The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. The level of uncertainty in estimates and assumptions increases with the length of time until the underlying transactions are complete. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Invested cash is held exclusively at financial institutions of high credit quality. As of December 31, 2025, cash deposits in excess of insured amounts totaled $32.5 million. The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to cash balances in excess of insured amounts and management does not believe there was a significant concentration of risk with respect to cash balances as of December 31, 2025.

The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of available for sale debt securities held by Newtek Bank that are classified as “available for sale” and carried at their estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. The fair values of our instruments are affected by changes in market interest rates and credit spreads. In general, as interest rates rise and/or credit spreads widen, the fair value of instruments will decline. As interest rates fall and/or credit spreads tighten, the fair value of instruments will rise. The Company evaluates available-for-sale instruments in unrealized loss positions at least quarterly to determine if an allowance for credit losses is required.

At amortized cost, net of deferred fees and costs: Loans are reported at their principal amount outstanding, net of charge-offs, deferred origination costs and fees and purchase premiums and discounts. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct and indirect costs incurred in connection with loan originations are deferred and amortized to income over the life of the related loans as an adjustment to yield. Premiums or discounts on purchased portfolios are amortized or accreted to income using the level yield method over the remaining period to contractual maturity. Currently, all LHI at amortized cost, net of deferred fees and costs, are originated and carried at Newtek Bank and have a weighted average life of five years. Newtek Bank originates SBA 7(a) loans, under its PLP status, and typically sells the guaranteed portions and holds the unguaranteed portions for investment. Newtek Bank also holds CRE and C&I loans for investment.

At fair value: On a quarterly basis, management determines the fair values of the retained unguaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans HFI, and unrealized changes in FV are recognized in the income statement. The loans within this portfolio were originated by NSBF. NSBF ceased originating new loans in April 2023 when all new SBA 7(a) loan originations were transitioned to Newtek Bank. (See Historical Business Regulation and Taxation, for a discussion of the wind-down of NSBF’s operations.) Refer to the “Fair Value and the Fair Value Option” section below for further information on loans HFI carried at FV under the FV option.

Management designates loans as HFS based on its intent to sell loans, or portions of loans, in established secondary markets or to participant banks and credit unions. Salability requirements of government guaranteed portions include, but are not limited to, full disbursement of the loan commitment amount. The Company occasionally transfers loans between the HFS and HFI classifications based on its intent and ability to hold or sell loans. Management’s intent to sell may be impacted by secondary market conditions, loan credit quality, or other factors.

At lower of amortized cost basis or fair value: Both mortgage and non-mortgage loans classified as HFS are carried at the LCM. If the amortized cost basis of a loan exceeds FV, a valuation allowance should be established for the difference. Currently, HFS loans at LCM are carried at Newtek Bank. This includes the government guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans and SBA 504 loans. Management may also make a determination to market for sale certain CRE and C&I loans on a loan by loan basis.

At fair value: The Company originates ALP loans (formerly referred to as our nonconforming conventional loans), which are either HFS or HFI, via its nonbank subsidiary and joint ventures. ALP loans are carried at FV. The Company also originated SBA 504 loans HFS prior to the Acquisition through its nonbank subsidiaries. SBA 504 loans HFS held at NALH and at Newtek Bank are accounted for under the FV option. ALP loans are held at NALH and TSO JV and are also accounted for under the FV option. Additionally, the existing government guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans held at Newtek Bank are also HFS at FV. Refer to the “Fair Value and the Fair Value Option” section below for further information on loans HFS carried at FV under the FV option.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, management used various valuation approaches. In accordance with GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.

Level 1Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as certain U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities, derivative contracts and loans held-for-sale.

Level 3Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. This category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained residual interests in securitizations, residential mortgage servicing assets, warrant liabilities, joint ventures, guaranteed loans held at fair value, and highly structured or long-term derivative contracts.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an asset or a liability’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The Company assesses the levels of assets and liabilities at each measurement date. There were no transfers to or from Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2025, other than disclosed below. As of April 1, 2025, the Company is using broker quotes to calculate the $4.9 million fair value of its unguaranteed portions of its SBA 7(a) loans moving them from Level 3 to Level 2. As of October 1, 2025, the Company is using the sales offering agreement to calculate the $1.5 million fair value of its investment in Biller Genie, moving it from Level 3 to Level 2. The sale of Biller Genie was completed in January 2026 at the anticipated pricing that was used in the December 31, 2025 valuation model. There were no transfers to or from Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of Level 3 investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that may ultimately be received or settled. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded instruments. If the Company were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, the Company may realize significantly less than the value at which such investment had previously been recorded.

The Company’s investments are subject to market risk. Market risk is the potential for changes in the value due to market changes. Market risk is directly impacted by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the investments are traded. In addition recent changes in inflation and base interest rates, supply chain disruptions, significant market volatility, risk of recession, recent economic and market events, unrelated bank failures and declines in depositor confidence in depository institutions, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and general uncertainty surrounding the financial and political stability of the United States, United Kingdom, the European Union and China could further negatively impact the fair value of the Company’s investments after December 31, 2025, in addition to other circumstances and events that are not yet known.

The Company applies fair value accounting to certain of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820 — Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value and requires disclosures for fair value measurements. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments carried at fair value, based on the priority of the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market participant who holds the financial instrument rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions reflect those that management believe market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument at the measurement date.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new, whether the product is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market and the current market conditions. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value was greatest for financial instruments classified as Level 3.

Loans for which the FV option were elected are measured at FV and classified as either HFS or HFI, as outlined above. Not electing FV generally results in a larger discount being recorded on the date of the sale. This discount will subsequently be accreted into interest income over the underlying loan’s remaining term using the effective interest method. Management made this election in alignment with its ongoing effort to reduce volatility and drive more predictable revenue. In accordance with accounting standards, any loans for which FV was previously elected continue to be measured as such. Interest income is recognized in the same manner on loans reported at FV as on non-FV loans, except in regard to origination fees and costs which are recognized immediately upon FV election. The changes in FV of loans are reported in noninterest income as Net gain (loss) on loans accounted for under the fair value option. FV of loans includes adjustments for historical credit losses, market liquidity, and economic conditions.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, reflecting assumptions that a market participant would use when pricing an asset or liability. In some cases, the estimation of fair values requires management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions, and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and are subject to change.

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”) approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of a loan (or pool of loans). The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net, lifetime amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes a loan balance is uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

The discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method is used to estimate expected credit losses for all loan portfolio segments measured on a collective (pool) basis. For each loan segment, cash flow projections are generated at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speeds, probability of default, and loss given default. The modeling of prepayment speeds is based on a combination of historical internal data and peer data.

Regression analysis of historical internal and peer data is used to determine suitable loss drivers to utilize when modeling lifetime probability of default. This analysis also determines how expected probability of default and loss given default will react to forecasted levels of the loss drivers. For all loan pools utilizing the DCF method, management utilizes various economic indicators such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product, real estate values, and other relevant factors as loss drivers. For all DCF models, management has determined that due to historic volatility in economic data, four quarters currently represents a reasonable and supportable forecast period, followed by a four-quarter reversion to historical mean levels for each of the various economic indicators.

The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Specific instrument effective yields are calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level Net Present Value (“NPV”). An allowance is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis.

The allowance evaluation also considers various qualitative factors, such as: (i) changes to lending policies, underwriting standards and/or management personnel performing such functions, (ii) delinquency and other credit quality trends, (iii) credit risk concentrations, if any, (iv) changes to the nature of the Company's business impacting the loan portfolio, and (v) other external factors, that may include, but are not limited to, results of internal loan reviews, stress testing, examinations by bank regulatory agencies, or other events such as a natural disaster. Significant management judgment is required at each point in the measurement process.

Arriving at an appropriate level of allowance involves a high degree of judgment. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance and provisioning for estimated losses is evaluated regularly based on review of loans, with particular emphasis on non-performing and other loans that management believes warrant special consideration. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of the borrowers may necessitate future additions or reductions to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, related to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company’s historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, supplemented with peer loss information, and results in expected probabilities of default and expected losses given default. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, production metrics, property values, or other relevant factors.

CRE: The CRE portfolio is comprised of loans to borrowers on small offices, owner-occupied commercial buildings, industrial/warehouse properties, income producing/investor real estate properties, and multi-family loans secured by first mortgages. The Company’s underwriting standards generally target a loan-to-value ratio of 75%, depending on the type of collateral, and requires debt service coverage of a minimum of 1.2 times.

SBA 7(a): The SBA 7(a) portfolio includes loans originated under the federal Section 7(a) loan program (the “SBA 7(a) Program”), i.e., SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA is an independent government agency that facilitates one of the nation’s largest sources of SMB financing by providing credit guarantees for its loan programs. SBA 7(a) loans are partially guaranteed by the SBA, with SBA guarantees typically ranging between 50% and 90% of the principal and interest due. Under the SBA’s 7(a) Program, a bank or other lender licensed by the SBA may underwrite loans between $5.0 thousand and $5.0 million for a variety of general business purposes based on the SBA’s loan program requirements. The Company applies the zero loss expectation exemption under CECL to the guaranteed portion of the loans. The unguaranteed portion of the loans that are held on balance sheet at amortized cost are subject to an ACL. In the context of CECL, these SBA 7(a) loans are held at Newtek Bank.

Individually Evaluated Loans. Loans that do not share risk characteristics with existing pools are evaluated on an individual basis. Management defines these loans as nonaccrual loans with exposure above $100 thousand. In the first quarter of 2025, management began evaluating the remaining PCD loans individually, regardless of accrual status. For loans that are individually evaluated and collateral dependent, financial loans where management has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and management expects repayment of the financial asset to be provided substantially through the sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral or going concern, the specific credit loss reserve is calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the NPV from the operation of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, the specific credit loss reserve is calculated as the amount by which the amortized costs basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The allowance may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of the financial asset.

Accrued Interest. Upon the Acquisition and adoption of CECL, the Company made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable: (1) presented accrued interest receivable balances separately within other assets balance sheet line item; (2) excluded interest receivable that is included in amortized cost of financing receivables from related disclosures requirements and (3) continued our policy to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income. For loans, write off typically occurs upon becoming over 90 to 120 days past due. Generally, accrued interest is reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual or is written-off. Current year accrued interest is reversed through interest income while accrued interest from prior years is written-off through the ACL. Historically, the Company has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on investment securities.

Allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The exposure is a component of other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and represents the estimate for probable credit losses inherent in unfunded commitments to extend credit. Unfunded commitments to extend credit include unused portions of lines of credit and standby and commercial letters of credit. The process used to determine the allowance for these exposures is consistent with the process for determining the allowance for loans, as adjusted for estimated funding probabilities or loan equivalency factors. A charge (credit) to provision for credit losses on the consolidated statements of income is made to account for the change in the allowance on off-balance sheet exposures between reporting periods.

The impairment model for AFS debt securities differs from the CECL approach utilized for financial instruments measured at amortized cost because AFS debt securities are measured at fair value. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, Newtek Bank first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities AFS that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, in making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, failure of the issuer of the debt security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The cash flows should be estimated using information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the AFS security is uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company determined that the unrealized loss positions in the AFS securities were not the result of credit losses, and therefore, an allowance for credit losses was not recorded.

Settlement receivable represents amounts due from third parties for guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans which have been sold at year-end but have not yet settled. The guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loan principal balances that have been sold but not yet settled as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $0.4 million and $47.4 million, respectively. The settlement receivable also includes $41.0 thousand and $5.0 million of premiums, which have been recognized in Net Gains on Sales of Loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The Company classifies assets and related liabilities as held for sale when: (i) management has committed to a plan to sell the disposal group, (ii) the disposal group is available for immediate sale, (iii) there is an active program to locate a buyer, (iv) the sale and transfer of the disposal group is probable within one year, (v) the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan to sell the disposal group.

Assets and liabilities held for sale are presented separately within the consolidated balance sheets with any adjustments necessary to measure the disposal group at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible and right-of-use assets are not recorded while these assets are classified as held for sale. For each period the disposal group remains classified as held for sale, its recoverability is reassessed and any necessary adjustments are made to its carrying value. Refer to NOTE 9—ASSETS AND LIABILITIES DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH ASSETS HELD FOR SALE for a discussion of assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale at December 31, 2024. There were no assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale at December 31, 2025.

The Company considers the following to be some examples of indicators that may trigger an impairment review outside of its annual impairment review: (i) significant under-performance or loss of key contracts acquired in an acquisition relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or in the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant decline in the Company’s fair value for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and customer merchant accounts, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. These include estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for the Company, the period over which cash flows will occur, and determination of the Company’s cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and conclusions on impairment.

Under ASC 842, operating lease expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company has entered into operating lease agreements for office space with remaining contractual terms up to fourteen years, some of which include renewal options that extend the leases for up to 10 years. These renewal options are not considered in the remaining lease term unless it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise such options. The operating lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

As the rate implicit in the leases generally is not readily determinable for our operating leases, the discount rates used to determine the present value of our lease liability are based on our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date and commensurate with the remaining lease term. Our incremental borrowing rate for a lease is the rate of interest we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and are excluded from our weighted-average remaining lease term.

For a transfer of financial assets to be considered a sale, the transfer must meet the sale criteria of ASC 860, which, at the time of the transfer, requires that the transferred assets qualify as recognized financial assets and the Company surrender control over the assets. Such surrender requires that the assets be isolated from the Company, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, the purchaser have the right to pledge or sell the assets transferred and the Company not have an option or obligation to reacquire the assets.

The Company accounts for servicing assets in accordance with ASC Topic 860-50 - Transfers and Servicing - Servicing Assets and Liabilities. The Company and Newtek Bank earn servicing fees from the guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans they originate and sell. The Company has also recorded servicing assets/liabilities on loans sold where the Company retained an obligation to service the loan sold. Servicing assets for loans originated by the Company’s nonbank subsidiaries are measured at FV at each reporting date and the Company reports changes in the FV of servicing assets in earnings in the period in which the changes occur. The valuation model for servicing assets incorporates assumptions including, but not limited to, servicing costs, discount rate, prepayment rate, and default rate. Considerable judgment is required to estimate the fair value of servicing assets and as such these assets are classified as Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Servicing assets for loans originated by Newtek Bank are initially measured at FV and subsequently measured at LCM and amortized based on their estimated life and impairment is recorded to the extent the amortized cost exceeds the asset’s FV.

A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is an entity in which equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or substantially all of the activities of the entity are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionally few voting rights. VIEs are consolidated by the primary beneficiary, which is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or a right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE upon initial involvement with a VIE and reassesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based upon the facts and circumstances for the VIE and requires significant judgments such as whether the Company’s interest in a VIE is a variable interest, whether the Company controls the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE, and whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. A VIE is consolidated if management determines the Company, is the primary beneficiary.

The residuals in securitizations, at fair value arise from the NALP Business Loan Trust 2025-1 ALP securitization that the Company closed on April 23, 2025. Residuals in securitizations were $76.7 million as of December 31, 2025. The Securitization Trust meets the definition of a VIE. The Company holds a variable interest in the VIE, however, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE, because the power over the activities that have the most significant impact on the economic performance of the Securitization Trust is held by the Class C Noteholder, and therefore, the Company is not required to consolidate the Securitization Trust. The Company’s beneficial interest in the Securitization Trust is evidenced by sole ownership of the Ownership Certificate and its beneficial interest in the credit risk of the securitized ALP Loans. As the Sponsor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company effectively owns 100% of the equity interest in the Trust. Refer to NOTE 3—SECURITIZATIONS AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to economically manage the fair value variability of fixed rate assets and liabilities caused by interest rate fluctuations. Derivative instruments consist of interest rate futures and are held at fair value on the balance sheet. Collateral posted with our futures counterparties is segregated in the Company’s books and records. Interest rate futures are centrally cleared by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) through a futures commission merchant. Interest rate futures that are governed by an ISDA agreement provide for bilateral collateral pledging based on the counterparties’ market value. The counterparties have the right to re-pledge the collateral posted but have the obligation to return the pledged collateral, or, if the Company agrees, substantially the same collateral as the market value of the interest rate futures change.

The Company is required to post initial margin and daily variation margin for interest rate futures that are centrally cleared by CME. CME determines the fair value of our centrally cleared futures, including daily variation margin. Effective January 3, 2017, CME amended its rulebooks to legally characterize daily variation margin payments for centrally cleared interest rate futures as settlement rather than collateral. As a result of this rule change, variation margin pledged on the Company’s centrally cleared interest rate futures is settled against the realized results of these futures.

Due to participants represents amounts due to third party investors in the SBA guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans. When the Company receives principal payments, after the loan has been either partially or fully sold to the participant, the remittances received by the Company are either owed in part or in full to the participant and amounts are recorded as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

At Amortized Cost, net of deferred loan fees and costs: Interest on loans is generally recognized on a daily accrual basis at the applicable interest rate. Interest is not accrued on loans that are more than 90 days delinquent on payments, and any interest that was accrued but unpaid on such loans is reversed from interest income at that time, or when deemed to be uncollectible. Interest subsequently received on such loans is recorded as interest income or alternatively as a reduction in the amortized cost of the loan if there is significant doubt as to the collectability of the unpaid principal balance. Loans are returned to accrual status when principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

At FV: In accordance with accounting standards, any loans for which FV was previously elected continue to be measured as such. Interest income is recognized in the same manner on loans reported at FV as on non-FV loans, except in regard to origination fees and costs which are recognized immediately upon FV election. The changes in FV of loans are reported within noninterest income as Net gain (loss) on loans accounted for under the fair value option. FV of loans includes adjustments for historical credit losses, market liquidity, and economic conditions. The Company values performing accrual loans on a pool basis. Loans that have experienced credit deterioration are valued individually based on resolution plans developed by the Company based on timing and amount of expected future cash flows from all sources of repayment, including both cash flows of the borrower as a going concern as well as the liquidation of collateral and pursuit of personal guarantees.

At LCM: Net unrealized losses, if any, on loans without a FV election, are recognized through a valuation allowance and recorded as a charge to Other noninterest income. The cost basis of loans HFS includes unamortized loan origination fees and costs. The pro-rata portion, based on the percent of the total loan sold, of the remaining deferred fees and costs are recognized as an adjustment to the gain on sale. Not electing FV generally results in a larger discount being recorded on the origination date. This discount will subsequently be accreted into interest income over the underlying loan’s remaining term using the effective interest method. Management made this change of election in alignment with its ongoing effort to reduce volatility and drive more predictable revenue.

If the transfer is accounted for as a sale, the loans are derecognized from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and a gain or loss is recognized in net gains on sales of loans line item on the consolidated statements of income. The gain on sale recognized in income is the sum of the premium on the guaranteed loan and the FV of the servicing assets recognized, less the discount recorded on the unguaranteed portion of the loan retained. If the transfer does not satisfy the aforementioned control criteria, the transaction is recorded as a secured borrowing with the transferred loans remaining on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and proceeds recognized as a liability.

Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis for equity securities to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected or realized. In determining the amount of dividend income to recognize, if any, from cash distributions on equity securities, we assess many factors, including the joint ventures’ and other equity investments’ cumulative undistributed income and operating cash flow. Cash distributions from equity securities received in excess of such undistributed amounts are recorded first as a reduction of our investment and then as a realized gain on investment.

Our former technology segment (NTS) sold a range of services and goods, including managed IT services, product and procurement services, professional services, webhosting, secure private cloud hosting, and backup and disaster recovery. Additionally, it sold hardware and software products on both a stand-alone basis without any services and as solutions bundled with services. When it provided a combination of hardware and software products with the provision of services, it separately identified its performance obligations under its contract with the customer as the distinct goods (hardware and/or software products) or services that will be provided. The total transaction price for an arrangement with multiple performance obligations is allocated at contract inception to each distinct performance obligation in proportion to its stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling price is the price at which it would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. It estimated the price based on observable inputs, including direct labor hours and allocatable costs, or uses observable stand-alone prices when they are available. Our technology segment’s professional services include the design and implementation of a wide range of IT products and services. Such services are typically provided by us or third-party sub-contractor vendors on a stand-alone basis.

Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment. When a cloud-based service includes both on-premises software licenses and cloud services, judgment is required to determine whether the software license is considered distinct and accounted for separately, or not distinct and accounted for together with the cloud service and recognized over time. Certain cloud services depend on a significant level of integration, interdependency, and interrelation between the desktop applications and cloud services, and are accounted for together as one performance obligation. Revenue from such cloud services is recognized ratably over the period in which the cloud services are provided. Revenue is otherwise recognized when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a product or service or by arranging for the sale of a vendor’s products or service to a customer. Revenue from sale of services is recognized as the underlying services are performed, typically based on time and materials basis based upon hours incurred for the performance completed to date for which we have the right to consideration. Revenue on sales of goods are recognized at a point in time when customer takes control of goods, which typically occurs when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Revenue is recognized on a gross basis for each of its services and product offerings principally because it is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide specified goods or service and it has discretion in establishing the price of specified good or service.

The right to consideration in exchange for deliverables is classified as either a receivable or a contract asset (unbilled receivable). A receivable is a right to consideration that is unconditional (i.e. only the passage of time is required before payment is due). For example, a receivable is recognized for revenue related to transaction or volume-based contracts when earned regardless of whether amounts have been billed. Such receivables are presented in accounts receivable, net in our consolidated balance sheets. An allowance for credit losses is maintained to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that may not be collected. The allowance is based upon an assessment of customer creditworthiness, historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables, judgment, and other applicable factors.

A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract assets are presented in current and other assets in our consolidated balance sheets and primarily relate to unbilled amounts on fixed-price contracts utilizing the output method of revenue recognition. Contract assets and liabilities are reported at the end of each reporting period. The difference between the opening and closing balances of our contract assets and deferred revenue primarily results from the timing difference between performance obligations and the customer’s payment. Payments are received from customers based on the terms established in the contracts, which may vary generally by contract type.

Electronic payment processing and fee income is derived from NMS’s electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions that are authorized and captured through third-party networks. Typically, merchants are charged for these processing services by applying a percentage to the dollar amount of each transaction plus a flat fee per transaction. Certain merchant customers are charged miscellaneous fees, including fees for handling charge-backs or returns, monthly minimum fees, statement fees and fees for other miscellaneous services. Revenues derived from the electronic processing of MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express® and Discover® sourced credit and debit card transactions are reported net of certain transaction-related costs.

NMS's performance obligations are to stand ready to provide holistic electronic payment processing services consisting of a series of distinct elements that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over time. NMS’s promise to its customers is to perform an unknown or unspecified quantity of tasks and the consideration received is contingent upon the customers’ use (i.e., number of payment transactions processed, number of cards on file, etc.); as such, the total transaction price is variable. The Company allocates the variable fees charged to the day in which it has the contractual right to bill under the contract.

ASC 606 requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations; however, as permitted by ASC 606, the Company has elected to exclude from this disclosure any contracts with an original duration of one year or less and any variable consideration that meets specified criteria. As described above, the Company’s most significant performance obligations consist of variable consideration under a stand-ready series of distinct days of service. Such variable consideration meets the specified criteria for the disclosure exclusion; therefore, the majority of the aggregate amount of transaction price that is allocated to performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied is variable consideration that is not required for this disclosure. The aggregate fixed consideration portion of customer contracts with an initial contract duration greater than one year is not material.

Receivable fees: Receivable fees are derived from the funding (purchase) of receivables from the Company’s finance clients. The Company recognizes revenue on the date receivables are purchased at a percentage of face value as agreed to by the client. The Company also has arrangements with certain of its clients whereby it purchases the client’s receivables and charges a fee at a specified rate based on the amount of funds advanced against such receivables. The funds provided are collateralized and the income is recognized as earned which occurs as time passes.

Realized gains or losses on joint ventures: Realized gains or losses on joint ventures are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the cost basis of investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. The Company reports current period changes in the fair value of joint venture investments as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on joint ventures in the consolidated statements of income.

In addition to costs directly related to the processing of merchant sales volume, electronic payment processing costs also include residual expenses. Residual expenses represent fees paid to third-party sales referral sources. Residual expenses are paid in accordance with contracted terms. These are generally linked to revenues derived from merchants successfully referred to the Company and that begin using the Company for merchant processing services. Such residual expenses are recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Costs of services and goods sold include product costs, outbound and inbound freight costs, and direct time and materials in delivering service and goods to customers. Selling and administrative expenses include salaries and wages for staff who are not directly associated with delivering services, bonuses and incentives, employee-related expenses, facility-related expenses, marketing and advertising expense, depreciation of property and equipment, professional fees, amortization of intangible assets, provisions for losses on accounts receivable and other operating expenses.

The Company accounts for its equity-based compensation plans using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC Topic 718 – Stock Compensation. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, the Company measures the grant date fair value based upon the market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the grant and amortizes this fair value to salaries and benefits ratably over the requisite service period or vesting term on a straight line basis. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. See NOTE 21—INCOME TAXES.

The Company’s U.S. federal and state income tax returns prior to fiscal year 2022 are generally closed, and management continually evaluates expiring statutes of limitations, audits, proposed settlements, changes in tax law and new authoritative rulings. Interest and penalties assessed by tax jurisdictions for income tax matters are presented as income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income.

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Management has determined that the Company has four reportable operating segments: Banking, NALH, NSBF, and Payments as discussed more fully in NOTE 22—SEGMENTS. In determining the appropriateness of a segment definition, the Company considers the criteria of FASB ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method, in which the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally measured and recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date, with the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired recognized as goodwill. Items such as acquired income-tax related balances are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP, which may result in measurements that differ from fair value. Business combinations are included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. Historical reporting periods reflect only the results of legacy Company operations. Acquisition-related costs are expensed in the period incurred and presented within the applicable non-interest expense category. There were no acquisitions during 2024 or 2025.

Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (ASU 2023-05): In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60). The amendments in this Update address the accounting for contributions made to a joint venture, upon formation, in a joint venture’s separate financial statements. The objectives of the amendments are to (1) provide decision-useful information to investors and other allocators of capital (collectively, investors) in a joint venture’s financial statements and (2) reduce diversity in practice. The amendments in this Update are effective prospectively for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. Additionally, a joint venture that was formed before January 1, 2025, may elect to apply the amendments retrospectively if it has sufficient information. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period in which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance), either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2025 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09): In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The purpose of this guidance is to enhance the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures. This ASU requires that an entity disclose, on an annual basis, specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. For the state and local income tax category of the rate reconciliation, entities must disclose a qualitative description of the states and local jurisdictions that make up the majority (greater than 50 percent) of the category. For the income taxes paid disclosures, entities are required to disclose, on an annual basis, the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes. The amendments must be applied using either a prospective or retrospective approach. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2025 using a retrospective approach, which resulted in enhanced income tax disclosures within the consolidated financial statements beginning with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Compensation—Stock Compensation (ASU 2024-01): In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards. This standard provides clarity regarding whether profits interest and similar awards are within the scope of Topic 718 of the Accounting Standards Codification. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2024-01 on January 1, 2025 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Liabilities (405): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 122 (ASU 2025-02): In March 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-02. The purpose of this guidance is to amend the Accounting Standards Codification to remove the text of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 121 “Accounting for Obligations to Safeguard Crypto-Assets an Entity Holds for its Platform Users” as it has been rescinded by the issuance of SAB 122. ASU 2025-02 is effective immediately and did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (ASU 2024-03): In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, and in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Clarifying the Effective Date (ASU 2025-01). ASU 2024-03 requires public business entities to disclose, on an annual and interim basis, disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items in the notes to the financial statements. Public business entities are required to apply the guidance prospectively and may elect to apply it retrospectively. ASU 2024-03, as clarified by ASU 2025-01, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this standard and, at this time, does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments (ASU 2024-04): In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, which clarifies the requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as induced conversions rather than as debt extinguishments. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025, including interim periods within those fiscal years, though early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this standard and, at this time, does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810)—Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity (ASU 2025-03): In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-03, which revises current guidance for determining the accounting acquirer for a transaction effected primarily by exchanging equity interests in which the legal acquiree is a variable interest entity that meets the definition of a business. The amendments require that an entity consider the same factors that are currently required for determining which entity is the accounting acquirer in other acquisition transactions. ASU 2025-03 is effective for the Company’s annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2025-03 is required to be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating adoption timing and the impact ASU 2025-03 will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)—Clarifications to Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer(ASU 2025-04): In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-04, to reduce diversity in practice and improve the decision usefulness and operability of the guidance for share-based consideration payable to a customer in conjunction with selling goods or services. This update is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods) beginning after December 15, 2026, though early adoption is permitted. The Company has not engaged in providing share-based compensation to a customer and does not presently anticipate doing so.

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets: In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-05, which provides a practical expedient when estimating expected credit losses on current accounts receivable and/or current contract assets arising from Transactions under Topic 606, including those assets acquired in a transaction accounted for under Topic 805, Business Combinations. The amendments require that an entity may elect a practical expedient that assumes that current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the asset. ASU 2025-05 is effective for the Company’s annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2025-05 is required to be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating adoption timing and the impact ASU 2025-05 will have on its financial statements and at this time, does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, which modernizes the accounting for internal-use software costs under ASC 350-40 by aligning it with current development practices, especially agile and iterative methods. It clarifies when to begin capitalizing costs, improves operability across different development approaches, and enhances disclosure requirements. ASU 2025-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, and for interim periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating adoption timing and the impact ASU 2025-06 will have on its consolidated financial statements and, at this time, does not anticipate it will have a material impact.

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Derivatives Scope Refinements and Scope Clarification for Share-Based Noncash Consideration from a Customer in a Revenue Contract. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-07, which refines the scope of derivative accounting under Topic 815 and clarifies the treatment of share-based noncash consideration under ASC 606. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. Entities may apply the amendments prospectively to new contracts or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment. The Company is evaluating adoption timing and the impact ASU 2025-07 will have on its consolidated financial statements and, at this time, does not anticipate it will have a material impact.

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans. In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-08 which amended guidance related to the accounting for purchased loans. Under this new guidance, loans acquired without credit deterioration and deemed “seasoned” will be considered purchased seasoned loans and accounted for using the gross-up approach at acquisition (i.e., record the loan at its purchase price and separately record an allowance for expected credit losses). Seasoned loans include all loans acquired in a business combination, that do not have “more-than-insignificant” deterioration of credit quality since origination, as well as loans purchased at least 90 days after origination, where the purchaser was not involved in the origination of the loans. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2026 with early adoption permitted. This guidance will be applied using a prospective transition approach. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Hedge Accounting Improvements. In November 2025, the FASB issues ASU 2025-09, which includes amendments to more closely align hedge accounting with the economics of an entities risk management activities. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, to provide guidance on how business entities should recognize, measure, and present government grants received. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2028 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this ASU may be applied using a modified prospective, modified retrospective, or retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, relating to interim disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update clarify certain interim disclosure requirements and provide a comprehensive list of required interim disclosures. The ASU also incorporates a disclosure principle that requires entities to disclose events that occur after the end of the last annual reporting period. The ASU is effective for interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, though early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Codification Improvements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-12, to address suggestions received from stakeholders on the Accounting Standards Codification and to make other incremental improvements to U.S. GAAP. The updates represents changes to the Codification that (1) clarity, (2) correct errors, or (3) make minor improvements. The amendments make the Codification easier to understand and apply. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt this guidance in fiscal 2027 and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.