SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2022

OR

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

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________ TO ________

 

Commission file number 001-14854

SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut06-1514263
(State or other jurisdiction(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
  
5 Bissell Street, Lakeville, CT06039
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code) 

(860) 435-9801

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, Par Value $0.10 per shareSALNASDAQ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.days

.

Yes No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes No

 

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

Large accelerated filer ☐Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 4,November 2, 2022 is 2,885,9685,783,966.

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATIONPagePage
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION3 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited) andAND DECEMBER 31, 202131,20213
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 andAND 2021 (unaudited)4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREENINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)67
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS89
Item 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS3029
Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK4341
Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES45
43 
PART II.PART II. OTHER INFORMATION4543
Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS4543
Item 1A.RISK FACTORS4543
Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS4543
Item 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES4543
Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES4543
Item 5.OTHER INFORMATION4543
Item 6.EXHIBITS4643
SIGNATURES4744

 2 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

      
(in thousands, except share data)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   

September 30, 2022

(unaudited) 

   December 31, 2021 
ASSETS                
Cash and due from banks $4,814  $6,404  $6,314  $6,404 
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks  94,047   168,931   49,983   168,931 
Total cash and cash equivalents  98,861   175,335   56,297   175,335 
Interest bearing Time Deposits with Financial Institutions  750   750      750 
Securities                
Available-for-sale at fair value  215,652   202,396   189,161   202,396 
CRA mutual fund at fair value  862   901 
Mutual funds at fair value  1,882   901 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost  1,077   1,397   1,487   1,397 
Loans held-for-sale  1,070   2,684      2,684 
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $12,915 and $12,962)  1,066,216   1,066,750 
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $14,334 and $12,962)  1,176,493   1,066,750 
Bank premises and equipment, net  22,856   22,625   22,502   22,625 
Goodwill  13,815   13,815   13,815   13,815 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $5,517 and $5,463)  364   418 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $5,612 and $5,462)  269   418 
Accrued interest receivable  5,895   6,260   6,012   6,260 
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies  27,900   27,738   30,187   27,738 
Deferred taxes  4,591   2,588   8,882   2,588 
Other assets  5,173   5,527   5,151   5,527 
Total Assets $1,465,082  $1,529,184  $1,512,138  $1,529,184 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Deposits                
Demand (non-interest bearing) $370,082  $416,073  $413,584  $416,073 
Demand (interest bearing)  233,893   233,600   241,236   233,600 
Money market  317,462   330,436   313,987   330,436 
Savings and other  240,824   237,075   246,538   237,075 
Certificates of deposit  128,213   119,009   109,859   119,009 
Total deposits  1,290,474   1,336,193   1,325,204   1,336,193 
Repurchase agreements  8,161   11,430   7,109   11,430 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances  419   7,656   20,000   7,656 
Subordinated debt  24,488   24,474   24,517   24,474 
Note payable  159   170   139   170 
Finance lease obligations  4,363   4,107   4,296   4,107 
Accrued interest and other liabilities  6,952   8,554   7,712   8,554 
Total Liabilities  1,335,016   1,392,584   1,388,977   1,392,584 
Shareholders' Equity        
Shareholders' Equity 1        
Common stock - $0.10 per share par value                
Authorized: 5,000,000;        
Issued: 2,882,458 and 2,861,697        
Outstanding: 2,882,458 and 2,861,697  288   286 
Authorized: 10,000,000;        
Issued: 5,783,966 and 5,723,394        
Outstanding: 5,783,966 and 5,723,394  578   286 
Unearned compensation – restricted stock awards  (1,550)  (925)  (1,328)  (925)
Paid-in capital  47,099   46,374   47,252   46,374 
Retained earnings  92,648   89,995   98,980   89,995 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net  (8,419)  870   (22,321)  870 
Total Shareholders' Equity  130,066   136,600   123,161   136,600 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $1,465,082  $1,529,184  $1,512,138  $1,529,184 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1 The number of shares for all periods has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forwards stock split effective June 30, 2022. 

 3 

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts)  2022   2021 
                
  Three months ended   Nine months ended 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share amounts)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Interest and dividend income                        
Interest and fees on loans $10,163  $10,477  $11,541  $10,264  $32,280  $30,642 
Interest on debt securities                        
Taxable  724   423   903   486   2,486   1,398 
Tax exempt  174   162   213   172   575   506 
Other interest and dividends  57   34   352   79   517   174 
Total interest and dividend income  11,118   11,096   13,009   11,001   35,858   32,720 
Interest expense                        
Deposits  478   555   883   532   1,938   1,652 
Repurchase agreements  3   3   4   5   11   13 
Finance lease  41   32   41   33   122   102 
Note payable  2   3   2   3   7   9 
Subordinated Debt  233   119 
Subordinated debt  233   233   699   767 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances  55   34   2   30   57   96 
Total interest expense  812   746   1,165   836   2,834   2,639 
Net interest and dividend income  10,306   10,350   11,844   10,165   33,024   30,081 
Provision for loan losses  363   158 
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses  9,943   10,192 
Provision (release) for loan losses  695   400   2,158   (517)
Net interest and dividend income after provision (release) for loan losses  11,149   9,765   30,866   30,598 
Non-interest income                        
Trust and wealth advisory  1,241   1,146   1,228   1,286   3,762   3,685 
Service charges and fees  1,138   950   1,219   1,211   4,080   3,536 
Mortgage banking activities, net  355   608   64   108   497   912 
Losses on CRA mutual fund  (42)  (16)
Gains on sales and calls of available -for-sale securities, net  210    
BOLI income and gains  162   125 
Losses on mutual fund  (47)  (4)  (119)  (18)
Gains (losses) on securities, net     7   165   (2)
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income  201   135   615   386 
Gain on sale of assets     73      73 
Other  30   28   28   24   84   81 
Total non-interest income  3,094   2,841   2,693   2,840   9,084   8,653 
Non-interest expense                        
Salaries  3,479   2,901   3,802   3,361   10,938   9,664 
Employee benefits  1,277   1,312   1,224   1,322   3,789   3,990 
Premises and equipment  1,104   954   1,117   1,060   3,200   3,034 
Loss on sale of assets  9    
Write-down of assets     144   3   144 
Information processing and services  685   565   711   632   2,098   1,824 
Professional fees  787   711   689   735   2,297   2,090 
Collections, OREO, and loan related  117   84 
Collections, OREO and loan related  67   120   300   317 
FDIC insurance  171   145   98   146   391   370 
Marketing and community support  184   82   214   256   661   552 
Amortization of intangibles  54   71   46   61   150   198 
Other  786   434   544   447   1,872   1,448 
Total non-interest expense  8,653   7,259   8,512   8,284   25,699   23,631 
Income before income taxes  4,384   5,774   5,330   4,321   14,251   15,620 
Income tax provision  816   1,248   994   868   2,501   3,288 
Net income $3,568  $4,526  $4,336  $3,453  $11,750  $12,332 
Net income available to common shareholders $3,508  $4,462  $4,264  $3,400  $11,543  $12,148 
        
Basic earnings per common share $1.24  $1.59 
Diluted earnings per common share  1.23   1.59 
Common dividends per share  0.32   0.29 
        
Basic earnings per common share 1 $0.75  $0.60  $2.04  $2.16 
Diluted earnings per common share 1 $0.75  $0.60  $2.03  $2.15 
Common dividends per share 1 $0.16  $0.16  $0.48  $0.45 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1 The number of shares for all periods has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split effective June 30,2022.

 4 

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
                
  Three months ended   Nine months ended 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net income $3,568  $4,526  $4,336  $3,453  $11,750  $12,332 
Other comprehensive loss        
Other comprehensive (loss) income                
Net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale  (11,549)  (1,828)  (9,855)  (1,199)  (29,191)  (2,153)
Reclassification of net realized gains in net income (1)  (210)   
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses in net income (1)     (7)  (165)  2 
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale  (11,759)  (1,828)  (9,855)  (1,206)  (29,356)  (2,151)
Income tax benefit  2,470   383   2,070   254   6,165   451 
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale, net of tax  (9,289)  (1,445)  (7,785)  (952)  (23,191)  (1,700)
Comprehensive (loss) income $(5,721) $3,081  $(3,449) $2,501  $(11,441) $10,632 

 

(1) Reclassification adjustments include realized security gains.gains and losses. The gains and losses have been reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and have affected certain lines in the consolidated statements of income as follows: the pretaxThe pre-tax amount is reflected as gains (losses) on sales and calls onof available-for-sale securities, net;net, the tax effect is included in the income tax provision and the after-taxafter tax amount is included in net income. The incomenet tax expense related to reclassification of net realized gains was approximately $44 thousand and $0 thousandeffect for the three-months ended March 31,three months ending September 30, 2022 and 2021 are $0 thousand and $(1) thousand, respectively. The net tax effect for the nine months ending September 30, 2022 and 2021 were $(34) thousand and $1 thousand, respectively.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 Common Stock Paid-in Retained Unearned compensation restricted stock Accumulated other comprehensive Total shareholders'
  Shares Amount Capital Earnings awards (loss) income equity
Balances at December 31, 2020  2,843,292  $284  $45,264  $76,974  ($774) $3,004  $124,752 
Net income           4,526         4,526 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (1,445)  (1,445)
Common stock dividends declared ($0.29 per share)           (825)        (825)
Issuance of restricted common stock  100      4      (4)      
Stock Options exercised  1,755   1   30            31 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        71      132      203 
Balances at March 31, 2021  2,845,147  $285  $45,369  $80,675  ($646) $1,559  $127,242 
Balances at December 31, 2021  2,861,697  $286  $46,374  $89,995  ($925) $870  $136,600 
Net income           3,568         3,568 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (9,289)  (9,289)
Common stock dividends declared ($0.32 per share)           (915)        (915)
Issuance of restricted common stock  14,350   2   811      (813)      
Issuance of restricted stock units upon vesting  6,411      (183)           (183)
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        97      188      285 
Balances at March 31, 2022  2,882,458  $288  $47,099  $92,648  ($1,550) ($8,419) $130,066 
                             
Three months ended September 30,

(dollars in thousands)

 Common Stock Paid-in Retained Unearned compensation restricted stock Accumulated other comprehensive Total shareholders'
  Shares1 Amount Capital Earnings awards (loss) income equity
Balances at June 30, 2021  5,723,394  $286  $46,217  $84,174  $(1,224) $2,256  $131,709 
Net income           3,453         3,453 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (952)  (952)
Common stock dividends declared           (887)        (887)
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        61      149      210 
Balances at September 30, 2021  5,723,394  $286  $46,278  $86,740  $(1,075) $1,304  $133,533 
Balances at June 30, 2022  5,783,966  $578  $47,205  $95,568  $(1,512) $(14,536) $127,303 
Net income           4,336         4,336 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (7,785)  (7,785)
Common stock dividends declared           (924)        (924)
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        47      184      231 
Balances at September 30, 2022  5,783,966  $578  $47,252  $98,980  $(1,328) $(22,321) $123,161 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1 The number of shares for all periods has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split effective June 30,2022.

5

               
Nine months ended September 30,

(dollars in thousands)

 Common Stock Paid-in Retained Unearned compensation restricted stock Accumulated other comprehensive Total shareholders'
  Shares1 Amount Capital Earnings awards (loss) income equity
Balances at December 31, 2020  5,686,584  $284  $45,264  $76,974  $(774) $3,004  $124,752 
Net income for period           12,332         12,332 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (1,700)  (1,700)
Common stock dividends declared           (2,566)        (2,566)
Stock options exercised  3,510   1   30            31 
Issuance of restricted common stock  27,700   1   623      (624)      
Issuance of director’s restricted stock awards  5,600      126      (126)      
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        235      449      684 
Balances at September 30, 2021  5,723,394  $286  $46,278  $86,740  $(1,075) $1,304  $133,533 
Balances at December 31, 2021  5,723,394  $286  $46,374  $89,995  $(925) $870  $136,600 
Net income for period           11,750         11,750 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                 (23,191)  (23,191)
Common stock dividends declared           (2,765)        (2,765)
Issuance of restricted stock awards  28,700   2   811      (813)      
Stock options exercised  11,070   1   94            95 
Issuance of performance based stock awards  12,822      (183)           (183)
Issuance of director’s restricted stock awards  7,980      205      (205)      
Transfer due to 2-for-1 forward stock split     289   (289)            
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards        240      615      855 
Balances at September 30, 2022  5,783,966  $578  $47,252  $98,980  $(1,328) $(22,321) $123,161 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1 The number of shares for all periods has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split effective June 30,2022.

5

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
Operating Activities        
Net income $3,568  $4,526 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
(Accretion), amortization and depreciation:        
Securities  361   178 
Bank premises and equipment  392   363 
Core deposit intangible  53   71 
Modification fees on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances  21   5 
Subordinated debt issuance costs  14   4 
Mortgage servicing rights  39   75 
(Gains) and losses, including write-downs        
Loss on CRA mutual fund  42   16 
Gain on sales of securities available-for-sale, net  (210)   
Gain on sales of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights  (275)  (494)
Sales/disposals of premises and equipment  9    
Provision for loan losses  363   158 
Proceeds from loans sold  8,852   21,281 
Loans originated for sale  (6,963)  (20,365)
(Increase) decrease in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net  (476)  993 
Mortgage servicing rights originated  (55)  (193)
Decrease in mortgage servicing rights impairment reserve     (9)
Decrease in interest receivable  365   136 
Deferred tax expense (benefit)  467   (54)
Increase in prepaid expenses  (111)  (36)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies  (162)  (125)
Decrease (increase) in other assets  403   (497)
Decrease in income tax receivable  79    
Decrease in accrued expenses  (1,537)  (1,002)
Increase in income tax payable     1,118 
Decrease in interest payable  (12)  (6)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities  (53)  48 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards  285   203 
Net cash provided by operating activities  5,459   6,394 
Investing Activities        
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  320    
Purchases of securities available-for-sale  (145,297)  (40,466)
Reinvestment of CRA mutual fund  (3)  (3)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale  17,718    
Proceeds from maturities/principal payments of securities available-for-sale  102,413   9,528 
Loan originations and principal collections, net  641   (14,611)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  6   13 
Capital expenditures  (343)  (839)
Net cash utilized by investing activities $(24,545) $(46,378)

 6 

 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

        
Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
Operating Activities        
Net income $11,750  $12,332 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities        
(Accretion), amortization and depreciation        
Securities  1,082   807 
Bank premises and equipment  1,202   1,142 
Core deposit intangible  149   198 
Modification fees on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances  21   17 
Subordinated debt issuance costs  43   159 
Mortgage servicing rights  117   167 
(Gains) and losses, including write-downs        
Sales and calls of securities available-for-sale, net  (165)  2 
CRA Mutual Fund  119   18 
Sales of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights  (306)  (653)
Loss on write-down of asset  3   144 
Gain on sale of premises and equipment     (73)
Gain on redemption of Bank Owen Life Insurance  (89)   
Provision (release) for loan losses  2,158   (517)
Proceeds from loans sold  11,343   30,364 
Loans originated for sale  (4,444)  (27,615)
Increase in deferred loan origination costs, net  (717)  (58)
Mortgage servicing rights originated  (72)  (276)
Decrease in interest receivable  248   441 
(Increase) decrease in deferred tax benefit  (129)  87 
Increase in prepaid expenses  (71)  (416)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies  (526)  (386)
Decrease (increase) in income tax receivable  452   (429)
Increase (decrease) in income tax payable  101   (320)
Increase in other assets  (50)  (509)
Decrease in accrued expenses  (904)  (290)
Decrease in interest payable  (31)  (9)
Increase in other liabilities  122   365 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards  855   684 
Net cash provided by operating activities  22,263   15,378 
Investing Activities        
Net (purchases) redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  (90)  209 
Maturity of Interest-Bearing Time Deposits with Financial Institutions  750   0 
Purchases of securities available-for-sale  (52,176)  (107,811)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale  22,012   3,311 
Proceeds from calls of securities available-for-sale  1,500   8,500 
Proceeds from principal payments and maturities of securities available-for-sale  11,626   15,883 
Reinvestment of CRA Mutual Fund  (1,100)  (8)
Loan originations and principal collections, net  (115,135)  (29,323)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  42   185 
Proceeds from sale/ disposal of premises and equipment     248 
Capital expenditures  (793)  (1,889)
Purchase of life insurance policies  (2,507)  (3,500)
Proceeds from life insurance policy  672    
Net cash used by investing activities $(135,199) $(114,195)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

7

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
Financing Activities        
(Decrease) increase in deposit transaction accounts, net $(54,923) $85,358 
Increase (decrease) in time deposits, net  9,204   (3,261)
(Decrease) increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net  (3,269)  1,571 
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston long term advances  (6,000)   
Issuance of subordinated debt, net of costs     24,418 
Principal payments on amortizing FHLB Advances  (1,258)  (1,248)
Principal payments on note payable  (11)  (11)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations  (33)  (15)
Stock options exercised     31 
Net settlement of restricted stock units  (183)   
Common stock dividends paid  (915)  (825)
Net cash (utilized) provided by financing activities  (57,388)  106,018 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (76,474)  66,034 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  175,335   93,162 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $98,861  $159,196 
Cash paid during period        
Interest $789  $743 
Income taxes  270   183 
         
Non cash investing and financing activities:        
Fixed Asset  289    
Finance lease liability  (289)   
Loans transferred to Loans Held for Sale  3,389    
        
Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
Financing Activities        
Increase in deposit transaction accounts, net $(1,839) $167,973 
Decrease in time deposits, net  (9,150)  (7,419)
(Decrease) increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net  (4,321)  3,334 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston long-term maturities/payments  (6,000)   
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston short-term advances, net change  20,000    
Principal payments on Amortizing Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advance  (1,677)  (3,751)
Issuance of Sub Debt, net of issuance costs     24,418 
Repayment of Sub Debt     (10,000)
Principal payments on note payable  (31)  (28)
Decrease in finance lease obligation  (230)  (42)
Stock options exercised  95   31 
Net settlement of restricted stock units  (183)   
Common stock dividends paid  (2,766)  (2,566)
Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities  (6,102)  171,950 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (119,038)  73,133 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  175,335   93,162 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $56,297  $166,295 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

        
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:        
Cash paid for interest $2,801  $2,472 
Cash paid for income taxes  2,077   3,948 
 Non cash investing and financing activities:        
Fixed Assets $419  $ 
Finance lease liability  (419)   
Transfers from Fixed Assets to Other Assets     727 
Loans transferred to Loans Held for Sale  3,909    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 78 

 

SalisburySalisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim (unaudited)unaudited consolidated financial statements of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. ("Salisbury") include those of Salisbury and its wholly owned subsidiary, Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"). In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of Salisbury and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented.presented (collectively, the financial statements).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities.

Salisbury increased the number of issued and authorized common shares and effected a two-for-one forward stock split of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2022. The par value of common stock was not adjusted as a result of the forward stock split. All share and per share amounts in the financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to this forward stock split.

Certain financial information, which is normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but which is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted. Operating results for the interim period ended March 31,September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Salisbury's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses is a significant accounting policy and is presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which provides information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying those amounts, managementAnalysis. Management has identified the determination of the allowance for loan losses to be the accounting area that requires the most subjective judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which adds a new Topic 326 to the Codification and removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will removeremoves all recognition thresholds and will requirerequires companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for-sale debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04 which clarifiedclarifies the treatment of accrued interest when measuring credit losses. Entities may: (1) measure the allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable balances separately from other components of the amortized cost basis of associated financial assets; (2) make various accounting policy elections regarding the treatment of accrued interest receivable; or (3) elect a practical expedient to disclose separately the total amount of accrued interest included in the amortized cost basis as a single balance to meet certain disclosure requirements. ASU 2019-04 also clarifiedclarifies that expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off should be included in the valuation account and should not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by the entity. In addition, for collateral dependent financial assets, the amendments clarify that an allowance for credit losses that is added to the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) should not exceed amounts previously written off. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which delayed the effective date of ASU 2016-13 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 for smaller reporting companies, although early adoption is permitted. Salisbury meets the definition of a smaller reporting company. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” which clarifiedclarifies or addressedaddresses specific issues about certain aspects of the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The amendments in ASU 2019-11 clarifiedclarify the following: (1) The allowance for credit losses (ACL) for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration should include expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by the entity and should not exceed the aggregate of amounts of the amortized cost basis previously written off and expected to be written off by an entity. In addition, the amendments clarify that when a method other than a discounted cash flow method is used to estimate expected credit losses, expected recoveries should not include any amounts that result in an acceleration of the noncredit discount. An entity may include increases in expected cashflows after acquisition; (2) Transition relief will be provided by permitting entities an accounting policy election to adjust the effective interest rate on existing troubled debt restructurings using prepayment assumptions on the date of adoption of Topic 326 rather than the prepayment assumptions in effect immediately before the restructuring; (3) Disclosure relief will be extended for accrued interest receivable balances to additional relevant disclosures involving amortized cost basis; (4) An entity should assess whether it reasonably expects the borrower will be able to continually replenish collateral securing the financial asset to apply the practical expedient. The amendments clarify that an entity applying the practical expedient should estimate expected credit losses for any difference between the amount of the amortized cost basis that is greater than the fair value of the collateral securing the financial asset (that is, the unsecured portion of the amortized cost basis). An entity may determine that the expectation of nonpayment for the amount of the amortized cost basis equal to the fair value of the collateral securing the financial asset is zero. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, which clarifiedclarifies the treatment of accrued interest when measuring credit losses. The amendments in this Update eliminate the TDR recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update require that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20.

8

Upon adoption, Salisbury will apply the standards’ provisions as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Salisbury anticipates that the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and related updates will impact the consolidated financial statements as it relates to the balance in the allowance for loan losses. Salisbury has engaged a third-party software vendor to model the allowance for loan losses in conformance with this ASU. Salisbury will continue to refine this model and assess the impact to its consolidated financial statements.

9

The Bank is working towards the completion of its ACL methodology. To estimate the ACL for loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as unfunded loan commitments, Salisbury will utilize a discounted cash flow model that contains additional assumptions to calculate credit losses over the estimated life of financial assets and off-balance sheet credit exposures and will include the impact of forecasted economic conditions. The estimate is expected to include a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period and thereafter a one-year reversion period to the historical mean of its macroeconomic assumption. The estimate will also include qualitative factors that may not be reflected in quantitatively derived results to ensure that the ACL reflects a reasonable estimate of current expected credit losses.

The Bank is currently refining various ACL assumptions and running parallel calculations on a monthly basis. Salisbury estimates that under the CECL framework, the ACL would be $11.7$14.2 million compared with the allowance for loan losses of $12.9$14.3 million reported on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31,September 30, 2022. In addition, Salisbury estimates that the ACL for unfunded commitments would be approximately $0.9$1.1 million compared with the allowance of $0.1$0.2 million recorded on its consolidated balance sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2022. Salisbury will continue to refine its ACL methodology prior to implementation of CECL on January 1, 2023. In addition, the estimated ACL and allowance for unfunded commitments under both the Incurred Loss method and CECL will be affected by various factors, which include but are not limited to, changes in the composition and balance of Salisbury’s loan portfolio and unfunded commitments, changes to internal risk ratings of borrowers, changes to the risk-profile of the loan portfolio, changes in various macro-economic indicators, the impact of COVID-19 and geo-political events on the business environment, and other factors.

Based on the credit quality of Salisbury’s existing available for sale debt securities portfolio, which primarily consists of obligations of U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities, including mortgage-backed securities, Salisbury does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13, as it relates to debt securities, to be significant. For available for sale debt securities with unrealized losses, credit losses will be recognized as an allowance rather than a reduction in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, improvements to estimated credit losses will be recognized immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).” In response to the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as a reference rate, this ASU clarifies the scope of Topic 848 so that derivatives affected by this transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848. An entity may elect to apply the amendments in this ASU on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 or on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final Update, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The transition from LIBOR is not expected to have a material impact on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-01, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Fair Value Hedging – Portfolio Layer Method.” The amendments in this update clarified the following: (1) The current last-of-layer method that permits only one hedged layer has been expanded to allow multiple hedged layers of a single closed portfolio. To reflect that expansion, the last-of-layer method is renamed the portfolio layer method; (2) The scope of the portfolio layer method has been expanded to include non-pre-payable financial assets; (3) Eligible hedging instruments in a single-layer hedge may include spot-starting or forward-starting constant-notional swaps, or spot-or forward-starting amortizing-notional swaps and that the number of hedged layers (that is, single or multiple) corresponds with the number of hedges designated; (4) Additional guidance is provided on the accounting for and disclosure of hedge basis adjustments that are applicable to the portfolio layer method whether a single hedged layer or multiple hedged layers are designated; and (5) How hedge basis adjustments should be considered when determining credit losses for the assets included in the closed portfolio. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for any entity that has adopted the amendments in ASU 2017-12 for the corresponding period. Salisbury does not expect the implementation of ASU 2022-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 910 

 

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES

The composition of securities is as follows:

(in thousands)  Amortized cost basis   Gross un-realized gains   Gross un-realized losses   Fair value 
March 31, 2022                
Available-for-sale                
U.S. Treasury $20,243  $  $1,140  $19,103 
U.S. Government Agency notes  33,013   119   1,199   31,933 
Municipal bonds  51,547   52   3,300   48,299 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government - sponsored enterprises  80,554   37   3,795   76,796 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies  27,202   7   1,289   25,920 
Corporate bonds  13,750   39   188   13,601 
Total securities available-for-sale $226,309  $254  $10,911  $215,652 
CRA mutual fund             $862 
Non-marketable securities                
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $1,077  $  $  $1,077 
(in thousands)  Amortized cost basis   Gross un-realized gains   Gross un-realized losses   Fair value 
December 31, 2021                
Available-for-sale                
U.S. Treasury $15,301  $12  $182  $15,131 
U.S. Government Agency notes  31,623   237   256   31,604 
Municipal bonds  46,469   1,557   204   47,822 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  74,703   643   805   74,541 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies  20,948   135   185   20,898 
Corporate bonds  12,250   158   8   12,400 
Total securities available-for-sale $201,294  $2,742  $1,640  $202,396 
CRA mutual fund             $901 
Non-marketable securities                
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $1,397  $  $  $1,397 
(in thousands)  Amortized cost basis   Gross un-realized gains   Gross un-realized losses   Fair value 
September 30, 2022                
Available-for-sale                
U.S. Treasury $19,266  $  $2,289  $16,977 
U.S. Government Agency notes  30,552   114   2,742   27,924 
Municipal bonds  55,260      10,650   44,610 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  72,163   30   8,713   63,480 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies  25,925      3,334   22,591 
Corporate bonds  14,250      671   13,579 
Total securities available-for-sale $217,416  $144  $28,399  $189,161 
Mutual fund                            $1,882 
Non-marketable securities                
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $1,487  $  $  $1,487 
(in thousands)  Amortized cost basis   Gross un-realized gains   Gross un-realized losses   Fair value 
December 31, 2021                
Available-for-sale                
U.S. Treasury $15,301  $12  $182  $15,131 
U.S. Government Agency notes  31,623   237   256   31,604 
Municipal bonds  46,469   1,557   204   47,822 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  74,703   643   805   74,541 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies  20,948   135   185   20,898 
Corporate bonds  12,250   158   8   12,400 
Total securities available-for-sale $201,294  $2,742  $1,640  $202,396 
Mutual fund             $901 
Non-marketable securities                
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $1,397  $  $  $1,397 

Salisbury did not sell any available-for-sale securities during the three month periods ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. Salisbury sold $17.722.0 million of available-for-sale securities during the three-monthnine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2022 realizing gains of $451 thousand and losses of $241 thousand resulting in a netpre-tax gain of $210165 thousand and a related tax expense of $4435 thousand. Salisbury did not sell anysold $3.3 million of available-for-sale securities during the three-monthnine month period ended March 31, 2021.September 30, 2021 realizing a pre-tax loss of $2 thousand and a related tax benefit of $0.4 thousand.

 1011 

 

The following table summarizes the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the date presented:

                        
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
March 31, 2022 (in thousands) Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses
September 30, 2022 (in thousands) Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses
Available-for-sale                                    
U.S. Treasury $19,103  $1,140  $  $  $19,103  $1,140  $8,091  $763  $8,886  $1,526  $16,977  $2,289 
U.S. Government Agency notes  20,669   1,159   4,867   40   25,536   1,199   4,804   589   15,151   2,153   19,955   2,742 
Municipal bonds  42,942   3,242   493   58   43,435   3,300   37,026   8,290   7,584   2,360   44,610   10,650 
Mortgage- backed securities:                                                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  58,882   2,945   12,697   850   71,579   3,795 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                        
U.S. Government agencies  22,414   1,289         22,414   1,289 
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government - sponsored enterprises  28,503   3,960   29,335   4,753   57,838   8,713 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  21,173   3,056   1,418   278   22,591   3,334 
Corporate bonds  5,312   188         5,312   188   8,579   671         8,579   671 
Total temporarily impaired securities $169,322  $9,963  $18,057  $948  $187,379  $10,911  $108,176  $17,329  $62,374  $11,070  $170,550  $28,399 
             
  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses Fair value Unrealized losses
Available-for-sale                        
U.S. Treasury $12,155  $182  $  $  $12,155  $182 
U.S. Government Agency notes  22,137   235   2,019   21   24,156   256 
Municipal bonds  12,496   204   552      13,048   204 
Mortgage-backed securities:                        
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises  52,619   740   3,195   65   55,814   805 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  11,554   185         11,554   185 
Corporate bonds  1,742   8         1,742   8 
Total temporarily impaired securities $112,703  $1,554  $5,766  $86  $118,469  $1,640 

The table below presents the amortized cost, fair value and tax equivalent yield of securities, by maturity. Debt securities issued by U.S. Government agencies (SBA securities), MBS, and CMOS are disclosed separately in the table below as these securities may prepay prior to the scheduled contractual maturity dates.

March 31, 2022 (in thousands) Maturity Amortized cost  Fair value  Yield(1) 
September 30, 2022 (in thousands) Maturity Amortized cost  Fair value  Yield(1) 
U.S. Treasury After 1 year but within 5 years $6,918  $6,729   1.48% After 1 year but within 5 years $7,871  $7,239   1.32%
 After 5 year but within 10 years  13,325   12,374   1.17  After 5 year but within 10 years  11,395   9,738   1.18 
 Total  20,243   19,103   1.28  Total  19,266   16,977   1.24 
U.S. Government Agency notes After 1 year but within 5 years  996   930   1.09  After 1 year but within 5 years  4,979   4,319   0.97 
 After 5 year but within 10 years  14,913   13,921   1.24  After 5 year but within 10 years  10,938   9,189   1.35 
 Total  15,909   14,851   1.23  Total  15,917   13,508   1.23 
Municipal bonds After 1 year but within 5 years  512   490   1.74  After 1 year but within 5 years  511   459   1.74 
 After 5 year but within 10 years  12,789   11,893   2.38  After 5 year but within 10 years  15,282   12,445   2.31 
 After 10 years but within 15 years  12,393   11,547   2.38  After 10 years but within 15 years  12,842   10,382   2.53 
 After 15 years  25,853   24,369   2.54  After 15 years  26,625   21,324   2.84 
 Total  51,547   48,299   2.45  Total  55,260   44,610   2.61 
Mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized mortgage obligations Securities not due at a single maturity date  124,860   119,798   1.91  Securities not due at a single maturity date  112,723   100,487   2.29 
 Total  124,860   119,798   1.91  Total  112,723   100,487   2.29 
Corporate bonds After 5 years but within 10 years  13,250   13,101   4.33  After 5 years but within 10 years  13,250   12,596   4.32 
 After 10 years but within 15 years  500   500   4.75  After 10 years but within 15 years  1,000   983   6.25 
 Total  13,750   13,601   4.35  Total  14,250   13,579   4.46 
Securities available-for-sale   $226,309  $215,652   2.16%   $217,416  $189,161   2.45%

(1)Yield is based on amortized cost.

Salisbury evaluates debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) whenOTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers whether it has the intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

11

The following summarizes, by security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable debt securities were OTTI at March 31,September 30, 2022.

U.S. Treasury notes: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by the U.S. government. ElevenTen securities had unrealized losses at March 31,September 30, 2022, which approximated 5.63%11.88% of their amortized cost. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality since time of purchase. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Management evaluated the impairment status of these debt securities and concluded that the gross unrealized losses were temporary in nature. Therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at March 31,September 30, 2022.

12

U.S. Government Agency notes: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by the U.S. government. Twenty-fiveTwenty two securities had unrealized losses at March 31,September 30, 2022, which approximated 4.49%12.08% of their amortized cost. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality since time of purchase. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Management evaluated the impairment status of these debt securities and concluded that the gross unrealized losses were temporary in nature. Therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at March 31,September 30, 2022.

Municipal bonds: Salisbury performed a detailed analysis of the municipal bond portfolio. Fifty-fourSixty six securities had unrealized losses at March 31,September 30, 2022, which approximated 7.06%19.27% of their amortized cost. Management believes the unrealized loss position is attributable to interest rate and spread movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Management evaluated the impairment status of these debt securities, and concluded that the gross unrealized losses were temporary in nature. Therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at March 31,September 30, 2022.

U.S. Government agency and U.S. Government-sponsored mortgage-backedenterprise securities and collateralized mortgage obligations: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Ninety-fiveNinety two securities had unrealized losses at March 31,September 30, 2022, which approximated 5.13%13.03% of their amortized cost. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31,September 30, 2022.

Corporate bonds: Salisbury regularly monitors and analyzes its corporate bond portfolio for credit quality. SevenEleven securities had unrealized losses at March 31,September 30, 2022, which approximated 3.41%7.26% of their amortized cost. Management believes the unrealized loss position is attributable to interest rate and spread movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Management evaluated the impairment status of these debt securities and concluded that the gross unrealized losses were temporary in nature. Therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at March 31,September 30, 2022.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) is a cooperative that provides services, including funding in the form of advances, to its member banking institutions. As a requirement of membership, the Bank must own a minimum amount of FHLBB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLBB. No market exists for shares of the FHLBB and therefore, they are carried at par value. FHLBB stock may be redeemed at par value five years following termination of FHLBB membership, subject to limitations which may be imposed by the FHLBB or its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board, to maintain capital adequacy of the FHLBB. While the Bank currently has no intentions to terminate its FHLBB membership, the ability to redeem its investment in FHLBB stock would be subject to the conditions imposed by the FHLBB. Based on the capital adequacy and the liquidity position of the FHLBB, management believes there is no impairment related to the carrying amount of the Bank’s FHLBB stock as of March 31,September 30, 2022. Future deteriorationDeterioration of the FHLBB’s capital levels couldmay require the Bank to deem its restricted investment in FHLBB stock to be OTTI. If evidence of impairment exists in the future, the FHLBB stock would reflect fair value using either observable or unobservable inputs. The Bank will continue to monitor its investment in FHLBB stock.

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NOTE 3 – LOANS

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:

(In thousands)  March 31, 2022  December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
Residential 1-4 family $381,207  $373,131  $414,957  $373,131 
Residential 5+ multifamily  53,376   52,325   70,459   52,325 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  20,818   19,738   21,527   19,738 
Home equity lines of credit  23,276   23,270   24,895   23,270 
Residential real estate  478,677   468,464   531,838   468,464 
Commercial  310,815   310,923   367,257   310,923 
Construction of commercial  65,273   58,838   45,762   58,838 
Commercial real estate  376,088   369,761   413,019   369,761 
Farm land  2,778   2,807   4,225   2,807 
Vacant land  14,710   14,182   14,796   14,182 
Real estate secured  872,253   855,214   963,878   855,214 
Commercial and industrial ex PPP Loans  163,832   169,543   186,527   169,543 
PPP Loans  13,666   25,589   469   25,589 
Total Commercial and industrial  177,498   195,132   186,996   195,132 
Municipal  14,263   16,534   18,607   16,534 
Consumer  14,356   12,547   20,344   12,547 
Loans receivable, gross  1,078,370   1,079,427   1,189,825   1,079,427 
Deferred loan origination costs, net  761   285   1,002   285 
Allowance for loan losses  (12,915)  (12,962)  (14,334)  (12,962)
Loans receivable, net $1,066,216  $1,066,750  $1,176,493  $1,066,750 
Loans held-for-sale                
Residential 1-4 family $1,070  $2,684  $  $2,684 
13

 

Salisbury has entered into loan participation agreements with other banks and transferred a portion of its originated loans to the participating banks. Transferred amounts are accounted for as sales and excluded from Salisbury’s loans receivable. Salisbury and its participating lenders share ratably in any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan. Salisbury services the loans on behalf of the participating lenders and, as such, collects cash payments from the borrowers, remits payments (net of servicing fees) to participating lenders and disburses required escrow funds to relevant parties.

Salisbury also has entered into loan participation agreements with other banks and purchased a portion of the other banks’ originated loans.  Purchased amounts are accounted for as loans without recourse to the originating bank.  Salisbury and its originating lenders share ratably in any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan.  The originating banks service the loans on behalf of the participating lenders and, as such, collect cash payments from the borrowers, remit payments (net of servicing fees) to participating lenders and disburse required escrow funds to relevant parties. 

At March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Salisbury serviced commercial loans for other banks under loan participation agreements totaling $77.358.5 million and $77.5 million, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Salisbury's loans consist primarily of residential and commercial real estate loans located principally in Litchfield County, Connecticut; Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties, New York; and Berkshire County, Massachusetts, which constitute Salisbury's service area. Salisbury offers a broad range of loan and credit facilities to borrowers in its service area, including residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, working capital loans, equipment loans, and a variety of consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, installment loans and collateral loans. All residential and commercial mortgage loans are collateralized by first or second mortgages on real estate. The ability of single family residential and consumer borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is generally dependent on the level of overall economic activity within the market area and real estate values. The ability of commercial borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is dependent on the general economy as well as the health of the real estate economic sector in Salisbury’s market area.

Salisbury’s commercial loan portfolio is comprised of loans to diverse industries, several of which may experience operating challenges due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic (“virus”). Approximately 40%36% of the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio are to entities who operate rental properties, which include commercial strip malls, smaller rental units as well as multi-unit dwellings. Approximately 12%9% of the Bank’s commercial loans are to entities in the hospitality industry, which includes hotels, bed & breakfast inns and restaurants. Approximately 9% of the Bank’s commercial loans are to educational institutions and approximately 6%4% of Salisbury’s commercial loans are to entertainment and recreation related businesses, which include camps and amusement parks. Salisbury’s commercial real estate exposure as a percentage of the Bank’s total risk-based capital, which represents Tier 1 plus Tier 2 capital, was approximately 181%192% as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and 179% at December 31, 2021 compared to the regulatory monitoring guideline of 300%.

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Salisbury’s commercial loan exposure is mitigated by a variety of factors including the personal liquidity of the borrower, real estate and/or non-real estate collateral, U.S. Department of Agriculture or Small Business Administration (“SBA”) guarantees, loan payment deferrals and economic stimulus loans from the U.S. government as a result of the virus, and other factors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,Rising interest rates, unemployment and an economic recession may cause the Bank mayto experience higher loan payment delinquencies and higher loan charge-offs, which could warrant increased provisions for loan losses. Management is currently unable to predict the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact these and other borrowers.

At March 31,September 30, 2022 Salisbury had gross PPP loan balances, of $13 million, net of deferred fees, of $0.4 million on its consolidated balance sheet compared with approximately $25 million at December 31, 2021. The PPP loans are reported on Salisbury’s balance sheet at their outstanding principal balance, net of unamortized deferred loan origination fees and costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Deferred loan origination fees and costs on the loans are amortized as an adjustment to yield over the lives of the related loans, which is predominately five years. For the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, Salisbury recorded net interest income of $46 thousand and net origination fees of $0.4 million on PPP loans compared with interest income and net origination fees of $2323 thousand and $1.169 million,thousand, respectively, on PPP loans compared with $133 thousand and $711 thousand, respectively, for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, Salisbury recorded interest income and net origination fees of $71 thousand and $740 thousand, respectively, on PPP loans compared with $569 thousand and $2.5 million, respectively, for the comparable period ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2022, Salisbury has substantially recognized all of the origination fees on PPP loans.

Credit Quality

Salisbury uses credit risk ratings as part of its determination of the allowance for loan losses. Credit risk ratings categorize loans by common financial and structural characteristics that measure the credit strength of a borrower. The rating model has eight risk rating grades, with each grade corresponding to a progressively greater risk of default. Grades 1 through 4 are considered not criticized and are aggregated as pass rated,ratings and 5 through 8 are criticized as defined by the regulatory agencies. Risk ratings are assigned to differentiate risk within the portfolio and are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised, if needed, to reflect changes in the borrowers' current financial position and outlook, risk profiles and the related collateral and structural positions. Salisbury sold approximately $3.8 million of non-performing and under-performing loans during the first quarter to further manage the Bank’s credit risk proactively.

Loans rated as "special mention" (5) possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans at some future date.

Loans rated as "substandard" (6) are loans where the Bank’s position is clearly not protected adequately by borrower current net worth or payment capacity. These loans have well defined weaknesses based on objective evidence and include loans where future losses to the Bank may result if deficiencies are not corrected, and loans where the primary source of repayment such as income is diminished, and the Bank must rely on sale of collateral or other secondary sources of collection.

Loans rated "doubtful" (7) have the same weaknesses as substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, given current facts, conditions, and values, to be highly improbable. The possibility of loss is high, but due to certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to strengthen the loan, its reclassification as an estimated loss is deferred until its exact status can be determined.

Loans classified as "loss" (8) are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as Bank assets is unwarranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be made in the future.

Management actively reviews and tests its credit risk ratings against actual experience and engages an independent third-party to annually validate its assignment of credit risk ratings. In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio is examined periodically by its regulatory agencies, the FDICFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the CTDOB.Connecticut Department of Banking (“CTDOB”).

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The composition of loans receivable by risk rating grade is as follows:

(in thousands) Pass Special mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total Pass Special mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total
March 31, 2022                        
September 30, 2022                        
Residential 1-4 family $376,063  $3,132  $2,012  $  $  $381,207  $410,458  $3,030  $1,469  $  $  $414,957 
Residential 5+ multifamily  53,214   77   85         53,376   70,308   72   79         70,459 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  20,818               20,818   21,527               21,527 
Home equity lines of credit  23,055   221            23,276   24,730   165            24,895 
Residential real estate  473,150   3,430   2,097         478,677   527,023   3,267   1,548         531,838 
Commercial  274,294   15,949   20,572         310,815   348,824   13,079   5,354         367,257 
Construction of commercial  65,273               65,273   45,762               45,762 
Commercial real estate  339,567   15,949   20,572         376,088   394,586   13,079   5,354         413,019 
Farm land  1,152   1,206   420         2,778   2,402   1,426   397         4,225 
Vacant land  14,673   37            14,710   14,764   32            14,796 
Real estate secured  828,542   20,622   23,089         872,253   938,775   17,804   7,299         963,878 
Commercial and industrial  174,968   584   1,946         177,498   184,584   696   1,716         186,996 
Municipal  14,263               14,263   18,607               18,607 
Consumer  14,354      2         14,356   20,344               20,344 
Loans receivable, gross $1,032,127  $21,206  $25,037  $  $  $1,078,370  $1,162,310  $18,500  $9,015  $  $  $1,189,825 
(in thousands) Pass Special mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total
December 31, 2021                        
Residential 1-4 family $367,225  $3,543  $2,363  $  $  $373,131 
Residential 5+ multifamily  50,588   79   1,658         52,325 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  19,738               19,738 
Home equity lines of credit  23,037   212   21         23,270 
Residential real estate  460,588   3,834   4,042         468,464 
Commercial  271,821   16,034   23,068         310,923 
Construction of commercial  58,838               58,838 
Commercial real estate  330,659   16,034   23,068         369,761 
Farm land  1,162   1,214   431         2,807 
Vacant land  14,143   39            14,182 
Real estate secured  806,552   21,121   27,541         855,214 
Commercial and industrial  191,857   688   2,587         195,132 
Municipal  16,534               16,534 
Consumer  12,547               12,547 
Loans receivable, gross $1,027,490  $21,809  $30,128  $  $  $1,079,427 

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The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:

   Past due     Past due  
                                
         180 30 Accruing           180 30 Accruing  
(in thousands)     days days 90 days      days days 90 days 
   30-59 60-89 90-179 and and and Non-   30-59 60-89 90-179 and and and Non-
  Current days days days over over over accrual  Current days days days over over over accrual
March 31, 2022                
September 30, 2022                
Residential 1-4 family $379,534  $1,599  $59  $  $15  $1,673  $  $417  $414,910  $20  $12  $  $15  $47  $  $137 
Residential 5+ multifamily  53,376                        70,459                      
Construction of residential 1-4 family  20,818                        21,527                      
Home equity lines of credit  23,210   66            66         24,778   117            117       
Residential real estate  476,938   1,665   59      15   1,739      417   531,674   137   12      15   164      137 
Commercial  310,356      205      254   459      1,887   367,172      85         85      1,199 
Construction of commercial  65,273                        45,762                      
Commercial real estate  375,629      205      254   459      1,887   412,934      85         85      1,199 
Farm land  2,778                     420   4,225                     397 
Vacant land  14,710                        14,796                      
Real estate secured  870,055   1,665   264      269   2,198      2,724   963,629   137   97      15   249      1,733 
Commercial and industrial  177,050      437      11   448   11   28   186,861   23   12   100      135   100   27 
Municipal  14,263                        18,607                      
Consumer  14,312   22   20   2      44   2      20,223   116   5         121       
Loans receivable, gross $1,075,680  $1,687  $721  $2  $280  $2,690  $13  $2,752  $1,189,320  $276  $114  $100  $15  $505  $100  $1,760 

    Past due  
                 
          180 30 Accruing  
(in thousands)     days days 90 days 
    30-59 60-89 90-179 and and and Non-
   Current days days days over over over accrual
December 31, 2021                
Residential 1-4 family $372,620  $223  $135  $63  $90  $511  $  $750 
Residential 5+ multifamily  51,464            861   861      861 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  19,668      70         70       
Home equity lines of credit  23,000   165   98      7   270      21 
Residential real estate  466,752   388   303   63   958   1,712      1,632 
Commercial  310,331   87   251      254   592      1,924 
Construction of commercial  58,838                      
Commercial real estate  369,169   87   251      254   592      1,924 
Farm land  2,807                     432 
Vacant land  14,182                      
Real estate secured  852,910   475   554   63   1,212   2,304      3,988 
Commercial and industrial  194,838   250   32   1   11   294   11   200 
Municipal  16,534                      
Consumer  12,503   40   4         44       
Loans receivable, gross $1,076,785  $765  $590  $64  $1,223  $2,642  $11  $4,188 

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Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

There

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, there were no troubled debt restructurings in the first quarter of 2022 or inrestructurings. For the three monthsand nine month periods ended March 31, 2021. Salisbury currently does not have any commitments to lend additional funds to TDR loans.September 30, 2021, one residential loan with a loan balance of $74 thousand was modified in a troubled debt restructuring for term extension.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

            Three months ended September 30, 2022   Three months ended September 30, 2021   
 Three months ended March 31, 2022 Three months ended March 31, 2021  Beginning balance   Provision (Benefit)   Charge- offs   Reco- veries   Ending balance   Beginning balance   Provision (Benefit)   Charge- offs   Reco- veries   Ending balance 
(in thousands)  Beginning balance  Provision  Charge- offs  Reco- veries  Ending balance  Beginning balance  Provision  Charge- offs  Reco- veries  Ending balance
Residential 1-4 family $2,846  $236  $(19) $  $3,063  $2,646  $208  $(9) $1  $2,430  $3,286  $127  $(45) $25  $3,393  $2,377  $393 $(35) $5  $2,740 
Residential 5+ multifamily  817   234   (231)     820   686   (64        622   1,157   71         1,228   545   156        701 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  186   9         195   65   12         77   333   (103  (25     205   95   41         136 
Home equity lines of credit  198   2   (2     198   252   (57)        195   205   14        219   190   26  (20     196 
Residential real estate  4,047   481   (252)    4,276   3,649   (317  (9)  1  3,324   4,981   109   (70)  25   5,045   3,207   616  (55)  5   3,773 
Commercial  5,416   (117  (103)     5,196   6,546   530   (6)  10   7,080   5,169   598        5,767   6,212   (165)     119   6,166 
Construction of commercial  1,025   114         1,139   596   (12        584   872   (115)        757   668   118        786 
Commercial real estate  6,441   (3  (103)     6,335   7,142   518   (6)  10   7,664   6,041   483       6,524   6,880   (47)    119   6,952 
Farm land  21   (2        19   59   (9        50   27   11         38   32   (1)        31 
Vacant land  95   15         110   180   (71)        109   108   4        112   87   (1)        87 
Real estate secured  10,604   491   (355)     10,740   11,030   121   (15)  11   11,147   11,157   607   (70)  25   11,719   10,206   567  (55)  125   10,843 
Commercial and industrial  1,364   (143  (46  1   1,176   1,397   (28)       1,369   1,480   5         1,485   1,256   73    3   1,332 
Municipal  31   (4)        27   43            43   35   4         39   32   (1)        31 
Consumer  82   33   (15)  5   105   77   (3  (24)  2   52   130   11   (25)  6   122   66   62   (19)  6   115 
Unallocated  881   (14        867   1,207   68         1,275   901   68         969   1,148   (301)        847 
Totals $12,962  $363  $(416) $6  $12,915  $13,754  $158  $(39) $13  $13,886  $13,703  $695  $(95) $31  $14,334  $12,708  $400 $(74) $134  $13,168 

Charge-offs for first quarter 2022 included a write-down of $374 thousand to reduce the carrying value on $

   Nine months ended September 30, 2022   Nine months ended September 30, 2021   
   Beginning balance   Provision (Benefit)   Charge- offs   Reco- veries   Ending balance   Beginning balance   Provision (Benefit)   Charge- offs   Reco- veries   Ending balance 
Residential 1-4 family $2,846  $595  $(73) $25  $3,393  $2,646  $129 $(44) $9  $2,740 
Residential 5+ multifamily  817   642   (231)     1,228   686   15        701 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  186   44   (25     205   65   71         136 
Home equity lines of credit  198   32   (11)     219   252   (36)  (20     196 
Residential real estate  4,047   1,313   (340)  25   5,045   3,649   179  (64)  9   3,773 
Commercial  5,416   722   (372)  1   5,767   6,546   (509)  (7)  136   6,166 
Construction of commercial  1,025   (268)        757   596   208   (18)     786 
Commercial real estate  6,441   454  (372)  1   6,524   7,142   (301)  (25)  136   6,952 
Farm land  21   17         38   59   (28)        31 
Vacant land  95   17         112   180   (94)     1   87 
Real estate secured  10,604   1,801   (712)  26   11,719   11,030   (244)  (89)  146   10,843 
Commercial and industrial  1,364   166   (46)  1   1,485   1,397   17  (131)  49   1,332 
Municipal  31   8         39   43   (12)        31 
Consumer  82   95   (70)  15   122   77   82   (34)  (10)  115 
Unallocated  881   88         969   1,207   (360)        847 
Totals $12,962  $2,158  $(828) $42  $14,334  $13,754  $(517) $(254) $185  $13,168 

3.8 million of non-performing and under-performing loans, which Salisbury sold during the quarter, to the initial bid prices. The proceeds from the sale of these loans subsequently increased by approximately $

239 thousand due to higher final bids. This increase was recorded in mortgage banking activities, net in Salisbury’s consolidated statement of income.

 17 

 

The composition of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

  (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance 
March 31, 2022                        
Residential 1-4 family $379,269  $3,063  $1,938  $  $381,207  $3,063 
Residential 5+ multifamily  53,291   820   85      53,376   820 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  20,818   195         20,818   195 
Home equity lines of credit  23,276   198         23,276   198 
Residential real estate  476,654   4,276   2,023      478,677   4,276 
Commercial  307,548   5,173   3,267   23   310,815   5,196 
Construction of commercial  65,273   1,139         65,273   1,139 
Commercial real estate  372,821   6,312   3,267   23   376,088   6,335 
Farm land  2,358   19   420      2,778   19 
Vacant land  14,710   110         14,710   110 
Real estate secured  866,543   10,717   5,710   23   872,253   10,740 
Commercial and industrial  177,394   1,173   104   3   177,498   1,176 
Municipal  14,263   27         14,263   27 
Consumer  14,356   105         14,356   105 
Unallocated allowance     867            867 
Totals $1,072,556  $12,889  $5,814  $26  $1,078,370  $12,915 

(in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
  Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance   Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance 
December 31, 2021                        
September 30, 2022                        
Residential 1-4 family $370,558  $2,845  $2,573  $1  $373,131  $2,846  $413,456  $3,393  $1,501  $  $414,957  $3,393 
Residential 5+ multifamily  51,376   817   949      52,325   817   70,380   1,228   79      70,459   1,228 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  19,738   186         19,738   186   21,527   205         21,527   205 
Home equity lines of credit  23,249   198   21      23,270   198   24,895   219         24,895   219 
Residential real estate  464,921   4,046   3,543   1   468,464   4,047   530,258   5,045   1,580      531,838   5,045 
Commercial  307,377   5,388   3,546   28   310,923   5,416   364,729   5,745   2,528   22   367,257   5,767 
Construction of commercial  58,838   1,025         58,838   1,025   45,762   757         45,762   757 
Commercial real estate  366,215   6,413   3,546   28   369,761   6,441   410,491   6,502   2,528   22   413,019   6,524 
Farm land  2,375   21   432      2,807   21   3,828   38   397      4,225   38 
Vacant land  14,182   95         14,182   95   14,796   112         14,796   112 
Real estate secured  847,694   10,575   7,520   29   855,214   10,604   959,373   11,697   4,505   22   963,878   11,719 
Commercial and industrial  194,856   1,297   276   67   195,132   1,364   186,969   1,485   27      186,996   1,485 
Municipal  16,534   31         16,534   31   18,607   39         18,607   39 
Consumer  12,547   82         12,547   82   20,344   122         20,344   122 
Unallocated allowance     881            881      969            969 
Totals $1,071,630  $12,866  $7,797  $96  $1,079,427  $12,962  $1,185,293  $14,312  $4,532  $22  $1,189,825  $14,334 

 

  (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance 
December 31, 2021                        
Residential 1-4 family $370,558  $2,845  $2,573  $1  $373,131  $2,846 
Residential 5+ multifamily  51,376   817   949      52,325   817 
Construction of residential 1-4 family  19,738   186         19,738   186 
Home equity lines of credit  23,249   198   21      23,270   198 
Residential real estate  464,921   4,046   3,543   1   468,464   4,047 
Commercial  307,377   5,388   3,546   28   310,923   5,416 
Construction of commercial  58,838   1,025         58,838   1,025 
Commercial real estate  366,215   6,413   3,546   28   369,761   6,441 
Farm land  2,375   21   432      2,807   21 
Vacant land  14,182   95         14,182   95 
Real estate secured  847,694   10,575   7,520   29   855,214   10,604 
Commercial and industrial  194,856   1,297   276   67   195,132   1,364 
Municipal  16,534   31         16,534   31 
Consumer  12,547   82         12,547   82 
Unallocated allowance     881            881 
Totals $1,071,630  $12,866  $7,797  $96  $1,079,427  $12,962 

The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

March 31, 2022 (in thousands)Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
September 30, 2022 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
  Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance  Loans Allowance   Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance  Loans  Allowance 
Performing loans $1,051,041  $10,740  $  $  $1,051,041  $10,740  $1,178,589  $12,928  $  $  $1,178,589  $12,928 
Potential problem loans 1  21,515   1,282         21,515   1,282   6,704   415         6,704   415 
Impaired loans        5,814   26   5,814   26         4,532   22   4,532   22 
Unallocated allowance     867            867      969            969 
Totals $1,072,556  $12,889  $5,814  $26  $1,078,370  $12,915  $1,185,293  $14,312  $4,532  $22  $1,189,825  $14,334 

 

  December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated Individually evaluated Total portfolio
   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance   Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans $1,046,614  $10,456  $  $  $1,046,614  $10,456 
Potential problem loans 1  25,016   1,529         25,016   1,529 
Impaired loans        7,797   96   7,797   96 
Unallocated allowance     881            881 
Totals $1,071,630  $12,866  $7,797  $96  $1,079,427  $12,962 

1 Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and are not classified as impaired.

 18 

 

A specific valuation allowance is established for the impairment amount of each impaired loan, calculated using the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of collateral, in accordance with the most likely means of recovery. Certain data with respect to loans individually evaluated for impairment is as follows as of andfollows:

  Impaired loans with specific allowance  Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands) Loan balance   Specific   Income  Loan balance   Income 
   Recorded Investment   Note   Average   allowance   recognized   Recorded Investment   Note   Average   recognized 
September 30, 2022                  
Residential $  $  $398  $  $  $1,580  $1,677  $2,321  $40 
Home equity lines of credit                       11    
Residential real estate        398         1,580   1,677   2,332   40 
Commercial  572   572   616   22   22   1,956   2,467   2,397   32 
Construction of commercial                           
Farm land                 397   447   415    
Vacant land                           
Real estate secured  572   572   1,014   22   22   3,933   4,591   5,144   72 
Commercial and industrial        84         27   30   55    
Consumer                           
Totals $572  $572  $1,098  $22  $22  $3,960  $4,621  $5,199  $72 

Note: The income recognized is for the three months ended:nine month period ended September 30, 2022.

 Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands) Loan balance Specific Income Loan balance Income  Loan balance Specific Income Loan balance Income 
 Book Note Average allowance recognized Book Note Average recognized  Recorded Investment Note Average allowance recognized Recorded Investment Note Average recognized 
March 31, 2022                  
September 30, 2021                  
Residential $  $  $21  $  $  $2,023  $2,144  $2,944  $14  $45  $47  $1,120  $3  $2  $3,989  $4,404  $3,642  $52 
Home equity lines of credit                       15            22         86   127   156    
Residential real estate        21         2,023   2,144   2,959   14   45   47   1,142   3   2   4,075   4,531   3,798   52 
Commercial  598   598   602   23   7   2,669   3,214   2,856   11   1,007   1,033   1,921   43   33   2,866   3,377   3,002   47 
Construction of commercial                                                      
Farm land                 420   447   426                     576   756   415    
Vacant land                                   73         35   39   52    
Real estate secured  598   598   623   23   7   5,112   5,805   6,241   25   1,052   1,080   3,136   46   35   7,552   8,703   7,267   99 
Commercial and industrial  76   76   146   3   1   28   25   79      221   228   336   44   3   100   270   91    
Consumer                                   8         18   18   15   1 
Totals $674  $674  $769  $26  $8  $5,140  $5,830  $6,320  $25  $1,273  $1,308  $3,480  $90  $38  $7,670  $8,991  $7,373  $100 

Note: The income recognized is for the nine month period ended September 30, 2021.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Salisbury recognized income of $32 thousand on impaired loans with a specific allowance and $57 thousand on impaired loans without a specific allowance.

Certain data with respect to loans individually evaluated for impairment is as follows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021:

 Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands) Loan balance Specific Income Loan balance Income  Loan balance Specific Income Loan balance Income 
 Book Note Average allowance recognized Book Note Average recognized  Recorded Investment Note Average allowance recognized Recorded Investment Note Average recognized 
December 31, 2021                                    
Residential $43  $44  $872  $1  $3  $3,480  $3,817  $3,689  $75  $43  $44  $872  $1  $3  $3,480  $3,817  $3,689  $75 
Home equity lines of credit        17         21   23   131            17         21   23   131    
Residential real estate  43   44   889   1   3   3,501   3,840   3,820   75   43   44   889   1   3   3,501   3,840   3,820   75 
Commercial  608   608   1,678   28   32   2,938   3,493   2,974   62   608   608   1,678   28   32   2,938   3,493   2,974   62 
Construction of commercial                                                      
Farm land                 431   447   440                     431   447   440    
Vacant land        56               45            56               45    
Real estate secured  651   652   2,623   29   35   6,870   7,780   7,279   137   651   652   2,623   29   35   6,870   7,780   7,279   137 
Commercial and industrial  216   224   309   67   3   60   72   90      216   224   309   67   3   60   72   90    
Consumer        6               13            6               13    
Totals $867  $876  $2,938  $96  $38  $6,930  $7,852  $7,382  $137  $867  $876  $2,938  $96  $38  $6,930  $7,852  $7,382  $137 

 19 

 

NOTE 4 – LEASES

The Bank leases facilities and equipment with various expiration dates. The facilities leases have varying renewal options, generally require fixed annual rent, and provide that real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses are to be paid by Salisbury. The following table provides the assets and liabilities as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, as well as the costs of operating and financial leases, which are included in the Bank’s consolidated income statement for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) Classification  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Assets      
Operating Other assets $966  $1,021 
Finance Bank premises and equipment 1  4,045   3,791 
Total Leased Assets   $5,011  $4,812 
Liabilities          
Operating Other liabilities $966  $1,021 
Finance Finance lease  4,363   4,107 
Total lease liabilities   $5,329  $5,128 
1 Net of accumulated depreciation of $532 thousand and $496 thousand, respectively.
           

Lease cost Classification  

Three Months Ended

 March 31, 2022

   

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2021

 
Operating leases Premises and equipment $74  $80 
Finance leases:          
Amortization of leased assets Premises and equipment  35   25 
Interest on finance leases Interest expense  41   32 
Total lease cost   $150  $137 
           
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Operating leases    7.2 years   6.9 years 
Financing leases    24.9 years   23.5 years 
Weighted Average Discount Rate 1          
Operating leases    3.71%  3.61%
Financing leases    3.89%  4.97%
1 Salisbury uses the applicable FHLBB Advance rate as the discount rate, as its leases do not provide an implicit rate.
($ in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) Classification  September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Assets          
Operating Other assets $1,231  $1,021 
Finance Bank premises and equipment 1  3,912   3,791 
Total Leased Assets   $5,143  $4,812 
Liabilities          
Operating Other liabilities $1,231  $1,021 
Finance Finance lease  4,296   4,107 
Total Lease Liabilities   $5,527  $5,128 
1 Net of accumulated depreciation of $664 thousand and $496 thousand, respectively.
           
Lease cost Classification  Nine months ended   Three months ended  
      September 30, 2022    September 30, 2022 
Operating leases Premises and equipment $218  $72 
Finance leases:          
Amortization of leased assets Premises and equipment  167   55 
Interest on finance leases Interest expense  41   41 
Total lease cost   $426  $168 
           
Lease cost Classification  Nine months ended    Three months ended  
     September 30, 2021   September 30, 2021 
Operating leases Premises and equipment $221  $74 
Finance leases:          
Amortization of leased assets Premises and equipment  76   25 
Interest on finance leases Interest expense  103   36 
Total lease cost   $400  $135 
           
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term  September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Operating leases    6.1 years   6.9 years 
Financing leases    21.7 years   23.5 years 
Weighted Average Discount Rate 1          
Operating leases    3.6%  3.6%
Financing leases    3.7%  5.0%
1 Salisbury uses the applicable FHLBB Advance rate as the discount rate, as its leases do not provide an implicit rate.

 

The following is a schedule by years of the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of March 31,September 30, 2022.

 Future minimum lease payments (in thousands)  Operating Leases   Finance Leases 
 2022  $162  $223 
 2023   167   304 
 2024   129   314 
 2025   137   323 
 2026   137   334 
 Thereafter   380   4,968 
 Total future minimum lease payments   1,112   6,466 
 Less amount representing interest   (146)  (2,103)
 Total present value of net future minimum lease payments  $966  $4,363 
 Future minimum lease payments (in thousands)  Operating Leases   Finance Leases 
 2022  $80  $74 
 2023   241   304 
 2024   204   314 
 2025   213   324 
 2026   137   334 
 Thereafter   507   4,968 
 Total future minimum lease payments   1,382   6,317 
 Less amount representing interest   (151)  (2,022)
 Total present value of net future minimum lease payments  $1,231  $4,295 

 

 20 

 

NOTE 5 - MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others $142,790  $140,623  $135,656  $140,623 
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights  1,267   1,043   1,401   1,043 

 

Changes in mortgage servicing rights are as follows:

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)  2022   2021 
Mortgage Servicing Rights        
Balance, beginning of period $700  $621 
Originated  55   193 
Amortization (1)  (39)  (75)
Balance, end of period $716  $739 
Valuation Allowance        
Balance, beginning of period     (9)
Decrease in impairment reserve (1)     9 
Balance, end of period      
Mortgage servicing rights, net $716  $739 

(1) Amortization expense and changes in the impairment reserve are recorded in mortgage servicing, net.

                 
   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Mortgage Servicing Rights                
Balance, beginning of period $694  $748  $700  $621 
Originated     18   72   276 
Amortization (1)  (39)  (36)  (117)  (167)
Balance, end of period $655  $730  $655  $730 
Valuation Allowance                
Balance, beginning of period           (9)
Decrease in impairment reserve (1)           9 
Balance, end of period            
Mortgage servicing rights, net $655  $730  $655  $730 
                 
(1)Amortization expense and changes in the impairment reserve are recorded in mortgage banking activities, net.

 

 

NOTE 6 - PLEDGED ASSETS

The following securities and loans were pledged to secure public and trust deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLBB advances and credit facilities available.

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value) $76,334  $75,737  $78,001  $75,737 
Loans receivable (at book value)  368,531   378,845   375,645   378,845 
Total pledged assets $444,865  $454,582  $453,646  $454,582 

 

At March 31,September 30, 2022, securities were pledged as follows: $68.1670.88 million to secure public deposits, $8.167.10 million to secure repurchase agreements and $0.02 million to secure FHLBB advances. In addition to securities, loans receivable were pledged to secure FHLBB advances and credit facilities.

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

 

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

 

Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain pools of its pre-payable fixed-rate assets due to changes in benchmark interest rates. Salisbury uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in fair value on these instruments attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate, Federal Funds. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges involve the payment of fixed-rate amounts to a counterparty in exchange for Salisbury receiving variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in interest income.

21

Salisbury’s fair value hedge matured in third quarter 2022. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustment for fair value hedges:

 

Line Item in the Statement of Financial Position in Which the Hedged Item is Included Carrying Amount of the
Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
 Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) Carrying Amount of the
Hedged Assets
 Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets
(in thousands) March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2021
Loans receivable(1) $9,953  $9,982  $(47) $(18) $9,982  $(18)
Total $9,953  $9,982  $(47) $(18) $9,982  $(18)

(1)These amounts include the amortized cost basis of closed portfolios used in designatedto designate hedging relationships in which the hedged item is the last layer expected to be remaining at the end of the hedging relationship. At March 31, 2022, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolios used in these hedging relationships was $36.6 million; the cumulative basis adjustment associated with these hedging relationships was $47 thousand; and the amount of the designated hedged item was $10.0 million.

 

21

The table below presents the fair value of Salisbury’s derivative financial instrument and its classification on the Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

     
 As of March 31, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2021
(in thousands) Notional Amount Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Notional Amount 

Balance Sheet

Location

Derivatives designated as hedge instruments                
Interest Rate Products $10,000  Other assets $47  Other Assets $18  $10,000  Other assets$18 
Total Derivatives designated as hedge instruments       $47    $18 Total Derivatives designated as hedge instruments     $18 
          

The tabletables below presentspresent the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Income Statement for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021.

   
 
 Three months ended Three months ended   
 
 March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021  Three months ended September 30, 2022   Nine months ended September 30, 2022 
(in thousands) Interest Income Interest Expense Interest Income Interest Expense  Interest
Income
   Interest
Expense
   Interest
Income
   Interest
Expense
 
Total amounts of interest income and expense line items presented in the income statement in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded $2  $  $1  $ 
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the statement of financial performance in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded $45  $  $64  $ 
                                
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships in Subtopic 815-20                                
Interest contracts                                
Hedged items  (28)     (2)     45      18    
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments $30  $  $3  $  $  $  $46  $ 

   
 
   Three months ended September 30, 2021   Nine months ended September 30, 2021 
(in thousands)  Interest
Income
   Interest
Expense
   Interest
Income
   Interest
Expense
 
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the statement of financial performance in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded $1  $  $  $ 
                 
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships in Subtopic 815-20                
Interest contracts                
Hedged items  4      3    
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments $(3) $  $(3) $ 

 

Credit-Risk Related Contingent Features

Salisbury has an agreement with its derivative counterparty that contains a provision where if the Bank defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Bank could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

The agreement also contains a provision where if the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well / adequate capitalized institution, then Salisbury could be required to post cash or certain marketable securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises as collateral. The minimum amount that Salisbury would have to post as collateral is $250 thousand.

As of March 31, 2022, the fair value of derivative was $48 thousand in a net asset position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements. As of March 31, 2022, Salisbury has not posted any collateral related to these agreements.

22

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

Salisbury defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities that are included in computing earnings per share (EPS) using the two-class method.

The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the periods indicated:indicated. All per share data has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward common stock split, which was effective on June 30, 2022.

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data)  2022   2021 
                
  Three months ended   Nine months ended 
Periods ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share data)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net income $3,568  $4,526  $4,336  $3,453  $11,750  $12,332 
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities  (60)  (64)  (72)  (53)  (207)  (184)
Net income allocated to common stock $3,508  $4,462  $4,264  $3,400  $11,543  $12,148 
Weighted-average common shares issued  2,867   2,845   5,784   5,724   5,765   5,706 
Less: Unvested restricted stock awards  (49)  (40)  (97)  (90)  (101)  (85)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per common share  2,818   2,805   5,687   5,634   5,663   5,621 
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units  29   10 
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options  26   52   33   39 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share  2,847   2,815   5,713   5,686   5,696   5,660 
Earnings per common share (basic) $1.24  $1.59  $0.75  $0.60  $2.04  $2.16 
Earnings per common share (diluted) $1.23  $1.59  $0.75  $0.60  $2.03  $2.15 

 

 

22

NOTE 9 – CONTINGENCIES

In July 2022, Salisbury management discovered that the Bank’s trust department terminated a trust account in May 2020 and distributed approximately $1.0 million that should have been retained in continuance of the trust account. Salisbury has engaged legal counsel and is currently evaluating the Company’s potential financial exposure. At this time, management believes that Salisbury’s exposure is not yet known or knowable and could potentially range from zero to approximately $1.0 million depending upon the facts and circumstances and the scope of Salisbury’s insurance coverage.

NOTE 10 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital Requirements

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional and discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. As of September 30, 2022, the Company and the Bank met each of their capital requirements.

The Company and the Bank isbecame subject to capital regulations adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) and the FDIC, which implemented the Basel III regulatory capital reforms and the changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The required minimum regulatory capital ratios to which the Bank is subject, and the minimum ratios required for the Bank to be categorized as “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework are noted in the table below. In addition, the regulations established a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% effective January 1, 2019. Failure to maintain the capital conservation buffer will limit the ability of the Company and the Bank to pay discretionary bonuses and dividends. At March 31,September 30, 2022, the Bank exceeded the minimum requirement for the capital conservation buffer. As of March 31, 2022,September 30,2022, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed that categorization.

InOn March 31, 2021, Salisbury issued $25 million of subordinated debt that matures in 2031. During the first five years, the debt is non-callable, and the coupon is fixed at 3.50%. After year five, the coupon will float at the then three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 280 basis points. At March 31, 2021, $15 million of the net proceeds was retained at the holding company level and the remainder was allocated to the Bank. On May 28, 2021, Salisbury redeemed in full the $10 million of subordinated debt that was issued in 2015 and retained at the holding company.

As of September 30, 2022, Salisbury announced thatdid not repurchase any of its common shares pursuant to the Common Stock Repurchase Plan approved by the Board of Directors renewed a share repurchase program, which provides for the repurchase of Salisbury’s common stock in amounts up to an aggregate of five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Salisbury’s common stock from time to time over the next twelve months. Salisbury has not yet repurchased any shares pursuant to such program.March 2021.

23

The Bank’s risk-weighted assets at March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $1,113.41,241.1 million and $1,085.4 million, respectively. Actual regulatory capital position and minimum capital requirements as defined "To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions" and "For Capital Adequacy Purposes" for the Bank are as follows:

 Actual Minimum Capital Required For Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Required For Capital Adequacy Plus Required Capital Conservation Buffer Minimum To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Actual Minimum Capital Required For Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Required For Capital Adequacy Plus Required Capital Conservation Buffer Minimum To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio

March 31, 2022

                                

September 30, 2022

                                
                                
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets) $155,665   13.98% $89,075   8.0% $116,911   10.5% $111,344   10.0% $164,325   13.24% $99,290   8.0% $130,318   10.5% $124,112   10.0%
                                                                
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  142,567   12.80   66,806   6.0   94,642   8.5   89,075   8.0   149,805   12.07   74,467   6.0   105,495   8.5   99,290   8.0 
                                                                
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  142,567   12.80   50,105   4.5   77,941   7.0   72,374   6.5   149,805   12.07   55,850   4.5   86,878   7.0   80,673   6.5 
                                                                
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) $142,567   9.66  $59,010   4.0  $59,010   4.0  $73,763   5.0  $149,805   9.83  $60,933   4.0  $60,933   4.0  $76,166   5.0 
December 31, 2021                                                                
                                
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets) $152,789   14.08% $86,832   8.0% $113,968   10.5% $108,541   10.0% $152,789   14.08% $86,832   8.0% $113,968   10.5% $108,541   10.0%
                                                                
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  139,681   12.87   65,124   6.0   92,259   8.5   86,832   8.0   139,681   12.87   65,124   6.0   92,259   8.5   86,832   8.0 
                                                                
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  139,681   12.87   48,843   4.5   75,978   7.0   70,551   6.5   139,681   12.87   48,843   4.5   75,978   7.0   70,551   6.5 
                                                                
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) $139,681   9.42  $59,285   4.0  $59,285   4.0  $74,106   5.0  $139,681   9.42  $59,285   4.0  $59,285   4.0  $74,106   5.0 

 

Restrictions on Cash Dividends to Common Shareholders

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is substantially dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

23

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised March 30, 2009, notes that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital structure.

24

NOTE 1011 – BENEFITS

Salisbury offers a 401(k) Plan to eligible employees. Under the 401(k) Plan, eligible participants may contribute a percentage of their pay subject to IRS limitations. Salisbury may make discretionary contributions to the Plan. The Plan includes a safe harbor contribution of 3% for all qualifying employees. The Bank’s safe harbor contribution percentage is reviewed annually and, under provisions of the 401(k) Plan, is subject to change in the future. An additional discretionary match may also be made for all employees that meet the 401(k) Plan’s qualifying requirements for such a match. This discretionary matching percentage, if any, is also subject to review under the provisions of the 401(k) Plan. Both the safe harbor and additional discretionary match, if any, vest immediately.

Salisbury’s 401(k) Plan expense was $294311 thousand and $286253 thousand, respectively, for the three-monththree month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021, and $862 thousand and $847 thousand, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

ESOP

Salisbury offers an ESOP to eligible employees.  Under the Plan,ESOP, Salisbury may make discretionary contributions to the Plan. ESOP. Discretionary contributions vest in full upon six years and reflect the following schedule of qualified service: 20% after the second year, 20% per year thereafter, vesting at 100% after six full years of service. Salisbury’s ESOP expense was $3585 thousand and $55 thousand, respectively, for the three-monththree month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021, and $168 thousand and $184 thousand, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

Other Retirement Plans

Salisbury adopted ASC 715-60, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - Other Postretirement" and recognized a liability for Salisbury’s future postretirement benefit obligations under endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements. The total liability for the arrangements included in other liabilities was $771702 thousand and $779 thousand at March 31,September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Bank realized a credit of $869 thousand for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and expenses under this arrangementrecorded an expense of $86 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2021September 30, 2021. The Bank realized a credit of $8677 thousand.thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and an expense of $259 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

A Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan") was adopted effective January 1, 2013. This Plan was adopted by the Bank for the benefit of certain key employees ("Executive" or "Executives") who have been selected and approved by the Bank to participate in this Plan and who have evidenced their participation by execution of a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Participation Agreement ("Participation Agreement") in a form provided by the Bank. This Plan is intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code ("Code") Section 409A and any regulatory or other guidance issued under such Section. In 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Bank awarded seven (7) Executives with discretionary contributions to the plan. Expenses related to this plan for the first three months ended March 31 amounted to $47 thousand in 2022 and $29 thousand in 2021.

On December 27, 2021, the Board of Directors of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company executed the Salisbury Bank and Trust Company Amended and Restated Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), effective as of January 1, 2022. The Plan permits the Board to select certain key employees of the Bank to participate in the Plan, provided that such employees also evidence their participation by execution of a Participation Agreement. Before amendment and restatement, the Plan provided solely for discretionary bank contributions to selected participant’s accounts. The participation agreement sets forth the vesting terms of the discretionary contributions and the “benefit age” at which a participant could retire with a fully vested benefit. The participation agreement also sets forth how a participant’s benefit would be distributed (i.e., in a lump sum or in annual installments over a period of up to 10 years, as selected by the participant). Until distribution, a participant’s account would earn interest as of the last day of the plan year at the highest certificate of deposit rate for that year, compounded annually. The participant’s benefits under the Plan are subject to the vesting schedule set forth in the participant’s participation agreement.  Notwithstanding the vesting schedule, the participant’s account balance will become automatically 100% vested upon involuntary termination without cause, death, disability or a change in control.

The amended and restated Plan also allows participant deferrals and provides greater flexibility in participant elections and investment options. In addition to employer discretionary contributions, participants will be entitled to defer up to 50% of their base salary and up to 100% of their discretionary bonuses and cash incentive compensation, however, such base salary deferrals and bonus and cash incentive deferrals will not commence before January 1, 2023. The Plan will permit the Compensation Committee to add non-employee directors as participants. If implemented, non-employee directors will be entitled to make elective deferrals of up to 50% of their annual retainer and committee fees. This provision may not be implemented for plan year 2022.

For plan years commencing after December 31, 2021, participants are required to enter into a “Participation Agreement” on initial participation that will set forth, among other things, the vesting schedule for any discretionary contributions received and the participant’s benefit age (i.e. the eligible “retirement age”). A participant will also be required to enter into an “Annual Election Form” which will set forth (i) the participant’s distribution elections under various circumstances and (ii) commencing in 2023, the amount of a participant’s elective deferrals of base salary and/or discretionary bonus or incentive compensation. Under the Amended and Restated Plan, each discretionary contribution would vest based on a rolling five-year vesting schedule, so that in the sixth year of participation the first year’s contribution would be 100% vested and the fifth-year contribution would be 20% vested. Vesting of discretionary contributions generally accelerates when a participant reaches benefit age, however, the Bank can delegate one or more discretionary contributions for a particular person as contributions for which vesting would not automatically accelerate.

The amended and restated Plan also provides additional distribution options, including distributions in the event of an unforeseeable emergency and on the occurrence of a specified date before separation from service, and allows a participant to elect for each year’s contributions the manner in which such distributions will be paid. Installment distributions can be made in monthly, quarterly or annual installments. Payment of benefits under the Plan, other than benefits payable as a result of base salary deferrals, are conditioned on the participant’s covenant to comply with non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure provisions for a period of one year following the participant’s separation from service. The Bank will establishhas established a grantor trust to hold the assets of the Plan. Until distributed, the assets of the Plan are not legally owned by the participants. In second quarter 2022, Salisbury anticipates that contributions will be made undercontributed $100 thousand to the amended and restated Plan beginning in second quarter 2022.for Mr. Cantele, President and Chief Executive Officer. Salisbury’s expense for this plan was $47 thousand and $29 thousand, respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and $141 thousand and $86 thousand, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

Management Agreements: Salisbury or the Bank has entered into various management agreements with its named executive officers (“NEOs”), including a severance agreement with Mr. Cantele, President and Chief Executive Officer, a change in control agreement with Mr. Albero, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and a severance agreement with Mr. Davies, President of the New York Region and Chief Lending Officer. In addition to these agreements, Salisbury has change in control agreements or a severance agreement, with change in control provisions, with eleventen other executives with payouts ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 times base salary, annual cash bonus and other benefits. Such agreements, and their subsequent amendments, are designed to allow Salisbury to retain the services of the designated executives while reducing, to the extent possible, unnecessary disruptions to Salisbury’s operations.

 2524 

 

NOTE 1112 – LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLANS

Restricted stock

On February 28,Restricted stock expense was $184 thousand and $149 thousand, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and $615 thousand and $449 thousand, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. The tax benefit from restricted stock expense was $33 thousand and $27 thousand, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; and $111 thousand and $81 thousand, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

In second quarter 2022, Salisbury granted a total of 14,35018,340 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and Directors pursuant to its 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan. The fair value of the stock grantedat grant date was approximately $8131.0 thousand. Expense in first quarter 2022 and 2021 related to employee and directors’ stock-based compensation totaled $188 thousand and $132 thousand, respectively.million. The restricted stock will vest three years from the grant date. Unrecognized compensation cost relating to the awards as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021 totaled $1,5501,328 thousand and $6461,075 thousand, respectively. There were no forfeitures in the firstthird quarter ofor year to date for 2022 or 2021.

Performance-based restricted stock units

On March 29, 2019, the Compensation Committee granted performance-based restricted stock units (RSU) pursuant to the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan to further align compensation with the Bank’s performance. This RSU plan replaced the Bank’s Phantom Stock Appreciation Units plan (Phantom). Salisbury paid out the final tranche of these awards in January 2021. The performance goal for awards granted under the RSU plan in 2019 was based on the increase in the Bank’s tangible book value by $3.50 per share over the performance period for threshold performance. On March 29, 2022, these awards vested atThe vesting ranged from 75% of target for achieving threshold performance, to 100% of target for achieving target payout performance ($5.00 increase in tangible book value per share) to 150% of target for achieving in excess of target payout performance ($5.00 increaseThis tranche of awards vested in second quarter 2022 at 150% for achieving tangible book value per share).share growth in excess of target payout performance. The vesting of these awards occurred prior to June 30, 2022 and was not affected by the two-for-one forward stock split.

On July 29, 2020, the Compensation Committee granted an additional 7,25014,500 units under the RSU plan. The performance goal for this tranche is based on the relative increase in the Bank’s tangible book value compared with a pre-determined group of peer banks over the performance period for threshold performance. Vesting will range from 50% of target for achieving threshold performance, to 100% of target for achieving tangible book value growth of at least 50% but less than 55% of the peer group, to 150% of target for achieving in excess of target payout performance and, if the performance goal is achieved.achieved, vesting will occur no later than March 15, 2023. The number of units awarded for this tranche has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split, which was effective on June 30, 2022.

On June 23, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted an additional 7,40014,800 units under the RSU plan. The performance goal for this tranche is based on the increase in the Bank’s tangible book value by $7.00$3.50 per share over the performance period for threshold performance. Vesting will range from 75% of target for achieving threshold performance, to 100% of target for achieving target payout performance ($9.004.50 increase in tangible book value per share) to 150% of target for achieving in excess of target payout performance and, if the performance goals are achieved, vesting will occur no later than March 15, 2024. The number of units awarded and the performance goals for this tranche have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split, which was effective on June 30, 2022.

On February 28, 2022, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved grants of performance-based restricted stockgranted an additional 13,900 units to its NEOs and other key employees under the Company’s 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan.RSU plan. The Compensation Committee granted a totalperformance goal for this tranche is based on the increase in the Bank’s tangible book value by $3.50 per share over the performance period for threshold performance. Vesting will range from 75% of 6,950 RSUs, including 3,500 RSUstarget for achieving threshold performance, to NEOs. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President100% of target for achieving target payout performance ($4.50 increase in tangible book value per share) to 150% of target for achieving in excess of target payout performance and, Chief Executive Officer received 1,500 target RSUs; John M. Davies, President of NY Region and Chief Lending Officer received 1,000 target RSUs; and Peter Albero, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer received 1,000 target RSUs.if the performance goals are achieved, vesting will occur no later than March 15, 2025. The maximum number of shares deliverable upon vesting of RSUs assuming 150% ofunits awarded and the TBV growth target is met or exceeded, will be 10,425.performance goals for this tranche have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one forward stock split, which was effective on June 30, 2022.

The fair value of the awards granted under the RSU plan at the grant date was $394462 thousand and $354622 thousand, respectively, for those grants awarded in 2022 and 2021. Compensation expense of $9747 thousand and $7161 thousand was recorded with respect to allthese RSUs granted to date for the three months ended March 31,September 2022 and 2021, and $240 thousand and $235 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. No performance-based restricted stock units were awarded prior to 2019. The shares noted above are contingently issuable only upon attainment of the minimum performance goal.

Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP)

Salisbury offers a short-term discretionary compensation plan to eligible employees on an annual basis. Under this incentive plan, Salisbury may reward employees with cash compensation if certain pre-determined Bank and individual performance goals have been achieved. The STIP expense, which is included in compensation expenses, totaled $267276 thousand and $238210 thousand for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021, and expenses of $814 thousand and $757 thousand for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively. The tax benefit from (STIP) expense was $50 thousand and $38 thousand, respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021; and $147 thousand and $136 thousand, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

Options

Salisbury issued stock options in conjunction with its acquisition of Riverside Bank in 2014. In the firstthird quarter 2022 and third quarter 2021, no stock options were exercised. In 2021, 1,755 stock options were exercised at $17.04 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

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NOTE 1213 – FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Salisbury uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale and the CRA mutual fund are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, other assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as assets and loans held for sale, collateral dependent impaired loans, property acquired through foreclosure or repossession and mortgage servicing rights. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

Salisbury adopted ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurement - Overall,” which provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles. This guidance permitted Salisbury the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. Salisbury did not elect fair value treatment for any financial assets or liabilities upon adoption.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, Salisbury groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the types of valuation information (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect Salisbury’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Significant other observable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Level 3. Significant unobservable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, are not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets and liabilities.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies for assets recorded at fair value, including the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Securities available-for-sale and the CRA mutual fund. Securities available-for-sale and the CRA mutual fund are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Level 1 securities include exchange-traded equity securities. Level 2 securities include debt securities with quoted prices, which are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, whose value is determined using matrix pricing with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds, SBA bonds, corporate bonds and certain preferred equities. Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Subsequent to inception, management only changes level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalization and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.
Derivative financial instruments. The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.
Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. Such collateral primarily consists of real estate and, to a lesser extent, other business assets. Management may adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values resulting from its knowledge of the property. Internal valuations are utilized to determine the fair value of other business assets. Collateral dependent impaired loans are categorized as Level 3.
Other real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or repossession is adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer out of loans. Subsequently, it is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral. Management adjusts appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values for unobservable factors resulting from its knowledge of the property, and such property is categorized as Level 3.
Assets held for sale. The fair value of assets held for sale is based on independent market prices, appraised values or the contractual selling price.

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Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

  Fair Value Measurements Using Assets at
(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair
        value
March 31, 2022                
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                
U.S. Treasury $  $19,103  $  $19,103 
U.S. Government Agency notes     31,933      31,933 
Municipal bonds     48,299      48,299 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises     76,796      76,796 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies     25,920      25,920 
Corporate bonds     13,601      13,601 
Securities available-for-sale $  $215,652  $  $215,652 
CRA mutual funds  862         862 
Derivative financial instruments     47      47 
December 31, 2021                
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                
U.S. Treasury $  $15,131  $   $         15,131 
U.S. Government Agency notes     31,604      31,604 
Municipal bonds     47,822      47,822 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises     74,541      74,541 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies     20,898      20,898 
Corporate bonds     12,400      12,400 
Securities available-for-sale $  $202,396  $  $202,396 
CRA mutual fund  901         901 
Derivative financial instruments     18      18 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                
Assets held for sale 1 $700  $  $  $700 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Assets at
(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair value
September 30, 2022                
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                
U.S. Treasury $  $16,977  $  $16,977 
U.S. Government Agency notes     27,924      27,924 
Municipal bonds     44,610      44,610 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises     63,480      63,480 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies     22,591      22,591 
Corporate bonds     13,579      13,579 
Securities available-for-sale $  $189,161  $  $189,161 
Mutual funds  1,882         1,882 
Derivative financial instruments            
December 31, 2021                
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                
U.S. Treasury $  $15,131  $   $         15,131 
U.S. Government Agency notes     31,604      31,604 
Municipal bonds     47,822      47,822 
Mortgage-backed securities:                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises     74,541      74,541 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                
U.S. Government agencies     20,898      20,898 
Corporate bonds     12,400      12,400 
Securities available-for-sale $  $202,396  $  $202,396 
Mutual fund  901         901 
Derivative financial instruments     18      18 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                
Assets held for sale 1 $700  $  $  $700 

1 Prior to December 31, 2021, the Bank entered into an agreement with a third party to sell the building that housed its Poughkeepsie, New York retail branch and relocate the branch to leased space nearby. This sale was completed in January 2022. At March 31,September 30, 2022, Salisbury did not have any assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

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Carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

(in thousands) Carrying Estimated Fair value measurements using
  value fair value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
March 31, 2022                    
Financial Assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents $98,861  $98,861  $98,861  $  $ 
Interest bearing time deposits with financial institutions  750   750   750         
Securities available-for-sale, net  215,652   215,652      215,652    
CRA mutual fund  862   862   862       
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  1,077   1,077      1,077    
Loans held-for-sale  1,070   1,077         1,077 
Loans receivable, net  1,066,216   1,055,745         1,055,745 
Accrued interest receivable  5,895   5,895      5,895    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies  27,900   27,900      27,900    
Derivative financial instruments  47   47      47    
Financial Liabilities                    
Demand (non-interest-bearing) $370,082  $370,082  $  $370,082  $ 
Demand (interest-bearing)  233,893   233,893      233,893    
Money market  317,462   317,462      317,462    
Savings and other  240,824   240,824      240,824    
Certificates of deposit  128,213   128,663      128,663    
Deposits  1,290,474   1,290,924      1,290,924    
Repurchase agreements  8,161   8,161      8,161    
FHLBB advances  419   419      419    
Subordinated debt  24,488   24,409      24,409    
Note payable  159   162      162    
Finance lease obligation  4,363   4,312         4,312 
Accrued interest payable  37   37      37    
December 31, 2021                    
Financial Assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents $175,335  $175,335  $175,335  $  $ 
Interest bearing time deposits with financial institutions  750   750   750       
Securities available-for-sale  202,396   202,396      202,396    
CRA mutual fund  901   901   901       
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  1,397   1,397      1,397    
Loans held-for-sale  2,684   2,721         2,721 
Loans receivable, net  1,066,750   1,066,733         1,066,733 
Accrued interest receivable  6,260   6,260      6,260    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies  27,738   27,738      27,738    
Derivative financial instruments  18   18      18    
Financial Liabilities                    
Demand (non-interest-bearing) $416,073  $416,073  $  $416,073  $ 
Demand (interest-bearing)  233,600   233,600      233,600    
Money market  330,436   330,436      330,436    
Savings and other  237,075   237,075      237,075    
Certificates of deposit  119,009   119,716      119,716    
Deposits  1,336,193   1,336,900      1,336,900    
Repurchase agreements  11,430   11,430      11,430    
FHLBB advances  7,656   7,714      7,714    
Subordinated debt  24,474   24,409      24,409    
Note payable  170   171      171    
Finance lease liability  4,107   4,223         4,223 
Accrued interest payable  49   49      49    
(in thousands) Carrying Estimated Fair value measurements using
  value fair value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
September 30, 2022                    
Financial Assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents $56,297  $56,297  $56,297  $  $ 
Securities available-for-sale, net  189,161   189,161      189,161    
Mutual funds  1,882   1,882   1,882       
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  1,487   1,487      1,487    
Loans receivable, net  1,176,493   1,154,834         1,154,834 
Accrued interest receivable  6,012   6,012      6,012    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies  30,187   30,187      30,187    
Financial Liabilities                    
Demand (non-interest-bearing) $413,584  $413,584  $  $413,584  $ 
Demand (interest-bearing)  241,236   241,236      241,236    
Money market  313,987   313,987      313,987    
Savings and other  246,538   246,538      246,538    
Certificates of deposit  109,859   109,536      109,536    
Deposits  1,325,204   1,324,881      1,324,881    
Repurchase agreements  7,109   7,109      7,109    
FHLBB advances  20,000   20,000      20,000    
Subordinated debt  24,517   21,514      21,517    
Note payable  139   135      135    
Finance lease obligation  4,296   3,916         3,916 
Accrued interest payable  18   18      18    
December 31, 2021                    
Financial Assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents $175,335  $175,335  $175,335  $  $ 
Interest bearing time deposits with financial institutions  750   750   750       
Securities available-for-sale  202,396   202,396      202,396    
Mutual funds  901   901   901       
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  1,397   1,397      1,397    
Loans held-for-sale  2,684   2,721         2,721 
Loans receivable, net  1,066,750   1,066,733         1,066,733 
Accrued interest receivable  6,260   6,260      6,260    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies  27,738   27,738      27,738    
Derivative financial instruments  18   18      18    
Financial Liabilities                    
Demand (non-interest-bearing) $416,073  $416,073  $  $416,073  $ 
Demand (interest-bearing)  233,600   233,600      233,600    
Money market  330,436   330,436      330,436    
Savings and other  237,075   237,075      237,075    
Certificates of deposit  119,009   119,716      119,716    
Deposits  1,336,193   1,336,900      1,336,900    
Repurchase agreements  11,430   11,430      11,430    
FHLBB advances  7,656   7,714      7,714    
Subordinated debt  24,474   24,409      24,409    
Note payable  170   171      171    
Finance lease liability  4,107   4,223         4,223 
Accrued interest payable  49   49      49    

The carrying amounts of financial instruments shown in the above table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions or are included in accrued interest and other liabilities.

 

 

NOTE 1314 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 20,October 19, 2022 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.320.16 per common share payable on May 27,November 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of May 13,November 11, 2022.

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Item 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (“Salisbury” or the “Company”��Company”) and its subsidiary should be read in conjunction with Salisbury's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Readers should also review other disclosures Salisbury files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

BUSINESS

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc., a Connecticut corporation, formed in 1998, is the bank holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"), a Connecticut-chartered and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") insured commercial bank headquartered in Lakeville, Connecticut. Salisbury’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SAL.”“SAL”. Salisbury's principal business consists of its operation and control of the business of the Bank.

The Bank, formed in 1848, currently provides commercial banking, consumer financing, retail banking and trust and wealth advisory services through a network of fourteen banking offices and ten ATMs located in: Litchfield County, Connecticut; Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties, New York; and Berkshire County, Massachusetts and through its internet website (salisburybank.com).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements follow GAAP as applied to the banking industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event.

Salisbury’s significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which, along with this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, provide information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating Salisbury’s reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the balance sheet. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included in the “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Securities and Short Term Funds

During the first quarter of 2022, available-for-sale (AFS) securities increased $13.3 million, or 6.5%, to $215.7 million as Salisbury continued to invest excess cash balances in U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Agency bonds, municipal securities and U.S. bank-issued subordinated debt offerings. The fair market value of Salisbury’s AFSinvestment portfolio was approximately 14.7%decreased $12.2 million from year end 2021 to $192.5 million at September 30, 2022. The fair market value included net unrealized pre-tax losses of total assets$28.3 million at March 31,September 30, 2022 compared with 13.2%net unrealized pre-tax gains of $1.1 million at December 31, 2021. The net unrealized losses reflected the sharp increase in market interest rates that has occurred in the last nine months. Cash and cash equivalents (non-time interest-bearing deposits with other banks, money market funds and federal funds sold) decreased $76.5$119.0 million, or 43.6%67.9%, to $98.9 million.$56.3 million at September 30, 2022. This decrease was driven by strong loan growth and normal customer activity during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022.

The sharp increase in market interest rates in first quarter 2022 resulted in inception-to-date after-tax unrealized losses in Salisbury’s AFS portfolio of $8.4 million at March 31, 2022 compared with an after-tax unrealized gain of $0.9 million at December 31, 2021. These unrealized losses and gains are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net on Salisbury’s consolidated balance sheet. Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI whenwhere the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers its intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI. Salisbury evaluates securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Management does not consider any of its securities to be OTTI at MarchSeptember 30, 2022.

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $109.7 million, or 10.3%, to $1.18 billion at September 30, 2022, compared with $1.07 billion at December 31, 2021. PPP loan balances declined from $25.6 million at December 31, 2021 to $0.4 million at September 30, 2022 due to the forgiveness of such loans by the SBA. Excluding PPP loans, net loans receivable increased by $136.2 million, or 12.9%, compared with December 31, 2021. The increase in net loans receivable was broad-based and reflected growth in residential, consumer, commercial and commercial & industrial loans. The allowance for loan losses increased by $1.4 million from December 2021 primarily due to significant loan growth, management’s current assessment of certain qualitative and environmental factors and charge-off activity during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2022.

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Loans

Net loans receivable of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2022 were essentially unchanged from December 31, 2021. At March 31, 2022 Salisbury had PPP loans of approximately $13.7 million on its balance sheet compared with approximately $25.6 million at December 31, 2021. Excluding PPP loans, net loans receivable of $1.1 billion increased $11.4 million, or 10.9% from year end 2021. The increase primarily reflected growth in residential mortgage, commercial construction and consumer loan balances, partially offset by lower commercial and industrial and municipal loan balances. Salisbury continued to experience strong demand for residential mortgage loans in first quarter 2022. Residential mortgage loan originations were $31.9 million during first quarter 2022 compared with $41.4 million in fourth quarter 2021. Salisbury sold $5.5 million of residential loans to FHLB Boston in first quarter 2022 compared with $4.2 million in fourth quarter 2021, as part of the Bank’s strategy to manage interest rate risk. The ratio of gross loans to deposits for first quarter 2022 was 83.6% compared with 80.8% for fourth quarter 2021.

Asset Quality

During the first threenine months of 2022, overall asset quality improved, and non-performingcontinued to improve. Non-performing assets declined $1.4 million from $4.2of $1.9 million, or 0.39%0.16% of gross loans receivable to $2.8declined $2.3 million or 0.26% of gross loans receivable and55.7% from year end 2021. In addition, total impaired and potential problem loans declined $5.5$21.6 million, or 65.8%, from $32.8 million, or 3.04% of gross loans receivable to $27.3$11.2 million, or 2.5%0.9% of gross loans receivable at MarchSeptember 30, 2022. The decrease in the balance from year end 2021 primarily reflected management’s upgrade of the internal risk rating on loans to businesses in the hospitality and entertainment and recreation industries, which were previously downgraded due to concerns over COVID-19. Such businesses have demonstrated a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity and liquidity.As of September 30, 2022, Salisbury did not have any outstanding loan payment deferrals and the Bank had approximately $0.4 million of PPP loans on its balance sheet compared with approximately $26 million at December 31, 2022.2021.

Salisbury has cooperative relationships with the vast majority of its non-performing loan customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral. Salisbury pursues the resolution of all non-performing loans through collections, restructures, voluntary liquidation of collateral by the borrower and, where necessary, legal action. When attempts to work with a customer to return a loan to performing status, including restructuring the loan, are unsuccessful, Salisbury will initiate appropriate legal action seeking to acquire property by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure, or to liquidate business assets.

On March 22, 2020, the federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus”, this guidance encourages financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers that may be unable to meet their contractual obligations because of the effects of the virus. The guidance goes on to explain that the federal banking agencies conclude that short-term modifications (e.g. six months) made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of the relief program are not Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”).  Section 4013 of the CARES Act addresses modifications resulting from the pandemic and specified that virus related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs. The Bank has applied Section 4013 guidance and implemented a loan payment deferral program which allows residential, commercial and consumer borrowers, who have been adversely affected by the virus and whose loans were not more than 30 days past due at December 31, 2019, to defer loan payments for up to three months. At March 31, 2022, Salisbury did not have any outstanding loan payment deferrals.

The CARES Act provides emergency economic relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the virus. The CARES Act authorized the SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 7(a) loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program.  As a qualified SBA lender, the Bank was automatically qualified to originate loans under the PPP. In 2020, Salisbury processed 932 PPP loans for a principal balance of approximately $100 million primarily for existing customers. The expected forgiveness amount is the amount of loan principal the lender reasonably expects the borrower to spend on payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utilities during the covered period after the loans are funded. On June 5, 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (“PPPFA”) was signed into law. The PPPFA increased the covered period from eight weeks to twenty-four weeks, reduced the portion of the loan that must be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% and extended the term of loans that are not forgiven from two years to five years. For PPP loans originated prior to June 5, 2020, borrowers and lenders may mutually agree to increase the loan term to five years. The vast majority of PPP loans processed by Salisbury have a two-year term. Management funded these short-term loans through a combination of deposits, short-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, and brokered deposits. Salisbury did not participate in the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”).

On December 27, 2020 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed into law. Certain provisions of the CARES Act were modified and extended by the Act. One of the features of the Act was the provision of $284 billion in additional funding for the PPP program, including a second draw Paycheck Protection Program for qualifying businesses for which there was a quarterly revenue reduction of at least 25% compared to the same quarter in 2019. Salisbury processed another 435 customer PPP applications for loans of approximately $47 million in 2021. As of March 31, 2022, Salisbury had approximately $14 million of PPP loans on its balance sheet compared with approximately $26 million at December 31, 2021.

Past Due Loans

Loans past due 30 days or more increased slightly during first quarterdecreased $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $2.7$0.5 million, or 0.25%0.04% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2022 compared with $2.6 million, or 0.24% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2021. The decline in past due loans from year end 2021 primarily reflected the sale and charge-off of certain non-performing loans during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2022.

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The components of loans past due 30 days or greater are as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Past due 30-59 days $1,687  $751  $276  $751 
Past due 60-89 days  662   590   114   590 
Past due 90-179 days  2   1   100   1 
Past due 180 days and over  11   10      10 
Accruing loans  2,362   1,352   490   1,352 
Past due 30-59 days     14      14 
Past due 60-89 days  59          
Past due 90-179 days     63      63 
Past due 180 days and over  269   1,213   15   1,213 
Non-accrual loans  328   1,290   15   1,290 
Total loans past due 30 days or greater $2,690  $2,642  $505  $2,642 

Credit Risk Ratings

Salisbury assigns credit risk ratings to loans receivable in order to manage credit risk and to determine the allowance for loan losses. Credit risk ratings categorize loans by common financial and structural characteristics that measure the credit strength of a borrower. Salisbury’s rating model has eight risk rating grades, with each grade corresponding to a progressively greater risk of default. Grades 1 through 4 are pass ratings and 5 through 8 are ratings (special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss) defined by the bank’sbank's regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. Risk ratings are assigned to differentiate risk within the portfolio and are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised, if needed, to reflect changes in the borrowers' current financial position and outlook, risk profiles and the related collateral and structural positions.

·Loans risk rated as "special mention" (5) possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans at some future date.
·Loans risk rated as "substandard" (6) are loans where the Bank’s position is clearly not protected adequately by borrower current net worth or payment capacity. These loans have well defined weaknesses based on objective evidence and include loans where future losses to the Bank may result if deficiencies are not corrected, and loans where the primary source of repayment such as income is diminished and the Bank must rely on sale of collateral or other secondary sources of collection.
·Loans risk rated as "doubtful" (7) have the same weaknesses as substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, given current facts, conditions, and values, to be highly improbable. The possibility of loss is high, but due to certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to strengthen the loan, its reclassification as an estimated loss is deferred until its exact status can be determined.
·Loans risk rated as "loss" (8) are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as Bank assets is unwarranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be made in the future.

Management actively reviews and tests its credit risk ratings against actual experience and engages an independent third-party to annually validate its assignment of credit risk ratings. In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio and risk ratings are examined annually on a rotating basis by its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB.

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Credit Quality Segments

Salisbury categorizes loans receivable into the following credit quality segments:

·Impaired loans consist of all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans and represent loans for which it is probable that Salisbury will not be able to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements.
·Non-accrual loans, a sub-set of impaired loans, are loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued because, in the opinion of management, full collection of principal or interest is unlikely.
·Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans and accruing loans past due 90 days and over that are well collateralized, in the process of collection and where full collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured. Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans plus real estate acquired in settlement of loans.
·Troubled debt restructured loans are loans for which concessions such as reduction of interest rates, other than normal market rate adjustments, or deferral of principal or interest payments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest, have been granted due to a borrower’s financial condition. Loan restructuring is employed when management believes the granting of a concession will increase the probability of the full or partial collection of principal and interest.
·Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and are not classified as impaired.

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Impaired Loans

Impaired loans include all modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and loans on non-accrual status. The components of impaired loans are as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Non-accrual loans, excluding troubled debt restructured loans $2,453  $2,838 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans  299   1,350 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans  3,062   3,609 
Total impaired loans $5,814  $7,797 
Commitments to lend additional amounts to impaired borrowers $  $ 

(in thousands)  September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Non-accrual loans, excluding troubled debt restructured loans $1,692  $2,838 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans  68   1,350 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans  2,772   3,609 
Total impaired loans $4,532  $7,797 

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets decreased $1.4$2.3 million to $2.8$1.9 million, or 0.19%0.12% of assets at March 31,for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, from $4.2 million, or 0.27% of assets at December 31, 2021,2021. The 55.7% decrease in non-performing assets in the first nine months 2022 resulted primarily from the sale and decreased $2.9 million from $5.7 million, or 0.41%charge-off of assets at March 31, 2021.certain non-performing loans during the period.

The components of non-performing assets are as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Residential 1-4 family $417  $750  $137  $750 
Residential 5+ multifamily     861      861 
Home equity lines of credit     21      21 
Commercial  1,887   1,924   1,199   1,924 
Farm land  420   432   397   432 
Vacant land            
Real estate secured  2,724   3,988   1,733   3,988 
Commercial and industrial  28   200   27   200 
Consumer            
Non-accrual loans  2,752   4,188   1,760   4,188 
Accruing loans past due 90 days and over  13   11   100   11 
Non-performing loans  2,765   4,199   1,860   4,199 
Foreclosed assets            
Non-performing assets $2,765  $4,199  $1,860  $4,199 

The past due status of non-performing loans is as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Current $2,424  $2,898  $1,745  $2,898 
Past due 30-59 days     14      14 
Past due 60-89 days  59          
Past due 90-179 days  2   64   100   64 
Past due 180 days and over  280   1,223   15   1,223 
Total non-performing loans $2,765  $4,199  $1,860  $4,199 

At March 31,September 30, 2022, 87.67%93.82% of non-performing loans were current with respect to loan payments, compared with 69.02% at December 31, 2021.

 3331 

 

Total Outstanding Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

TroubledTotal outstanding troubled debt restructured loans decreased $1.6$2.1 million, or 42.7%, during the first quarternine months of 2022 to $3.4$2.8 million, or 0.31%0.24% of gross loans receivable at March 31,September 30, 2022, compared to $5.0 million, or 0.46% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2021. The reduction in balancesloan balance from year end 2021 primarily reflected the sale and charge-off of approximately $1.1 million of TDR loans during first quarterthe nine month period ended September 30, 2022.

The components of troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Residential 1-4 family $1,521  $1,824  $1,364  $1,824 
Residential 5+ multifamily  85   87   79   87 
Commercial  1,380   1,622   1,329   1,622 
Real estate secured  2,986   3,533   2,772   3,533 
Commercial and industrial  76   76      76 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans  3,062   3,609   2,772   3,609 
Residential 1-4 family  71   256   68   256 
Residential 5+ multifamily     861      861 
Commercial  228   233      233 
Real estate secured  299   1,350  $68  $1,350 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans  299   1,350   68   1,350 
Troubled debt restructured loans $3,361  $4,959  $2,840  $4,959 

The past due status of troubled debt restructured loans is as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Current $3,025  $3,540  $2,772  $3,540 
Past due 30-59 days  37   37      37 
Past due 60-89 days     32      32 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans  3,062   3,609   2,772   3,609 
Current  299   414   68   414 
Past due 180 days and over     936      936 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans  299   1,350   68   1,350 
Total troubled debt restructured loans $3,361  $4,959  $2,840  $4,959 

At March 31,September 30, 2022, 98.90%100.00% of troubled debt restructured loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 79.73% at December 31, 2021.

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and are not classified as impaired. Potential problem loans decreased $3.5$18.3 million during the first quarternine months of 2022 to $21.5$6.7 million, or 1.99%0.56% of gross loans receivable at March 31,September 30, 2022, compared with $25.0 million, or 2.32% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2021. The decrease in potential problem loans from year end 2021 primarily reflected the sale of approximately $1.5 million of potential problem loans, internal credit risk rating upgrades on approximately $1.5 millionloans to businesses primarily in the hospitality, health care and entertainment and recreation industries which were previously downgraded due to concerns over the impact of loansCOVID-19. These businesses have demonstrated a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity and loan payments.liquidity, warranting the improvement in risk rating.

The components of potential problem loans are as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Residential 1-4 family $986  $999 
Residential 5+ multifamily     709 
Home equity lines of credit      
Residential real estate  986   1,708 
Commercial  18,686   20,998 
Construction of commercial      
Commercial real estate  18,686   20,998 
Farm land      
Real estate secured  19,672   22,706 
Commercial and industrial  1,841   2,310 
Consumer  2    
Total potential problem loans $21,515  $25,016 

34

(in thousands)  September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Residential 1-4 family $858  $999 
Residential 5+ multifamily     709 
Residential real estate  858   1,708 
Commercial  4,156   20,998 
Construction of commercial      
Commercial real estate  4,156   20,998 
Farm land      
Real estate secured  5,014   22,706 
Commercial and industrial  1,690   2,310 
Consumer      
Total potential problem loans $6,704  $25,016 

The past due status of potential problem loans is as follows:

(in thousands)  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Current $21,484  $24,977  $6,672  $24,977 
Past due 30-59 days  22   23   20   23 
Past due 60-89 days  7   16   12   16 
Past due 90-179 days  2    
Total potential problem loans $21,515  $25,016  $6,704  $25,016 

At March 31,September 30, 2022, 99.86%99.52% of potential problem loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 99.84% at December 31, 2021. Management cannot predict the extent to which economic or other factors may impact such borrowers’ future payment capacity, and there can be no assurance that such loans will not be placed on nonaccrual status, restructured, or require increased provisions for loan losses.

32

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits decreased $45.7$11.0 million, or 3.4%0.1%, during first quarter 2022, to $1.29$1.325 billion at March 31,September 30, 2022 compared with $1.34$1.336 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease reflected normal customer activity as deposit levels returned to pre-pandemic levels. Retail repurchase agreements decreased $3.2$4.3 million or 28.1%, during first quarter 2022 to $8.2$7.1 million at March 31,September 30, 2022, compared withfrom $11.4 million at December 31, 2021.

The distribution of average total deposits by account type wasis as follows:

                  
 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
(in thousands) Average Balance Percent Weighted
Interest Rate
 Average Balance Percent Weighted
Interest Rate
 Average Balance Percent Weighted
Average Interest Rate
 Average Balance Percent Weighted
Average Interest Rate
Demand deposits $386,894   29.65%  0.00% $366,953   29.28%  0.00% $391,492   29.58%  0.00% $366,953   29.28%  0.00%
Interest-bearing checking accounts  232,464   17.82   0.17   224,763   17.93   0.19   233,547   17.64   0.18   224,763   17.93   0.19 
Regular savings accounts  233,092   17.87   0.11   215,300   17.18   0.11   246,101   18.59   0.29   315,469   25.17   0.17 
Money market savings  321,198   24.62   0.16   315,469   25.17   0.17   320,552   24.22   0.44   215,300   17.18   0.11 
Certificates of deposit (CD’s)  131,059   10.05   0.59   130,879   10.44   0.72 
Certificates of deposit (CD’s)1  131,918   9.97   0.73   130,879   10.44   0.72 
Total deposits $1,304,707   100.00%          0.15%  $1,253,364   100.00%  0.17% $1,323,610   100.00%  0.26% $1,253,364   100.00%  0.17%

1 CD’s also include brokered certificates and there were none at September 30, 2022 and $7.9 million at December 31, 2021.

The classification of certificates of deposit by interest rates is as follows:

Interest rates  March 31, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Interest rates (in thousands)  September 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Less than 1.00% $108,584  $97,099  $79,245  $97,099 
1.00% to 1.99%  13,594   14,919   14,589   14,919 
2.00% to 2.99%  6,035   6,493   15,787   6,493 
3.00% to 3.99%     498   238   498 
Total $128,213  $119,009  $109,859  $119,009 

The distribution of certificates of deposit by interest rate and maturity is as follows:

 At March 31, 2022                  
Interest rates Less Than or Equal to One Year More Than One to Two Years More Than Two to Three Years More Than Three Years Total Percent of Total
 At September 30, 2022
Interest rates (in thousands) Less Than or Equal to One Year More Than One to Two Years More Than Two to Three Years More Than Three Years Total Percent of Total
Less than 1.00% $86,693  $11,745  $3,714  $6,432  $108,584   84.69% $58,315  $11,841  $3,764  $5,325  $79,245   72.13%
1.00% to 1.99%  6,900   2,268   4,426      13,594   10.60%  8,530   3,814   2,245      14,589   13.28 
2.00% to 2.99%  304   4,490   1,241      6,035   4.71%  8,274   5,016   2,497      15,787   14.37 
3.00% to 3.99%  238            238   0.22 
Total $93,897  $18,503  $9,381  $6,432  $128,213   100.00% $75,357  $20,671  $8,506  $5,325  $109,859   100.00%

Scheduled maturities of time certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more are as follows:

March 31, 2022 (in thousands) Within
3 months
 
3-6 months
 
6-12 months
 Over
1 year
 Total
September 30, 2022 (in thousands) Within
3 months
 
3-6 months
 
6-12 months
 Over
1 year
 Total
Certificates of deposit $100,000 and over $31,534  $10,348  $22,328  $17,744  $81,954  $23,015  $6,479  $18,252  $19,351  $67,097 

Salisbury had $20.0 million of outstanding FHLBB advances decreased $7.2 million during the first quarter of 2022 to $0.4 million at March 31,September 30, 2022 compared with an outstanding balance of $7.7 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease reflected the pay-off of a $6.0 million advance due in December 2022 as well as payments on an amortized advance. Salisbury has an Irrevocable Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement with the FHLBB, whereby upon the Bank’s request an irrevocable letter of credit is issued to secure municipal and certain other transactional deposit accounts.  These letters of credit are secured primarily by residential mortgage loans.  The amount of funds available from the FHLBB to the Bank is reduced by any letters of credit outstanding.  At March 31,September 30, 2022, $20.0 million of letters of credit were outstanding compared with $20.0 million at December 31, 2021.outstanding.

There were no short-term FHLBB advances during the three month period ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

35

Liquidity

Salisbury manages its liquidity position to ensure that there is sufficient funding availability at all times to meet both anticipated and unanticipated deposit withdrawals, loan originations and advances, securities purchases and other operating cash outflows. Salisbury's primary sources of liquidity are principal payments and maturities of securities and loans, short-term borrowings through repurchase agreements and FHLBB advances, net deposit growth and funds provided by operations. Liquidity can also be provided through sales of loans and available-for-sale securities. At March 31,September 30, 2022, Salisbury’s excess borrowing capacity at FHLBB was approximately $251.0$233.0 million. Salisbury maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity, including wholesale funding. An increase in funding costs could have an adverse impact on Salisbury’s net interest margin. If an extendeda deterioration in economic shutdown causesconditions or other factors cause depositors to withdraw their funds, Salisbury could become more dependent on more expensive sources of funding.

Salisbury manages its liquidity in accordance with a liquidity funding policy, and also maintains a contingency funding plan that provides for the prompt and comprehensive response to unexpected demands for liquidity. Management believes Salisbury’s funding sources will meet anticipated funding needs.

Operating activities for the three-monthnine-month period ended March 31,September 30, 2022 provided net cash of $5.5$22.3 million. Investing activities utilized net cash of $24.5$135.2 million due to the purchaseprincipally from $115.1 million of net loan originations and principal collections, $52.2 million of purchases of securities available-for-sale, of $145.3$2.5 million and $0.3 million for thein purchase of fixed assets,Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) and $0.8 million of capital expenditures, partly offset by $102.4proceeds of $13.1 million from calls, maturities and principle payments on securities available-for-sale, and $22.0 million from the maturities/principal paydowns of available-for-sale (AFS) securities net loan originations of $0.6 million and $17.7 from proceeds from sale of securities.available-for-sale-securities. Financing activities utilized net cash of $57.4 million primarily$6.1million principally due to the decrease of savings deposits of $54.9 million, principal payments of $1.3 million on FHLB advances, the maturity of a $6.0 million FHLB advance and a decrease in deposit transaction accounts of $3.3$1.8 million, in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, partly offset by a net increasedecrease of $9.2 million in time deposit balances.deposits, a decrease of $4.3 million for securities sold under repurchase agreements, payments of $6.0 million for long-term FHLB borrowings, payments of $1.7 million on amortizing FHLBB advances, and the payment of common stock dividends of $2.8 million, partially offset by $20.0 million in FHLB short term advances.

At March 31,September 30, 2022, Salisbury had outstanding commitments to fund new loan originations of $87.8$57.6 million and unused lines of credit of $214.7$250.2 million. Salisbury believes that these commitments can be met in the normal course of business. Salisbury believes that its liquidity sources will continue to provide funding sufficient to support operating activities, loan originations and commitments, and deposit withdrawals.

 3633 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three monththree-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and 2021

OVERVIEW

Net income allocated to common shareholdersstock was $3.5$4.3 million, or $1.24$0.75 per basic earnings per common share, for the firstthird quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2022 (first(third quarter 2022), compared with $4.1$3.4 million, or $1.45$0.60 per basic earnings per common share, for the fourththird quarter ended December 31,September 30, 2021 (fourth(third quarter 2021), and $4.5$3.8 million, or $1.59$0.67 per basic earnings per common share, for the firstsecond quarter ended March 31, 2021 (firstJune 30, 2022 (second quarter 2021)2022). The decrease from fourth quarter 2021 primarily reflected non-recurring fraud-related losses of $251 thousand as well as a provision expense for loan losses of $363 thousand in first quarter 2022 compared with a net release of credit reserves of $202 thousand in fourth quarter 2021. The decrease from first quarter 2021 primarily reflected the non-recurring fraud-related losses and higher compensation expense in first quarter 2022, which partially reflected higher salary expense and the deferral of more compensation expense in the prior year first quarter due to the processing of PPP loans.

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income of $12.1 million for firstthe third quarter 2022 decreased $36 thousandincreased $1.7 million, or 0.34%16.5%, versus firstthird quarter 2021. Average total earning assets for the first quarter 2022 increased $154.6$53.8 million, or 3.8%, versus firstthird quarter 2021. Average total interest bearing deposits for the first quarter 2022 increased $83.5$33.6 million, or 3.7%, versus firstthird quarter 2021. The tax equivalent net interest margin for the firstthird quarter 2022 was 2.95%3.27% compared with 3.34%2.92% for the firstthird quarter 2021. Excluding PPP loans,loan, the tax equivalent net interest margin for the firstthird quarter 2022 was 2.86%3.25% compared with 3.16%2.78% for the firstthird quarter 2021. The increase in net interest margin from third quarter 2021 primarily reflected a $111.7 million, or 10.6%, increase in average loans and an increase of 5 basis points in average loan yields as well as a $70.7 million, or 46.9% increase in average securities balances and an increase of 24 basis points in average yields.

The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Three months ended March 31, Average Balance Income / Expense Average Yield / Rate
                      
Three months ended September 30, Average Balance Income / Expense Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)  2022   2021   2022   2021   2022   2021   2022   2021   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Loans (a)(d) $1,079,610  $1,051,658  $10,277  $10,592   3.79%  4.02% $1,168,037  $1,056,266  $11,675  $10,382   3.95%  3.90%
Securities (c)(d)  208,140   103,062   962   640   1.85   2.48   221,620   150,841   1,192   720   2.15   1.91 
FHLBB stock  1,434   1,948   7   9   2.05   1.85   1,191   1,743   8   6   2.92   1.38 
Short term funds (b)  123,454   101,401   50   25   0.16   0.10   68,818   196,997   344   73   1.98   0.15 
Total interest-earning assets  1,412,638   1,258,069   11,296   11,266   3.19   3.57 
Total earning assets  1,459,666   1,405,847   13,219   11,181   3.58   3.15 
Other assets  74,795   71,252                   60,283   72,547                 
Total assets $1,487,433  $1,329,321                  $1,519,949  $1,478,394                 
Interest-bearing demand deposits $232,464  $218,425   99   106   0.17   0.20  $233,547  $227,291   106   111   0.18   0.19 
Money market accounts  321,198   288,767   126   129   0.16   0.18   320,552   327,861   356   140   0.44   0.17 
Savings and other  233,092   197,526   64   56   0.11   0.11   246,101   217,541   179   58   0.29   0.11 
Certificates of deposit  131,059   129,603   189   264   0.59   0.83   131,918   125,768   242   223   0.73   0.70 
Total interest-bearing deposits  917,813   834,321   478   555   0.21   0.27   932,118   898,461   883   532   0.38   0.23 
Repurchase agreements  7,146   8,453   3   3   0.14   0.15   9,684   14,296   4   5   0.18   0.15 
Finance lease  5,097   2,824   41   32   3.23   4.60   5,318   2,685   41   33   3.05   4.98 
Note payable  163   200   2   3   6.12   6.18   142   183   2   3   6.15   6.11 
Subordinated debt (net of issuance costs)  24,480   10,156   233   119   3.81   4.68   24,508   24,452   233   233   3.80   3.82 
FHLBB advances  2,974   11,825   55   34   7.46   1.14   217   9,329   2   30   3.15   1.28 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  957,673   867,779   812   746   0.34   0.35   971,987   949,406   1,165   836   0.48   0.35 
Demand deposits  386,884   328,372                   410,861   388,557                 
Other liabilities  7,036   6,839                   7,065   6,965                 
Shareholders’ equity  135,840   126,331                   130,036   133,466                 
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity $1,487,433  $1,329,321                  $1,519,949  $1,478,394                 
Net interest income (d)         $10,484  $10,520         
Net interest income         $12,054  $10,345         
Spread on interest-bearing funds                  2.84   3.22                   3.11   2.80 
Net interest margin (e)                  2.95   3.34                   3.27   2.92 

(a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $178,000$211,000 and $170,000,$180,000, respectively, for 2022 and 2021 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2022 and 2021.
(e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 3734 

 

The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)2022 versus 2021
         
Three months ended September 30, (in thousands)Three months ended September 30, (in thousands)2022 versus 2021
Change in interest due to  Volume   Rate   Net   Volume   Rate   Net 
Loans $304  $(619) $(315) $1,159  $134  $1,293 
Securities  568   (246)  322   360   112   472 
FHLBB stock  (3)  1   (2)  (4)  6   2 
Short term funds  8   17   25   (337)  608   271 
Interest-earning assets  877   (847)  30   1,178   860   2,038 
Deposits  58   (135)  (77)  10   341   351 
Repurchase agreements           (2)  1   (1)
Finance lease  23   (14)  9   27   (19)  8 
Note payable  (1)     (1)
Subordinated debt  152   (38)  114 
Note Payable  (1)     (1)
Subordinated Debt  1   (1)   
FHLBB advances  (96)  117   21   (50)  22   (28)
Interest-bearing liabilities  136   (70)  66   (15)  344   329 
Net change in net interest income $741  $(777) $(36) $1,193  $516  $1,709 

Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income increased $30 thousand, or 0.3%, to $11.3of $13.2 million for firstthird quarter 2022 as compared with firstincreased $2.0 million, or 18.2% from third quarter 2021. Loan income asincreased $1.3 million, or 12.5%, compared to firstthird quarter 2021 decreased $315 thousand, or 3.0%, primarily due to a 23 basis point decreaseincrease in the average loan yield partly offset byof 5bps, and a $27.9$111.7 million, or 2.7%10.6%, increase in average loans.loan balances. Tax equivalent securities income increased $322$472 thousand, or 50.3%65.6%, for first quarter 2022 as compared with firstto third quarter 2021 primarily due to a $105.0$70.7 million, or 100.1%46.9%, increase in average balances partly offset byand a 6324 basis point decreaseincrease in average yield. Income on short-term funds as compared to first quarter 2021 increased $25$271 thousand, or 100.0%371.2%, compared with third quarter 2021 primarily due to a $22.1 million, or 21.7% increase in average balances and a 6183 basis point increase in the average yield, partially offset by a decrease of $128.1 million, or 65.0%, in average short-term funds yields.due to the funding of loans and normal customer activity.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $1.2 million for third quarter 2022 increased $66$329 thousand, or 8.8%39.4%, to $812 thousand for first quarter 2022 as compared with firstthird quarter 2021. Interest on deposit accounts decreased $77increased $351 thousand, or 13.9%66.0%, from third quarter 2021 as a result of a 615 basis point decreasepoints increase in average deposit rates partly offset byand a $83.5$33.7 million, or 10.0%3.7%, increase in the average balances as compared with first quarter 2021.balances. Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings increased $21decreased $28 thousand, or 61.8%93.3%, due tofrom third quarter 2021 primarily as a 632 basis pointresult of a decrease in the average balance of $9.1 million, or 97.6%, partly offset by an increase in the average borrowingsborrowing rate partly offset by an average balance decrease of $8.9 million, or 74.8%, as compared with first quarter 2021. Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings for first quarter 2022 included a non-recurring expense of approximately $30 thousand to pay off a $6 million advance due in December 2022.187 basis points. Interest expense on subordinated debt increased $114remained unchanged at $233 thousand, as compared to firstfor third quarter 2021 primarily due to an average balance increase of $14.3 million, or 141.0%, partly offset by an 87 basis point decrease in average yield.2022 and third quarter 2021.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

During first quarter 2022, the allowance for loan losses increased by the provision for loan loss expense of $363 thousand compared with a net reserve release of $202 thousand for fourth quarter 2021 and aA provision expense of $158 thousand$0.7 million was recorded for firstthird quarter 2022, compared with $0.4 million for third quarter 2021. The provision expense for third quarter 2022 primarily reflected loan growth during the quarter as well as adjustments to certain qualitative factors due to rising interest rates, persistent inflation and the increased risk of an economic recession. Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) were $410$64 thousand for the firstthird quarter 2022 $3compared with ($60) thousand for fourth quarter 2021 and $25 thousand for the firstthird quarter 2021. Charge-offs for first quarter 2022 includedManagement will continue to evaluate credit risk in the loan portfolio to ensure a write-downcommensurate level of $374 thousand to reduce the carrying value on $3.8 million of non-performing and under-performing residential and commercial loans,loan loss reserves. A deterioration in economic conditions may result in an increase in delinquencies, which Salisbury sold during the quarter, to the initial bid prices. The proceeds from the sale of these loansmay subsequently increased by approximately $239 thousand due to higher final bids. Thisnecessitate an increase was recorded as a pre-tax gain on sale in Salisbury’s consolidated statement of income.loan loss reserves.

As a result of these factors,The reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans excluding PPP loans, was 1.21%1.20% for the firstthird quarter 2022, versus 1.23%1.20% for the fourthsecond quarter 20212022 and 1.45%1.28% for the firstthird quarter 2021. Similarly, reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 467%770% for firstthird quarter of 2022, versus 309%324% for fourthsecond quarter of 20212022 and 243%263% for firstthird quarter of 2021.

The following table details the principal categories of credit quality ratios:

Three months ended March 31,  2022   2021 
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans receivable, gross  0.04%  0.00%
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross  0.26   0.54 
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross  0.25   0.23 
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross  1.20   1.32 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans  467.27   243.37 
Non-performing assets to total assets  0.19   0.41 

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Three months ended September 30,  2022   2021 
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans receivable, gross  0.07%  (0.01%)
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross  0.16   0.47 
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross  0.03   0.08 
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross  1.20   1.23 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans  770.49   263.30 
Non-performing assets to total assets  0.12   0.34 

Non-performing loans (non-accrual loans plus accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) were $2.8$1.9 million or 0.26%0.16% of gross loans receivable at March 31,September 30, 2022 as compared to $4.2with $5.0 million, or 0.39% at December 31, 2021 and $5.7 million, or 0.54%0.47%, at March 31,September 30, 2021. Accruing loans past due 30-89 days were $2.3decreased $0.5 million to $0.4 million, or 0.25%0.03% of gross loans receivable, compared with $1.3from $0.9 million, or 0.12%0.08% of gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2021 and $2.4 million, or 0.23% of gross loans receivable, at March 31,September 30, 2021. See “Financial Condition – AssetLoan Credit Quality” above for further discussion and analysis.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to earnings and by recoveries of amounts previously charged off and is reduced by loan charge-offs. Loan charge-offs are recognized when management determines a loan, or portion of a loan, to be uncollectible. The allowance for loan losses is computed by segregating the portfolio into three components: (1) loans collectively evaluated for impairment: general loss allocation factors for non-impaired loans are segmented into pools of loans based on similar risk characteristics such as loan product, collateral type and loan-to-value, loan risk rating, historical loss experience, delinquency factors and other similar economic indicators, (2) loans individually evaluated for impairment: individual loss allocations for loans deemed to be impaired based on discounted cash flows or collateral value, and (3) unallocated: general loss allocations for other environmental factors.

Impaired loans and certain potential problem loans, when warranted, are individually evaluated for impairment. Impairment is measured for each individual loan, or for a borrower’s aggregate loan exposure, using either the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell if the loan is collateral dependent, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. A specific allowance is generally established when the collateral value or discounted cash flows of the loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

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The component of the allowance for loan losses for loans collectively evaluated for impairment is estimated by stratifying loans into segments and credit risk ratings and then applying management's general loss allocation factors. The general loss allocation factors are based on expected loss experience adjusted for historical loss experience and other qualitative factors, including levels or trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; and national and local economic trends and conditions. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment and are risk-weighted such that higher risk loans generally have a higher reserve percentage.

The unallocated component of the allowance is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. It reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. Additionally, reserves are established for off balance sheet exposures.

Determining the adequacy of the allowance and reserves at any given period is difficult, particularly during deteriorating or uncertain economic periods, and management must make estimates using assumptions and information that are often subjective and changing rapidly. The review of credit exposure related to loans is a continuing event in light of a changing economy and the dynamics of the banking and regulatory environment. Should the economic climate deteriorate, borrowers could experience difficulty and the level of non-performing loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise, requiring increased provisions and reserves. In management's judgment, Salisbury remains adequately reserved both against total loans and non-performing loans at March 31, 2022.September 30, 2021.

Management’s loan risk rating assignments, loss percentages and specific reserves are subjected annually to an independent credit review by an external firm. In addition, the Bank is examined annually on a rotational basis by one of its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. As an integral part of their examination process, the FDIC and CTDOB review the adequacy and methodology of the Bank's credit risk ratings and allowance for loan losses.

Non-Interest Income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

Three months ended March 31, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
          
Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
Trust and wealth advisory $1,241  $1,146  $95   8.3% $1,228  $1,286  ($58)  (4.5%)
Service charges and fees  1,138   950   188   19.8  1,219   1,211   8   0.7 
Mortgage banking activities, net  355   608   (253)  (41.6) 64   108   (44)  (40.7)
Losses on CRA mutual fund  (42)  (16)  (26)  162.5 
Gains on available-for-sale securities, net  210      210   n/a 
BOLI income and gains  162   125   37   29.6 
Losses on mutual fund (47)  (4)  (43)  1,075.0 
Gains on securities, net    7   (7)  (100.0)
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income 201   135   66   48.9 
Gain on sale of assets    73   (73)  (100.0)
Other  30   28   2   7.1   28   24   4   16.7 
Total non-interest income $3,094  $2,841  $253   8.9% $2,693  $2,840  ($147)  (5.2%)

Non-interest income increased $253for third quarter 2022 decreased $147 thousand or 8.9% in the firstversus third quarter of 2022 versus the first quarter of 2021. Trust and wealth advisory revenues increased $95Wealth Advisory income decreased $58 thousand versus firstthird quarter 2021 primarily due to higher asset-basedlower asset management fees. Assets under administration were $1.0$1.2 billion at March 31,as of September 30, 2022 compared with $1.1 billion at December 31, 2021 and $902.1$973.2 million at March 31,as of September 30, 2021. Discretionary assets under administration of $625.3$522.1 million in first quarterat September 30, 2022 decreased from $657.8$608.2 million in fourth quarter 2021 and increased from $578.2 million in first quarterat September 30, 2021 primarily due to changes in marketlower equity valuations. Non-discretionary assets under administration of $423.9$710.2 million in firstfor third quarter 2022 declinedincreased from $425.4$365.0 million in fourthat third quarter 2021 and increased from $323.9 million in first quarter 2021. The increase in non-discretionary assets from first quarter 2021 primarily reflected the additiondue to a higher valuation of certain partnership assets under administration for the samean existing client relationship. The trust and wealth business records only a nominal annual fee on this relationship.

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Service charges and fees increased $188 thousand versus first quarter 2021 primarily reflected higher deposit fees. First quarter 2022 income from mortgage sales and servicing decreased $253 thousand due to a lower volume of sales of residential mortgage loans to the FHLB Boston. Mortgage sales in first$1.2 million for third quarter 2022 were $5.5 million compared with $21.3 million for firstessentially unchanged from third quarter 2021. MortgageNet fees from mortgage banking activities net for firstwere slightly below third quarter 2022 also included a pre-tax gain of $239 thousand on the sale of $3.4 million of non-performing and under-performing commercial and residential loans.

The first quarter 2022 included net losses of $42 thousand on investments in CRA Funds compared with net losses of $16 thousand in first quarter 2021. Non-interest income for first quarter 2022 included a pre-tax gain on the sale of available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities of $210 thousand.2021 due to lower sales volume. Salisbury did not recognizesell any gains or losses on the saleresidential loans to FHLBB during third quarter 2022 compared with sales of AFS securities$1.7 million in the comparative periods.third quarter 2021.

BOLI income of $162 thousand increased $37 thousand compared to $125 thousand in first quarter 2021. Other income primarily includes rental property income.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

Three months ended March 31, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
          
Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)Three months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
Salaries $3,479  $2,901  $578   19.9% $3,802  $3,361  $441   13.1%
Employee benefits  1,277   1,312   (35)  (2.7)  1,224   1,322   (98)  (7.4)
Premises and equipment  1,104   954   150   15.7   1,117   1,060   57   5.4 
Loss on sale of assets  9      9   n/a 
Write-down of assets     144   (144)  (100.0)
Information processing and services  685   565   120   21.2   711   632   79   12.5 
Professional fees  787   711   76   10.7   689   735   (46)  (6.3)
Collections, OREO, and loan related  117   84   33   39.3   67   120   (53)  (44.2)
FDIC insurance  171   145   26   17.9   98   146   (48)  (32.9)
Marketing and community support  184   82   102   124.4   214   256   (42)  (16.4)
Amortization of core deposit intangibles  54   71   (17)  (23.9)
Amortization of intangibles  46   61   (15)  (24.6)
Other  786   434   352   81.1   544   447   97   21.7 
Non-interest expense $8,653  $7,259  $1,394   19.2%
Total non-interest expense $8,512  $8,284  $228   2.8%

Non-interest expense for firstthird quarter 20222021 increased $1.4 million$228 thousand versus firstthird quarter 2021. Salaries expense increased $578$441 thousand versus firstthird quarter 2021. The increase2021 primarily reflectedreflecting higher base salary expense as well as higher production and incentive accruals and significantly lower deferred loan origination expenses due to the processing of PPP loans in first quarter 2021.accruals. Employee benefits expense decreased $35$98 thousand from third quarter 2021 primarily due to a reduction of deferred compensation expense, partially offset by higher 401k and ESOP accruals. Premises and equipment expense increased $57 thousand versus firstthird quarter 2021 due to increased finance lease and software costs. Third quarter 2021 also included a pre-tax loss of $144 thousand on the pending sale of the building housing the Bank’s branch in Poughkeepsie, New York. Data processing expense increased $79 thousand versus third quarter 2021 mainly due to higher data processing, ATM and debit card processing fees and increased website expense. Professional fees decreased $46 thousand versus third quarter 2021 as higher legal, audit & exam fees and internal audit fees offset by lower consulting and investment management fees. Collections, OREO and loan related expenses decreased $53 thousand versus third quarter 2021 primarily due to lower medicallitigation and appraisal costs. FDIC insurance costs and deferred compensation expense. Premises and equipment expense increased $150decreased $48 thousand versus firstthird quarter 2021 due to higher utility costs and higher software expense. Information processing expense increased $120 thousand versus first quarter 2021 primarily due to higher core processing costs and ATM and debit card processing fees. Professional fees increased $76 thousand versus first quarter 2021 primarily as a result of increased consulting and investment management fees. Loan and OREO related expenses increased $33 thousand versus first quarter 2021, mainly due to higher appraisal expenses and mortgage recording taxes.on lower deposit balances. Marketing and community support expense increased $102costs decreased $42 thousand versus firstcompared to the prior year third quarter 2021 primarily due to timing of current marketing campaigns and contributions. The increasecontributions as well as branding related costs incurred in other expensesthe prior year.

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Other Matters

In July 2022, Salisbury management discovered that the Bank’s trust department terminated a trust account in May 2020 and distributed approximately $1.0 million that should have been retained in continuance of $352 thousand included two isolated instancesthe trust account. Salisbury has engaged legal counsel and is currently evaluating the Company’s potential financial exposure. At this time, management believes that Salisbury’s exposure is not yet known or knowable and could potentially range from zero to approximately $1.0 million depending upon the facts and circumstances and the scope of debit card or check cashing fraud-related losses aggregating $251 thousand in first quarter 2022.Salisbury’s insurance coverage.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for firstthird quarter 2022 and firstthird quarter 2021 were 18.60%18.65% and 21.61%20.09%, respectively. The lowerGenerally, fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the first quarter 2022 primarily reflected a higher mix of tax-exempt income from municipal bonds,taxable and tax advantaged loans and bank-owned life insurance on a comparatively lower level of pre-taxexempt income.

Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2022 (to date) or 2021, other than minimum state income tax, as a result of a Connecticut law that permits banks to shelter certain mortgage income from the Connecticut corporation business tax through the use of a special purpose entity called a Passive Investment Company or PIC. In 2004, Salisbury availed itself of this benefit by forming a PIC, SBT Mortgage Service Corporation. Salisbury's income tax provision reflects the full impact of the Connecticut legislation. Salisbury does not expect to pay Connecticutother than minimum state income tax in the foreseeable future unless there is a change in Connecticut tax law.

For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

Overview

Net income allocated to common shareholders was $11.5 million, or $2.04 per basic common share, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 (nine month period 2022), compared with $12.1 million, or $2.16 per basic common share, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2021 (nine month period 2021).

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income of $33.6 million for the nine month period 2022 increased $3.0 million, or 9.8%, versus the nine month period 2021. Average total earning assets increased $75.8 million, or 5.6%, versus the nine month period 2021. Average total interest bearing deposits increased $39.0 million, or 4.4%, versus the nine month period 2021. The net interest margin of 3.12% increased 11 basis points from 3.01% for the nine month period 2021. Excluding PPP loans, the net interest margin for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 was approximately 3.06% compared with 2.90% for the same period in 2021. The increase in net interest margin for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 compared to the prior year period primarily reflected a $66.8 million, or 6.3%, increase in average loan balances, partially offset by a 5 basis point decline in average yield. This increase in interest income was partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in deposit costs due to a $39.1 million increase in average interest-bearing balances and a 3 basis point increase in average deposit costs.

The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest and dividend income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

                      
Nine months ended September 30, Average Balance Income / Expense Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)  2022   2021   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Loans (a)(d) $1,120,246  $1,053,451  $32,646  $30,989   3.85%  3.90%
Securities (c)(d)  218,455   130,864   3,270   2,080   2.00   2.12 
FHLBB stock  1.281   1.840   26   26   2.69   1.89 
Short term funds (b)  82,075   160,055   491   148   0.80   0.12 
Total earning assets  1,422,057   1,346,210   36,433   33,243   3.39   3.27 
Other assets  65,570   71,421                 
Total assets $1,487,627  $1,417,631                 
Interest-bearing demand deposits $231,883  $224,479   313   332   0.18   0.20 
Money market accounts  313,871   310,908   639   408   0.27   0.18 
Savings and other  238,688   209,180   339   173   0.19   0.11 
Certificates of deposit  133,339   134,143   647   739   0.65   0.74 
Total interest-bearing deposits  917,781   878,710   1,938   1,652   0.28   0.25 
Repurchase agreements  9,024   11,608   11   13   0.16   0.15 
Finance lease  5,233   2,753   122   102   3.12   4.95 
Note payable  153   192   7   9   6.14   6.13 
Subordinated debt (net of issuance costs)  24,495   21,851   699   767   3.80   4.68 
FHLBB advances  1,054   10,567   57   96   7.16   1.20 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  957,740   925,681   2,834   2,639   0.40   0.38 
Demand deposits  391,537   355,352                 
Other liabilities  6,818   6,897                 
Shareholders’ equity  131,532   129,701                 
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity $1,487,627  $1,417,631                 
Net interest income         $33,599  $30,604         
Spread on interest-bearing funds                  3.00   2.89 
Net interest margin (e)                  3.12   3.01 
(a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $575,000 and $523,000, respectively for 2022 and 2021 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2022 and 2021.
(e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

         
Nine months ended September 30, (in thousands)2022 versus 2021
Change in interest due to  Volume   Rate   Net 
Loans $2,200  $(543) $1,657 
Securities  1,400   (210)  1,190 
FHLBB stock  (12)  12    
Short term funds  (480)  823   343 
Interest-earning assets  3,108   82   3,190 
Deposits  17   269   286 
Repurchase agreements  (3)  1   (2)
Finance lease  93   (73)  20 
Note payable  (2)     (2)
Subordinated Debt  136   (204)  (68)
FHLBB advances  (385)  346   (39)
Interest-bearing liabilities  (144)  339   195 
Net change in net interest income $3,252  $(257) $2,995 

Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income of $36.4 million for the nine month period 2022 increased $3.2 million or 9.6%, compared with the nine month period 2021. Loan income increased $1.7 million, or 5.3%, compared with the nine months of 2021 primarily due to a $66.7 million, or 6.3%, increase in average loan balances, partially offset by a 5 basis point decrease in the average yield. Tax equivalent securities income for the nine month period 2022 increased $1.2 million, or 57.2%, compared with the nine month period 2021, primarily due to a $87.6 million, or 66.9%, increase in average balances, partially offset by an 12 basis point decrease in average yield. Income on short-term funds for the nine month period 2022 increased $343 thousand, or 231.8%, compared with the nine months of 2021 primarily due to a 68 basis point increase in the average short-term funds yields, partially offset by a $78.0 million, or 48.7%, decrease in average short-term funds, due to due to the funding of loans, the investment of cash into securities and normal customer activity.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $2.8 million for the nine month period 2022 increased $195 thousand, or 7.4%, compared with the nine month period 2021. Interest on deposit accounts increased $286 thousand, or 17.3%, as a result of a $39.0 million, or 4.4%, increase in the average balances and a 3 basis point increase in average deposit rates. Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings decreased $39 thousand, or 40.6%, due to a $9.5 million, or 90.0%, decrease in average balances, partially offset by a 596 basis point increase in the average borrowing rate. Interest expense on subordinated debt for the nine month period 2022 decreased $68 thousand, or 8.9%, due to a 88 basis point decrease in average yield, partially offset by a $2.6 million, or 12.1% increase in the average balance.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

A provision of $2.2 million was recorded for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 compared to a net credit reserve release of $0.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021. Net loan charge-offs were $786 thousand and $69 thousand for the respective periods. The provision expense for nine-month period of 2022 reflected significant loan growth and adjustments to qualitative factors due to the uncertain macro-economic environment. The provision expense also reflected a release of credit reserves of $0.6 million due to management’s upgrade of the internal risk rating on certain loans related to the hospitality and entertainment and recreation industries. In 2021 management reduced credit reserves as a result of an improvement in the business environment in Salisbury’s market areas due to the rollout out of vaccinations and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

Charge-off’s for the nine-month period in 2022 included a write-down of $374 thousand in first quarter 2022 to reduce the carrying value on $3.8 million of non-performing and under-performing residential and commercial loans, which Salisbury sold during the quarter, to the initial bid prices. The proceeds from the sale of these loans subsequently increased by approximately $239 thousand due to higher final bids. This increase was recorded as a pre-tax gain on sale in Salisbury’s consolidated statement of income in first quarter 2022. In second quarter 2022, Salisbury charged off $312 thousand, which primarily related to a discrete commercial loan. Net charge-offs were $64 thousand for third quarter 2022.

Reserve coverage at September 30, 2022, as measured by the ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans, at 1.20%, compares with 1.23% a year ago at September 30, 2021. Excluding PPP loans, the reserve coverage ratio was 1.20% for September 30, 2022 compared with 1.28% for September 30, 2021. Management will continue to evaluate credit risk in the loan portfolio to ensure a commensurate level of loan loss reserves. A resurgence of the pandemic or a deterioration in economic conditions due to high inflation and rising interest rates, which results in loan payment delinquencies, may subsequently necessitate an increase in loan loss reserves.

Non-interest income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

            
Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
Trust and wealth advisory $3,762  $3,685  $77   2.1%
Service charges and fees  4,080   3,536   544   15.4 
Mortgage banking activities, net  497   912   (415)  (45.5)
Losses on mutual fund  (119)  (18)  (101)  561.1 
Gains (losses) gains on securities, net  165   (2)  167   (8350.0)
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income  615   386   229   59.3 
Gain on sale of assets     73   (73)  (100.0)
Other  84   81   3   3.7 
Total non-interest income $9,084  $8,653  $431   5.0%

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Non-interest income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 increased $431 thousand versus the same period in 2021. Trust and wealth advisory revenues increased $77 thousand mainly on higher estate planning fees. Service charges and fees increased $544 thousand primarily due to non-recurring loan prepayment fees. Net fees from mortgage banking activities decreased $415 thousand due to lower volume of mortgage loans sold to FHLB Boston. Mortgage loans sales totaled $7.5 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 compared with $29.7 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2021. The nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 included mortgage servicing amortization of $117 thousand and $167 thousand, respectively. BOLI income and gains increased $229 thousand versus the same period in 2021. The increase included a non-recurring non-taxable gain of $89 thousand related to proceeds receivable from a bank-owned life insurance policy (“BOLI”) due to the death of a former covered employee. Non-interest income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2021 also included a one-time pre-tax gain of $73 thousand primarily from the sale of Salisbury’s operations center in Canaan, Connecticut. Other income primarily includes rental property income.

Non-interest expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

            
Nine months ended September 30, (dollars in thousands)2022   2021   2022 vs. 2021 
Salaries $10,938  $9,664  $1,274   13.2%
Employee benefits  3,789   3,990   (201)  (5.0)
Premises and equipment  3,200   3,034   166   5.5 
Write-down of assets  3   144   (141)  (97.9)
Information processing and services  2,098   1,824   274   15.0 
Professional fees  2,297   2,090   207   9.9 
Collections, OREO, and loan related  300   317   (17)  (5.4)
FDIC insurance  391   370   21   5.7 
Marketing and community support  661   552   109   19.7 
Amortization of intangibles  150   198   (48)  (24.2)
Other  1,872   1,448   424   29.3 
Total non-interest expense $25,699  $23,631  $2,068   8.8%

Non-interest expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022 increased $2.1 million versus the same period in 2021. Salaries increased $1.3 million primarily due to higher base salaries and incentives. Benefits decreased $201 thousand primarily due lower medical insurance costs, 401K employer match and deferred compensation related expenses. Premises and equipment increased $166 thousand mainly due to higher building depreciation and facilities related expenses. The nine month period ended September 30, 2021 also included a pre-tax loss of $144 thousand on the sale of the building housing the Bank’s branch in Poughkeepsie, New York. Data processing increased $274 thousand mainly due to ATM fees, data processing costs and website costs. The increase in professional fees of $207 thousand versus the nine month period 2021 primarily reflected higher legal, consulting and investment management expenses. Collections, OREO and loan related expense decreased $17 thousand primarily due to lower mortgage recording costs. FDIC related expense increased $21 thousand compared to the same period in 2021 reflecting higher deposit balances. Marketing and community support costs increased $109 thousand compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to Salisbury’s ongoing branding initiatives and marketing campaigns. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $48 thousand due to the aging off of expenses related to previous acquisitions. Other expenses increased $424 thousand primarily due fraud charges incurred in 2022 as well as higher Director fees and training costs.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rates for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 were 17.55% and 21.05%, respectively. Fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income. Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds, tax-exempt loans and bank owned life insurance and other tax advantaged assets.

Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2022 (to date) or 2021, other than minimum state income tax, as a result of a Connecticut law that permits banks to shelter certain mortgage income from the Connecticut corporation business tax through the use of a special purpose entity called a Passive Investment Company or PIC. In 2004, Salisbury availed itself of this benefit by forming a PIC, SBT Mortgage Service Corporation. Salisbury's income tax provision reflects the full impact of the Connecticut legislation. Salisbury does not expect to pay other than minimum Connecticut state income tax in the foreseeable future unless there is a change in Connecticut tax law.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity decreased $6.5$13.4 million in first quarternine months to $130.1$123.2 million at March 31,September 30, 2022 as unrealized after-tax losses in the available-for-sale securities (“AFS”) portfolio of $9.3$23.2 million and common stock dividends paid of $0.9$2.8 million were partially offset by net income of $3.6$11.8 million and other activityissued stock and stock-based compensation totaling of $0.1$0.6 million. The unrealized losses in the AFS portfolio, which reflected the sharp increase in market interest rates during first quarternine months of 2022, reduced both book value and tangible book value at March 31,September 30, 2022. Book value per common share of $45.12$21.29 at March 31,September 30, 2022 decreased $2.61$0.72 from fourthsecond quarter 20212022 and increased $0.40decreased $2.04 from firstthird quarter 2021. Tangible book value per common share of $40.20$18.86 at March 31,September 30, 2022 decreased $2.56$0.71 from fourthsecond quarter 20212022 and increased $0.55decreased $1.97 from firstthird quarter 2021.

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Capital Requirements

Under current regulatory definitions, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject, and the Bank is considered to be well-capitalized. The unrealized losses in the AFS portfolio noted above do not affect the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. As a well-capitalized financial institution,result, the Bank pays lower federal deposit insurance premiums than those banks that are not “well-capitalized.” Requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution and for minimum capital adequacy along with the Bank's regulatory capital ratios are as follows:

 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  13.98%  14.08%  13.24%  14.08%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital  12.80   12.87 
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  12.80   12.87   12.07   12.87 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)  12.07   12.87 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)  9.65   9.42   9.83   9.42 

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A well-capitalized institution, which is the highest capital category for an institution as defined by the Prompt Corrective Action regulations issued by the FDIC and the FRB, is one which maintains a Total Risk-Based ratio of 10% or above, a Tier 1 Risk-Based ratio of 8% or above, a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or above, and a Leverage ratio of 5% or above, and is not subject to any written order, written agreement, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level. Maintaining strong capital is essential to Salisbury and the Bank’s safety and soundness. However, the effective management of capital resources requires generating attractive returns on equity to build value for shareholders while maintaining appropriate levels of capital to fund growth, meet regulatory requirements and be consistent with prudent industry practices. While Salisbury believes that the subsidiary Bank has sufficient capital to withstand an economic shutdown as a result of the virus, the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by further credit losses.

The FRB’s final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries include a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, iswas also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer began phasingwas fully phased in January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increased each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until it reached its final level of 2.50% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules.

As of March 31,September 30, 2022, the Company and the Bank met each of their capital requirements and the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized.” There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

On September 17, 2019, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FRB and the FDIC published its final rule establishing a “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” (“CBLR”) that simplifies capital requirements for certain community banking organizations with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets (such as the Bank). Under the final rule, depository institutions and their holding companies that meet certain criteria (generally, those with limited amounts of off-balance sheet exposures, trading assets and liabilities, mortgage servicing assets, and temporary difference deferred tax assets) (“qualifying community banking organizations”) may elect to report the components of its Tier 1 leverage ratio as a measure of capital adequacy. A qualifying community banking organization with a CBLR of greater than 9% that “elects to use the CBLR framework” will not be subject to other risk-based and leverage capital requirements and will be considered to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements for purposes of the agencies’ Prompt Corrective Action (“PCA”) framework. Under the final rule, if a bank that has opted to use the CBLR framework subsequently fails to satisfy one or more of the qualifying criteria but continues to report a leverage ratio of greater than 8 %, the bank may continue to use the framework and will be deemed “well capitalized” for a grace period of up to two quarters. A qualifying community banking organization will be required to comply with the generally applicable capital rule and file the relevant regulatory reports if the banking organization: (1) is unable to restore compliance with all qualifying criteria during the two-quarter grace period (including achieving compliance with the greater than 9% leverage ratio requirement); (2) reports a leverage ratio of 8% or less; or (3) ceases to satisfy the qualifying criteria due to consummation of a merger transaction. The final rule became effective on January 1, 2020. The Bank would qualify for the CBLR methodology and would also be considered to be well capitalized if it elected to utilize such methodology. The Bank is currently evaluatingcontinues to evaluate the benefits of transitioning to this simplified methodology for assessing capital adequacy.

Share RepurchasesStock Repurchase Plan

On March 23, 2022 Salisbury announced that its Board of Directors has renewed its share repurchase program that was established in March 2021. The share repurchase program provides for the potential repurchase of Salisbury’s common stock in amounts up to an aggregate of five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Salisbury’s common stock from time to time over a period of the next twelve (12) months through privately negotiated transactions and/or market purchases at appropriate prices, subject to price and market conditions on terms determined to be in the best interests of Salisbury. However, there is no assurance that Salisbury will complete repurchases of 5% of its outstanding shares over the next twelve (12) months. Salisbury did not repurchase any shares during first quarterthe nine-month period ended September 30, 2022.

Stock SplitSubordinated Debt

InOn March 2022,31, 2021 Salisbury completed a private placement of $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) to various accredited investors. The Notes have a maturity date of March 31, 2031 and bear interest at an annual rate of 3.50% per annum, from and including the Board of Directors of Salisbury approvedclosing date to, but excluding March 31, 2026 or the earlier redemption date, payable quarterly in arrears. From and recommendedincluding March 31, 2026 to, shareholders an amendmentbut excluding the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the rate will be a floating per annum rate expected to Salisbury’s Certificate of Incorporationbe equal to increase Salisbury’s authorized shares of Common Stock from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 shares, subject to shareholder approval (the “Certificate of Amendment Proposal”) at Salisbury’s annual shareholder meeting on May 18, 2022. Additionally, the Board indicated its intent to implement, subject to shareholder approval of the Certificate of Amendment Proposal, a two for one forward split of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock as a means of enhancing the liquidity and marketability of the Company’s securitiesthen current three-month SOFR plus 280 basis points, provided, however, that in the best interests of shareholders. Even if the Certificate of Amendment Proposalevent three-month SOFR is approved by Salisbury’s shareholders, the Board of Directors may delay or abandon the forward stock split at any time prior to the effective time of the forward stock split if the Board of Directors determines that the forward stock split is no longer in the best interests of Salisbury or its shareholders. The stock split willless than zero, three-month term SOFR shall be effected at a datedeemed to be determined byzero, payable quarterly in arrears. On May 28, 2021, Salisbury redeemed in full the Board, but not before or until receipt$10.0 million of shareholder approval and the effective date of the Certificate of Amendment as filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State.subordinated debt issued in 2015.

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Dividends

DuringSalisbury paid $2.8 million in common stock dividends during the three-monthnine month period ended March 31, 2022, Salisbury paid $915 thousand in dividends on common stock.September 30, 2022. On April 20,October 19, 2022, the Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a common stock dividend of $0.32$0.16 per common share payable on May 27,November 25, 2022 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2022. Common stock dividends, when declared, are generally paid the last Friday of February, May, 13, 2022.August and November, although Salisbury is not obligated to pay dividends on those dates or at any other time.

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised December 31, 2015, states that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital position.

Salisbury believes that the payment of common stock cash dividends is appropriate, provided that such payment considers Salisbury's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition and does not adversely affect the financial stability of Salisbury or the Bank. The continued payment of common stock cash dividends by Salisbury will be dependent on Salisbury's future core earnings, financial condition and capital needs, regulatory restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors of Salisbury.

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IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented elsewhere in this Form 10-Q are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial condition and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation. Unlike some other types of companies, the financial nature of Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements is more clearly affected by changes in interest rates than by inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily fluctuate in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, inflation does affect Salisbury to some extent because, as prices increase, the money supply grows and interest rates are affected by inflationary expectations. Additionally, the effects of inflation on commercial and consumer customers can have implications with respect to their borrowing needs and saving and deposit practices. Potentially, if sustained, inflation could precipitate recessionary trends that could affect commercial development and residential construction. Inflation could also increase the cost of labor and products and services used by the Bank and thereby hinder efficiencies in the Bank’s ability to deliver products and services. There is no precise method, however, to measure the effects of inflation on Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, any examination or analysis of the financial statements should take into consideration the possible effects of inflation. Although not a material factor in recent years, inflation could impact earnings in future periods.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q and future filings made by Salisbury with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other filings, reports and press releases made or issued by Salisbury and the Bank, and oral statements made by executive officers of Salisbury and the Bank, may include forward-looking statements relating to such matters as:

(a)assumptions concerning future economic and business conditions and their effect on the economy in general and on the markets in which Salisbury and the Bank do business; and
(b)expectations for revenues and earnings for Salisbury and the Bank.

Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions rather than historical or current facts and, therefore, are inherently uncertain and subject to risk. For those statements, Salisbury claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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Salisbury notes that a variety of factors could cause the actual results or experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of Salisbury’s and the Bank’s business include the following:

(a)the risk of adverse changes in business conditions in the banking industry generally and in the specific markets in which the Bank operates;
(b)changes in the legislative and regulatory environment that negatively impacts Salisbury and the Bank through increased operating expenses;
(c)increased competition from other financial and non-financial institutions;
(d)the impact of technological advances and cybersecurity matters;
(e)interest rate fluctuations;
(f)the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Salisbury, the communities served by the Bank, the State of Connecticut and the United States, related to the economy and overall financial stability;
(g)government and regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic;
(h)the risk of adverse changes in business conditions due to geo-political tensions and;tensions;
(f)(h)government and regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
(i)other risks identified from time to time in Salisbury’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Such developments could have an adverse impact on Salisbury’s and the Bank’s financial position and results of operations.

Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Salisbury manages its exposure to interest rate risk through its Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) using risk limits and policy guidelines to manage assets and funding liabilities to produce financial results that are consistent with Salisbury’s liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets. Interest rate risk is the risk of a negative impact to future earnings due to changes in interest rates.

The ALCO manages interest rate risk using income simulation to measure interest rate risk inherent in Salisbury’s financial instruments at a given point in time by showing the effect of interest rate shifts on net interest income over a 24-month horizon. In management’s March 31,September 30, 2022 analysis, the simulations incorporate static growth assumptions over the simulation horizons for regulatory compliance and interest rate risk measurement purposes. In the dynamic growth scenarios, allowances are made for loan, deposit and security product mix shifts in selected interest rate scenarios, such as movements between lower rate savings and money market deposit accounts and higher rate time deposits, and changes in the reinvestment of loan and securities cash flows. Additionally, the simulations take into accountconsider the specific re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of differing financial instruments that may vary under different interest rate scenarios.

The ALCO reviews the simulation results to determine whether Salisbury’s exposure to change in net interest income remains within established tolerance levels over the simulation horizons and to develop appropriate strategies to manage this exposure. Salisbury’s tolerance levels for changes in net interest income in its income simulations varies depending on the magnitude of interest rate changes and level of risk-based capital. All changes are measured in comparison to the projected net interest income that would result from an “unchanged” rate scenario where interest rates remain stable over the forecast horizon. The ALCO also evaluates the directional trends of net interest income, net interest margin and other financial measures over the forecast horizon for consistency with its liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets.

ALCO uses four interest rate scenarios to evaluate interest risk exposure and may vary these interest rate scenarios to show the effect of steepening or flattening changes in yield curves as well as parallel changes in interest rates. At March 31,September 30, 2022, ALCO used the following interest rate scenarios: (1) unchanged interest rates; (2) immediately rising interest rates – immediate parallel upward shift in market interest rates of 300 basis points across the yield curve; (3) immediately falling interest rates – immediate parallel downward shift in market interest rates of 100200 basis points across the yield curve; and (4) gradual and non-parallel changes in interest rates – the yield curve is assumed to rise throughout 2022 and into the first half of 2023 with the treasury yield curve increasing untilthen declining in the second half of 2023 and into 2024. The Fed Funds rate increases through March 31, 20242023 and ultimately ending higher across all pointsthen declines in the second half of the curveyear so that the Fed Funds rate is 0.75% higher at September 30, 2023 than they areit was at March 31,September 30, 2022. The two year,As of September 30, 2023, the two-year, five year and 10 year treasury as of March 31, 2024rates are ultimately 0.88%projected to be 0.30%, 1.00%0.40% and 1.25%0.50% higher than actual rates as of March 31, 2022 with theSeptember 30, 2022. The Fed Funds rate increasingis then projected to decline 1.50% assumed in 2022from September 30, 2023 to September 30, 2024 with the two-year, five year and an additional 1.00% increase in Fed Funds rate in 2023 through March 31, 2024.10 year treasury declining by 1.66%, 1.45% and 1.15% respectively, over that time period. Simulations do not reflect adjustments in strategy that the ALCO could implement in response to rate shifts.

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As of March 31,September 30, 2022, net interest income simulations indicated that Salisbury’s exposure to changing interest rates over the simulation horizons remained within its tolerance levels.

The following table sets forth the estimated change in net interest income from an unchanged interest rate scenario over the periods indicated for changes in market interest rates using Salisbury’s financial instruments as of March 31,September 30, 2022.

As of March 31, 2022 Months 1-12  Months 13-24 
Immediately rising interest rates + 300bp (static growth assumptions)  (2.6)%  6.8%
Immediately falling interest rates - 100bp (static growth assumptions)  (4.7)  (9.4)
Immediately rising interest rates + 400bp (static growth assumptions)  (4.1)  8.1 
As of September 30, 2022 Months 1-12  Months 13-24 
Immediately rising interest rates + 200bp (static growth assumptions)  (2.40)%  2.30%
Immediately rising interest rates + 100bp (static growth assumptions)  (1.00)  1.40 
Immediately falling interest rates - 100bp (static growth assumptions)  (1.70)  (4.30)

The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately and gradually rising rates as compared to the unchanged rate scenario results from a faster projected rise in the cost of funds versus income from earning assets, as relatively rate-sensitive money market and time deposits re-price faster than longer duration earning assets. The positive exposure of net interest income to immediately and gradually rising rates as compared to the unchanged rate scenario results from a faster projected rise in income from earning assets versus the projected increase in the Bank’s cost of funds. The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately falling rates as compared to an unchanged rate scenario results from a greater decline in earning asset yields compared to rates paid on funding liabilities, as a result of faster prepayments on existing assets and lower reinvestment rates on future loans originated and securities purchased.

While the ALCO reviews simulation assumptions and back-tests simulation results to ensure that they are reasonable and current, income simulation may not always prove to be an accurate indicator of interest rate risk or future net interest margin. Over time, the re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of financial instruments and the composition of Salisbury’s balance sheet may change to a different degree than estimated. Simulation modeling assumes Salisbury’s expectation for future balance sheet growth, which is a function of the business environment and customer behavior. Another significant simulation assumption is the sensitivity of core savings deposits to fluctuations in interest rates. Income simulation results assume that changes in both core savings deposit rates and balances are related to changes in short-term interest rates. The assumed relationship between short-term interest rate changes and core deposit rate and balance changes used in income simulation may differ from the ALCO’s estimates. Lastly, mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans involve a level of risk that unforeseen changes in prepayment speeds may cause related cash flows to vary significantly in differing rate environments. Such changes could affect the level of reinvestment risk associated with cash flow from these instruments, as well as their market value. Changes in prepayment speeds could also increase or decrease the amortization of premium or accretion of discounts related to such instruments, thereby affecting interest income.

Salisbury also monitors the potential change in market value of its available-for-sale debt securities in changing interest rate environments. The purpose is to determine market value exposure that may not be captured by income simulation, but which might result in changes to Salisbury’s capital and liquidity position. Results are calculated using industry-standard analytical techniques and securities data. Equity securities are excluded from this analysis because the market value of such securities cannot be directly correlated with changes in interest rates.

The following table summarizes the potential change in market value of available-for-sale debt securities resulting from immediate parallel rate shifts:

As of March 31, 2022 (in thousands)  Rates up 100bp   Rates up 200bp 
As of September 30, 2022(in thousands)  Rates up 100bp   Rates up 200bp 
U.S. Treasury $(878) $(1,707) $(715) $(1,392)
U.S. Government agency notes  (1,474)  (2,350)  (944)  (1,739)
Municipal bonds  (3,201)  (6,398)  (3,292)  (6,306)
Mortgage backed securities                
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  (3,490)  (6,987)  (2,953)  (5,763)
Collateralized mortgage obligations                
U.S. Government agencies  (1,333)  (2,776)  (1,444)  (2,901)
Corporate bonds  (459)  (875)  (515)  (931)
Total available-for-sale debt securities $(10,835) $(21,093) $(9,863) $(19,032)

 

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Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Salisbury’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Salisbury’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,September 30, 2022. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31,September 30, 2022.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Salisburyus in itsour reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Changes in Internal Controls

In addition, based on an evaluation of its internal controls over financial reporting, no change in Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Bank is involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which management currently believes are not material, individually or in the aggregate, to the business, financial condition or operating results of Salisbury or any of its subsidiaries. There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the registrant’s business, to which Salisbury is a party or of which any of its property is subject.

Item 1A.RISK FACTORS

There were no material changesPlease refer to the note on forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, please consider the risk factors previously discloseddiscussed in Salisbury’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in such Annual Report.

Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

Item 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

Item 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None

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Item 6.EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.Description
3.1Certificate of Incorporation of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s 1998 Registration StatementForm 10-Q filed on Form S-4 filed April 23, 1998, File No.: 33-50857)August 15, 2022).
  
3.1.1Amendment to Article Third of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 11, 2009).

3.1.2 

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 19, 2009).
3.1.3Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation for the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
3.1.4Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 30, 2014).
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed November 25, 2014).
  
4.1Form of Subordinated Note, dated as of March 31, 2021, issued by Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 31, 2021).
  
10.1Amended and Restated Non-Qualified Deferred CompensationAmendment Number Two to the Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan effective January 1, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed December 29, 2021)June 23, 2022).
  
31.1Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
31.2Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CF 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32.1Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.
   
May 6,November 4, 2022By:  /s/ Richard J. Cantele, Jr. 
  Richard J. Cantele, Jr.,
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
May 6,November 4, 2022By:  /s/ Peter Albero 
  Peter Albero,
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

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