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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09 - Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, to provide more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures. Specifically, the update requires enhancements to the rate reconciliation, including disclosure of specific categories and additional information for reconciling items meeting a quantitative threshold, and greater disaggregation of income tax disclosures related to income taxes paid. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Other than meeting the new disclosure requirements, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 – Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, to improve the reportable segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis. In addition, the amendments will enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment and contain other disclosure requirements. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments or determines its reportable segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Other than meeting the new disclosure requirements, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03 Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income- Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, to improve the disclosures about a public business entity’s expenses and address requests from investors for more detailed information about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions. The amendments in this ASU require disclosure, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact this will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Seneca Savings Insurance Agency, Inc. dba Financial Quest (“Quest”). Quest offers financial planning and investment advisory services and sells various insurance and investment products through broker networks. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company, as used in the consolidated financial statements, refers to the consolidated group.

Comprehensive Income

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses be included in earnings. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and our defined benefit program, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated statements of financial condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be significant.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, deferred tax assets, the assumptions used in the actuarial valuation and the estimation of fair values for accounting and disclosure purposes.

The Company is subject to the regulations of various governmental agencies. The Company also undergoes periodic examinations by the regulatory agencies which may subject it to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required loss allowances, and operating restrictions resulting from the regulators’ judgements based on information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York with original maturities of three months or less.

Securities

The Company classifies investment securities as available-for-sale. The Company does not hold any securities considered to be trading or held to maturity. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of the applicable income tax effect.

Gains or losses on investment security transactions are based on the amortized cost of the specific securities sold. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted into income using the interest method over the period to maturity or earliest call date.

Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-For-Sale Securities

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company 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 available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. 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, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, 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. 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 losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock

Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank System to hold stock of its district Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) according to a predetermined formula. This restricted stock is carried at cost.

Management’s determination of whether this investment is impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of its cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB.

Federal Reserve Bank Stock

The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRB”).  FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security.

Loans

The Company grants mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by residential mortgage loans in Onondaga County located in Upstate New York. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate market and general economic conditions in these areas.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost net of the allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable totaled $1.2 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection.

Consumer and credit card loans continue to accrue interest until they are charged off no later than 90 days past due unless the loan is in the process of collection. Past-due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan, but generally applies when a payment is outstanding greater than 90 days. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Under the cash-basis method, interest income is recorded when the payment is received in cash. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into mortgage loans on real estate, commercial and industrial loans, and consumer loans. The mortgage loans on real estate segment consists of the following classes of loans: one-to-four family first-lien residential mortgages, residential construction, home equity loans and lines of credit, and commercial loans. Consumer loans includes home equity lines of credit on real estate, loans with junior liens and other consumer loans.

Mortgage loans on real estate:

One- to four-family first-lien residential — are loans secured by first lien collateral on residential real estate primarily held in the Central New York region. These loans can be affected by economic conditions and the value of underlying properties. Central New York’s housing market has consistently demonstrated stability in home prices despite economic conditions. Furthermore, the Company has conservative underwriting standards and its residential lending policies and procedures ensure that its one- to four-family residential mortgage loans generally conform to secondary market guidelines.
Residential Construction — are loans to finance the construction of either one- to four-family owner occupied homes or commercial real estate. At the end of the construction period, the loan automatically converts to either a one- to four-family or commercial mortgage, as applicable. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion compared to the actual cost of construction. The Company limits its risk during construction as disbursements are not made until the required work for each advance has been completed and an updated lien search is performed. The completion of the construction progress is verified by a Company loan officer or inspections performed by an independent appraisal firm. Construction delays may impair the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
Home equity loans and lines of credit — are loans or lines of credit secured by first or second liens on owner-occupied residential real estate primarily held in the Central New York region. These loans can also be affected by economic conditions and the values of underlying properties.

Home equity loans may have increased risk of loss if the Company does not hold the first mortgage resulting in the Company being in a secondary position in the event of collateral liquidation. The Company does not originate interest only home equity loans.

Commercial — are loans used to finance the purchase of real property, which generally consists of developed real estate that is held as first lien collateral for the loan. These loans are secured by real estate properties that are primarily held in the Central New York region. Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks compared with one- to four-family residential lending, because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, and/or the collateral value of the commercial real estate securing the loan, and repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or economic conditions to a greater extent than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Also, commercial real estate loans typically involve relatively large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Accordingly, the nature of these types of loans make them more difficult for the Company to monitor and evaluate.

Commercial and industrial loans:

Includes business installment loans, lines of credit and other commercial loans. Most of the Company’s commercial loans have fixed interest rates and are for terms generally not in excess of five years.

Whenever possible, the Company collateralizes these loans with a lien on business assets and equipment and require the personal guarantees from principals of the borrower. Commercial loans generally involve a higher degree of credit risk because the collateral underlying the loans may be in the form of intangible assets and/or inventory subject to market obsolescence. Commercial loans can also involve relatively large loan balances to a single borrower or groups of related borrowers, with the repayment of such loans typically dependent on the successful operation of the commercial business and the income stream of the borrower. Such risks can be significantly affected by economic conditions. Although commercial loans may be collateralized by equipment or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of a borrower default may be an insufficient source of repayment because the equipment or other business assets may be obsolete or of limited use, among other things. Accordingly, the repayment of a commercial loan depends primarily on the credit worthiness of the borrowers (and any guarantors), while liquidation of collateral is a secondary and often insufficient source of repayment.

Consumer loans:

Consist of loans secured by collateral such as an automobile or a deposit account, unsecured loans, and lines of credit. Consumer loans tend to have a higher credit risk due to the loans being either unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable assets. Furthermore, consumer loan payments are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and therefore are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted to the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Management estimates the allowance balance using the weighted-average remaining maturity (“WARM”) method using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as difference in local economy changes and forecasts, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, concentrations of credit exposure, changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and relevant staff.

Management considers forward-looking information that is both reasonable and supportable and relevant to assessing the collectability of cash flows. The model calculates forward-looking adjustments for each loan category which is based on regression analysis run utilizing various national and state-level economic variables, indices and leading indicators (contained in the St. Louis FRB “FRED” data base) compared against loan category loss rates of the Bank’s specific peer group. The regression analysis for the variable that results in the highest statistical correlation with the peer-bank losses is utilized for the forward-looking adjustment. The regression analysis is run on various lagged methods (economic variable or index precedes the loss by any six-month interval between one year and three years). The adjusted loss reverts back to the historical loss rates for periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective pool basis with receivables that have similar risk characteristics. The Company feels that given the size of the loan portfolio, less complex mix of loan products, low historic loss-rate levels, and overall credit risk profile of the loan profiles, that it is appropriate to segment the portfolio into loan categories identified by FFIEC Call Report codes and further segment by risk rating.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are also not included in the collective evaluation. A collateral-dependent asset is a financial asset for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower, based on management’s assessment, is experiencing financial difficulty. The allowance for credit loss for a collateral dependent financial asset is measured using the fair value of collateral. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. 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 losses in the portfolio.

Modifications for Debtors Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The allowance for credit losses incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and is recorded on each asset upon asset origination or acquisition. The starting point for the estimate of the allowance for credit losses is historical loss information, which includes losses from modifications of receivables to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification. Because the effect of most modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses and because of the measurement methodologies used to estimate the allowance, a change to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. The Company did not modify any loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company modified one loan to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty in the year ended December 31, 2024.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or market in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to noninterest income. Gains and losses on loan sales are recorded in noninterest income, and direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in noninterest income upon sale of the loan in the consolidated statements of income. We had no loans held for sale at December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Income Recognition for Nonaccrual Loans

For residential and commercial classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past-due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan may be currently performing. For other loan classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past-due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan may be currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest is reversed and charged to interest income. Interest received on non-accrual loans, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

For non-accrual loans, when future collectability of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a non-accrual loan had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for credit losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of foreclosure establishing a new cost basis. Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for credit losses. After foreclosure, property held for sale is carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less any costs to sell. Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to earnings, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of the property to the lower of its cost or fair value less cost to sell. The Company did not have foreclosed real estate at December 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company had $758,000 and $401,000 of residential real estate loans in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Land improvements, buildings and building improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are generally seven to 39 years for buildings and building improvements and three to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of certain transactions reported in the consolidated financial statements. Income taxes consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of the allowance for credit losses, premises and equipment, certain state tax credits, and deferred loan origination costs. The deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of the temporary differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.

The Company’s Federal and New York State tax returns, constituting the returns of the major taxing jurisdictions, are subject to examination by the authorities for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as prescribed by applicable statute. No waivers have been executed that would extend the period subject to examination beyond the period prescribed by statute.

Advertising

The Company charges the costs associated with advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising expenses charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $307,000 and $351,000, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under commercial lines of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. The Company does not engage in the use of derivative financial instruments.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in the consolidated statements of income as it is earned and when collectability is reasonably assured. The primary source of revenue is interest income from interest earning assets, which is recognized on the accrual basis of accounting using the effective interest method. The recognition of revenues from interest earning assets is based upon formulas from underlying loan agreements, securities contracts, or other similar contracts. Non-interest income is recognized on the accrual basis of accounting as services are provided or as transactions occur. Non-interest income includes earnings on deferred compensation plan assets, fees from brokerage and advisory service, deposit accounts, merchant services, ATM and debit card fees, mortgage banking activities, and other miscellaneous services and transactions. See Note 15 for more information regarding the Company’s non-interest income.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located primarily in Onondaga County of New York State. A large portion of the Company’s portfolio is centered in residential and commercial real estate. The Company closely monitors real estate collateral values and requires additional reviews of commercial real estate appraisals by a qualified third party for commercial real estate loans more than $500,000. All residential loan appraisals are reviewed by an individual or third party who is independent of the loan origination or approval process and was not involved in the approval of appraisers or selection of the appraiser for the transaction, and has no direct or indirect interest, financial or otherwise in the property or the transaction. Note 3 discusses the types of securities that the Company invests in. Note 4 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer.

Bank-owned life insurance

The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Company on a chosen group of employees. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policies, and as such, the investment is carried at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Income from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies is included in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income. The BOLI policies are an asset that can be liquidated, if necessary, with associated tax costs. However, the Company intends to hold these policies and, accordingly, has not provided for deferred income taxes on the earnings from the increases in cash surrender value.

Pension and Postretirement Plans

The Company sponsors qualified defined benefit pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”). The qualified defined benefit pension plan is funded with trust assets invested in a diversified portfolio of debt and equity securities. Accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided well into the future and attributing that cost over the time period each employee works. To accomplish this, the Company makes extensive use of assumptions about inflation, investment returns, mortality, turnover, and discount rates. The Company has established a process by which management reviews and selects these assumptions annually. Among other factors, changes in interest rates, investment returns and the market value of plan assets can (i) affect the level of plan funding; (ii) cause volatility in the net periodic pension cost; and (iii) increase our future contribution requirements. A significant decrease in investment returns or the market value of plan assets or a significant decrease in interest rates could increase the Company’s net periodic pension costs and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. A significant increase in the Company’s contribution requirements with respect to the Company’s qualified defined benefit pension plan could have an adverse impact on the Company’s cash flow. Changes in the key actuarial assumptions would impact net periodic benefit expense and the projected benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plan. See Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans,” for information on these plans and the assumptions used.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

On October 6, 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary, Seneca Savings Insurance Agency, Inc., completed the acquisition of a retirement plan book of business. The Company paid an aggregate of $714,500 in cash and recorded $475,500 in contingent consideration payable to acquire the assets and recorded a $778,000 customer list intangible asset and goodwill in the amount of $412,000 in conjunction with the acquisition. Contingent consideration paid totaled $156,000 and $290,000 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The above-mentioned acquisition was made to expand the Company’s wealth management services activities.

The excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is carried at its acquired value and is reviewed annually for impairment, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may be impaired.

Acquired identifiable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful economic life. The customer relationship intangibles is amortized over five years based upon the projected discounted cash flows of the accounts acquired. Acquired identifiable intangible assets that are amortized are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

Compensation expense is recognized based on the current market price of shares committed to be released to employees. All shares released and committed to be released are deemed outstanding for purposes of earnings per share calculations. Dividends declared and paid on allocated shares held by the ESOP are charged to retained earnings. The value of unearned shares to be allocated to ESOP participants for future services not yet performed is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. Dividends declared on unallocated shares held by the ESOP are recorded as a reduction of the ESOP’s loan payment to the Company.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to share-based payments transactions are recognized based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Compensation costs related to the employee stock ownership plan are dependent upon the average stock price and the shares committed to be released to the plan participants through the period in which income is reported.

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Advances

The Bank has secured a Municipal Line of Credit (“MULOC”) from the FHLBNY to collateralize New York State deposits related to the Banking Development District Program. The program helps to give incentives for banks to open branches in communities with underserved banking resources. The Bridgeport branch allows us to market our deposit products in Madison County. The MULOC is collateralized by one- to four-family residential mortgage loans pledged to the FHLBNY.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company had 2,620 and 1,590 potentially dilutive common stock equivalents at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Unallocated common shares held by the ESOP as well as shares of unvested restricted stock are not included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share until they are committed to be released (See Note 14).

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2024 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2025 presentation format. These classifications are immaterial and had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity for the periods presented herein.