Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1: Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Provident Financial Holdings, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (collectively, the “Corporation”). All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (the “Bank”) converted from a federally chartered mutual savings bank to a federally chartered stock savings bank effective June 27, 1996. Provident Financial Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation organized by the Bank, acquired all of the capital stock of the Bank issued in the conversion; the transaction was recorded on a book value basis.

The Corporation has determined that it operates in one business segment through the Bank. The Bank's activities include attracting deposits, offering banking services and originating and purchasing single-family, multi-family, commercial real estate, construction and other mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial business and consumer loans held for investment. Deposits are collected primarily from 13 banking locations located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California. Additional activities may include originating saleable single-family loans, primarily fixed-rate first mortgages. Loans are primarily originated and purchased in Southern and Northern California.

Use of estimates

The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ 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, the loan repurchase reserve, the valuation of investment securities, the valuation of loans held for investment at fair value, deferred tax assets, loan servicing assets, real estate owned and deferred compensation costs.

The following accounting policies, together with those disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements, represent the significant accounting policies of Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. and the Bank.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and due from banks, as well as overnight deposits placed at the Federal Reserve Bank – San Francisco and correspondent banks.

Investment securities

The Corporation classifies its qualifying investments as available for sale or held to maturity. The Corporation classifies investments as held to maturity when it has the ability and it is management’s positive intent to hold such securities to maturity. Securities held to maturity are carried at amortized historical cost. All other securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. Fair value generally is determined based upon quoted market prices. Changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Gains and losses on sale or dispositions of investment securities are included in non-interest income and are determined using the specific identification method. Purchase premiums and discounts are amortized over the expected average life of the securities using the effective interest method.

Investment securities are reviewed annually for possible other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). For debt securities, an OTTI is evident if the Corporation intends to sell the debt security or will more likely than not be required to sell the debt security before full recovery of the entire amortized cost basis is realized. However, even if the Corporation does not intend to sell the debt security and will not likely be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its entire amortized cost basis, the Corporation must evaluate expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss has occurred. In the event of a credit loss, the credit component of the impairment is recognized within non-interest income and the non-credit component is recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Loans held for investment

Loans held for investment consist of long-term adjustable and fixed rate loans secured by first trust deeds on single-family residences and multi-family and commercial real estate loans secured by commercial property, land and other residential properties. These loans are generally offered to customers and businesses located in California.

Net loan origination fees and certain direct origination expenses are deferred and amortized to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method. Amortization is discontinued for non-performing loans. Interest receivable represents, for the most part, the current month’s interest, which will be included as a part of the borrower’s next monthly loan payment. Interest receivable is accrued only if deemed collectible. Loans are placed on non-performing status when they become 90 days past due or if the loan is deemed impaired. When a loan is placed on non-performing status, interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income. Interest income on non-performing loans is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash is received and the principal balance is deemed collectible. If the principal balance is not deemed collectible, the entire payment received (principal and interest) is applied to the outstanding loan balance. Non-performing loans that become current as to both principal and interest are returned to accrual status after demonstrating satisfactory payment history (usually six consecutive months) and when future payments are expected to be collected.

Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses involves significant judgment and assumptions by management, which has a material impact on the carrying value of net loans. Management considers the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses a critical accounting estimate because it is highly susceptible to changes from period to period, requiring management to make assumptions about probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The impact of a sudden large loss could deplete the allowance and require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would negatively affect earnings.

The allowance is based on two principles of accounting:  (i) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 450, “Contingencies,” which requires that losses be accrued when they are probable of occurring and can be estimated; and (ii) ASC 310, “Receivables,” which requires that losses be accrued for non-performing loans that may be determined on an individually evaluated basis or based on an aggregated pooling method.

The allowance has two components: collectively evaluated allowances and individually evaluated allowances. Each of these components is based upon estimates that can change over time. The allowance is based on historical experience and, as a result, can differ from actual losses incurred in the future. The Corporation also applies qualitative loss factors by assessing general economic indicators such as gross domestic product, retail sales, unemployment rates, employment growth, California home sales and median California home prices, as well as peer group data, reflecting the effect of events that have occurred but are not yet evidenced in the historical data. The historical data is reviewed at least quarterly and adjustments are made as needed. Management considers, based on currently available information, the allowance for loan losses sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in loans held for investment. Various techniques are used to arrive at an individually evaluated allowance, including discounted cash flows and the fair market value of collateral. The use of these techniques is inherently subjective and the actual losses could be greater or less than the estimates.

Allowance for unfunded loan commitments

The Corporation maintains the allowance for unfunded loan commitments at a level that is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses related to these unfunded credit facilities. The Corporation determines the adequacy of the allowance based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is recorded in other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Net adjustments to the allowance for unfunded loan commitments are included in other non-interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Loans in forbearance

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act for 2020, as amended (“CARES Act”) was signed into law and on April 7, 2020, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), National Credit Union Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC “) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications

and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus ("Interagency Statement"). Among other things, the CARES Act and Interagency Statement provided relief to borrowers, including the opportunity to defer loan payments while not negatively affecting their credit standing. For commercial and consumer customers, the Corporation provided relief options, including payment deferrals and fee waivers.

All loans modified due to COVID-19 pandemic were separately monitored and any request for continuation of relief beyond the initial modification were reassessed to determine if a further modification should be granted and if a downgrade in risk rating was appropriate.

After the payment deferral period (forbearance period), normal loan payments once again became due and payable. The forbearance amount will be due and payable in full as a balloon payment at the end of the loan term or sooner if the loan becomes due and payable in full at an earlier date. As of March 31, 2021, the Corporation ceased accepting new forbearance requests and as of June 30, 2022, the Corporation had no pending requests for this type of payment relief. As of June 30, 2022, the Corporation had no forbearance loans that were modified and operating under forbearance agreements in accordance with the CARES Act and Interagency Statement. For additional information, see Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Troubled debt restructuring (“restructured loans”)

A restructured loan is a loan which the Corporation, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a more than insignificant concession to the borrower that the Corporation would not otherwise consider. These financial difficulties include, but are not limited to, the borrowers’ default status on any of their debts, bankruptcy and recent changes in their financial circumstances (loss of job, etc.).

The loan terms which have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial difficulty, may include but are not limited to:

a) A reduction in the stated interest rate.

b) An extension of the maturity at an interest rate below market.

c) A reduction in the accrued interest.

d) Extensions, deferrals, renewals and rewrites.

e) Loans that have been discharged in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy that have not been reaffirmed by the borrower.

To qualify for restructuring, a borrower must provide evidence of creditworthiness such as, current financial statements, most recent income tax returns, current paystubs, current W-2s, and most recent bank statements, among other documents, which are then verified by the Corporation. The Corporation re-underwrites the loan with the borrower’s updated financial information, new credit report, current loan balance, new interest rate, remaining loan term, updated property value and modified payment schedule, among other considerations, to determine if the borrower qualifies.

The Corporation measures the allowance for loan losses of restructured loans based on the difference between the loan’s original carrying amount and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original effective yield of the loan. Based on the OCC guidance with respect to restructured loans and to conform to general practices within the banking industry, the Corporation maintains certain restructured loans on accrual status, provided there is reasonable assurance of repayment and performance, consistent with the modified terms based upon a current, well-documented credit evaluation. All other restructured loans are classified as “Substandard” and placed on non-performing status.

The Corporation typically upgrades restructured loans to the pass category if the borrower has demonstrated satisfactory contractual payments for at least six consecutive months or 12 consecutive months for those loans that were restructured more than once. Once the borrower has demonstrated satisfactory contractual payments beyond 12 consecutive months, the loan is no longer categorized as a restructured loan. In addition to the payment history described above; multi-family, commercial real estate, construction and commercial business loans must also demonstrate a combination of corroborating characteristics to be upgraded, such as: satisfactory cash flow, satisfactory guarantor support, and additional collateral support, among others.

Non-performing loans

The Corporation assesses loans individually and classifies as non-performing when the accrual of interest has been discontinued, loans have been restructured or management has serious doubts about the future collectability of principal and interest, even though the loans may currently be performing. Factors considered in determining classification include, but are not limited to, expected future cash flows, the financial condition of the borrower and current economic conditions. The Corporation measures each non-performing loan based on ASC 310, establishes a collectively evaluated or individually evaluated allowance and charges off those loans or portions of loans deemed uncollectible.

Real estate owned

Real estate acquired through foreclosure is initially recorded at the fair value of the real estate acquired, less estimated selling costs. Subsequent to foreclosure, the Corporation charges current earnings for estimated losses if the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value. Gains or losses on the sale of real estate are recognized upon disposition of the property. Costs relating to improvement, maintenance and repairs of the property are expensed as incurred under gain (loss) on sale and operations of real estate owned acquired in the settlement of loans within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Corporation reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets include buildings, land, fixtures, furniture and equipment. An asset is considered impaired when the expected discounted cash flows over the remaining useful life are less than the net book value. When impairment is indicated for an asset, the amount of impairment loss is the excess of the net book value over its fair value.

Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings	10 to 40 years
Furniture and fixtures	3 to 10 years
Automobiles	3 to 5 years
Computer equipment	3 to 5 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their respective lease terms or the useful life of the improvement, which ranges from one to 10 years. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Income taxes

The Corporation accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.”  ASC 740 requires the affirmative evaluation that it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of a tax position, that an enterprise is entitled to economic benefits resulting from positions taken in income tax returns. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements.

ASC 740 requires that when determining the need for a valuation allowance against a deferred tax asset, management must assess both positive and negative evidence with regard to the realizability of the tax losses represented by that asset. To the extent available, if sources of taxable income are insufficient to absorb tax losses, a valuation allowance is necessary. Sources of taxable income for this analysis include prior years’ tax returns, the expected reversals of taxable temporary differences between book and tax income, prudent and feasible tax-planning strategies, and future taxable income. The deferred income tax asset related to the allowance for loan losses will be realized when actual charge-offs are made against the allowance. Based on the availability of loss carry-backs and projected taxable income during the periods for which loss carry-forwards are available, management believes it is more likely than not the Corporation will realize the deferred tax asset. The Corporation continues to monitor the deferred tax asset on a quarterly basis for a valuation allowance. The future realization of these tax benefits primarily hinges on adequate future earnings to utilize the tax benefit. Prospective earnings or losses, tax law changes or capital changes could prompt the Corporation to reevaluate the assumptions which may be used to establish a valuation allowance. As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, the estimated deferred tax asset, which is included in prepaid expenses and other assets, was $1.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The Corporation maintains net deferred tax assets for deductible temporary tax differences, such as loss reserves, deferred compensation, non-accrued

interest and unrealized gains, among other items. The decrease in the net deferred tax asset resulted primarily from a decreases in loan loss reserves and deferred loan costs. The Corporation did not have any liabilities for uncertain tax positions or any known unrecognized tax benefit at June 30, 2022 or 2021.

Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI")

ASC 715-60-35, "Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Post-retirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements," requires an employer to recognize obligations associated with endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that extend into the participant’s post-employment benefit cost for the continuing life insurance or based on the future death benefit depending on the contractual terms of the underlying agreement. The Corporation adopted ASC 715-60-35 using the latter option, i.e., based on the future death benefit. The Bank purchases BOLI policies on the lives of certain executive officers while they are employed by the Bank and is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. The Bank invests in BOLI to provide an efficient form of funding for long-term retirement and other employee benefits costs. The Bank records these BOLI policies within prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at each policy’s respective cash surrender value, with net changes recorded in other non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash dividend

A declaration or payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, who take into account the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, tax considerations, capital requirements, industry standards, economic conditions and other factors, including the regulatory restrictions which affect the payment of dividends by the Bank to the Corporation. Under Delaware law, dividends may be paid either out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the current fiscal year and/or the preceding fiscal year in which the dividend is declared. For additional information, see Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the subsequent event related to the cash dividend.

Stock repurchases

The Corporation repurchased 257,285 shares of its common stock with an average cost of $16.73 per share during fiscal 2022 pursuant to its April 2020 stock repurchase plan that expired on April 27, 2022. The Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan on April 28, 2022 which authorized 364,259 shares for repurchase and expires on April 28, 2023, all of which remain available for purchase at June 30, 2022.

Earnings per common share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS represents net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period excluding any potential dilutive effects. Diluted EPS gives effect to any potential issuance of common stock that would have caused basic EPS to be lower as if the issuance had already occurred. Accordingly, diluted EPS reflects an increase in the weighted average shares outstanding as a result of the assumed exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock. The computation of diluted EPS does not assume exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock that would have an anti-dilutive effect on EPS.

Stock-based compensation

ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” requires companies to recognize in the Consolidated Statements of Operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and directors. Stock-based compensation expense, inclusive of restricted stock expense, recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $798,000 and $1.3 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")

The Corporation recognizes compensation expense when the Bank contributes funds to the ESOP for the purchase of the Corporation’s common stock to be allocated to the ESOP participants. Since the contributions are discretionary, the benefits payable under the ESOP cannot be estimated.

Restricted stock

The Corporation recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period of the shares awarded, equal to the fair value of the shares at the award date. A total of $747,000 and $1.2 million of restricted stock expense was amortized during fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Post-retirement benefits

The estimated obligation for post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits is determined based on an actuarial computation of the cost of current and future benefits for the eligible (grandfathered) retirees and employees. The post retirement benefit liability is included in accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Effective July 1, 2003, the Corporation discontinued the post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to any employee not previously qualified (grandfathered) for these benefits. At June 30, 2022 and 2021, the accrued liability for post-retirement benefits was $174,000 and $125,000, respectively, which was fully funded consistent with actuarially determined estimates of the future obligation.

Comprehensive income

ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income,” requires that realized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income (loss). Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities and interest-only strips are reported as a separate component of the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and the change in the unrealized gains (losses) are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

Accounting standard updates (“ASU”)

ASU 2021-10:

In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2021-10, “Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance,” This ASU requires the following annual disclosures about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model by analogy: (1) Information about the nature of the transactions and the related accounting policy used to account for the transactions, (2) The line items on the balance sheet and income statement that are affected by the transactions, and the amounts applicable to each financial statement line item and (3) Significant terms and conditions of the transactions, including commitments and contingencies. This ASU is effective for all entities within their scope for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Corporation has adopted this ASU and it did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 18 for additional disclosure.

ASU 2016-13:

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in November 2018, ASU No. 2018-19, April 2019, ASU 2019-04, May 2019, ASU 2019-05, November 2019, ASU 2019-11, February 2020, ASU 2020-02, March 2020, ASU 2020-03 and March 2022, ASU 2022-02, all of which clarifies codification and corrects unintended application of the guidance. In November 2019, the FASB also issued ASU 2019-10, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates” extending the adoption date for certain registrants, including the Corporation. These ASUs will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Corporation is evaluating its current expected loss methodology of its loan and investment portfolios to identify the necessary modifications in accordance with these standards and expects a change in the processes and procedures to calculate the allowance for loan losses, including changes in assumptions and estimates to consider expected credit losses over the life of the loan versus the current accounting practice that utilizes the incurred loss model. A valuation adjustment to its allowance for loan losses or investment portfolio that is identified in this process will be reflected as a one-time adjustment in equity rather than earnings upon adoption. The Corporation is in the process of compiling historical data that will be used to calculate expected credit losses on its loan portfolio to ensure the Corporation is fully compliant with these ASUs at the adoption date and is evaluating the potential impact upon adoption that these ASUs will have on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Once adopted, the Corporation anticipates the allowance for loan losses to increase through a one-time adjustment to retained earnings, however, until the evaluation is complete the magnitude of the potential increase will be unknown.

ASU 2020-04:

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU applies to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or other rate references expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The ASU permits an entity to make necessary modifications to eligible contracts or transactions without requiring contract re-

measurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. In January 2021, ASU 2021-01 clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the changes in the interest rates used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment for derivative instruments that are being implemented as part of the market-wide transition to new reference rates (commonly referred to as the “discounting transition”). This ASU is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Corporation is in the process of compiling data on the impact of reference rate reform and has not determined the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.