SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) presented herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures considered necessary for the fair presentation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Interim results are not necessarily reflective of the results of the entire year. The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company; the Company’s subsidiaries, Legion Parkway Company LLC, a security corporation formed on July 13, 2016, HarborOne Bank (the “Bank”); and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Bank’s subsidiaries consist of a mortgage company, a passive investment corporation and two security corporations. Merrimack Mortgage Company, LLC was acquired and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank on July 1, 2015, and effective April 3, 2018 became HarborOne Mortgage, LLC (“HarborOne Mortgage”). The passive investment corporation maintains and manages certain assets of the Bank. The security corporations were established for the purpose of buying, holding and selling securities on their own behalf. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation

Recent Events

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a global pandemic, and almost all public commerce and related business activities have been, to varying degrees, curtailed. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic and social disruption on an unprecedented scale. While some industries have been impacted more severely than others, all businesses have been impacted to some degree, and the outbreak has caused significant disruptions in the U.S. economy and adversely impacted a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and may impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company. The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions.

Congress, the President, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), a $2 trillion legislative package, was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The Federal Reserve also took actions to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, including cutting the federal funds rate 150 basis points, targeting a 0 to 25 basis points rate. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations.

If the response to contain COVID-19 escalates further or is unsuccessful, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Effects may include:

Net interest income could be reduced. Also, in accordance with regulatory guidance, the Company is actively working with borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to defer payments. While interest will continue to be recognized in accordance with GAAP, should eventual credit losses on these deferments emerge, interest income would be negatively impacted.

The provision for loan losses could increase. Continued uncertainty regarding the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic effects will continue to affect the accounting for loan losses. It also is possible that asset quality could worsen, and loan charge-offs increase. The Company is actively participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) providing loans to small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government, if that should change, the Company could be required to increase its allowance for loan losses through an additional provision for loan losses charged to earnings.

Noninterest income could be reduced. The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to control its spread may disrupt the mortgage loan origination process. Mortgage banking revenues are dependent on mortgage origination volume and are sensitive to interest rates and the condition of housing markets.

Valuation and fair value measurement challenges may occur. For example, COVID-19 could cause further and sustained decline in the Company’s stock price or the occurrence of what management would deem a valuation triggering event that could result in an impairment charge to earnings.

Conversion and Reorganization

On August 14, 2019, the Company completed a second step conversion offering (the “Offering”). Prior to the completion of the Offering, approximately 53% of the shares of common stock of the Company were owned by HarborOne Mutual Bancshares, a mutual holding company (the “MHC”). The Company raised gross proceeds of $310.4 million and incurred expenses of $6.3 million resulting in net cash proceeds of $304.1 million by selling 31,036,812 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the Offering. In addition, each share of the Company common stock owned by shareholders other than the MHC prior to the Offering was exchanged for 1.795431 shares of Company common stock, for a total of 12,162,763 shares of Company common stock issued in the exchange.

As a result of the Offering, all shares and per share information has been revised to reflect the 1.795431 exchange ratio. Such revised financial information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Co-operative Central Bank and Share Insurance Fund

Co-operative Central Bank and Share Insurance Fund.

The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), and deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limits are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund, a private, industry-sponsored insurance fund that insures all deposits above FDIC limits for Massachusetts-chartered savings banks. Until March 17, 2020, the Bank’s deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limits were insured by the Share Insurance Fund of the Co-operative Central Bank, which insured the excess deposits of Massachusetts-chartered co-operative banks. On March 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., the Share Insurance Fund merged into the Depositors Insurance Fund. In connection with the closing of the merger, and by operation of law, the Bank’s charter converted from a Massachusetts-chartered co-operative bank to a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank. None of the Bank’s products or services were discontinued or changed as a result of the Bank’s charter conversion.

Nature of Operations

The Company provides a variety of financial services to individuals and businesses through its 25 full-service branches in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, one limited-service bank branch, and a commercial lending office in each of Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. HarborOne Mortgage maintains more than 30 offices in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New Jersey and Florida and originates loans in four additional states.

The Company’s primary deposit products are checking, money market, savings and term certificate of deposit accounts while its primary lending products are commercial real estate, commercial, residential mortgages, home equity, and consumer loans. The Company also originates, sells and services residential mortgage loans through HarborOne Mortgage.

Use of Estimates

In preparing unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and 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 valuations of mortgage servicing rights, derivatives, goodwill and deferred tax assets.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established based upon the level of estimated probable losses in the current loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is doubtful. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance consists of general, specific and unallocated components, as further described below.

General component

The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors stratified by the Company’s loan segments. Management uses a rolling average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment except commercial real estate, commercial construction and commercial and industrial loans. Due to the lack of historical loss experience for our commercial real estate, commercial construction and commercial loan portfolio, we utilize peer loss data. Adjustments to this historical loss factor are considered for the following qualitative factors: levels/trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; and national and local economic trends and conditions. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

Residential real estate – The Company generally does not originate portfolio loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent without obtaining private mortgage insurance and does not generally grant loans that would be classified as subprime upon origination. The Company generally has first or second liens on property securing equity lines of credit. Loans in this segment are generally collateralized by residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, can have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.

Residential construction –Residential construction loans include loans to build one- to four-family owner-occupied properties, which are subject to the same credit quality factors as residential real estate loans.

Commercial real estate – Commercial real estate loans are primarily secured by income-producing properties in southeastern New England. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties can be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, could have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Management obtains rent rolls annually and continually monitors the cash flows of these loans.

Commercial construction –Commercial construction loans may include speculative real estate development loans for which payment is derived from lease or sale of the property. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to lease or sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.

Commercial and industrial– Commercial and industrial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer or business spending, could have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.

Consumer – Consumer loans are generally secured by automobiles or unsecured and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower.

Specific Reserves

The specific reserves relates to loans that are classified as impaired. Residential real estate and commercial loans are evaluated for impairment on a loan-by-loan basis. Impairment is determined by nonaccrual status, whether a loan is subject to a troubled debt restructuring agreement or in the case of certain loans, based on the internal credit rating. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, except for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

The Company periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans. When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a TDR. All TDRs are initially classified as impaired. Impairment is measured by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows or collateral value of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

Unallocated component

The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general reserves in the portfolio. The unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. Additionally the Company's unseasoned commercial portfolio and use of peer group data to establish general reserves for the commercial portfolio adds another element of risk to management's estimates.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unallocated ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations. The restricted stock awards are participating securities; therefore, unvested awards are included as common shares outstanding in the computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock option awards and are determined using the treasury stock method.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

As an “emerging growth company”, as defined in Title 1 of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act, the Company has elected to use the extended transition period to delay the adoption of new or reissued accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. As of March 31, 2020, there is no significant difference in the comparability of the financial statements as a result of this extended transition period. The Company’s emerging growth company status is scheduled to end December 31, 2021 unless a triggering event occurs sooner.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. For non-public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance changes the recognition and presentation requirements of hedge accounting, including eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and presenting all items that affect earnings in the same income statement line as the hedged item. This guidance also provides new alternatives for applying hedge accounting to additional hedging strategies, measuring the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, reducing the complexity of applying hedge accounting by easing the requirements for effectiveness testing, hedge documentation and application of the critical terms match method, and reducing the risk of material error corrections if a company applies the shortcut method inappropriately. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For non-public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), commonly referred to as “CECL,” which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. The ASU also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. For public entities that are SEC filers, this ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. For non-public entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. With the passage of the CARES Act, the option to delay CECL was provided until the earlier of the national health emergency being declared over or December 31, 2020. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company has formed a cross functional working group and selected a third-party vendor to assist with the application of this ASU. The working group has an implementation plan which includes assessment and documentation of processes, internal controls, data sources and model development and documentation.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to record a right-to-use asset and a liability representing the obligation to make lease payments for long-term leases. For public business entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For non-public business entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. While we are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard, we expect an increase to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities but no material impact to the Consolidated Statement of Income, for arrangements previously accounted for as operating leases.