 31, 2025 to cover expected credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio based on the assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, and the Company believes it has established its existing ACL in accordance with GAAP. However, a decline in national and local economic conditions (including a possible recession and continued inflationary pressures), results of examinations by the Company’s banking regulators, or other factors could result in a material increase in the ACL and may adversely affect the Company’s future financial condition and results of operations. In addition, because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing ACL will be adequate or that substantial increases will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate or should collateral values decline as a result of the factors discussed elsewhere in this document.
15
The following table sets forth the breakdown of the ACL by loan category as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
16
The following table shows certain credit ratios at and for the periods indicated and each component of the ratio’s calculations.
(1) The allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) for fiscal year 2023 was calculated using the previous incurred loss methodology, which is not directly comparable to the CECL methodology which was used to calculate the ACL for fiscal years 2025 and 2024.
Investment Activities
The Board sets the investment policy of the Company. The Company’s investment objectives are: to provide and maintain liquidity within regulatory guidelines; to maintain a balance of high quality, diversified investments to minimize risk; to provide collateral for pledging requirements; to serve as a balance to earnings; and to optimize returns. The policy permits investment in various types of liquid assets (generally debt and asset-backed securities) permissible under applicable regulations, which includes U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies, “bank qualified” municipal bonds, certain certificates of deposit of insured banks, repurchase agreements, federal funds, real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICS”) and mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), but does not permit investment in non-investment grade bonds. The policy also dictates the criteria for classifying investment securities into one of three categories: held to maturity, available for sale or trading. At March 31, 2025, no investment securities were held for trading purposes. At March 31, 2025, the Company’s investment portfolio consisted of solely debt securities and no equity securities. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates.”
17
The Company primarily purchases agency securities and a combination of MBS backed by government agencies (FHLMC, Fannie Mae (“FNMA”), SBA or Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”)). FHLMC and FNMA securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, while SBA and GNMA securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. At March 31, 2025, the Company owned no privately issued MBS. Our REMICS are MBS issued by FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA and our CRE MBS are issued by FNMA. The Company does not believe that it has any exposure to sub-prime lending in its investment securities portfolio. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
The following table sets forth the investment securities portfolio and carrying values at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields in the securities portfolio at March 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands):
(1) | The weighted average yields are calculated by multiplying each amortized cost value by its yield and dividing the sum of these results by the total amortized cost values. Yields on tax-exempt investments are not calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis. |
18
Management reviews investment securities quarterly to determine if an ACL is required, taking into consideration current market conditions, the extent and nature of changes in estimated fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, financial condition of the underlying issuers, current analysts’ evaluations, the Company’s ability and intent to hold investments until a recovery of estimated fair value, which may be maturity, as well as other factors. There was no ACL recorded for investment securities for the years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. There was no ACL and OTTI recorded for investment securities for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding investment securities.
Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds
General. Deposits, loan repayments and loan sales are the major sources of the Company’s funds for lending and other investment purposes. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources. They may also be used on a longer-term basis for general business purposes.
Deposit Accounts. The Company attracts deposits from within its primary market area by offering a broad selection of deposit instruments, including demand deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit and retirement savings plans. The Company has focused on building client relationship deposits which include both business and consumer depositors. The Company has focused on building customer relationship deposits which include both business and consumer depositors. Deposit account terms vary according to, among other factors, the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. In determining the terms of its deposit accounts, the Company considers the rates offered by its competition, profitability to the Company, matching deposit and loan products and client preferences and concerns.
The following table sets forth the average balances and interest rates of deposit accounts held by the Company at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
Deposit accounts totaled $1.2 billion at both March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024. The Company did not have any wholesale-brokered deposits at March 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company continues to focus on core deposits and growth generated by client relationships as opposed to obtaining deposits through the wholesale markets, although the Company continued to experience competition for client deposits within its market area during fiscal year 2025. Core branch deposits (comprised of demand, savings, interest checking accounts and certificates of deposit, excluding wholesale-brokered deposits, trust account deposits, Lawyer Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”), public funds, and internet-based deposits) at March 31, 2025 increased $2.2 million since March 31, 2024 reflecting the Company’s commitment to increasing core deposits through organic growth in client relationship. At March 31, 2025, the Company had $36.0 million, or 2.92% of total deposits, in Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) deposits, which were gathered from clients within the Company’s primary market-area. CDARS and ICS deposits allow clients access to FDIC insurance on deposits exceeding the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit. CDARS and ICS deposits allow customers access to FDIC insurance on deposits exceeding the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit.
At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company also had $14.4 million and $13.2 million, respectively, in deposits from public entities located in the States of Washington and Oregon, all of which were fully covered by FDIC insurance or secured by pledged collateral. The Company is enrolled in an internet deposit listing service. Under this listing service, the Company may post certificates of deposit rates on an internet site where institutional investors have the ability to deposit funds with the Company. At March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not have any deposits through this listing service as the Company chose not to utilize these internet-based deposits. At March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any deposits through this listing service as the Company chose not to utilize these 17 Table of Contentsinternet-based deposits. Although the Company did not originate any internet based deposits during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Company may do so in the future consistent with its asset/liability objectives.
19
Deposit growth remains a key strategic focus for the Company and our ability to achieve deposit growth, particularly in core deposits, is subject to many risk factors including the effects of competitive pricing pressures, changing client deposit behavior, and increasing or decreasing interest rate environments. Adverse developments with respect to any of these risk factors could limit the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits and could have a material negative impact on the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
As of March 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately $288.0 million and $297.2 million, respectively, of our deposit portfolio was uninsured. The uninsured amounts are estimates based on the methodologies and assumptions used for the Bank’s regulatory reporting requirements. The following table presents the maturity period and amount of certificates of deposit greater than $250,000 at March 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands):
For more information, see also Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Borrowings. The Company relies upon advances from the FHLB and borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRB”), as needed, to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. Advances from the FHLB and borrowings from the FRB are typically secured by the Bank’s commercial business loans, commercial real estate loans, one-to-four family real estate loans, and pledged securities. At March 31, 2025, the Bank had FHLB advances totaling $76.4 million and no FRB borrowings compared to $88.3 million in FHLB advances and no FRB borrowings at March 31, 2024.
The FHLB functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for member financial institutions. As a member, the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB and is authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of its mortgage loans and other assets (primarily securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S.) provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. The FHLB determines specific lines of credit for each member institution and the Bank has a line of credit with the FHLB equal to 45% of its total assets to the extent the Bank provides qualifying collateral and holds sufficient FHLB stock. At March 31, 2025, the Bank had an available credit capacity of $677.7 million, subject to sufficient collateral and stock investment.
The Bank also has a borrowing arrangement with the FRB with an available credit facility of $297.3 million, subject to pledged collateral, as of March 31, 2025. The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Company’s borrowings for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
At March 31, 2025, the Company had three wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trusts totaling $27.1 million that were established for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and common securities. The trust preferred securities accrue and pay distributions periodically at specified annual rates as provided in each trust agreement. The trusts used the net proceeds from each of the offerings to purchase a like amount of junior subordinated debentures (the “Debentures”) of the Company. The Debentures are the sole assets of the trusts. The Company’s obligations under the Debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the trusts. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the Debentures or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily 18 Table of Contentsredeemable upon maturity of the Debentures or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures. The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part on or after specific dates, at a redemption price specified in the indentures governing the Debentures plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company also has the right to defer the payment of interest on each of the Debentures for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters, provided that the deferral period does not extend beyond the stated maturity. During such deferral period, distributions on the corresponding trust preferred securities will
20
also be deferred and the Company may not pay cash dividends to the holders of shares of the Company’s common stock. The common securities issued by the grantor trusts are held by the Company, and the Company’s investment in the common securities of $836,000 at both March 31, 2025 and 2024 is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets included in the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. For more information, see also Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Taxation
For details regarding the Company’s taxes, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Employees and Human Capital
As of March 31, 2025, the Company had 238 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit. The Company believes its relationship with its employees is good.
To attract and retain talent, we strive to create an inclusive, safe and healthy workplace, with opportunities for our employees to grow and develop in their careers, supported by competitive compensation and benefits programs. Our workforce is comprised of approximately 65% women and 35% men, with 54% of our management roles held by women and 46% by men. Our workforce is comprised of approximately 66.8% women and 33.2% men, with 58.0% of our management roles held by women and 42.0% by men. The average tenure of our employees is 6.8 years. The ethnicity of our workforce was 80% White, 5% Asian, 9% Hispanic or Latinx, 2% African American or Black, 2% two or more races, 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The ethnicity of our workforce was 80.9% White, 5.8% Asian, 5.8% Hispanic or Latinx, 2.5% African American or Black, 2.1% two or more races, 1.7% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 1.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Benefit programs include quarterly or annual incentive opportunities, a Company sponsored Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), a Company-matched 401(k) Plan, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family leave, and employee assistance programs including educational reimbursement opportunities.
The Company recognizes that the skills and knowledge of its employees are critical to the success of the organization, and promotes training and continuing education as an ongoing function for its employees. The Bank’s compliance training program provides required annual training courses to assure that all employees know the rules applicable to their jobs.
Corporate Information
The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 900 Washington Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660. Its telephone number is (360) 693-6650. The Company maintains a website with the address www.riverviewbank.com. The information contained on the Company’s website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other than an investor’s own internet access charges, the Company makes available free of charge through its website the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has electronically filed such material with, or furnished such material to, the SEC. These reports are also available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Subsidiary Activities
Riverview has one operating subsidiary, the Bank. The Bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Riverview Services and the Trust Company.
Riverview Services acts as a trustee for deeds of trust on mortgage loans granted by the Bank and receives a reconveyance fee for each deed of trust. Riverview Services had net income of $10,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and total assets of $1.4 million at March 31, 2025. Riverview Services’ operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
The Trust Company is an asset management company providing trust, estate planning and investment management services. The Trust Company had net income of $2.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and total assets of $12.9 million at March 31, 2025. The Trust Company earns fees on the management of assets held in fiduciary or agency capacity. At March 31, 2025, total assets under management were $877.9 million. The Trust Company’s operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
21
Information about our Executive Officers. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries:
(1) | At March 31, 2025 |
(2) | Bank only |
Nicole Sherman is Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company since July 2024. Ms. Sherman has over 30 years of banking experience at Executive leadership levels and has been in the State of Washington for over 20 years. Ms. Sherman most recently served at Chief Operating Officer at Utah First Credit Union prior to joining the Company. Prior to that, Ms. Sherman was Chief Operating Officer at Numerica Credit Union for 3 years, Executive Vice President, Director of Retail Banking and Digital Integration of Columbia Bank for 10 years, and Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer at AmericanWest Bank for 7 years. She began her career at Zions Bank where she served for 15 years in various senior leadership roles. She has also led 11 successful mergers and acquisitions throughout her career. Passionate about her community and industry, Ms. Sherman serves on the Board of Directors for Greater Vancouver Chamber and Oregon Bankers Association. Ms. Sherman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration; and in 2003, she was the first female instructor at Pacific Coast Banking Graduate School (PCBS) at the University of Washington, Foster School of Business.
Daniel D. Cox is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since July 2024. Mr. Cox joined the Bank in August 2002 and spent five years as a commercial lender and progressed through the credit administration function, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Mr. Cox holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major emphasis in Finance from Washington State University and was an Honor Roll graduate of the PCBS. Mr. Cox is an active mentor in the local schools and was the Past Treasurer and Endowment Chair for the Washougal Schools Foundation and Past Board Member of Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.
David Lam is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, positions he has held since July 2017. Prior to July 2017, Mr. Lam served as Senior Vice President and Controller of the Bank since 2008. He is responsible for accounting, SEC reporting and treasury functions for the Bank and the Company. Prior to joining Riverview, Mr. Lam spent ten years working in the public accounting sector advancing to the level of audit manager. Mr. Lam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Oregon State University. Mr. Lam is a certified public accountant (CPA), holds a chartered global management accountant designation and is a member of both the American Institute of CPAs and Oregon Society of CPAs.
Robert Benke is Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank since September 2023. Previously, Mr. Benke was Senior Vice President/Senior Credit Administrator, a position he held since March 2016. Mr. Benke joined Riverview in July 2004 and spent five years as a commercial lender and progressed through the credit administration function starting in 2012 most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Credit Administration. He is responsible for credit administration related to the Bank’s commercial and consumer loan activities. He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Washington State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Whitman College, and is a 2015 graduate of the PCBS. Mr. Benke is an active board member of the Washington State University – Vancouver MAP Program.
Michael Sventek is Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank. Mr. Sventek has over 32 years of experience in community banking, having most recently served as Commercial Banking Market Director for Umpqua Bank from April 2021 to March 2023. Prior to that, he served as Commercial Banking President for BBVA USA. Sventek has over 32 years of experience in community banking, having most recently served as Commercial Banking Market Director for Umpqua Bank. Throughout his career, Mr. Sventek served as a highly visible finance leader for community banks and brings a vast amount of experience in commercial banking and lending. Mr. Sventek graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Engineering from Northern Arizona University and is a graduate of the PCBS.
22
Charmaine Lightheart is Executive Vice President and Chief Retail and Digital Engagement Officer of the Bank. Mrs. Lightheart has 20 years of leadership experience in the banking industry, where she has served as a branch manager and leader of treasury management working her way to Regional Manager, Senior Vice President, and Director roles. Mrs. Lightheart has built her career at First Independent Bank, Sterling Bank, Heritage Bank and most recently, two years at Riverview Bank as Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Services. Mrs. Lightheart holds an MBA and is a graduate of the PCBS.
Evan Sowers is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. Mr. Sowers joined the Trust Company in 2022, after having spent twenty-two years working in trusts and investments. Mr. Sowers was managing director of private banking and wealth management and led the region for a large trust company in the Midwest. Mr. Sowers holds an MBA in Finance, Accounting and Investment Banking from Washington University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri.
23
REGULATION
General.
On April 28, 2021, the Bank converted from a federally chartered savings bank to a Washington state-chartered commercial bank. As a Washington state-chartered commercial bank, the Bank’s regulators are the WDFI and the FDIC, rather than the OCC. The Company converted from a Savings and Loan Holding Company to a Bank Holding Company and the Federal Reserve remained its primary federal regulator.
The following is a brief description of certain laws and regulations which are applicable to the Company and the Bank. The description of these laws and regulations, as well as descriptions of laws and regulations contained elsewhere herein, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable laws and regulations.
Legislation is introduced from time to time in the United States Congress (“Congress”) or the Washington State Legislature that may affect the Company’s and Bank’s operations. In addition, the regulations governing the Company and the Bank may be amended from time to time by the WDFI, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve or the SEC, as appropriate. Any such legislation or regulatory changes in the future could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. We cannot predict whether any such changes may occur.
The WDFI and FDIC have extensive enforcement authority over all Washington state-chartered commercial banks, including the Bank. The Federal Reserve has the same type of authority over Riverview.
Regulation and Supervision of the Bank
General. As a state-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to applicable provisions of Washington state law and regulations of the WDFI in addition to federal law and regulations of the FDIC applicable to state banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System. State law and regulations govern the Bank’s ability to take deposits and pay interest, to make loans on or invest in residential and other real estate, to make consumer loans, to invest in securities, to offer various banking services to its clients and to establish branch offices. Under state law, commercial banks in Washington also generally have all of the powers that national banks have under federal laws and regulations. The Bank is subject to periodic examination by and reporting requirements of the WDFI and FDIC.
Capital Requirements. Federally insured financial institutions, such as the Bank and their holding companies, are required to maintain a minimum level of regulatory capital. The Bank is subject to capital regulations adopted by the FDIC, which establish minimum required ratios for a common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital to risk-based assets ratio, a Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio, a total capital to risk-based assets ratio and a Tier 1 capital to total assets leverage ratio. The capital standards require the maintenance of the following minimum capital ratios: (i) a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. Consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to subsidiary banks generally apply to bank holding companies. However, the Federal Reserve has provided a “Small Bank Holding Company” exception to its consolidated capital requirements, and bank holding companies with less than $3.0 billion of consolidated assets are not subject to the consolidated holding company capital requirements unless otherwise directed by the Federal Reserve.
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”), enacted in May 2018, required the federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, to establish for institutions with assets of less than $10 billion a “community bank leverage ratio” or “CBLR” of between 8 to 10%. Institutions with capital meeting or exceeding the ratio and otherwise complying with the specified requirements (including off-balance sheet exposures of 25% or less of total assets and trading assets and liabilities of 5% or less of total assets) and electing the alternative framework are considered to comply with the applicable regulatory capital requirements, including the risk-based requirements. The CBLR was established at 9% Tier 1 capital to total average assets, effective January 1, 2020. A qualifying institution may opt in and out of the community bank leverage ratio framework on its quarterly call report. An institution that temporarily ceases to meet any qualifying criteria is provided with a two- quarter grace period to again achieve compliance. Failure to meet the qualifying criteria within the grace period or maintain a leverage ratio of 8% or greater requires the institution to comply with the generally applicable capital requirements. The Bank has not elected to use the CBLR framework as of March 31, 2025.
24
Certain changes in what constitutes regulatory capital, including the phasing out of certain instruments as qualifying capital, are subject to transition periods, most of which have expired. The Bank does not have any such instruments. Because of the Bank’s asset size, the Bank elected to take a one-time option to permanently opt-out of the inclusion of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt and equity securities in its capital calculations.
The Bank also must maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of additional CET1 capital greater than 2.5% of risk-weighted assets above the required minimum risk-based capital levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses.
In order to be considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations described below, the Bank must maintain a CET1 risk-based ratio of 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of 8%, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% and a leverage ratio of 5%, and the Bank must not be subject to an individualized order, directive or agreement under which its primary federal banking regulator requires it to maintain a specific capital level. As of March 31, 2025, the Bank met the requirements to be “well capitalized” and met the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer requirement. For a complete description of the Bank’s required and actual capital levels on March 31, 2025, see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
On April 1, 2023, the company adopted a new accounting standard for GAAP referred to as Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) which requires FDIC-insured institutions and their holding companies (banking organizations) to recognize credit losses expected over the life of certain financial assets. CECL covers a broader range of assets than the prior method of recognizing credit losses and generally results in earlier recognition of credit losses. Upon adoption of CECL, a banking organization must record a one-time adjustment to its credit loss allowances as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of credit loss allowances under the previous methodology and the amount required under CECL. For a banking organization, implementation of CECL may reduce retained earnings, and affect other items, in a manner that reduces its regulatory capital. The Company recorded a one-time adjustment to its allowance for credit losses of $42,000 with the adoption of CECL.
The federal banking regulators (the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC) have adopted a rule that gives a banking organization the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-one adverse effects of CECL on its regulatory capital. The Company elected this option.
Prompt Corrective Action. Federal statutes establish a supervisory framework for FDIC-insured institutions based on five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. An institution’s category generally depends upon where its capital levels are in relation to relevant capital measures, which include risk-based capital measures, a leverage ratio capital measure, and certain other factors. An institution that is not well capitalized is subject to certain restrictions on brokered deposits, including restrictions on the rates it can offer on its deposits generally. Any institution which is neither well capitalized nor adequately capitalized is considered under- capitalized. The previously referenced final rule establishing an elective “community bank leverage ratio” regulatory capital framework provides that a qualifying institution whose capital exceeds the CBLR and opts to use that framework will be considered “well capitalized” for purposes of prompt corrective action.
Undercapitalized institutions are subject to certain prompt corrective action requirements, regulatory controls and restrictions which become more extensive as an institution becomes more severely undercapitalized. Failure by the Bank to comply with applicable capital requirements would, if unremedied, result in progressively more severe restrictions on its activities and lead to enforcement actions, including, but not limited to, the issuance of a capital directive to ensure the maintenance of required capital levels and, ultimately, the appointment of the FDIC as receiver or conservator. Banking regulators will take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. Additionally, approval of any regulatory application filed for their review may be dependent on compliance with capital requirements.
Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the FHLB Des Moines, which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks that administer the home financing credit function of savings institutions, each of which serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. The Bank is a member of the FHLB, which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks that administer the home financing credit function of savings institutions, each of which serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. The FHLB is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. Loans or advances are made to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB, which are subject to the oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. All advances from the FHLB are required to be fully secured by sufficient collateral as determined by the FHLB. In addition, all long-term advances are required to provide funds for residential home financing. See Business – “Deposit Activities and Other
25
Sources of Funds – Borrowings.” As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB. At March 31, 2025, the Bank held $4.3 million in FHLB stock, which is comprised of $904,000 of membership stock and $3.4 million of activity stock from borrowing activities. At March 31, 2025, the Bank is in compliance with FHLB stock requirements. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Bank redeemed $49,000 of FHLB membership stock at par due to the decrease in the Bank’s consolidated assets at December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023.
The FHLB continues to contribute to low- and moderately-priced housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. These contributions have adversely affected the level of FHLB dividends paid and could continue to do so in the future. These contributions could also have an adverse effect on the value of FHLB stock in the future. A reduction in the value of the Bank’s FHLB stock may result in a decrease in net income and possibly capital.
Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to $250,000 per separately insured deposit ownership right or category by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC. As the insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, FDIC-insured institutions. As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, FDIC-insured institutions. The FDIC assesses deposit insurance premiums quarterly on each FDIC-insured institution applied to its deposit base, which is their average consolidated total assets minus its Tier 1 capital. No institution may pay a dividend if it is in default on its federal deposit insurance assessment. Total base assessment rates currently range from 2.5 to 32 basis points subject to certain adjustments for institutions considered a “Small Bank” like the Bank. The FDIC may increase or decrease the range of assessments uniformly, except that no adjustment can deviate more than two basis points from the base assessment rate without notice and comment rulemaking.
A significant increase in insurance premiums or a special assessment levied by the FDIC could likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. A significant increase in insurance premiums or a special assessment levied by the FDIC could likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. There can be no prediction as to what changes in insurance assessment rates may be made in the future. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the Bank’s FDIC deposit insurance premiums totaled $688,000.
The FDIC also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the DIF. The FDIC also has the authority to take enforcement actions against banks and savings associations. Management is not aware of any existing circumstances which would result in termination of the Bank’s deposit insurance.
Activities and Investments of Insured State-Chartered Financial Institutions. Federal law generally limits the activities and equity investments of FDIC-insured, state-chartered banks to those that are permissible for national banks. An insured state bank is not prohibited from, among other things, (1) acquiring or retaining a majority interest in a subsidiary, (2) investing as a limited partner in a partnership the sole purpose of which is direct or indirect investment in the acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction of a qualified housing project, provided that such limited partnership investments may not exceed 2% of the bank’s total assets, (3) acquiring up to 10% of the voting stock of a company that solely provides or reinsures directors’, trustees’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or bankers’ blanket bond group insurance coverage for insured depository institutions and (4) acquiring or retaining the voting shares of a depository institution owned by another FDIC-insured institution if certain requirements are met.
Washington State has enacted a law regarding financial institution parity. Primarily, the law affords Washington state-chartered commercial banks the same powers as Washington state-chartered savings banks and provides that Washington state-chartered commercial banks may exercise any of the powers that the Federal Reserve has determined to be closely related to the business of banking and the powers of national banks, subject to the approval of the Director of the WDFI in certain situations. Finally, the law provides additional flexibility for Washington state-chartered commercial and savings banks with respect to interest rates on loans and other extensions of credit. Specifically, they may charge the maximum interest rate allowable for loans and other extensions of credit by federally-chartered financial institutions to Washington residents.
26
Transactions with Affiliates. Riverview and the Bank are separate and distinct legal entities. The Bank is an affiliate of Riverview and any non-bank subsidiary of Riverview, federal laws strictly limit the ability of banks to engage in certain transactions with their affiliates. Transactions deemed to be a “covered transaction” under Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act between a bank and an affiliate are limited to 10% of a bank’s capital and surplus and, with respect to all affiliates, to an aggregate of 20% of a bank’s capital and surplus. Further, covered transactions that are loans and extensions of credit generally are required to be secured by eligible collateral in specified amounts. Federal law also requires that covered transactions and certain other transactions listed in Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act between a bank and its affiliates be on terms as favorable to a bank as transactions with non-affiliates.
Community Reinvestment Act. The Bank is subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”), which require the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency to assess a bank’s performance under the CRA in meeting the credit needs of the community serviced by the Bank, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The regulatory agency’s assessment of the Bank’s record is made available to the public. Further, a bank’s CRA performance must be considered in connection with a bank’s application, to among other things, establish a new branch office that will accept deposits, relocate an existing office or merge or consolidate with, or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of, a federally regulated financial institution. An unsatisfactory rating may be the basis for denial of certain applications. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating during its most recent CRA examination.
Dividends. The amount of dividends payable by the Bank to Riverview depends upon the Bank’s earnings and capital position, and is limited by federal and state laws, regulations and policies. Under Washington law, the Bank may not declare or pay a cash dividend on its capital stock if it would cause its net worth to be reduced below (1) the amount required for liquidation accounts or (2) the net worth requirements, if any, imposed by the Director of the WDFI. In addition, dividends may not be declared or paid if the Bank is in default in payment of any assessments due to the FDIC. Dividends on the Bank’s capital stock may not be paid in an aggregate amount greater than the aggregate retained earnings of the Bank, without the approval of the Director of the WDFI.
The amount of dividends actually paid during any one period is affected by the Bank’s policy of maintaining a strong capital position. Federal law further restricts dividends payable by an institution that does not meet the capital conservation buffer requirement and provides that no insured depository institution may pay a cash dividend if it would cause the institution to be “undercapitalized,” as defined in the prompt corrective action regulations. Moreover, the federal bank regulatory agencies also have the general authority to limit the dividends paid by insured banks if such payments are deemed to constitute an unsafe and unsound practice.
Standards for Safety and Soundness. Each federal banking agency, including the FDIC, has adopted guidelines establishing general standards relating to internal controls, information and internal audit systems; loan documentation; credit underwriting; interest rate risk exposure; asset growth; asset quality; earnings; and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal shareholder. If the FDIC determines that an institution fails to meet any of these guidelines, it may require an institution to submit to the FDIC an acceptable plan to achieve compliance. If the FDIC determines that an institution fails to meet any of these guidelines, it may 25 Table of Contentsrequire an institution to submit to the FDIC an acceptable plan to achieve compliance. Management of the Bank is not aware of any conditions relating to these safety and soundness standards which would require submission of a plan of compliance.
Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve requires all depository institutions to maintain reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts, primarily checking accounts. At March 31, 2025, the Bank was not required to maintain any reserve balances.
The Bank is authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s “discount window.” An eligible institution need not exhaust other sources of funds before going to the discount window, nor are there restrictions on the purposes for which the institution can use primary credit. At March 31, 2025, the Bank had no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve.
27
Commercial Real Estate Lending Concentrations. The federal banking agencies have issued guidance on sound risk management practices for concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The particular focus is on exposure to commercial real estate loans that are dependent on the cash flow from the real estate held as collateral and that are likely to be sensitive to conditions in the commercial real estate market (as opposed to real estate collateral held as a secondary source of repayment or as an abundance of caution). The purpose of the guidance is not to limit a bank’s commercial real estate lending but to guide banks in developing risk management practices and capital levels commensurate with the level and nature of real estate concentrations. The guidance directs the FDIC and other federal bank regulatory agencies to focus their supervisory resources on institutions that may have significant commercial real estate loan concentration risk. A bank that has experienced rapid growth in commercial real estate lending, has notable exposure to a specific type of commercial real estate loan, or is approaching or exceeding the following supervisory criteria may be identified for further supervisory analysis with respect to real estate concentration risk:
● | Total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of the bank’s capital; or |
● | Total commercial real estate loans (as defined in the guidance) represent 300% or more of the bank’s total capital or the outstanding balance of the bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. |
The guidance provides that the strength of an institution’s lending and risk management practices with respect to such concentrations will be taken into account in supervisory guidance on evaluation of capital adequacy.
Environmental Issues Associated with Real Estate Lending. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), is a federal statute that generally imposes strict liability on all prior and present “owners and operators” of sites containing hazardous waste. However, Congress acted to protect secured creditors by providing that the term “owner and operator” excludes a person whose ownership is limited to protecting its security interest in the site. Since the enactment of the CERCLA, this “secured creditor exemption” has been the subject of judicial interpretations which have left open the possibility that lenders could be liable for cleanup costs on contaminated property that they hold as collateral for a loan. To the extent that legal uncertainty exists in this area, all creditors, including the Bank, that have made loans secured by properties with potentially hazardous waste contamination (such as petroleum contamination) could be subject to liability for cleanup costs, which could substantially exceed the value of the collateral property.
Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification. The Bank is subject to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”). The USA PATRIOT Act grants federal agencies expanded powers to combat terrorism through enhanced domestic security measures, increased surveillance authority, expanded information sharing, and strengthened anti-money laundering (“AML”) requirements. Among its provisions, the USA PATRIOT Act encourages information sharing among financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and law enforcement authorities. It also imposes specific obligations on a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, money services businesses, and entities registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, to establish and maintain procedures for verifying the identity of clients seeking to open new accounts, pursuant to the Act’s Customer Identification Program requirements. Additionally, federal banking regulators are required to consider a financial institution’s record in complying with AML obligations, including those under the USA PATRIOT Act, when evaluating applications under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Bank Merger Act.
Privacy Standards and Cybersecurity. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 modernized the financial services industry by establishing a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial service providers. Federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have adopted guidelines for establishing information security standards and cybersecurity programs for implementing safeguards under the supervision of the board of directors. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial services. These regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including informing consumers of its information sharing practices and informing consumers of their rights to opt out of certain practices. 26 Table of ContentsThese regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including informing consumers of its information sharing practices and informing consumers of their rights to opt out of certain practices. In addition, Washington State and other federal and state cybersecurity and data privacy laws and regulations may expose the Bank to risk and result in certain risk management costs. In addition, on November 18, 2021, the federal banking agencies announced the adoption of a final rule providing for new notification requirements for banking organizations and their service providers for significant cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, the new rule requires a banking organization to notify its primary federal regulator as soon as possible, and no later than 36 hours after, the banking organization determines that a “computer-security incident” rising to the level of a “notification incident” has occurred. Notification is required for incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the viability of a banking organization’s operations, its ability to deliver banking products and services, or the stability of the financial
28
sector. Service providers are required under the rule to notify affected banking organization clients as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the banking organization’s clients for four or more hours. Service providers are required under the rule to notify affected banking organization customers as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the banking organization’s customers for four or more hours. Compliance with the new rule was required by May 1, 2022. Non-compliance with federal or similar state privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations could lead to substantial regulatory imposed fines and penalties, damages from private causes of action and/or reputational harm. Please see “Item 1C. Cybersecurity”.
Other Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and granted it broad authority to regulate, supervise, and enforce federal consumer financial protection laws. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and empowered it to exercise broad regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority with respect to both new and existing consumer financial protection laws. Although the Bank, as an institution with assets under $10 billion, is generally supervised for consumer compliance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the CFPB’s regulations and guidance continue to shape the federal consumer protection framework applicable to the Bank. Recent reports indicated changes in the operational posture of the CFPB, including temporary suspension of certain rulemaking and enforcement activities, office closures, and leadership transitions. These developments may affect the timing or implementation of consumer financial regulations, and the long-term impact on the CFPB’s activities remains to be seen.
The Bank is also subject to a broad range of federal and state consumer protection laws, including, but not limited to, the Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and laws prohibiting unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. These laws govern the Bank’s interactions with consumers across nearly all products and services. Noncompliance can result in enforcement actions, civil monetary penalties, and reputational harm.
The Bank continues to monitor regulatory developments and remains committed to complying with applicable consumer protection requirements.
Regulation and Supervision of Riverview Bancorp, Inc.
General. Riverview as sole shareholder of the Bank, is a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve. Bank holding companies are subject to comprehensive regulation by the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and the regulations of the Federal Reserve. Accordingly, Riverview is required to file semi-annual reports with the Federal Reserve and provide additional information as the Federal Reserve may require. The Federal Reserve may examine Riverview, and any of its subsidiaries, and charge Riverview for the cost of the examination. The Federal Reserve also has extensive enforcement authority over bank holding companies, including, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders and to require that a holding company divest subsidiaries (including its bank subsidiaries). In general, enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of law and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Riverview, as a public company, is also required to file certain reports and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC. See “Federal Securities Laws” below.
The Bank Holding Company Act. Under the BHCA, Riverview is supervised by the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has a policy that a bank holding company is required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and may not conduct its operations in an unsafe or unsound manner. The Federal Reserve has a policy that a bank holding company is required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank 27 Table of Contentsand may not conduct its operations in an unsafe or unsound manner. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act and earlier Federal Reserve policy provide that a bank holding company should serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary bank by having the ability to provide financial assistance to its subsidiary bank during periods of financial distress to the bank. A bank holding company’s failure to meet its obligation to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary bank will generally be considered by the Federal Reserve to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of the Federal Reserve’s regulations or both. No regulations have yet been proposed by the Federal Reserve to implement the source of strength provisions required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Riverview and any subsidiaries that it may control are considered “affiliates” within the meaning of the Federal Reserve Act, and transactions between the Bank and affiliates are subject to numerous restrictions. With some exceptions, Riverview and its subsidiaries are prohibited from tying the provision of various services, such as extensions of credit, to other services offered by Riverview or by its affiliates.
Acquisitions. The BHCA prohibits a bank holding company, with certain exceptions, from acquiring ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank or bank holding company and from engaging in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or providing services for its subsidiaries. Under the BHCA, the Federal Reserve may approve the ownership of shares by a bank holding company in any company, the activities of which the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to the business of banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper
29
incident thereto. These activities include: operating a savings institution, mortgage company, finance company, credit card company or factoring company; performing certain data processing operations; providing certain investment and financial advice; underwriting and acting as an insurance agent for certain types of credit-related insurance; leasing property on a full-payout, non-operating basis; selling money orders, travelers’ checks and U.S. Savings Bonds; real estate and personal property appraising; providing tax planning and preparation services; and, subject to certain limitations, providing securities brokerage services for clients. The Federal Reserve must approve the acquisition (or acquisition of control) of a bank or other FDIC-insured depository institution by a bank holding company, and the appropriate federal banking regulator must approve a bank’s acquisition (or acquisition of control) of another bank or other FDIC-insured institution.
Acquisition of Control of a Bank Holding Company. Under federal law, a notice or application must be submitted to the appropriate federal banking regulator if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire “control” of a bank holding company. An acquisition of control can occur upon the acquisition of 10% or more of the voting stock of a bank holding company or as otherwise defined by federal regulations. In considering such a notice or application, the Federal Reserve takes into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Any company that acquires control becomes subject to regulation as a bank holding company. Depending on circumstances, a notice or application may be required to be filed with appropriate state banking regulators and may be subject to their approval or non-objection.
Regulatory Capital Requirements. As discussed above, pursuant to the “Small Bank Holding Company” exception, effective August 30, 2018, bank holding companies with less than $3 billion in consolidated assets were generally no longer subject to the Federal Reserve’s capital regulations, which are generally the same as the capital regulations applicable to the Bank. At the time of this change, Riverview was considered “well capitalized” as defined for a bank holding company with a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or more and a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or more, and was not subject to an individualized order, directive or agreement under which the Federal Reserve requires it to maintain a specific capital level.
Restrictions on Dividends. The Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies which expresses its view that a bank holding company must maintain an adequate capital position and generally should not pay cash dividends unless the company’s net income for the past year is sufficient to fully fund the cash dividends and that the prospective rate of earnings appears consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve policy statement also indicates that it would be inappropriate for a company experiencing serious financial problems to borrow funds to pay dividends. Under Washington corporate law, Riverview generally may not pay dividends if after that payment it would not be able to pay its liabilities as they become due in the usual course of business, or its total assets would be less than its total liabilities. The capital conservation buffer requirement may also limit or preclude dividends payable by the Company. For additional information, see Item 1.A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Regulatory and Compliance Matters – Non-compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, or other laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions and limit our ability to get regulatory approval of acquisitions” in this report.
Stock Repurchases. A bank holding company, except for certain “well-capitalized” and highly rated bank holding companies, is required to give the Federal Reserve prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding twelve months, is equal to 10% or more of its consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve order or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve.
Federal Securities Laws. Riverview’s common stock is registered with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). The Company is subject to information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Exchange Act.
30
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our common stock is subject to risks inherent in our business. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all the other information included in this report. In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The value or market price of our common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks below also include forward-looking statements. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.
Risks Related to Macroeconomic Conditions
Our business may be adversely affected by downturns in the national and the regional economies on which we depend.
Substantially all of our loans are to businesses and individuals in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, particularly within Clark, Klickitat, Skamania, Multnomah, Washington, Marion, and Clackamas counties, including the Portland, Oregon-Vancouver metropolitan area. As a result, our financial performance is closely tied to the economic conditions in this region. A downturn in local or regional economic conditions, due to inflation, rising interest rates, unemployment, recessions, natural disasters, or other adverse events, could materially affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Further, global geopolitical tensions, including international conflicts, sanctions, trade disputes, and tariffs, could disrupt key industries within our market, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. These developments may lead to increased costs, reduced business investment, supply chain delays, or reduced demand for credit, adversely affecting our borrowers and, by extension, our asset quality and loan growth. Additionally, geopolitical instability may heighten cybersecurity threats, including from state-sponsored actors, increasing operational risk and reputational exposure.
A downturn in economic conditions in our market areas or global economic disruptions could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, including but not limited to:
● | Higher loan delinquencies, problematic assets, and foreclosures |
● | An increase in our ACL for loans |
● | Reduced demand for our products and services, potentially leading to a decline in our overall loans or assets. |
● | Depreciation in collateral values linked to our loans, thereby diminishing borrowing capacities and asset values tied to existing loans. |
● | Reduced net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors, possibly impairing their ability to meet commitments to us |
● | Reductions in our low-cost or noninterest-bearing deposits. |
A significant portion of the loans in our portfolio are secured by real estate. A downturn in local economic conditions could have a greater impact on our earnings and capital compared to larger financial institutions with more geographically diversified real estate loan portfolios. A decline in local economic conditions may have a greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are geographically diverse.
Any deterioration in the real estate markets associated with the collateral securing mortgage loans may significantly impact borrowers’ repayment capabilities and the value of the collateral. Any deterioration in the real estate markets associated with the collateral securing mortgage loans could significantly impact borrowers’ repayment capabilities and the value of collateral. Real estate values are affected by a range of factors, including changes in economic conditions, regulatory changes, natural disasters (such as earthquakes, flooding, and tornadoes), and trade-related challenges that may impact construction costs or the availability of materials. If it is necessary to liquidate a significant amount of collateral during a period of reduced real estate values, our financial condition and profitability could be adversely affected. If we are required to liquidate a significant amount of collateral during a period of reduced real estate values, our financial condition and profitability could be adversely affected.
Monetary policy, inflation, deflation, and other external economic factors could adversely impact our financial performance and operations.
Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve. Actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the Federal Reserve, could lead to inflation, deflation, or other economic phenomena that could adversely affect our financial performance. Higher U.S. tariffs on imported goods could exacerbate inflationary pressures by increasing the cost of goods and materials for businesses and consumers. This may particularly affect small to medium-sized businesses, as they are less able to leverage economies of scale to mitigate cost pressures compared to larger businesses. Consequently, our business clients may experience increased financial strain, reducing their ability to repay
31
loans and adversely impacting our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a prolonged period of inflation could cause wages and other costs to us to increase, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a prolonged period of inflation could cause wages and other costs to the Company to increase, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature, and as a result, interest rates tend to have a more significant impact on our performance than general levels of inflation or deflation. However, interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or magnitude as the prices of goods and services, creating additional uncertainty in the economic environment.
Risks Related to our Lending Activities
Our real estate construction loans are based upon estimates of costs and the value of the completed project, and as with land loans may be more difficult to liquidate, if necessary.
We make construction and land loans primarily to builders to finance the construction of single and multifamily homes, subdivisions, as well as commercial properties. We originate these loans regardless of whether the property used as collateral is under a sales contract. At March 31, 2025, real estate construction and land loans totaled $33.8 million, or 3.18% of our total loan portfolio, and were comprised of $10.8 million of speculative and presold construction loans, $4.6 million of land loans and $18.4 million of commercial/multi-family construction loans. At March 31, 2024, real estate construction and land loans totaled $42.2 million, or 4.13% of our total loan portfolio, and were comprised of $16.2 million of speculative and presold construction loans, $5.7 million of land loans and $20.4 million of commercial/multi-family construction loans.
In general, construction and land lending involve additional risks when compared with other lending because of the inherent difficulty in estimating a property’s value both before and at completion of the project, as well as the estimated cost of the project and the time needed to sell the property at completion. Construction costs may exceed original estimates as a result of increased materials, labor or other costs. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. Changes in the demand, such as for new housing and higher than anticipated building costs may cause actual results to vary significantly from those estimated. For these reasons, this type of lending also typically involves higher loan principal amounts and is often concentrated with a small number of builders. A downturn in housing, or the real estate market, could increase loan delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures, and significantly impair the value of our collateral and our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure. Some of our builders have more than one loan outstanding with us and also have residential mortgage loans for rental properties with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss.
Construction loans often involve the disbursement of funds with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or obtain permanent take-out financing, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. Moreover, during the term of most of our construction loans, no payment from the borrower is required since the accumulated interest is added to the principal of the loan through an interest reserve. If our appraisal of the value of a completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project and may incur a loss. Because construction loans require active monitoring of the building process, including cost comparisons and on-site inspections, these loans are more difficult and costly to monitor.
Increases in market rates of interest also may have a more pronounced effect on construction loans by rapidly increasing the end-purchasers’ borrowing costs, thereby reducing the overall demand for the project. Properties under construction are often difficult to sell and typically must be completed in order to be successfully sold which also complicates the process of working out problem construction loans. This may require us to advance additional funds and/or contract with another builder to complete construction. Furthermore, in the case of speculative construction loans, there is the added risk associated with identifying an end-purchaser for the finished project.
Loans on land under development or raw land held for future construction, including lot loans made to individuals for the future construction of a residence also pose additional risk because of the lack of income being produced by the property and the potential illiquid nature of the collateral. These risks can be significantly impacted by supply and demand conditions. As a result, this type of lending often involves the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to develop, sell or lease the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to independently repay principal and interest. There were no non-performing real estate construction and land loans at March 31, 2025. A material increase in non-performing real estate construction and land loans could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.
32
Commercial and multi-family real estate lending involves higher risks than real estate one-to-four family and other consumer lending, which exposes us to increased lending risks.
Our current business strategy includes an emphasis on commercial and multi-family real estate lending. This type of lending activity, while potentially more profitable than one-to-four family lending, is generally more sensitive to regional and local economic conditions, making loss levels more difficult to predict. Collateral evaluation and financial statement analysis in these types of loans requires a more detailed analysis at the time of loan underwriting and on an ongoing basis. Collateral evaluation and financial statement analysis in these 31 Table of Contentstypes of loans requires a more detailed analysis at the time of loan underwriting and on an ongoing basis. At March 31, 2025, we had $683.6 million of commercial and multi-family real estate loans, representing 64.4% of our total loan portfolio.
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans typically involve higher principal amounts than other types of loans, and some commercial borrowers maintain multiple loans with us. Consequently, an adverse development in any single loan or credit relationship can significantly heighten our exposure to potential losses, far more than the impact of a similar development in a one-to-four family residential mortgage loan. The repayment of these loans relies on income generated from the property securing the loan. This income must sufficiently cover operational expenses and debt service. Economic fluctuations or shifts in local market conditions may adversely affect the property’s income, posing potential repayment challenges. Moreover, a substantial portion of our commercial and multi-family real estate loans do not fully amortize and include substantial balloon payments upon maturity. These balloon payments may require the borrower to either sell or refinance the property, potentially heightening the risk of default or non-payment. In the event of a foreclosure on a commercial or multi-family real estate loan, our holding period for the collateral tends to be more extended compared to one-to-four family residential loans. This elongated holding period results from a limited pool of potential purchasers for the collateral.
In recent years, the commercial real estate market has experienced substantial growth, with increased competition contributing to historically low capitalization rates and rising property values. However, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted this market. The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of remote work, which has led many companies to re-evaluate their long-term real estate needs. While some businesses are returning to traditional office environments, others are downsizing or shifting to hybrid models, creating uncertainty in demand for office spaces and other commercial properties. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial services. This trend could result in prolonged vacancies, declining rental income, and reduced property values, adversely affecting the performance of our commercial real estate portfolio. Federal banking regulators also have raised concerns about weaknesses in the commercial real estate market. Failures in our risk management policies and controls could lead to higher delinquencies and losses, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business may be adversely affected by credit risk associated with residential property and declining property values.
At March 31, 2025, $97.7 million, or 9.19% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of real estate one-to-four family loans and home equity loans. We primarily base our lending decisions on the borrower’s repayment capacity and the collateral securing these loans, particularly with first-lien real estate one-to-four family loans. However, home equity lines of credit pose greater risks, especially those secured by a second mortgage, as the likelihood of full loan recovery in the event of default diminishes. Our ability to foreclose on such loans depends upon the property’s value which must cover both the primary mortgage and foreclosure costs.
This type of lending is highly sensitive to regional and local economic conditions, making it challenging to predict potential losses. Economic downturns or fluctuations in the housing market could diminish property values, increasing the risk of losses if borrowers default. Loans with high combined loan -to value-ratios are particularly vulnerable to declining property values, leading to higher default rates and increased severity of losses. Moreover, if borrowers sell their homes, they may struggle to repay their loans in full from the proceeds. As a result, these loans may experience elevated rates of delinquencies, defaults and losses negatively impacting our financial condition and results of operations.
Repayment of our commercial business loans is often dependent on the cash flows of the borrower, which may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value.
At March 31, 2025, commercial business loans totaled $232.9 million, or 21.9% of total loans. These loans are primarily extended based on the borrower’s cash flow, with collateral provided by the borrower, serving as a secondary consideration. However, the predictability of the borrower’s cash flow can vary, and the value of collateral securing these loans may fluctuate. Collateral for commercial business loans typically includes equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets. For loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for repayment relies heavily on the borrower’s ability to collect from its clients. Additionally, the value of other collateral, such as equipment, may depreciate over time, and could be challenging to
33
appraise or liquidate, varying based on the nature of the business. Consequently, the availability of funds for loan repayment is significantly contingent on the success of the borrower’s business, which is often influenced by broader economic conditions and, to a lesser extent, the value of provided collateral.
Our ACL for loans may prove insufficient to absorb losses in our loan portfolio. Future additions to our ACL, as well as charge-offs in excess of reserves, will reduce our earnings.
Lending money is a substantial part of our business and each loan carries risks, including that it will not be repaid in accordance with its terms or that any underlying collateral will not be sufficient to assure repayment. These risks are affected by, among other things:
● | The cash flow of the borrower or the project being financed. |
● | For a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral. |
● | The duration of the loan. |
● | The credit history of the borrower. |
● | Changes in economic and industry conditions. |
To address these risks, we maintain an ACL for loans, which is established through a provision for credit losses on loans charged to expense, which we believe is appropriate to provide for lifetime expected credit losses in our loan portfolio. The appropriate level of the ACL for loans is determined by management through periodic reviews and consideration of several factors, including, but not limited to:
● | Our collective loss reserve, for loans evaluated on a pool basis with similar risk characteristics based on our life of loan historical default and loss experience, certain macroeconomic factors, reasonable and supportable forecasts, regulatory requirements, management’s expectations of future events and certain qualitative factors; and |
● | Our individual loss reserve, based on our evaluation of individual loans that do not share similar risk characteristics and the present value of the expected future cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral. |
The determination of the appropriate level of the ACL inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. If our estimates are incorrect, the ACL for loans may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in the need for increases in our ACL through the provision for credit losses on loans which is charged against income. Management also recognizes that significant new growth in loan portfolios, new loan products and the refinancing of existing loans can result in portfolios comprised of unseasoned loans that may not perform in a historical or projected manner and will increase the risk that our allowance may be insufficient to absorb losses without significant additional provisions. Deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may also require an increase in the ACL.
Bank regulatory agencies also periodically review our ACL and may require an increase in the provision for possible credit losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination. If charge-offs in future periods exceed the ACL, we may need additional provisions to increase the ACL. Any increases in the ACL will reduce net income and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital. Any increases in the ACL will result in a decrease in net income and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital.
Risks Related to Market and Interest Rate Changes
Changes in interest rates may reduce our net interest income and may result in higher defaults in a rising rate environment.
Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon our net interest income, which is significantly affected by interest rates.Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon our net interest income. Interest rates are highly sensitive to factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions and policies set by governmental and regulatory bodies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, in particular, the Federal Reserve. Increases in interest rates could reduce our net interest income, weaken the housing market by reducing refinancing activity and home purchases, and negatively affect the broader U.S. economy, potentially leading to slower economic growth or recessionary conditions.
We principally manage interest rate risk by managing our volume and mix of our earning assets and funding liabilities. We principally manage interest rate risk by managing our volume and mix of our earning assets and funding liabilities. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected.
34
Changes in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations or by reducing our margins and profitability. Our net interest margin is the difference between the yield we earn on our assets and the interest rate we pay for deposits and our other sources of funding. Changes in interest rates—up or down—could adversely affect our net interest margin and, as a result, our net interest income. Although the yields we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our net interest margin to expand or contract. Our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, so they may adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates. As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs may rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our net interest margin to contract until the yield catches up. Changes in the slope of the “yield curve”—or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates—could also reduce our net interest margin. Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates. Because our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we could experience pressure on our net interest margin as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets. Also, interest rate decreases can lead to increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities as borrowers refinance their loans to reduce borrowing costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk as we may have to redeploy such repayment proceeds into lower yielding investments, which would likely hurt our income.
A sustained increase in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings. A significant portion of our loans have fixed interest rates and longer terms than our deposits and borrowings. As is the case with many financial institutions, we attempt to increase our proportion of deposits that are non-interest bearing or pay a relatively low rate of interest. However, attracting such deposits has been challenging with the current interest rate environment. At March 31, 2025, we had $315.5 million in non-interest bearing demand deposits and $222.1 million in certificates of deposit that mature within one year. We would incur a higher cost of funds to retain these deposits in a rising interest rate environment. Our net interest income could be adversely affected if the rates we pay on deposits and borrowings increase more rapidly than the rates we earn on loans and other investments. In addition, a substantial amount of our home equity lines of credit have adjustable interest rates. As a result, these loans may experience a higher rate of default in a rising interest rate environment.
Changes in interest rates also affect the value of our securities portfolio. Generally, the fair value of fixed-rate securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax. Decreases in the fair value of securities available for sale resulting from increases in interest rates could have an adverse effect on stockholders’ equity. At March 31, 2025, we recorded a $13.3 million accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is reflected as a reduction to stockholders’ equity. At March 31, 2024, we recorded an $16.1 million accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is reflected as a reduction to stockholders’ equity.
While we employ asset and liability management strategies to mitigate interest rate risk, unexpected, substantial, or prolonged rate changes could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our interest rate risk models and assumptions may not fully capture the impact of actual rate changes on our balance sheet or projected operating results. See Item 7A., “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of this Form 10-K.
We may incur losses on our securities portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates.
The fair value of our investment securities is susceptible to significant shifts due to factors beyond our control, potentially leading to adverse changes in their valuation. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect of the securities, defaults by the issuer or adverse events related to the underlying securities, capital market instability, and, as previously mentioned, fluctuations in market interest rates. Any of these factors, among others, could cause the fair value of these securities to be lower than the amortized cost basis resulting in a credit loss, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are required to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure a safe and sound operation, potentially requiring us to sell securities at a loss if our liquidity position falls below desirable level and all alternative sources of liquidity are exhausted. In an environment where other market participants are also liquidating securities, our loss could be materially higher than expected, significantly adversely impacting liquidity and capital levels.
Revenue from broker loan fees is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, decreased economic activity, a slowdown in the housing market, higher interest rates or new legislation which may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.34 Table of ContentsRevenue from broker loan fees is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, decreased economic activity, a slowdown in the housing market, higher interest rates or new legislation which may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our mortgage brokerage operations contribute additional non-interest income. The Company employs commissioned brokers who originate mortgage loans (including construction loans) for various mortgage companies. These loans are closed and funded by
35
the purchasing mortgage company and are not considered assets of the Company. Instead, the Company receives a fee typically ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% of the loan amount, which is shared with the commissioned broker.
The prevailing interest rate environment significantly influences both the volume of loans and the fees generated through our mortgage brokerage activity. Generally, during periods of rising interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount of brokered loan fees included in non-interest income decrease as a result of slower mortgage loan demand. Conversely, during periods of falling interest rates, the volume of loans and the amount of brokered loan fees generally increase as a result of the increased mortgage loan demand.
A general decline in economic conditions may adversely affect the fees generated by our asset management company.
Should our asset management clients and their assets be adversely impacted by unfavorable economic and stock market conditions, they may choose to withdraw their managed assets, or the value of these assets managed by us may decline. Since our asset management revenues are directly linked to the value of the assets we manage, any withdrawal of assets or reduction in their value would adversely affect the revenues generated by the Trust Company.
Risks Related to Regulatory, Legal and Compliance Matters
The continued focus on increasing our commercial real estate loan portfolio may subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny.
The FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the OCC have promulgated joint guidance on sound risk management practices for financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. Under this guidance, a financial institution that, like us, is actively involved in commercial real estate lending should perform a risk assessment to identify concentrations. A financial institution may have a concentration in commercial real estate lending if, among other factors (i) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of total capital, or (ii) total reported loans secured by multi-family and non-farm residential properties, loans for construction, land development and other land, and loans otherwise sensitive to the general commercial real estate market, including loans to commercial real estate related entities, represent 300% or more of total capital. Based on these criteria, the Bank has a concentration in commercial real estate lending as total loans for multifamily, non-farm/non-residential, construction, land development and other land represented 321% of total risk-based capital at March 31, 2025. The particular focus of the guidance is on exposure to commercial real estate loans that are dependent on the cash flow from the real estate held as collateral and that are likely to be at greater risk to conditions in the commercial real estate market (as opposed to real estate collateral held as a secondary source of repayment or as an abundance of caution). The purpose of the guidance is to guide banks in developing risk management practices and capital levels commensurate with the level and nature of real estate concentrations. The guidance states that management should employ heightened risk management practices including board and management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing. While we believe we have implemented policies and procedures with respect to our commercial real estate loan portfolio consistent with this guidance, bank regulators could require us to implement additional policies and procedures consistent with their interpretation of the guidance that may result in additional costs to us.
We operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in federal and state laws and regulations.
The financial services industry is extensively regulated. Federal and state banking regulations are designed primarily to protect the deposit insurance funds and consumers, not to benefit a company’s shareholders. These regulations may sometimes impose significant limitations on operations. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy of an institution’s ACL. These bank regulators also have the ability to impose conditions in the approval of merger and acquisition transactions.
These regulations, along with the currently existing tax, accounting, securities, insurance, and monetary laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies, and interpretations control the methods by which financial institutions conduct business, implement strategic initiatives and tax compliance, and govern financial reporting and disclosures.35 Table of ContentsThese regulations, along with the currently existing tax, accounting, securities, insurance, and monetary laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies, and interpretations control the methods by which financial institutions conduct business, implement strategic initiatives and tax compliance, and govern financial reporting and disclosures. These laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies, and interpretations are constantly evolving and may change significantly over time. Any new regulations or legislation, change in existing regulations or oversight, whether a change in regulatory policy or a change in a regulator’s interpretation of a law or regulation, may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to operations
36
to comply and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against us may lead to penalties that materially affect us. Further, changes in accounting standards can be both difficult to predict and involve judgment and discretion in their interpretation by us and our independent registered public accounting firm. These accounting changes could materially impact, potentially even retroactively, how we report our financial condition and results of our operations as could our interpretation of those changes.
Non-compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, or other laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions and limit our ability to get regulatory approval of acquisitions.
The USA PATRIOT Act and Bank Secrecy Acts require financial institutions to develop programs to prevent financial institutions from being used for money laundering and terrorist activities. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or sanctions and limit our ability to get regulatory approval of acquisitions. While we have developed policies and procedures designed to assist in compliance with these laws and regulations, no assurance can be given that these policies and procedures will be effective in preventing violations of these laws and regulations. Additionally, any perceived or actual failure to prevent money laundering or terrorist financing activities could significantly damage our reputation. These outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects. Any of these results could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
If our enterprise risk management framework is not effective at mitigating risk and loss to us, we could suffer unexpected losses and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our enterprise risk management framework seeks to achieve an appropriate balance between risk and return, which is critical to optimizing shareholder value. We have established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor, report, analyze and control the types of risk to which we are subject. These risks include, among others, liquidity, credit, market, interest rate, operational, legal and compliance, and reputational risk. Our framework also includes financial or other modeling methodologies that involve management assumptions and judgment. We also maintain a compliance program to identify, measure, assess, and report on our adherence to applicable laws, policies and procedures. While we assess and improve these programs on an ongoing basis, there can be no assurance that our risk management or compliance programs, along with other related controls, will effectively mitigate risk under all circumstances, or that it will adequately mitigate any risk or loss to us. However, as with any risk management framework, there are inherent limitations to our risk management strategies as they may exist, or develop in the future, including risks that we have not appropriately anticipated or identified. If our risk management framework proves ineffective, we could suffer unexpected losses and our business, financial condition, results of operations or growth prospects could be materially adversely affected. We may also be subject to potentially adverse regulatory consequences.
Climate change and related legislative and regulatory initiatives may materially affect the Company’s business and results of operations.
The effects of climate change continue to raise significant concerns about the state of the environment. However, under the current administration, federal policy has shifted to reduce emphasis on climate change initiatives and environmental regulations. This includes scaling back federal involvement in international agreements like the Paris Agreement and easing regulatory pressures on businesses, including banks, to address climate-related risks. Legislative and regulatory proposals aimed at combating climate change may face increased scrutiny or reduced priority under this administration.
The lack of empirical data regarding the financial and credit risks posed by climate change still makes it difficult to predict its specific impact on our financial condition and results of operations. However, the physical effects of climate change, such as more frequent and severe weather disasters, could directly affect us. For instance, such events may damage real property securing loans in our portfolios or reduce the value of that collateral. If our borrowers' insurance is insufficient to cover these losses or if insurance becomes unavailable, the value of the collateral securing our loans could be negatively affected, potentially impacting our financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, climate change may adversely affect regional and local economic activity, harming our clients and the communities in which we operate. Regardless of changes in federal policy, the effects of climate change and their unknown long-term impacts could still have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
37
Risks Related to Cybersecurity, Data and Fraud
We are subject to certain risks in connection with our use of technology.
Our security measures may not be sufficient to mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack. Communications and information systems are essential to the conduct of our business, as we use such systems to manage our client relationships, our general ledger and virtually all other aspects of our business. Communications and information systems are essential to the conduct of our business, as we use such systems to manage our customer relationships, our general ledger and virtually all other aspects of our business. Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, the security of our computer systems, software, and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, fraudulent or unauthorized access, denial or degradation of service attacks, misuse, computer viruses, malware or other malicious code and cyber-attacks that could have a security impact. If one or more of these events occur, this could jeopardize our or our clients’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or the operations of our clients or counterparties. If one or more of these events occur, this could jeopardize our or our customers’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or the operations of our customers or counterparties. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us. We could also suffer significant reputational damage.
Additionally, as our cardholders use debit and credit cards for transactions with third parties or through third-party processing services, we face additional risks from data breaches in their systems or payment processors. Such breaches could expose our account information, leading to liabilities for fraudulent transactions, fines, and higher transaction fees. Breaches may also erode client trust, prompting shifts in payment methods and potential changes to our payment systems, which could incur higher costs. Breaches may also erode customer trust, prompting shifts in payment methods and potential changes to our payment systems, which could incur higher costs.
Despite ongoing efforts to enhance our information technology systems and provide employee awareness training, cyber threats remain pervasive, particularly in the financial services industry. We must continuously monitor and fortify our networks and infrastructure to prevent, detect, and address unauthorized access, misuses, computer viruses, and other security risks. While we have not experienced significant breaches, some of our clients may have been affected by third-party breaches, potentially increasing their risks of identity theft and fraud involving their accounts with us.
Security breaches in our internet banking activities could further expose us to possible liability and damage our reputation. Increases in criminal activity levels and sophistication, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries, vulnerabilities in third-party technologies (including browsers and operating systems) or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the technology, processes and controls that we use to prevent fraudulent transactions and to protect data about us, our clients and underlying transactions. Any compromise of our security could deter clients from using our internet banking services that involve the transmission of confidential information. Any compromise of our security could deter customers from using our internet banking services that involve the transmission of confidential information. Although we have developed and continue to invest in systems and processes that are designed to detect and prevent security breaches and cyber-attacks and periodically test our security, these precautions may not protect our systems from compromises or breaches of our security measures, and could result in losses to us or our clients, our loss of business and/or clients, damage to our reputation, the incurrence of additional expenses, disruption to our business, our inability to grow our online services or other businesses, additional regulatory scrutiny or penalties, or our exposure to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our security measures may not protect us from system failures or interruptions. While we have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of systems failures and interruptions, there can be no assurance that such events will not occur or that they will be adequately addressed if they do. In addition, we outsource certain aspects of our data processing and other operational functions to certain third-party providers. While the Company selects third-party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. If our third-party providers encounter difficulties, including those resulting from breakdowns or other disruptions in communication services provided by a vendor, failure of a vendor to handle current or higher transaction volumes, cyber-attacks and security breaches or if we otherwise have difficulty in communicating with them, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our ability to deliver products and services to our clients and otherwise conduct our business operations could be adversely impacted. Replacing these third-party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of client information through various other vendors and their personnel. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel.
38
We cannot assure you that such breaches, failures or interruptions will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third parties on which we rely. We may not be insured against all types of losses as a result of third-party failures and insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover all losses resulting from breaches, system failures or other disruptions. If any of our third-party service providers experience financial, operational or technological difficulties, or if there is any other disruption in our relationships with them, we may be required to identify alternative sources of such services, and we cannot assure that we could negotiate terms that are as favorable to us, or could obtain services with similar functionality as found in our existing systems without the need to expend substantial resources, if at all. Further, the occurrence of any systems failure or interruption could damage our reputation and result in a loss of clients and business, could subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could expose us to legal liability. Further, the occurrence of any systems failure or interruption could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers and business, could subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could expose us to legal liability. Any of these occurrences could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The board of directors oversees the risk management process, including the risk of cybersecurity, and engages with management on cybersecurity issues.
Our business may be adversely affected by an increasing prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes.
The Bank is susceptible to fraudulent activity that may be committed against us or our clients, which may result in financial losses or increased costs to us or our clients, disclosure or misuse of our information or our client information, misappropriation of assets, privacy breaches against our clients, litigation or damage to our reputation. Such fraudulent activity may take many forms, including check fraud, electronic fraud, wire fraud, phishing, social engineering and other dishonest acts. Nationally, reported incidents of fraud and other financial crimes have increased. We have also experienced losses due to apparent fraud and other financial crimes. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent such losses, there can be no assurance that such losses will not occur.
Our current and future uses of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and other emerging technologies may create additional risks.
The increasing adoption of AI in financial services presents significant opportunities but also introduces a range of risks that could impact our operations, regulatory compliance, and client trust. AI introduces model risk, where flawed algorithms or biased data could result in inaccurate credit decisions, compliance violations, or discriminatory outcomes in lending or client service. Cybersecurity threats, such as data breaches, adversarial attacks, and data poisoning, pose significant challenges, particularly as these systems handle large volumes of sensitive client information. Additionally, the opaque nature of some AI models, often referred to as "black-box" systems, raises regulatory compliance concerns, as regulators increasingly require transparency and explainability in AI-driven decision-making.
Operational risks also arise from potential system failures, over-reliance on AI, and integration challenges with existing infrastructure. Disruptions in AI systems could impact critical functions such as fraud detection, transaction monitoring, and client support. Ethical and reputational risks, including unintended consequences or perceived unfairness in AI-driven decisions, may erode client trust and expose us to regulatory scrutiny.
Mitigating these risks requires a robust governance framework, regularly testing and auditing of AI models, and strong human oversight. Investments in cybersecurity, data privacy protections, and employee training are critical to managing these risks.
Risks Related to Accounting Matters
Our reported financial results depend on management’s selection of accounting methods and certain assumptions and estimates, which, if incorrect, could cause unexpected losses in the future.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. Management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and methods so they comply with GAAP and reflect management’s judgment regarding the most appropriate manner to report our financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and methods so they comply with GAAP and reflect management’s judgment regarding the most appropriate manner to report the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, management must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which might be reasonable under the circumstances, yet might result in the Company reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.
39
Certain accounting policies, most notably the ACL, are critical to presenting our financial condition and results of operations. They require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. For more information, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates” contained in this Form 10-K.
We may experience future goodwill impairment, which could reduce our earnings.
In accordance with GAAP, we record assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at their fair value with the excess of the purchase consideration over the net assets acquired resulting in the recognition of goodwill. As a result, acquisitions typically result in recording goodwill. We perform a goodwill evaluation at least annually to test for goodwill impairment. Our test of goodwill for potential impairment is based on a qualitative assessment by management that takes into consideration macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost or margin factors, financial performance and share price. Our evaluation of the fair value of goodwill involves a substantial amount of judgement. If our judgement was incorrect, or if events or circumstances change, and an impairment of goodwill was deemed to exist, we would be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Risks Related to Merger and Acquisition Strategy
While acquisitions supplement our strategic growth objectives, they involve risks that may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
As part of our general growth strategy, we periodically expand our business through acquisitions. While our primary focus remains on organic growth, we from time to time engage in discussions with potential acquisition targets in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions on acceptable terms, or effectively integrate acquired operations into our existing business or expand into new markets. Future acquisitions may dilute shareholder value or adversely impact our operating results during the integration process. Acquired operations may not achieve the same profitability levels as our existing operations or meet performance expectations. Additionally, transaction-related expenses could negatively affect our earnings and, in turn, the market value of our stock.
Acquiring banks, bank branches, or businesses involves several risks, including:
● | Exposure to potential asset quality issues or unknown and contingent liabilities associated with acquired institutions or assets, which, if underestimated, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; |
● | Higher-than-expected deposit attrition or client loss; |
● | Potential diversion of management’s time and attention from ongoing operations and strategic priorities; |
● | Market fluctuations affecting acquisition pricing, which may limit our ability to pursue transactions in certain markets at valuations we consider acceptable; |
● | Challenges associated with integrating systems, processes, and personnel of the acquired business into our operations. The integration process can be complex, time-consuming, and disruptive to acquired clients, and if not executed effectively, may delay or reduce expected economic benefits or lead to the loss of clients or employees, even if integration is otherwise successful; |
● | The need to finance acquisitions, which may involve increased leverage through borrowings or the issuance of additional equity, potentially diluting the interests of existing shareholders; |
● | The possibility that we may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth or grow at all through future acquisitions; and |
● | The requirement to record goodwill for acquisitions in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired, which must be tested for impairment at least annually and could result in future non-cash charges. |
40
If any of these risks materialize, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and stock price.
Risks Related to our Business and Industry General
We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure.
We rely on numerous external vendors to provide products and services necessary for our day-to-day operations.We rely on numerous external vendors to provide us with products and services necessary to maintain our day-to-day operations. Accordingly, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements. If a vendor fails to meet its contractual obligations due to changes in its organizational structure, financial condition, support for existing products and services, strategic focus, or any other reason, our operations could be disrupted, potentially causing a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.The Bank is susceptible to fraudulent activity that may be committed against us or our clients, which may result in financial losses or increased costs to us or our clients, disclosure or misuse of our information or our client information, misappropriation of assets, privacy breaches against our clients, litigation or damage to our reputation. Furthermore, we could be adversely affected if a vendor agreement is not renewed or is renewed on terms less favorable to us. Regulatory agencies also require financial institutions to remain accountable for all aspects of vendor performance, including activities delegated to third parties. Additionally, disruptions or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems supporting our business and clients, or cyber-attacks or security breaches involving networks, systems, or devices used by our clients to access our products and services, could result in client attrition, regulatory fines or penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or compensation costs, and increased compliance expenses. Increases in criminal activity levels and sophistication, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries, vulnerabilities in third-party technologies (including browsers and operating systems) or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the technology, processes and controls that we use to prevent fraudulent transactions and to protect data about us, our clients and underlying transactions. Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Any of these occurrences could have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Ineffective liquidity management could adversely affect our financial results and condition.
Liquidity is essential to our business. We rely on a number of different sources in order to meet our potential liquidity demands. Our primary sources of liquidity are increases in deposit accounts, cash flows from loan payments and our securities portfolio. Borrowings also provide us with a source of funds to meet liquidity demands. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans or investment securities, or other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities or on terms which are acceptable to us could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically, or the financial services industry or economy in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity as a result of a downturn in the Washington or Oregon markets in which our loans are concentrated, negative operating results, or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a disruption in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry or deterioration in credit markets. Any decline in available funding in amounts adequate to finance our activities on acceptable terms could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in securities, meet our expenses or fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdraw demands, any of which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity” of this Form 10-K.
Additionally, collateralized public funds (state and local municipal deposits secured by investment-grade securities) help reduce contingent liquidity risk by being less credit-sensitive, however, the pledging of collateral to secure these funds limits their availability as a reserve source of liquidity. While these deposits have historically provided stable funding, their availability depends on the individual municipality’s fiscal policies and cash flow needs.
Our branching strategy may cause our expenses to increase faster than revenues.
Since June 2020, we opened three new branches in Clark County, Washington and may open additional branches in our market area in the future. The success of our branch expansion strategy is contingent upon numerous factors, including our ability to secure managerial resources, recruit and retain qualified personnel, and execute effective marketing strategies. However, the opening of new branches may not lead to an immediate or substantial increase in loan and deposit volumes as anticipated, and it will inevitably raise our operating expenses. Typically, de novo branches take three to four years to become profitable, and the projected timeline and costs for opening new branches may significantly differ from actual results. We may encounter challenges in managing the costs and implementation risks associated with our branching strategy. As a result, new branches may initially weigh on our earnings until they achieve certain economies of scale. Moreover, there is a risk that our new branches may not yield the desired success.
41
Our growth or future losses may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed or the cost of that capital may be exceedingly high.
We are required by federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we cannot make assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital if needed on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations could be materially impaired and our financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any additional capital we obtain may dilute the interests of existing holders of our common stock. Further, if we are unable to raise additional capital when required by our bank regulators, we may be subject to adverse regulatory action.
Regulatory Changes to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Practices May Adversely Impact Our Reputation, Compliance Costs, and Business Operations.
In March 2025, the federal government issued a new executive order titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," which rescinded prior directives promoting DEI, including Executive Order 11246 applicable to federal contractors. The new order directs agencies to investigate and take enforcement action against DEI practices deemed inconsistent with federal nondiscrimination laws, signaling a shift in regulatory priorities that could materially impact financial institutions.
As a provider of financial services, we are subject to heightened scrutiny from regulators, investors, and the public regarding our governance, hiring practices, and commitment to ESG and DEI principles. The revised regulatory environment may prompt reexamination of our employment practices, vendor selection criteria, training programs, and client-facing disclosures. In particular, financial institutions engaged in government contracting or receiving federal program support may face added compliance exposure.
Any required adjustments to our DEI or ESG strategies, such as modifications to workforce diversity goals, community lending initiatives, or supplier diversity programs, could increase operational complexity and legal risk. Federal agencies may issue updated guidance, reassess existing supervisory frameworks, or pursue enforcement actions based on perceived violations of the revised standards. At the same time, some states continue to require affirmative action policies or corporate diversity reporting, adding further complexity.
Failure to comply with the current regulatory framework could result in reputational damage, litigation, regulatory investigations, or limitations on our participation in federal programs. Conversely, a perceived retreat from DEI commitments could negatively affect our reputation with institutional investors, ratings agencies, community stakeholders, and current or prospective employees. ESG ratings firms may also downgrade assessments, potentially affecting our access to capital or increasing cost of funds.
Given the prominent role ESG and DEI considerations play in financial services, particularly in governance and risk oversight, we must continuously evaluate and align our practices with both regulatory expectations and stakeholder priorities. Misalignment in either direction could adversely affect our brand, employee engagement, client relationships, and financial performance.
Competition with other financial institutions could adversely affect our profitability.
Although we consider ourselves competitive in our market areas, we face intense competition in both making loans and attracting deposits. Price competition for loans and deposits might result in our earning less on our loans and paying more on our deposits, which reduces net interest income. Some of the institutions with which we compete have substantially greater resources than we have and may offer services that we do not provide. We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry. Our profitability will depend upon our continued ability to compete successfully in our market areas.
42
Our ability to retain and recruit key management personnel and bankers is critical to the success of our business strategy and any failure to do so could impair our customer relationships and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Competition for qualified employees in the banking industry is intense, with a limited pool of candidates experienced in community banking. Our success relies on attracting and retaining skilled management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing, and technical personnel, as well as on the continued contributions of key executives and other critical employees. Losing any of these individuals could result in a challenging transition period and negatively impact our operations. Additionally, the experience and client relationships of our banking facility managers are vital to maintaining strong connections with the communities we serve. The loss of these key personnel or directors nearing retirement without suitable replacements could adversely affect our business.
We rely on dividends from the Bank for substantially all of our revenue at the holding company level.
Riverview is a separate legal entity from its subsidiaries and does not have significant operations of its own.Riverview is a separate legal entity from its subsidiaries and does not have significant operations of its own. The long-term ability of Riverview to pay dividends to its stockholders and debt payments is based primarily upon the ability of the Bank to make capital distributions to Riverview, and also on the availability of cash at the holding company level. The availability of dividends from the Bank is limited by the Bank’s earnings and capital, as well as various statutes and regulations. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to pay dividends on our common stock or make payments on our outstanding debt. Consequently, the inability to receive dividends from the Bank could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects. Also, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors.
43
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
The ability to mitigate cybersecurity risks is dependent upon an effective risk assessment process that identifies, measures, controls, and monitors material risks stemming from cybersecurity threats. These threats include any potential unauthorized activities occurring through the Company's information systems that could adversely affect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the Company's information systems or the data contained therein. The Company's Information Security Program includes a comprehensive information security risk assessment process that incorporates the following elements:
● | Identification of reasonably foreseeable internal and external threats that could result in unauthorized disclosure, misuse, alteration, or destruction of confidential information or information systems. |
● | Assessment of the likelihood and potential damage of these threats, taking into consideration the sensitivity of confidential information. |
● | Assessment of the sufficiency of policies, procedures, information systems, and other arrangements in place to control risks. |
The risk assessment process is designed to identify assets requiring risk reduction strategies and includes an evaluation of the key factors applicable to the operation.
In designing our Information Security Program, we refer to established industry frameworks - in particular, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) and guidance and best practices from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The FFIEC framework offers a set of guidelines to help financial institutions effectively manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks. The framework focuses on ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information and systems. NIST is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and among other initiatives, develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, and other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies and the broader public. Activities range from producing specific information that organizations can put into practice immediately to longer-term research that anticipates advances in technologies and future challenges. The Company utilizes these frameworks to assist with the design of our Information Security Program, including risk mitigation controls and processes. While we believe our information security program is well-designed and appropriate for our organization, the sophistication of cyber threats continues to increase and no matter how well designed or implemented the Company's controls are, it may not be able to anticipate all cyber security breaches, and it may not be able to implement effective preventive measures against such security breaches in a timely manner. For more information on how cybersecurity risk
The Company uses a cross-functional approach to identify, prevent, and mitigate cybersecurity threats and incidents. We have adopted controls and procedures that provide for the prompt escalation of certain cybersecurity incidents so that decisions regarding the public disclosure and reporting of such incidents can be made by management in a timely manner. We have developed a formal cybersecurity incident response plan that summarizes the steps the Company will take to respond to a cybersecurity incident. The plan includes an Information Security Incident Response Team (ISIRT), which is responsible for addressing and coordinating all aspects of the Company's response to cybersecurity events. The plan includes an Information Security Incident Response Team (ISIRT), which is responsible for 42 Table of Contentsaddressing and coordinating all aspects of the Company's response to cybersecurity events. The ISIRT is supported by operating procedures and guidelines designed to outline the expectations and processes to be followed when responding to incidents of
44
unauthorized access to confidential information maintained by the Company or its service providers. The ISIRT may consult legal counsel and other external experts in connection with their respective activities. An escalation process has been established for engaging other resources and appropriate reporting protocols at both the management and Board of Directors levels.
Governance
Our Board of Directors articulates the Company's attitude towards risk.
The Company's governance and oversight of cybersecurity risks are facilitated through our Information Security Program, which establishes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the confidential information and records of all the Bank's clients in accordance with FDIC regulations. Our Information Security Program, along with its associated policies and guidelines, takes into account FDIC and FFIEC regulations and guidance on sensitive information protection as well as information system security. It is tailored to align with the Company's risk assessment results, and the size, complexity, nature and scope of our activities.
The Board of Directors plays a crucial role, annually reviewing and approving our Information Security Program. The Board oversees efforts to develop, implement, and maintain an effective Information Security Program, including reviewing management's reporting on program effectiveness. Additionally, the Board of Directors' Technology Committee considers information technology and cybersecurity expertise when assessing potential director candidates, to help ensure the Board of Directors has the capability to appropriately oversee management's activities in these areas.
The Board receives regular updates from the CISO and Director of Risk Management regarding cybersecurity threats and program enhancements. In evaluating its oversight capabilities, the Board considers relevant cybersecurity expertise among its members and provides ongoing training where appropriate.
As of the date of this report, the Company has not experienced any cybersecurity incidents that have had a material impact on its business strategy, financial condition, or results of operations.
Recently Filed
Ticker * | File Date |
---|---|
CRCW | 42 minutes ago |
FRHC | an hour ago |
BF-A | an hour ago |
AUSI | 2 hours ago |
RVSB | 1 day ago |
FRD | 1 day ago |
IEHC | 1 day ago |
SVMB | 1 day, 1 hour ago |
SENEA | 1 day, 1 hour ago |
MEHCQ | 2 days ago |
KOAN | 3 days, 5 hours ago |
NATH | 3 days, 10 hours ago |
PYYX | 3 days, 10 hours ago |
ESTC | 3 days, 23 hours ago |
NTAP | 4 days, 1 hour ago |
MPAA | 4 days, 1 hour ago |
NROM | 4 days, 8 hours ago |
GHM | 4 days, 9 hours ago |
AGAE | 1 week ago |
ALCE | 1 week ago |
SENR | 1 week ago |
ADN | 1 week ago |
VIVS | 1 week, 1 day ago |
FNVTF | 1 week, 1 day ago |
BARK | 1 week, 2 days ago |
OWPC | 1 week, 3 days ago |
UPYY | 1 week, 4 days ago |
ONCO | 1 week, 4 days ago |
PKE | 2 weeks ago |
PEVM | 2 weeks ago |
UVV | 2 weeks ago |
HLNE | 2 weeks ago |
BTTC | 2 weeks ago |
KD | 2 weeks ago |
CGC | 2 weeks ago |
ICCT | 2 weeks ago |
LOOP | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
AITX | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
NTRP | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
AMIX | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
LPG | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
STE | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
NGL | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
CHUC | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
ALXY | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
MDNC | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
AVD | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
ROIV | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
IMVT | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |
FNGR | 2 weeks, 1 day ago |