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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ENERGY SECTOR – OPINION: There’s not a second to lose if the UK is to build a world-class battery industry

    Source and Opinion by Richard Moore, Battery Expert at Greenpower Park

    The Faraday Institution’s latest report on UK Gigafactories finds that they could support 35,000 jobs by 2040, along with a further 65,000 in the supply chain, but warns that the UK is not moving quickly enough. It’s time to put words into action and build the manufacturing capacity that we need to ensure that the UK not only catches up but becomes a world leader, says Richard Moore, Greenpower Park’s Battery Expert

    A question that used to be asked in every job interview was ‘where do you see yourself in five years? The interviewee almost certainly had a detailed list of aspirations to reel off in response If the same question was asked of the UK PLC in relation to the number of gigafactories it will have after that same period of time, the answer would be much shorter and to the point: ‘not enough.’

    That’s a massive problem, because as the Faraday Institution’s ‘UK electric vehicle and battery production potential to 2040’ report makes very clear, the UK is rapidly falling far behind in the global race to build these strategically important assets that are vital to making transport more sustainable, reducing emissions, improving air quality, and delivering net-zero commitments.

    With each gigafactory taking some five years to build1, there’s no time to waste, and in determining the way forward we learn a hard lesson learnt from the past: the lithium-ion battery was invented in the UK but the strategic importance of manufacturing them in the UK was overlooked. This is why today we have just one operational gigafactory which has a capacity of less than 2GWh. And by 2030 – the date that the new Labour government has pledged to ban sales of combustion engine vehicles, the UK is expected to have only three1 up and running.

    That’s around half of what’s needed because the UK’s demand is expected to reach almost 110GWh a year in 2030 – the equivalent of six large gigafactories running at 90% capacity1. That also compares very unfavourably to the 40 expected to be operational in Europe by that time1, and more than 400 worldwide2.

    Even if we broke ground today, the additional sites we need in the UK would only just be ramping up production volumes by the time the last petrol and diesel vehicles will be driven out of the showrooms. Which means that many of the EVs manufactured in the UK will use imported cells, while at the same time the UK will not be in a position to export these highly valuable items to other countries. Compounding the problem are the requirements of Rules of Origin regulations that from 2027 will require EVs made here to use cells manufactured in the UK or Europe to avoid new tariffs when sold in Europe.

    And of course, as well as road transport, there will be huge demand for the cells needed to electrify other industries such as the aviation and marine sectors. It is absolutely vital to our future that we have a world-class battery industry here in the UK, together with a robust, transparent and sustainable supply chain to serve it. And we must be cognizant of the fact that while the UK is forecast to make only 53 per cent of the capacity it will need in 20301, the gulf is expected to grow, with only 29% capacity by 2040, by which time we’ll need some 200GWh of supply1.

    A true centre of excellence in electrification

    The transition from internal combustion engines running on fossil fuels to e-mobility powered by renewables represents nothing less than a paradigm shift, and we simply cannot afford to squander the opportunity to place the UK as the driving force behind it. Greenpower Park, the UK’s Centre of Electrification and Clean Energy, is a trailblazing centre of excellence for electrification, battery technology and manufacturing. With the West Midlands Gigafactory as its anchor tenant, it has unrivalled access to the most highly skilled workforce in the country.

    This ground-breaking location is the first of its kind, offering an all-in-one solution for battery research, industrialisation, manufacturing, testing, recycling and electrified logistics designed to foster the UK’s growing battery ecosystem. Based in the country’s automotive skills heartland, it is at the epicentre of the country’s shift to electrification and is synonymous with both electric vehicle and battery manufacturing.

    The automotive and manufacturing industries run through the blood of generations of the workforce in the West Midlands and will continue to do so in the future with the creation of Greenpower Park. Located closer to almost every vehicle manufacturer’s plant than any other proposed gigafactory in the UK, it is also adjacent to the world-renowned UK Battery Industrialisation Centre as well as nine universities and their 220,000 students. Greenpower Park represents a unique collaboration between academia, industry, government and international partners to create a complete ecosystem purpose-designed to boost accelerated development, growth and innovation across the e-mobility sector.

    Tempus fugit: action this day

    We believe that we can play a pivotal role in helping overcome the battery cell demand issue that’s coming in the next decade and beyond. But to do that we need to act now, and that involves laying out incentive packages to accelerate conversations with potential investors, and to enable us to achieve our goals within the battery manufacturers’ demanding investment timescales – and the vehicle manufacturers’ product development cycles.

    We’ve put all the pieces in place to enable that to happen, and we are the UK’s only proposed Gigafactory site with Investment Zone Status. This offers a compelling package of incentives for investors, including Stamp Duty Land Tax Relief, 100 per cent Business Rate Relief on newly occupied premises, 100 per cent first year Capital Allowances for expenditure on new plant and machinery, zero rate employer national insurance contributions for 36 months for each new job created, enhanced structures and buildings allowance, and additional support for supply chain and skills development, innovation, and R&D. We strongly believe that with inward investment of £2.5bn we can build our state-of-the-art Gigafactory and create 6,000 highly skilled jobs.

    We’re also highly encouraged by the new UK government’s pledge to directly invest in industry via the National Wealth Fund, reward firms that build their manufacturing supply chains in the UK via the British Jobs Bonus, and, in short, ‘secure the future of Britain’s automotive industry.’3 We urge the Prime Minister to deliver on those promises and help us to play our part in full.

    The UK has always been a leader in designing and developing cutting-edge technologies, but hasn’t always fulfilled its potential in successfully mass-producing them. With battery cells and Gigafactories we have an unprecedented opportunity to change this. But we must act now if we are to seize it. Five years from now, we want the UK to be a globally competitive supplier of battery cells and securing the clean energy supply chain for the future, not asking why we allowed ourselves to fall further behind.

    1 https://www.faraday.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gigafactory-Report_2024_final_17Sept2024.pdf

    2 https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/over-400-gigafactories-in-2030-pipeline-but-overcapacity-fears-loom

    3 https://labour.org.uk/change/make-britain-a-clean-energy-superpower/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Equinor strengthens gas portfolio

    Source: Equinor

    30 OCTOBER 2024 – Equinor has signed an agreement with EQT Corporation to acquire additional non-operated interest in the Northern Marcellus formation in the US. Equinor will pay USD 1.25 billion to EQT in the transaction.

    Under the agreement, Equinor is acquiring 100% of EQT’s remaining working interest in Northern Marcellus gas units primarily operated by Expand Energy.

    The transaction will increase cashflow from the international portfolio by adding natural gas volumes with low carbon intensity emissions from production.

    Subject to closing, the acquisition will have economic effect from 31 December 2024. The acquisition covers the same acreage included in the swap agreement with EQT announced earlier this year.

    With this transaction, Equinor is increasing its average working interest in the Northern Marcellus asset from 25.7% to 40.7%. The transaction adds approximately 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) to Equinor’s US production in the near-term.

    “We continue to high-grade Equinor’s international portfolio in line with our strategy, improving robustness by adding more natural gas volumes in a core market where we produce with low break-evens and low intensity upstream emissions. We are well positioned in this premium acreage to capitalize on positive long-term demand indicators in the US gas market,” says Philippe Mathieu, executive vice president for Exploration and Production International at Equinor.

    Equinor’s E&P USA business has delivered over USD 5.5 billion in adjusted operating income after tax since the start of 2021.

    “The US is a core country for Equinor, where we have shaped a robust onshore and offshore oil and gas portfolio, alongside our activities in offshore wind, battery storage, and low-carbon value chains,” says Mathieu.

    EQT Corporation is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the US with operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

    Closing of the transaction will, among other things, be dependent on approval by relevant authorities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    10.29.24
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago, Illinois, entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices:  How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” The hearing includes two witness panels, including Members of Congress from Illinois and advocates for prescription drug pricing reform, to examine recent legislative successes to address anti-competitive tactics that make medications unaffordable for patients.
    Key Quotes:
    “Today the Committee will examine an issue on the minds of many in Illinois and across the country: the high price of prescription drugs.  It is a scandalous situation in America.  People in the United States pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world—on average, four times more than people in similar countries pay for brand-name medications.” 
    “For example: [when] the blood thinner Eliquis entered the market in 2013, it cost $3,100 annually in the U.S.  Same drug for sale in Japan [was] $1,000.  And, over the past decade, the price in the U.S. has more than doubled, from $3,100 to $7,100.  Meanwhile, in Japan, the price has dropped… Why?  For years, Big Pharma has abused our patent system to obtain monopolies on their medications, so they can charge these sky-high prices.” 
    “At the same time, they have spent billions of dollars to fill the airwaves with ads so patients tell their doctors they need drugs like Eliquis so they can go skiing, fishing, and whitewater rafting.   By fueling demand for expensive medications that are walled-off from competition by clever patent schemes, Big Pharma has made American patients their profit engine.”
    “Thankfully, this Administration and Democrats in Congress decided to do something about it.  In 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act.  Not a single Republican voted for it.  Under this law, we have capped the price of insulin at $35 per month, saving 50,000 seniors in Illinois approximately $500 a year.  We have made vaccines under Medicare free.  When the shingles or RSV vaccines can cost up to $300 per dose, this change creates real savings for 1.4 million seniors in Illinois.  Starting in January, there will be a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs for seniors—meaning, no matter how expensive your medications are, you will not pay more than $2,000 in co-pays per year.”
    “In August, the Biden-Harris Administration negotiated with Big Pharma to lower prices for 10 of the most expensive drugs under Medicare, resulting in price savings of up to 79 percent… As a result of this negotiation, nine million seniors will save a total of $1.5 billion in annual out-of-pocket costs—including nearly 300,000 seniors in Illinois who take one of these ten drugs.  Remember Eliquis?  Thanks to this new law, Medicare was able to permanently cut its price in half—taking nearly $300 off the monthly price tag—for more than 100,000 seniors in Illinois.”
    “But just as these historic savings are starting to take effect, there are real threats to our progress.  Eight pharmaceutical companies raced to federal courthouses to stop this price negotiation.  And former-President Trump and his Republican allies want to repeal this provision all together.”
    “Too often, the prices Big Pharma charges do not reflect scientific breakthroughs but, rather, manipulation by its lawyers and marketers.  In fact, the top 10 best-selling drugs in 2021 were covered by an average of 42 active patents that block competition and create windfall profits.”
    “The Judiciary Committee has taken a leading role in addressing Big Pharma’s schemes.  Last year, the Committee unanimously reported five bipartisan bills that addressed the industry’s anticompetitive tactics.  This includes my bill with Senator Tillis to improve information sharing between the FDA and Patent Office to prevent gamesmanship. Congress needs to pass these bills into law.”
    “Drugs are not effective in treating disease if a patient cannot afford to buy them.  Our hearing today will explore how legislation like the Inflation Reduction Actand the Judiciary Committee bills can help ensure every patient can access lifesaving medications.”
      
    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.
    The United States has the highest prescription drug prices in the developed world, on average nearly four times higher than what other countries pay for some of the most common brand-name medications. Despite claims that these prices are necessary to fund research and development into the next generation of drugs, research suggests that the majority of innovation is driven by smaller companies, as well as taxpayer funding through the National Institutes of Health. The Committee has jurisdiction over competition issues and the intellectual property system, which play critical roles in incentivizing true innovation and protecting a healthy market that keeps prices for prescription drugs within reach of the patients that need them.
    Durbin, Senate Democrats, and the Biden-Harris Administration have taken numerous steps to lower the costs of prescription drugs. Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Actprovided the Administration the authority to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma, which has already resulted in price reduction of up to 79 percent for 10 of the most expensive and frequently-dispensed prescription drugs for seniors.
    Earlier this Congress, a package of bills advanced unanimously out of the Committee to lower prescription drug prices and are awaiting a vote in the full Senate, including the Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
    Additionally, Durbin held a full committee hearing in May that scrutinized pharmaceutical companies’ abuse of the Orange Book and examined prescription drug prices, competition, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for patients.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    10.29.24
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago, Illinois, entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices:  How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” The hearing included two witness panels, including Members of Congress from Illinois and advocates for prescription drug pricing reform, to examine recent legislative successes to address anti-competitive tactics that make medications unaffordable for patients.
    Durbin first questioned Dr. Anthony D. Douglas II, General Surgery Resident at the University of Chicago, about the Medicare negotiation of Jardiance, a medication to treat people with diabetes, including his father. Jardiance’s manufacturer steadily raised the drug’s price over the last five years, from around $450 to nearly $600 for a 30-day supply.  Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare is finally able to negotiate the price it pays for certain prescription drugs, including Jardiance. And the Biden-Harris Administration was able to negotiate the price for Jardiance down to $197 per month—a 66 percent discount.
    “Tell me what that price reduction means to your patients?” Durbin asked.
    Dr. Douglas responded that having this necessary medicine reduced in price will mean “saving lives” thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration.
    Durbin then asked Dr. Douglas about direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertising.  The pharmaceutical industry spends $6 billion per year to flood the airwaves with direct-to-consumer drug ads.  Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs, in order to empower patients and reduce excess spending on medications.
    “It strikes me that there are a handful of drugs which we are bombarded with when it comes to advertising—you cannot watch a football game or anything on your television without getting an ad for a drug… The fact that we can pronounce and even spell Xarelto is proof positive that we have been trained by these ads.  I am assuming and tell me if I’m wrong, that the pharmaceutical companies basically decided if we can convince the ultimate consumer to go into the doctor’s office and say, ‘I need this’ or whatever it happens to be, that the doctor is going to prescribe it as opposed to questioning whether or not it is necessary or if there is an affordable generic.  Is that true?”  Durbin asked.
    Dr. Douglas responded that he believes that is the drug companies’ strategy when targeting consumers through DTC ads.  He continued to say, “Not only do they advertise directly to physicians to prescribe the medications but also patients to go into the clinics and hospitals to ask,” for example, Ozempic. 
      Durbin also asked Dr. Michael Sandsmark, Director of Pharmacy, Iroquois Memorial Hospital (IMH), about the long wait lines at pharmacies, including at Walgreens, and even closures. 
    Dr. Sandsmark responded that there, “is a lot of burnout” among pharmacists right now and corporations are having trouble finding staff.  Dr. Sandsmark also commented on the rigorous and expensive price of pharmacy school and training.  
    Durbin then asked Rachel Sachs, Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis, and Kwame Raoul, Attorney General, State of Illinois, about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—middlemen that manage drug benefits for insurance plans. 
    Dr. Sachs responded, “we should think broadly about opportunities at the federal level and state level for PBM reform.”  In February 2024, Attorney General Raoul along with 38 other attorneys general, sent a letter to Congress expressing support for reforming how PBMs operate.  In June, he joined an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case addressing the states’ authority to regulate PBMs.
    Durbin then asked Dr. Sachs about claims from the pharmaceutical industry and its allies that the Inflation Reduction Act’s common-sense reform to enable Medicare to negotiate for lower prices will “freeze innovation,” and potentially prevent new drugs from coming to the market.  The cancer drug Keytruda had $25 billion in sales last year.  The revenue for this single medication is on par with what Mastercard or the McDonald’s Corporation earn per year.
    “How can it possibly be that a penny less in profit to Big Pharma will stifle innovation?” Durbin asked.
    Dr. Sachs responded, “in my view, what we really care about is the value of innovation to patients.  It is about delivering real [and] new clinical value and reforms that preserve and protect that value rather than the amount of innovation are what matters.”
    Durbin then asked Dr. Douglas about pharmaceutical companies often spending more in sales and marketing than on research and development.  Dr. Douglas responded he is aware of the uneven spending.  He continued to say we need to put profits over people.  In 2020, Johnson & Johnson spent nearly twice as much on sales and marketing—$22 billion—as it spent on R&D. 
    Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
    The United States has the highest prescription drug prices in the developed world, on average nearly four times higher than what other countries pay for some of the most common brand-name medications. Despite claims that these prices are necessary to fund research and development into the next generation of drugs, research suggests that the majority of innovation is driven by smaller companies, as well as taxpayer funding through the National Institutes of Health. The Committee has jurisdiction over competition issues and the intellectual property system, which play critical roles in incentivizing true innovation and protecting a healthy market that keeps prices for prescription drugs within reach of the patients that need them.
    Durbin, Senate Democrats, and the Biden-Harris Administration have taken numerous steps to lower the costs of prescription drugs. Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Actprovided the Administration the authority to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma, which has already resulted in price reduction of up to 79 percent for 10 of the most expensive and frequently-dispensed prescription drugs for seniors.
    Earlier this Congress, a package of bills advanced unanimously out of the Committee to lower prescription drug prices and are awaiting a vote in the full Senate, including the Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
    Additionally, Durbin held a full committee hearing in May that scrutinized pharmaceutical companies’ abuse of the Orange Book and examined prescription drug prices, competition, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for patients.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UNICEF urges polio vaccination to resume in northern Gaza | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    ‘Polio can kill’, Rosalia Bollen of UNICEF warned, stressing that the second phase of the vaccination campaign urgently needs to be allowed to proceed in northern Gaza. The mid-November deadline is critical for about 120,000 children in Gaza and beyond.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofC49K41f_k

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Israel/Iran: Exchange of attacks risks plunging region into the unknown – Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing by Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the situation in the Middle East.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3YkkWzq5is

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Investing in America | Flagstaff, Arizona

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    The Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law is helping communities like Flagstaff, AZ, turn transportation projects into reality. Historic funding is going straight to local projects, led by the people who know what their communities need.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PG0eZfAFbg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: MESC Celebrates Manufacturing Month and Historic Investments in American Manufacturing

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Manufacturing is powering America’s energy future! Backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, MESC has already invested $10B+ to transform energy supply chains, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening national security. Join us in celebration of Manufacturing Month to hear from MESC leaders and industry partners who are driving this exciting revival.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9aC6eoCKRc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Are you Still Eligible for FEMA Assistance if you have Insurance?

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    If you have insurance, you may still be eligible for disaster assistance.
    We can’t provide money for disaster-related expenses covered by insurance—but if your disaster damage isn’t fully covered, we may be able to help.
    Learn more: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_insurance_qrg_20241010.pdf

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywQZ_W9Ulzc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 2024 Valor Memorial Dedication Ceremony

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    CBP has honored its fallen employees since 2003 and continues to honor the fallen of its legacy agencies. The honorees were all uniformed law enforcement personnel until 2020, when CBP began to recognize non-uniformed, non-law enforcement personnel who have died in the line of duty. This inclusion acknowledges their role in the agency’s mission and their dedication to CBP’s core values to our nation — vigilance, service to country and integrity.

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    #cbp
    #remember

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIpFegGv2LE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ASCAC meeting Sept. 26 2024

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Regular meeting of the ASCAC on September 26, 2024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YZcxfmYQBY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How Do High-Temperature Gas Reactors Work?

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    High-temperature gas reactors use helium gas and ceramic materials to stabilize the fission process inside the reactor core.

    They run on ceramic-coated fuel particles and are designed to efficiently produce heat (~750° Celsius) for electricity generation or to drive energy-intensive manufacturing processes, such as hydrogen production.

    High-temperature gas reactors come in two different core designs — prismatic and pebble bed.

    1️⃣ Prismatic Gas Reactors use graphite hexagonal blocks to form the reactor core structure and slow down the neutrons produced by fission to sustain the chain reaction. Each block contains channels for directing helium gas flow and holding stacks of TRISO fuel pellets, known as compacts.

    Fission heats the helium that is being circulated through the core to a secondary system that heats water to create steam. The steam then turns an electric generator to produce emissions-free electricity.

    The gas then returns to the reactor to be reheated in a closed loop cycle.

    2️⃣ Pebble Bed Gas Reactors are essentially big “nuclear gumball machines.” The pebble bed core is filled with TRISO fuel pebbles that are surrounded by graphite reflector blocks. Helium is blown down through the pebble bed to extract the heat into a steam generator that produces electricity.

    The reactor is continuously refueled by adding fresh pebbles into the top of the core as older ones are discharged from the bottom. The discharged pebbles are evaluated to determine whether they will be reinserted into the reactor or placed directly into on-site storage.

    Learn more:

    Follow the Office of Nuclear Energy | U.S. Department of Energy on social media:
    https://www.facebook.com/nuclearenergygov
    https://www.x.com/GovNuclear
    https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/nuclearenergygov

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vHNf398Gag

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ‘Y’all Aboard!’: The return of Amtrak to the Gulf Coast

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined local leaders in Mobile, Alabama, for the groundbreaking of the Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement project, which was awarded a $178 million CRISI grant in a previous round of funding from the Biden-Harris Administration. Once completed, the project will restore passenger service between Mobile and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005.

    In this “Investing in America” video, we highlight the Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement project and the impact the restored rail route will have in the region.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc5ut75YNUs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Veterans Find Success with a VA Career

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Join the thousands of Veterans who have found career success with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As a VA employee, you can access many professional opportunities with competitive salaries, retirement plans, and paid leave. To learn how the Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP) can help you pursue Federal employment, please visit http://www.vaforvets.va.gov/.

    Find the right VA career for you, visit https://vacareers.va.gov/.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kOQaivNi2Y

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Applying for FEMA Assistance

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    FEMA can provide support with rental assistance, home repairs, personal property, transportation needs, and more.
    Whatever your recovery needs, we’re here to help you through the process and a number of Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in the impacted areas.

    Find a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you:
    Call: 800-621-3362
    Apply online: DisasterAssistance.gov
    fema.gov/about/glossary/disaster-survivor-assistance

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq9pwa5TRpE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Help Survivors in North Carolina

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    A Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) agent talks about her experience with helping Hurricane Helene Survivors in Swannanoa, North Carolina. DSA agents help connect survivors with essential resources, guidance, and support throughout the recovery process.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEK1dqxB5s

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia Urges Social Security Administration to Protect Beneficiaries in Guaranteed Income Initiatives

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    Washington, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) sent a letter to the head of the Social Security Administration (SSA) urging a rule change to ensure that individuals who benefit from guaranteed income programs can still access full Social Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. This change would allow SSI beneficiaries to take part in state and local guaranteed income programs and cash assistance initiatives that help low-income households, without putting their benefits at risk. To read the full letter, click here.

    An excerpt of the letter can be found below: 

    “Dear Administrator O’Malley,

    I am writing to urge the Social Security Administration (SSA) to address a critical issue affecting the interaction between direct cash programs and supplemental security income (SSI) benefits as part of its upcoming Overpayment Recovery rule, scheduled for April 2025. Specifically, SSA should take this opportunity to implement regulatory changes that will better protect SSI recipients who benefit from cash programs. These regulatory changes are urgently needed to clarify the definition of “Assistance Based on Need” (ABON) and ensure that state and local Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs are recognized appropriately in this context.

    Over the past five years, there has been a significant rise in direct cash programs aimed at improving the economic stability of low-income households, including guaranteed income initiatives, state and local tax credits, and TANF-funded cash transfer programs. During my mayoral tenure, I helped launch a transformational universal basic income pilot that provided critical financial support to low-income families.

    The program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), has since benefitted hundreds of households, offering $500 monthly to families in the city’s lowest-income neighborhoods. Building on this experience, I recently introduced the Guaranteed Income for Foster Youth Act alongside Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) co-chair Michael Tubbs, which would provide $1,000 monthly to young adults exiting foster care.

    These programs are designed to complement—not undermine—the existing social safety net. However, many SSI beneficiaries cannot participate in these programs without jeopardizing their benefits. SSA has yet to provide clear and comprehensive guidance on how to treat these cash transfers under SSI income determinations.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Celebrates $1 Million In Grant Funding for Security for Nonprofits Across Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Celebrates $1 Million In Grant Funding for Security for Nonprofits Across Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District

    NEWPORT NEWS, VA  – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) celebrated $1,098,795 in grant funding being awarded to nonprofits in Virginia’s Third Congressional District. This funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) through federal funds for the Fiscal Year 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This funding provides support for planning, training, target hardening, and physical security enhancements to eligible nonprofit organizations.
     
    “We all have a right to feel safe as we go through our daily routines,” said Congressman Scott. “Unfortunately, there has been a rise in hate crimes and incidents of domestic terrorism. This grant funding will be put to use by a number of religious and nonprofit organizations in my district to ensure the safety and security of their staff, congregants and visitors. I will continue my work to keep our communities safe.”
     
    List of recipients in Virginia’s Third Congressional District:
     
    $150,000 for Congregation Beth El (Norfolk, VA)
    $60,570 for Denbigh Baptist Church, Inc (Newport News, VA)
    $105,730 for First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Inc (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Gethsemane Baptist Church (Newport News, VA)
    $27,100 for Greater Faith Hampton (Hampton, VA)
    $150,000 for Grove Baptist Church (Portsmouth, VA)
    $44,507 for Ohef Sholom Temple (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Restore, Church Inc (Portsmouth, VA)
    $110,888 for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Water Edge Church, Newport News Campus (Newport News, VA)
     
    More information on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program can be found by CLICKING HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Makes Final Push in Battleground States Ahead of 2024 Election

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024—Brian Bryant, International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), today issued a statement on the IAM’s extensive political mobilization efforts in battleground states, emphasizing the critical role of union volunteers in getting out the vote for pro-worker candidates:

    “As the nation’s largest aerospace, airline, transportation, and defense labor union, the IAM is committed to electing candidates who prioritize the needs of working families. Our union has already knocked on thousands of doors across key battleground states. From worksite visits to door-to-door efforts, IAM members are bringing our message directly to voters about what’s at stake this Election Day.

    “IAM members will continue to participate in phone banks, labor walks, and other grassroots efforts in coordination with national AFL-CIO political program activities, engaging voters in key states leading up to the election on Nov. 5.

    “Our members are fighting to protect good jobs, pensions, Social Security, and the fundamental right to organize. This election is about electing leaders who will advocate for these priorities. The IAM fully supports Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for President and Vice President of the United States. Vice President Harris has been a proven champion for working families, driving initiatives like the American Rescue Plan and the CHIPS Act, which directly supported IAM jobs. Her running mate, Gov. Walz, a former union member, has an outstanding record of pro-worker legislation in Minnesota.

    “IAM members will continue their door-to-door efforts over the final weekend, emphasizing the choice between continuing the progress made by the Biden-Harris administration or risking setbacks under former President Donald Trump’s policies.

    “Under Trump, our members experienced the of at least 48 IAM-represented facilities and the loss of tens of thousands of IAM jobs. His failure to protect workers during the COVID-19 crisis and government shutdown had devastating consequences.

    “This election is about rejecting policies that foster division and insecurity. With our members’ dedication and collective strength, we’re committed to building a more just and equitable future for America’s working families.”

    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

    goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Government reaches pay agreement for 50,000 health workers

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations

    The NSW Government has reached an agreement with the Health Services Union (HSU) to increase wages and deliver benefits from salary packaging for more than 50,000 health workers across the state.

    The agreement covers a range of professions including allied health roles, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, patient transport officers and more.

    Under the Government’s new Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy, the NSW Government and the HSU have agreed to a one year pay increase of 3.5 per cent plus 0.5 per cent in superannuation.

    The agreement will also provide 100 per cent salary packaging, delivering a key election commitment.

    This will increase the share of salary packaging benefits for eligible workers from 70 per cent to 100 per cent with effect from 1 July 2024.

    Under current salary packaging arrangements, the resulting tax savings are split between health workers and NSW Health.

    Cost of living protection has also been agreed with a $1,000, one-off cost of living payment if the 12-month annual average Sydney Consumer Price Index rate exceeds 4.0 per cent in the year to the March quarter of 2025.

    The agreement also includes award reform that commits all parties to working together to create modern, fit for purpose awards.

    This includes a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that commits to working cooperatively to achieve a 3-year wage agreement on the expiry of the 1-year award.

    This deal forms part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to deliver the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.

    It follows a 4.5 per cent pay rise delivered last year, which was the highest in more than a decade.

    After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the Minns Labor Government is rebuilding this essential service by investing in the workers that deliver them.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “The NSW Government is pleased to announce an agreement has been reached for a salary increase for more than 50,000 public health workers including Aboriginal Health Workers, dental officers, psychologists, security officers, patient support assistants, hospital cleaners, cooks, technicians, interpreters and administration staff.

    “The NSW Government and the HSU have agreed to work together to identify system changes, productivity outcomes, benefits from award reform and savings.

    “This has been a collaborative approach, which builds on the 4-year agreement reached with paramedics late last year.

    “The agreement delivers on a key election commitment to deliver 100 per cent salary packaging and abolish the wages cap.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:

    “The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state’s essential services and the industrial relations system.

    “That work started with scrapping the Liberals and Nationals wages cap and introducing a new bargaining framework.

    “We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services and that is what we are doing.”

    Quotes attributable to HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes:

    “This is a generational advance for 50,000 health workers who have earned every cent of this pay rise. The reform to salary packaging will be life-changing for hard working people on modest incomes.

    “Health workers deserve 100 per cent of their salary packaging tax benefits and this shows the strength of a union that stands together to get things done.

    “After years of neglect in a struggling workforce, we demanded the government do better and secured a deal that finally recognises health workers. We pay tribute to the Government for honouring its commitment.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Health and Safety Representatives to help make a difference

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Work Health and Safety

    SafeWork NSW is due to launch three powerful videos about the importance of Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) and workplace safety, at their one-day free HSR refresher training session on Wednesday 30 October 2024.

    The videos highlight the critical role HSRs play in fostering a safe working environment. In one segment, Laura Anderson, an intensive care nurse at Shoalhaven Hospital, recalls the shock of hearing her colleague scream during an avoidable patient attack. 

    As a proud HSR, Laura reflects, “I do find it very rewarding. The staff are very thankful.” She also emphasises the importance of translating safety into action, stating, “If we are keeping our colleagues safe, that in turn keeps the patients safe.”

    HSRs play a pivotal role in gathering information and resolving health and safety issues for their work group.

    SafeWork NSW is partnering with Unions NSW to deliver the full-day event in Surry Hills where a range of initiatives will provide more clarity on HSR roles and their powers under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. The event will include:

    • Sessions with the Minister of Work Health Safety Sophie Cotsis, Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW Thomas Costa and SafeWork NSW A/Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin
    • An explanation of the WHS legislation, and how it applies to elected HSR roles
    • A presentation from Debra Pascall from the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group discussing her son Ben’s story, who died in a workplace-related incident
    • Information about powers under the WHS legislation to issue Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and how to direct unsafe work to cease
    • The ability to network with fellow HSRs and share experiences
    • The latest updates and insights on workplace consultation and safety standards.

    The initiative will also cover essential topics including the management of psychosocial hazards such as bullying, excessive workloads, violence and the prevention of sexual harassment.

    HSRs can register for the event here: www.safework.nsw.gov.au/events/safework-events/hsr-forum

    Further information about HSRs can be found here: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/safety-starts-here/consultation-at-work/health-and-safety-representatives

    You can view the three-case study promotional video here: HSR forum promotional video

    This event follows the highly successful Regional Workplace Consultation and HSR forums held earlier this year which attracted over 600 attendees across nine locations.  Participants benefited from 230 evaluations, 320 psychosocial workshops, and 280 high risk harm workshops.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis

    “The day-long event reinforces the important role of health and safety representatives and will help participants receive the latest information from SafeWork NSW to help them meet their obligations and network with other HSRs.”

    “The videos show how Health and Safety Representatives play a critical role in identifying and resolving workplace risks on behalf of their work group, a process which creates open and positive safety cultures.

    “I commend the HSRs in the case studies for standing up, speaking out and advocating for workers. Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of every workday.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Internationally renowned mental health researcher Professor Helen Christensen AO named NSW Scientist of the Year

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology

    Scientia Professor Helen Christensen AO from UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute is being recognised as the NSW Scientist of the Year in the 2024 Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering.

    Professor Christensen is one of 10 exceptional researchers, innovators, and educators being honoured at the Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering, held at Government House in Sydney tonight.

    Professor Christensen’s selection as Scientist of the Year is in recognition of her pioneering work in digital mental health research, which has significantly influenced mental health care practice both in Australia and internationally.

    In 2000, she developed the digital intervention program, MoodGYM, to reduce depression in young people, which has been used by millions of people across more than 160 countries.

    She served as the Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute from 2011 to 2021, while her work creating a model of suicide prevention has been incorporated into national and state suicide prevention plans.

    She will receive a trophy and $60,000 in prize money.

    Nine category winners are also being announced tonight, each receiving a trophy and $5,000 in prize money:

    • Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics
      Professor Susan Coppersmith, UNSW Sydney
    • Excellence in Biological Sciences (Ecological, environmental, agricultural and organismal) Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen, Macquarie University
    • Excellence in Medical Biological Sciences (Cell and molecular, medical, veterinary and genetics)
      Professor Stuart Tangye, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
    • Excellence in Engineering or Information and Communications Technologies
      Distinguished Professor Willy Susilo, University of Wollongong
    • NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Biological Sciences)
      Dr Ira Deveson, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
    • NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) –
      Dr. Jiayan Liao, University of Technology Sydney
    • Leadership in Innovation in NSW
      Distinguished Professor Karu Esselle, University of Technology Sydney
    • Innovation in NSW Public Sector Science and Engineering
      Dr Annette Cowie, NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England
    • Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics Teaching in NSW
      Jodie Attenborough, Tottenham Central School

    Full details of all winners can be found at:

    NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering | Chief Scientist

    Premier Chris Minns said:

    “These awards are about recognising and thanking our state’s most outstanding scientists, engineers, and teachers.  

    “Professor Christensen’s work has helped millions of people worldwide.

    “Her online self-help courses to help address common mental health disorders have been pioneering.

    “Mental health support is vital for so many people. Professor Christensen has improved support for people in NSW, and people around the world.

    “Mental health is one of the pressing challenges of our time, and Professor Christensen’s innovations have made an important impact.”

    Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

    “Tonight is the NSW Government’s chance to recognise some of the leaders from NSW’s world-class research and innovation community.

    “We celebrate not only research excellence, but visionary work that is driving the establishment of new high-tech companies to tackle some of our state’s most difficult problems.”

    NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte said:

    “Tonight, we celebrate leading thinkers in areas as diverse as quantum physics, synthetic biology, immunology, cybersecurity and satellite telecommunications.

    “We acknowledge the work of established senior academics as well as lauding the contributions of our best early career researchers.

    “My congratulations to everyone honoured tonight, and especially to 2024 Scientist of the Year, Professor Helen Christensen, for her profound impact in the critically important area of mental health.”   

    2024 NSW Scientist of the Year Professor Helen Christensen said:

    “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award from the NSW Government.

    “It’s exciting to see this recognition for scientific work in mental health—an issue now seen globally as the leading health concern, even surpassing cancer, obesity and COVID.

    “Mental health science has the power to transform lives. We’re at a tipping point, where advancements in genetics, AI, and software engineering, are reshaping our understanding of mental illness, the impact of societal factors, and how technology delivers proven treatments to those who need them.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New partnership a boost for First Nations tourism

    Source: Minister for Trade

    Today the Albanese Labor Government is announcing a historic new Partnership to support greater participation and economic opportunities for First Nations people and businesses in Australia’s tourism industry.

    The First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership, comprising First Nations tourism industry representatives from every state and territory, will provide leadership and guidance on respectfully embedding Australia’s rich cultural heritage in our tourism offerings.

    Importantly, the Partnership will be tasked with investigating and establishing a permanent First Nations national tourism peak body which will provide guidance and strategic support to grow this critical sector.

    The Partnership will be funded for an initial two years through the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

    First Nations industry representatives co-designed the Partnership in collaboration with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Tourism Australia and state and territory governments.

    The Albanese Labor Government understands the importance of First Nations tourism in Australia and has been investing to increase economic opportunities for First Nations people in this sector.

    This includes the Indigenous Tourism Fund which is supporting First Nations people in the travel and tourism industry through grants, mentoring and co-investment in strategic projects.

    The First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program is connecting businesses with skilled, experienced and culturally respectful tourism industry specialists who are providing one-on-one guidance, advice and support.

    These programs build on support provided by state and territory governments, such as Tourism Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Tourism Development Support Grant Program, which is co-funded by the Australian Government and helps to develop Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences and tourism product.

    Quotes attributable to Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:

    “First Nations tourism offers an important avenue for First Nations people to stay on country, preserve their culture and knowledge while providing economic opportunities.

    “I recently had the privilege of attending the graduation of the National Indigenous Training Academy’s class of 2024 on Anangu country who expressed to me the importance of this industry and their excitement of sharing their culture with visitors. With graduates like these, alongside the support of this new national body, the future is very bright for First Nations tourism in Australia.

    “We know that domestic and international visitors are increasingly seeking unique First Nations experiences as part of their travels.

    “This presents great opportunities for First Nations tourism and job creation in Australia’s regions and First Nations communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians:

    “First Nations tourism provides opportunities to share the world’s oldest living culture with travellers from around the world, while empowering First Nations people through employment and business prospects.

    “The First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership will advocate for the sector and 
    support the growth of First Nations tourism businesses to provide unique experiences for domestic and international visitors, driving more economic activity in the regions and local communities.

    “The First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to working with First Nations people and in partnership with state and territory governments to advance self-determination and economic empowerment.

    “The First Nations tourism sector has been calling for support to establish a national peak tourism body and the Albanese Government has listened.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Montgomery County Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Fentanyl And Firearm Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Possessed more than 900 pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in his home, with the intent to distribute them. 

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Today, the Honorable Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Darnell Palmer, 23, Germantown, Maryland, to 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Washington Division, and Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department.

    According to the guilty plea, in April 2022, law enforcement received information that Palmer was distributing fentanyl in Montgomery County, Maryland.  Law Enforcement officers observed Palmer selling 10 round blue pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and actually contained fentanyl, to an individual in front of Palmer’s residence.  On June 1, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Palmer’s residence. 

    In Palmer’s bedroom, law enforcement located approximately 918 fentanyl pills (appearing as Oxycodone Hydrochloride ), distributed within several zip-top bags; a plastic bag containing three bags of marijuana and a black digital scale; a loaded Glock 27 handgun; four firearm magazines, including an empty Glock magazine; a clear magazine containing six rounds of ammunition; a loaded drum magazine; and a packaged Glock magazine; and approximately $3,611 in U.S. currency, among other items.  Palmer possessed the fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them.  The 928 fentanyl pills recovered in the investigation weighed more than 100 grams.  The pills Palmer distributed, and that were seized from his bedroom, purported to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in that they were small light blue pills stamped with “M” and “30” to match legitimate Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 milligram pills when in fact, they contained fentanyl instead of Oxycodone Hydrochloride.

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the DEA and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Christopher Sarma, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama Man Sentenced for Threatening Fulton County Sheriff and District Attorney

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Arthur Ray Hanson, II has been sentenced to federal prison for transmitting interstate threats to injure Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis because of their connections to the Fulton County, Georgia investigation and prosecution of former President Donald Trump. 

    “Public servants have a responsibility to enforce our criminal laws, and anyone who threatens to harm or intimidate them will face the consequences of their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.  “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who diligently worked to ensure public officials are free to perform their essential work without the threat of physical attack.”

    “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, but also a threat against our democratic process,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior, and to send the message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: On August 6, 2023, Hanson called the Fulton County Government customer service line twice and left two voicemails—the first for Sheriff Labat and the second for District Attorney Willis. During both calls, Hanson threatened violence against these officials.

    In his message for Sheriff Labat, Hanson made statements that included the following:

    • “If you think you gonna take a mugshot of my President Trump and it’s gonna be okay, you gonna find out that after you take that mugshot, some bad [expletive]’s gonna happen to you;”
    • “If you take a mugshot of the President and you’re the reason it happened, some bad [expletive]’s gonna happen to you;”
    • “I’m warning you right now before you [expletive] up your life and get hurt real bad;” and
    • “Whether you got a [expletive] badge or not ain’t gonna help you none;” and “you gonna get [expletive]ed up you keep [expletive]ing with my President.” 

    In Hanson’s message for District Attorney Willis, he made statements that included the following:

    • “Watch it when you’re going to the car at night, when you’re going into your house, watch everywhere that you’re going;”
    • “I would be very afraid if I were you because you can’t be around people all the time that are going to protect you;”
    • “There’s gonna be moments when you’re gonna be vulnerable;”
    • “When you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder;” and
    • “What you put out there, [expletive], comes back at you ten times harder, and don’t ever forget it.”

    Arthur Ray Hanson, II, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee to one year, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine. Hanson was convicted on these charges on July 3, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray prosecuted the case.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mansfield Tax Preparer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years After Touting False Credentials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A would-be lawyer who falsely inflated dozens of client tax returns was sentenced Tuesday to more than 15 years in federal prison for tax fraud, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

    John Anthony Castro, 40, owner of the virtual tax preparation business Castro & Company, was indicted in January. Following a five-day bench trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R Means, he was convicted on all 33 counts of assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent return and was immediately taken into custody. Judge Means sentenced him Thursday to 188 months in prison and ordered him to pay $277,243 in restitution.

    “Far from an ‘international tax expert,’ this defendant was an international fraudster, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Not only did he defraud the U.S. government, he bullied and berated clients who dared question his methods. Today’s sentencing should send a message to tax preparers nationwide: Lie on clients’ returns at your own peril.”

    “Mr. Castro prepared and filed completely fraudulent and fabricated tax returns for one reason: greed,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office.  “Today’s sentence highlights IRS-CI’s diligence in rooting out dishonest tax return preparers whose only motive is to cheat the system and make themselves richer in the process.”

    According to evidence presented in court, Mr. Castro – who had graduated law school but repeatedly failed the bar exam – held himself out as an “international tax expert” and “federal practitioner.” (He also falsely claimed to be a graduate of West Point.)

    He was successful at marketing to clients around the world, claiming to be an expert on certain tax issues related to Australian ex-pats, among other things.  Between 2017 and 2019, he filed more than 1,900 tax returns on behalf of individuals from all over the world.

    As part of his pitch, Mr. Castro promised his clients a significantly higher refund than they would receive from other preparers, claiming he knew how to identify and claim deductions that others did not.  He added there was no risk, as he would simply split the additional refund amount with them to account for his fee.  He would not share the tax return with clients before filing, but would instead simply inform them of the amount of the anticipated refund.

    On many occasions, he filed tax returns on behalf of clients without their permission or knowledge.  In other instances, he claimed deductions that had no basis in fact.  For example, for one client, who made approximately $103,000 in income, Mr. Castro claimed over $90,000 in deductions related to unreimbursed employee expenses.

    Mr. Castro claimed deductions based on extreme and unsupported legal theories, including deductions such as (1) those for any expense related to preventing an illness qualified as an “impairment related work expense,” (2) those for expenses related to commuting to and from work, (3) the full value of one’s mortgage and utilities as long as the taxpayer had some type of Schedule C business to claim, (4) those related to dry-cleaning for work clothes, and (5) the full value of one’s cell phone bill even when their employer provided them with a work phone.  For example, with respect to one client, Mr. Castro deducted over $26,000 in expenses that he claimed related to a nascent cupcake business that had generated only $250 in revenue.

    According to trial testimony, in February 2018, an undercover IRS – CI agent contacted Mr. Castro for assistance. The agent asked to meet with Mr. Castro in person, but Mr. Castro’s office told him that in-person meetings required a $5,000 retainer. They spoke via email instead.

    On February 13, 2018, the undercover agent submitted a W2 and a Form 1098-T showing wages of $142,217. About two weeks later, one of Mr. Castro’s employees called the agent to discuss deductions, noting that Mr. Castro would make any decisions regarding what items would be included on the tax filing.

    The agent denied having any unreimbursed employee expenses, charitable contributions, or other items that could lead to deductions.

    On March 12, 2018, Mr. Castro sent the undercover agent his tax analysis. He said that if the agent used another preparer, he would receive a refund of $373, but that if he used Mr. Castro, he would receive a refund of $6,007. Mr. Castro would take half, netting him $3,008. The analysis said the return would include $29,339 in deductions but did not specify which deductions would be used.

    Two days later, Mr. Castro filed the agent’s return, which claimed $29,339 in fraudulent deductions, including $2,400 in employee expenses, and 28,600 in other expenses that the undercover agent had never discussed with Mr. Castro or his employees.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Castro engaged in a similar pattern with his other clients. When the victim-taxpayers learned what Mr. Castro had done, many of them demanded copies of their tax returns. Mr. Castro refused to engage in conversation and even delayed providing returns for months at a time.  Mr. Castro often acted in a highly vindictive manner when questioned or challenged by clients or others, often berating individuals in emails, threatening legal actions, or by filing amended tax returns, without clients’ permission or knowledge, that removed all deductions, causing the taxpayer-victim to then owe the IRS tens of thousands of dollars. 

    During the trial, Mr. Castro took the stand in his own defense, and upon cross-examination, admitted that his positions were extreme, outlandish, and not supported by the law.  He also admitted to a bevy of prior falsifications and vindictive actions.

    Many of the victim-taxpayers have since been audited and/or filed amended returns, causing them significant financial hardship.

    IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nancy Larson are prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Turtle Creek Man Indicted on 18 Counts of Violent Robberies of Multiple Businesses, Carjackings, and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

    The 18-count Indictment named Jamal Martel Brooks, 33, as the sole defendant. Brooks was previously prosecuted and convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 17 months of incarceration.

    According to the Indictment, from January 3, 2023, to January 2, 2024, Brooks committed numerous violent crimes, including robberies of multiple businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area and two carjackings. Brooks is alleged to have brandished and possessed a firearm in connection with each of these crimes.

    The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and the sentence on each such count must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. Due to the number of robberies alleged to have been committed by Brooks, he is facing a maximum total sentence of not less than 63 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Brooks also is currently facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in relation to his alleged shooting of a Monroeville Police Sergeant on January 3, 2024.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and DeMarr W. Moulton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Monroeville Police Department, and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian forces, and international partners wrap-up Operation North Pacific Guard 2024 

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/29/2024 05:15 PM EDT

    News Release

    		  

    U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
    Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
    Office: (907) 463-2065
    After Hours: (907) 463-2065
    17th District online newsroom

     

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  • MIL-OSI: Northeast Bank Reports First Quarter Results and Declares Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Maine, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northeast Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: NBN), a Maine-based full-service bank, today reported net income of $17.1 million, or $2.11 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $15.2 million, or $2.01 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on November 26, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2024.

    “With $859.8 million of loan generation from our National Lending Division, we had our second largest quarterly loan volume in the Bank’s history, consisting of $732.9 million of purchases and $126.9 million of originations,” said Rick Wayne, Chief Executive Officer. “Our National Lending Division portfolio grew by $742.2 million, or 27.6%, over June 30, 2024. Our small balance SBA 7(a) program with Newity LLC as our loan service provider has gained real traction. For the quarter, we originated $82.4 million, compared to $40.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and $9.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. During the current quarter we sold $63.1 million of the guaranteed portion of our SBA loans, compared with $26.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We are reporting earnings of $2.11 per diluted common share, a return on average equity of 17.5%, and a return on average assets of 2.1%.”

    As of September 30, 2024, total assets were $3.94 billion, an increase of $807.7 million, or 25.8%, from total assets of $3.13 billion as of June 30, 2024.

    1.  The following table highlights the changes in the loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

      Loan Portfolio Changes 
      September 30, 2024 Balance   June 30, 2024 Balance   Change ($)   Change (%)
      (Dollars in thousands)  
    National Lending Purchased $ 2,420,883     $ 1,708,551     $ 712,332     41.69 %
    National Lending Originated   1,011,374       981,497       29,877     3.04 %
    SBA National   66,919       48,405       18,514     38.25 %
    Community Banking   21,426       22,704       (1,278 )   (5.63 %)
    Total $ 3,520,602     $ 2,761,157     $ 759,445     27.50 %
                               

    Loans generated by the Bank’s National Lending Division for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 totaled $859.8 million, which consisted of $732.9 million of purchased loans at an average price of 90.7% of unpaid principal balance, and $126.9 million of originated loans.

    An overview of the Bank’s National Lending Division portfolio follows:

      National Lending Portfolio
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Purchased   Originated   Total   Purchased   Originated   Total
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Loans purchased or originated during the period:                                  
    Unpaid principal balance $ 807,733     $ 126,893     $ 934,626     $ 63,695     $ 68,042     $ 131,737  
    Initial net investment basis (1)   732,893       126,893       859,786       52,346       68,042       120,388  
                                       
    Loan returns during the period:                                  
    Yield   8.83 %     9.31 %     9.00 %     8.99 %     10.03 %     9.40 %
    Total Return on Purchased Loans (2)   8.84 %     N/A     8.84 %     9.04 %     N/A     9.04 %
                                       
    Total loans as of period end:                                  
    Unpaid principal balance $ 2,644,390     $ 1,011,374     $ 3,655,764     $ 1,693,627     $ 958,232     $ 2,651,859  
    Net investment basis   2,420,883       1,011,374       3,432,257       1,516,379       958,232       2,474,611  
                                       

    (1) Initial net investment basis on purchased loans is the initial amortized cost basis net of initial allowance for credit losses (credit mark).
    (2) The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, gains (losses) on real estate owned, release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans, and other noninterest income recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance on an annualized basis. The total return on purchased loans does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries during the period. Total return on purchased loans is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation in below table entitled “Total Return on Purchased Loans.”

    2.  Deposits increased by $785.5 million, or 33.6%, from June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in time deposits of $785.4 million, or 60.1%. The significant drivers in the change in time deposits were the increase in brokered time deposits, which increased by $712.6 million, and Community Banking Division time deposits, which increased by $52.9 million compared to June 30, 2024.

    3.  Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances decreased by $6.1 million, or 1.8%, from June 30, 2024. The decrease was attributable to net paydowns on amortizing advances.

    4.  Shareholders’ equity increased by $15.9 million, or 4.2%, from June 30, 2024, primarily due to net income of $17.1 million and stock-based compensation of $1.8 million, partially offset by the cancelation of restricted stock to cover tax obligations on restricted stock vests, which had a $3.2 million impact on shareholders’ equity.

    Net income increased by $1.9 million to $17.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    1.  Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses increased by $1.9 million to $39.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $37.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the following:

    • An increase in interest income earned on loans of $6.2 million, primarily due to higher average balances in the National Lending Division purchased and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) portfolios and higher rates earned on the SBA portfolio;
    • An increase in interest income earned on short-term investments of $821 thousand, due to higher average balances and higher rates earned; and
    • A decrease in FHLB borrowings interest expense of $2.1 million, primarily due to lower average balances; partially offset by,
    • An increase in deposit interest expense of $7.3 million, primarily due to higher average balances as well as higher rates in interest-bearing deposits.

    The following table summarizes interest income and related yields recognized on the loan portfolios:

      Interest Income and Yield on Loans
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Average   Interest       Average   Interest    
      Balance (1)   Income   Yield   Balance (1)   Income   Yield
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Community Banking $ 22,409     $ 370     6.55 %   $ 27,149     $ 438     6.42 %
    SBA National   59,745       2,419     16.06 %     26,257       786     11.91 %
    National Lending:                                      
    Originated   997,397       23,408     9.31 %     960,629       24,219     10.03 %
    Purchased   1,758,801       39,141     8.83 %     1,489,394       33,671     8.99 %
    Total National Lending   2,756,198       62,549     9.00 %     2,450,023       57,890     9.40 %
    Total $ 2,838,352     $ 65,338     9.13 %   $ 2,503,429       59,114     9.39 %
                                               

    (1) Includes loans held for sale.

    The components of total income on purchased loans are set forth in the table below entitled “Total Return on Purchased Loans.” When compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, transactional income decreased by $776 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and regularly scheduled interest and accretion increased by $6.1 million primarily due to the increase in average balances. The total return on purchased loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was 8.8%, a decrease from 9.0% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The following table details the total return on purchased loans:

      Total Return on Purchased Loans
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Income   Return (1)   Income   Return (1)
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Regularly scheduled interest and accretion $ 37,160     8.38 %   $ 31,030     8.29 %
    Transactional income:                      
    Release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans   64     0.01 %     180     0.05 %
    Accelerated accretion and loan fees   1,981     0.45 %     2,641     0.70 %
    Total transactional income   2,045     0.46 %     2,821     0.75 %
    Total $ 39,205     8.84 %   $ 33,851     9.04 %
       

    (1) The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, and gains (losses) on real estate owned, and release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance on an annualized basis. The total return does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries in the quarter. Total return is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

    2.  Provision for credit losses increased by $232 thousand to $422 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $190 thousand in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily related to the increase in originated loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    3.  Noninterest income increased by $3.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in gain on sale of SBA loans of $3.1 million, due to the sale of $63.1 million in SBA loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the sale of $5.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    4.   Noninterest expense increased by $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to the following:

    • An increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $1.5 million, primarily due to increases in regular and stock compensation expense; and
    • An increase in loan expense of $643 thousand primarily related to increased expenses in connection with the origination of SBA 7(a) loans.

    5.  Income tax expense increased by $754 thousand to $7.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 31.6%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $7.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 32.0%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in effective tax rate is primarily due a $243 thousand increase in tax benefit on the vest of restricted stock and exercise of stock options during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    As of September 30, 2024, nonperforming assets totaled $37.2 million, or 0.94% of total assets, compared to $28.3 million, or 0.90% of total assets, as of June 30, 2024. The increase is primarily related to four National Lending loans placed on non-accrual, which are individually evaluated in the allowance for credit losses and are well-collateralized.

    As of September 30, 2024, past due loans totaled $31.3 million, or 0.89% of total loans, compared to past due loans totaling $26.3 million, or 0.95% of total loans, as of June 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 12.1%, compared to 12.3% at June 30, 2024, and the Total risk-based capital ratio was 12.7% at September 30, 2024, compared to 14.8% at June 30, 2024. The Total risk-based capital ratio decreased primarily due to the increase in risk-weighted assets from significant loan growth during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Investor Call Information
    Rick Wayne, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer, and Pat Dignan, Chief Operating Officer of Northeast Bank, will host a conference call to discuss first quarter earnings and business outlook at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 30th. To access the conference call by phone, please go to this link (Phone Registration), and you will be provided with dial in details. The call will be available via live webcast, which can be viewed by accessing the Bank’s website at www.northeastbank.com and clicking on the About Us – Investor Relations section. To listen to the webcast, attendees are encouraged to visit the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Please note there will also be a slide presentation that will accompany the webcast. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available online for one year at www.northeastbank.com.

    About Northeast Bank
    Northeast Bank (NASDAQ: NBN) is a full-service bank headquartered in Portland, Maine. We offer personal and business banking services to the Maine market via seven branches. Our National Lending Division purchases and originates commercial loans on a nationwide basis. ableBanking, a division of Northeast Bank, offers online savings products to consumers nationwide. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found at www.northeastbank.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including tangible common shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, total return on purchased loans, and efficiency ratio. The Bank’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may also make forward-looking statements in other documents we file with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), in our annual reports to our shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “outlook,” “will,” “should,” and other expressions that predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. Although the Bank believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Bank’s control. The Bank’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in employment levels, general business and economic conditions on a national basis and in the local markets in which the Bank operates; changes in customer behavior due to changing business and economic conditions (including inflation and concerns about liquidity) or legislative or regulatory initiatives; the possibility that future credits losses are higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior or adverse economic developments; turbulence in the capital and debt markets; changes in interest rates and real estate values; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; changes in loan defaults and charge-off rates; changes in the value of securities and other assets, adequacy of credit loss reserves, or deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; changing government regulation; operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, fraud, natural disasters, climate change and future pandemics; the risk that the Bank may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; the risk that intangibles recorded in the Bank’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements; and the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted to the FDIC. These statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Bank does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    NBN-F

     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024
                 
    Assets            
    Cash and due from banks $ 768     $ 2,711  
    Short-term investments   316,519       239,447  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   317,287       242,158  
                 
                 
    Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value   36,836       48,978  
    Equity securities, at fair value   7,269       7,013  
    Total investment securities   44,105       55,991  
                 
    SBA loans held for sale   17,639       14,506  
                 
    Loans:            
    Commercial real estate   2,715,536       2,028,280  
    Commercial and industrial   681,118       618,846  
    Residential real estate   106,075       99,234  
    Consumer   234       291  
    Total loans   3,502,963       2,746,651  
    Less: Allowance for credit losses   43,640       26,709  
    Loans, net   3,459,323       2,719,942  
                 
                 
    Premises and equipment, net   26,452       27,144  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   15,499       15,751  
    Loan servicing rights, net   926       984  
    Bank-owned life insurance   18,954       18,830  
    Accrued interest receivable   17,294       15,163  
    Other assets   22,419       21,734  
    Total assets $ 3,939,898     $ 3,132,203  
                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity            
    Deposits:            
    Demand $ 149,669     $ 146,727  
    Savings and interest checking   752,806       732,029  
    Money market   130,878       154,504  
    Time   2,091,561       1,306,203  
    Total deposits   3,124,914       2,339,463  
                 
    Federal Home Loan Bank and other advances   339,073       345,190  
    Lease liability   19,870       20,252  
    Other liabilities   63,484       50,664  
    Total liabilities   3,547,341       2,755,569  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies   –       –  
                 
                 
    Shareholders’ equity            
    Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares          
    issued and outstanding at September 30 and June 30, 2024   –       –  
    Voting common stock, $1.00 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized;            
    8,212,026 and 8,127,690 shares issued and outstanding at          
    September 30 and June 30, 2024, respectively   8,212       8,128  
    Non-voting common stock, $1.00 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized;            
    No shares issued and outstanding at September 30 and June 30, 2024 –     –  
    Additional paid-in capital   63,318       64,762  
    Retained earnings   320,955       303,927  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   72       (183 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   392,557       376,634  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,939,898     $ 3,132,203  
                   
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $ 65,338     $ 59,114  
    Interest on available-for-sale securities   595       483  
    Other interest and dividend income   3,921       3,100  
    Total interest and dividend income   69,854       62,697  
                 
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits   26,590       19,257  
    Federal Home Loan Bank and other advances   4,030       6,145  
    Obligation under capital lease agreements   234       171  
    Total interest expense   30,854       25,573  
    Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses   39,000       37,124  
    Provision for credit losses   422       190  
    Net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses   38,578       36,934  
                 
    Noninterest income:            
    Fees for other services to customers   443       407  
    Gain on sales of SBA loans   3,331       251  
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities   189       (157 )
    Loss on real estate owned, other repossessed collateral and premises and equipment, net   –       –  
    Bank-owned life insurance income   124       115  
    Correspondent fee income   30       92  
    Other noninterest income   2       71  
    Total noninterest income   4,119       779  
                 
    Noninterest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits   11,183       9,721  
    Occupancy and equipment expense   1,078       1,105  
    Professional fees   753       781  
    Data processing fees   1,487       1,100  
    Marketing expense   136       261  
    Loan acquisition and collection expense   1,293       650  
    FDIC insurance expense   331       357  
    Other noninterest expense   1,424       1,414  
    Total noninterest expense   17,685       15,389  
    Income before income tax expense   25,012       22,324  
    Income tax expense   7,906       7,152  
    Net income $ 17,106     $ 15,172  
                 
                 
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:            
    Basic   7,886,148       7,479,837  
    Diluted   8,108,688       7,554,314  
                 
    Earnings per common share:            
    Basic $ 2.17     $ 2.03  
    Diluted   2.11       2.01  
                   
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
     
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND ANNUALIZED YIELDS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
          Interest   Average       Interest   Average
      Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/
      Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate
    Assets:                                          
    Interest-earning assets:                                      
    Investment securities $ 55,413     $ 595     4.26 %   $ 60,173     $ 483     3.19 %
    Loans (1) (2) (3)   2,838,352       65,338     9.13 %     2,503,429       59,114     9.39 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   16,465       330     7.95 %     22,357       413     7.35 %
    Short-term investments (4)   245,542       3,591     5.80 %     201,803       2,687     5.30 %
    Total interest-earning assets   3,155,772       69,854     8.78 %     2,787,762       62,697     8.95 %
    Cash and due from banks   2,112                   2,492              
    Other non-interest earning assets   94,071                   56,263              
    Total assets $ 3,251,955                 $ 2,846,517              
                                           
    Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity:                                      
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                      
    NOW accounts $ 563,730     $ 6,380     4.49 %   $ 487,445     $ 5,145     4.20 %
    Money market accounts   148,687       1,267     3.38 %     258,296       2,133     3.29 %
    Savings accounts   178,581       1,557     3.46 %     90,997       560     2.45 %
    Time deposits   1,389,832       17,386     4.96 %     977,220       11,419     4.65 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   2,280,830       26,590     4.63 %     1,813,958       19,257     4.22 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   362,594       4,030     4.41 %     510,514       6,145     4.79 %
    Lease liability   20,018       234     4.64 %     21,776       171     3.12 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,663,442       30,854     4.60 %     2,346,248       25,573     4.34 %
                                           
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                                      
    Demand deposits and escrow accounts   175,161                   169,338              
    Other liabilities   26,175                   25,065              
    Total liabilities   2,864,778                   2,540,651              
    Shareholders’ equity   387,177                   305,866              
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,251,955                 $ 2,846,517              
                                           
    Net interest income         $ 39,000                 $ 37,124      
                                           
    Interest rate spread                 4.18 %                   4.61 %
    Net interest margin (5)                 4.90 %                   5.30 %
                                           
    Cost of funds (6)                 4.31 %                   4.04 %
                                           
    (1) Interest income and yield are stated on a fully tax-equivalent basis using the statutory tax rate.
    (2) Includes loans held for sale.
    (3) Nonaccrual loans are included in the computation of average, but unpaid interest has not been included for purposes of determining interest income.
    (4) Short-term investments include FHLB overnight deposits and other interest-bearing deposits.
    (5) Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by total interest-earning assets.
    (6) Cost of funds is calculated as total interest expense divided by total interest-bearing liabilities plus demand deposits and escrow accounts.
     
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND OTHER DATA
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    Net interest income $ 39,000     $ 37,935     $ 36,512     $ 37,000     $ 37,124  
    Provision for credit losses   422       547       596       436       190  
    Noninterest income   4,119       2,092       1,542       1,466       779  
    Noninterest expense   17,685       17,079       16,429       15,669       15,389  
    Net income   17,106       15,140       13,865       14,054       15,172  
                       
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:                  
    Basic   7,886,148       7,765,868       7,509,320       7,505,109       7,479,837  
    Diluted   8,108,688       7,910,692       7,595,124       7,590,913       7,554,315  
    Earnings per common share:                  
    Basic $ 2.17     $ 1.95     $ 1.85     $ 1.87     $ 2.03  
    Diluted   2.11       1.91       1.83       1.85       2.01  
                       
    Dividends declared per common share $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
                       
    Return on average assets   2.09 %     1.99 %     1.87 %     1.93 %     2.12 %
    Return on average equity   17.53 %     16.56 %     16.45 %     17.35 %     19.73 %
    Net interest rate spread (1)   4.18 %     4.41 %     4.27 %     4.49 %     4.61 %
    Net interest margin (2)   4.90 %     5.13 %     5.01 %     5.20 %     5.30 %
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) (3)   41.01 %     42.67 %     43.17 %     40.73 %     40.60 %
    Noninterest expense to average total assets   2.16 %     2.24 %     2.21 %     2.15 %     2.15 %
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   118.48 %     118.78 %     119.28 %     118.52 %     118.82 %
                       
      As of:
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    Nonperforming loans:                  
    Originated portfolio:                  
    Residential real estate $ 3,976     $ 2,502     $ 2,573     $ 2,582     $ 289  
    Commercial real estate   4,682       1,407       2,075       2,075       1,973  
    Commercial and industrial   6,684       6,520       6,928       6,950       584  
    Consumer   –       –       –       –       –  
    Total originated portfolio   15,342       10,429       11,576       11,607       2,846  
    Total purchased portfolio   21,830       17,832       16,370       19,165       14,603  
    Total nonperforming loans   37,172       28,261       27,946       30,772       17,449  
    Real estate owned and other repossessed collateral, net   –       –       –       –       –  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 37,172     $ 28,261     $ 27,946     $ 30,772     $ 17,449  
                       
    Past due loans to total loans   0.89 %     0.95 %     1.13 %     1.22 %     1.01 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   1.06 %     1.02 %     1.05 %     1.18 %     0.69 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.94 %     0.90 %     0.93 %     1.04 %     0.61 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans   1.25 %     0.97 %     0.98 %     1.06 %     1.00 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   117.40 %     94.51 %     92.83 %     89.67 %     145.01 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) $ 1,604     $ 1,347     $ 2,225     $ 995     $ 1,536  
    Commercial real estate loans to total capital (4)   604.38 %     482.13 %     509.08 %     544.34 %     546.91 %
    Net loans to deposits   110.70 %     116.88 %     118.15 %     121.31 %     127.24 %
    Purchased loans to total loans   69.11 %     61.88 %     60.99 %     63.07 %     59.98 %
    Equity to total assets   9.96 %     12.02 %     11.73 %     11.03 %     10.83 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   11.45 %     13.84 %     13.24 %     12.63 %     12.45 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio   12.70 %     14.82 %     14.22 %     13.71 %     13.46 %
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio   12.06 %     12.30 %     11.79 %     11.28 %     10.95 %
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 392,557     $ 376,634     $ 351,913     $ 327,540     $ 311,569  
    Less: Preferred stock   –       –       –       –       –  
    Common shareholders’ equity   392,557       376,634       351,913       327,540       311,569  
    Less: Intangible assets (5)   –       –       –       –       –  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) $ 392,557     $ 376,634     $ 351,913     $ 327,540     $ 311,569  
                       
    Common shares outstanding   8,212,026       8,127,690       7,977,690       7,804,052       7,796,691  
    Book value per common share $ 47.80     $ 46.34     $ 44.11     $ 41.97     $ 39.96  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) (6)   47.80       46.34       44.11       41.97       39.96  
                       
    (1) The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
    (2) The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
    (3) The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income (before the credit loss provision) plus noninterest income.
    (4) For purposes of calculating this ratio, commercial real estate includes all non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans defined as such by regulatory guidance, including all land development and construction loans.
    (5) Includes the loan servicing rights asset.
    (6) Tangible book value per share represents total shareholders’ equity less the sum of preferred stock and intangible assets divided by common shares outstanding.
     

    For More Information:
    Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer
    Northeast Bank, 27 Pearl Street, Portland, Maine 04101
    207.786.3245 ext. 3249
    www.northeastbank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Provident Financial Services, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ISELIN, N.J., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS) (the “Company”) reported net income of $46.4 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a net loss of $11.5 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and net income of $28.5 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income totaled $67.0 million, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share, compared to $101.1 million, or $1.35 per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    The Company’s earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 reflected the impact of the May 16, 2024 merger with Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (“Lakeland”), which added $10.91 billion to total assets, $7.91 billion to loans, and $8.62 billion to deposits, net of purchase accounting adjustments.  The merger with Lakeland significantly impacted provisions for credit losses in the trailing quarter due to the initial CECL provisions recorded on acquired loans.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 also included other transaction costs related to the merger with Lakeland, totaling $15.6 million and $36.7 million, respectively, compared with transaction costs totaling $2.3 million and $5.3 million for the respective 2023 periods. Additionally, the Company realized a $2.8 million loss related to the sale of subordinated debt issued by Lakeland from the Provident investment portfolio, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Anthony J. Labozzetta, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We achieved solid performance this quarter, and we are optimistic that our results will continue to improve as we further realize the synergies of the merger.  Provident generated strong earnings and core metrics, aided by robust performance in our fee-based businesses. We continue to expand our operations prudently and believe we are well-positioned for even greater success as market conditions improve.”

    Regarding the Company’s merger with Lakeland, Mr. Labozzetta added, “We are proud to announce that, with the conversion of our core system in early September, our merger is complete and we are a unified organization. Our cultures are combining well and we are already experiencing the benefits of cost savings and enhanced revenue opportunities. We are grateful to the many team members whose hard work allowed for a smooth conversion and the retention of almost all legacy Lakeland customers.”

    Performance Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2024

    • Net interest income increased $42.2 million to $183.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $141.5 million for the trailing quarter primarily due to the full quarter impact of net assets acquired from Lakeland, including the accretion of purchase accounting adjustments and four basis points of core margin expansion.  
    • The net interest margin increased ten basis points to 3.31% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 3.21% for the trailing quarter. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 17 basis points to 5.84%, compared to the trailing quarter, while the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased ten basis points to 3.19%, compared to the trailing quarter. The increases in the yields and costs on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities were primarily due to a full quarter of accretion of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Lakeland merger, which contributed approximately 53 basis points to the net interest margin in the current quarter.
    • Non-interest income increased $4.6 million to $26.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $22.3 million for the trailing quarter, while non-interest expense increased $20.6 million to $136.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $115.4 million for the trailing quarter.   The increases in both non-interest income and non-interest expense were reflective of a full quarter of combined operations with Lakeland.
    • Wealth management and insurance agency income increased 9.0% and 12.6%, respectively, versus the same period in 2023. The increase in wealth management income was primarily due to an increase in the average market value of assets under management during the period, while the increase in insurance agency income was largely due to an increase in business activity.
    • Adjusting for transaction costs related to the merger with Lakeland, net of tax, the Company’s annualized adjusted returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity(1) were 0.95%, 8.62% and 14.53% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 0.06%, 0.53% and 2.01% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A reconciliation between GAAP and the above non-GAAP ratios are shown on page 13 of the earnings release.
    • The Company’s annualized adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity(2) were 1.48%, 13.48% and 19.77% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 1.47%, 13.26% and 19.21% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A reconciliation between GAAP and the above non-GAAP ratios are shown on page 14 of the earnings release.
    • As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s loan pipeline, consisting of work-in-process and loans approved pending closing, totaled $1.98 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.18%, compared to $1.67 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.53%, as of June 30, 2024.
    • The Company recorded a $9.6 million provision for credit losses on loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to a $66.1 million provision for the trailing quarter. The provision for credit losses on loans in the quarter was primarily attributable to specific reserves required on individually analyzed loans, combined with some economic forecast deterioration. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans increased to 1.02% as of September 30, 2024, from 1.00% as of June 30, 2024.
    • As of September 30, 2024, CRE loans related to office properties totaled $921.1 million, compared to $953.5 million as of June 30, 2024. CRE loans secured by office properties constitutes only 4.9% of total loans and have an average loan size of $1.9 million, with just seven relationships greater than $10.0 million. There were four loans totaling $9.2 million on non-accrual as of September 30, 2024, however we do not expect to incur losses on any of these loans.
    • As of September 30, 2024, multi-family CRE loans secured by New York City properties totaled $226.6 million, compared to $227.7 million as of June 30, 2024. This portfolio constitutes only 1.2% of total loans and has an average loan size of $2.6 million. Loans that are collateralized by rent stabilized apartments comprise less than 0.80% of the total loan portfolio and are all performing.
    • Non-performing loans to total loans as of September 30, 2024 increased to 0.47%, compared to 0.36% as of June 30, 2024, while non-performing assets to total assets as of September 30, 2024 increased to 0.41%, compared to 0.33% as of June 30, 2024. The increase in non-performing loans, compared to the prior quarter was primarily attributable to one commercial real estate credit secured by an industrial property which has a loan-to-value ratio of approximately 39%. We anticipate a near-term resolution of this credit with no expected loss.   For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $6.8 million, or an annualized 14 basis points of average loans. Of this total, $6.4 million was attributable to one previously identified commercial relationship that had a $4.4 million specific reserve as of June 30, 2024. This credit is expected to be fully resolved in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

    The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share payable on November 29, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2024.

    Results of Operations

    Three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $46.4 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $11.5 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The Company’s earnings for the prior quarter were impacted by an initial CECL provision for credit losses on loans and commitments to extend credit of $65.2 million recorded as part of the Lakeland merger in accordance with GAAP requirements for accounting for business combinations. The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 included transaction costs related to the merger with Lakeland totaling $15.6 million, compared with transaction costs totaling $18.9 million in the trailing quarter. Additionally, the Company realized a $2.8 million loss in the trailing quarter related to the sale from the Provident investment portfolio of subordinated debt issued by Lakeland.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased $42.2 million to $183.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $141.5 million for the trailing quarter. Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was favorably impacted by a full quarter of combined operations with Lakeland and accretion of purchase accounting adjustments, compared to a 45 days impact in the prior quarter.

    The Company’s net interest margin increased ten basis points to 3.31% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 3.21% for the trailing quarter. Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Lakeland merger contributed 53 basis points to the net interest margin in the current quarter. The current net interest margin reflects a full quarter of the acquisition of Lakeland’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities, the prior quarter sale of $554.2 million of securities acquired from Lakeland and the repayment of overnight borrowings as well as the prior quarter issuance of subordinated debt.

    The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 17 basis points to 5.84%, compared to the trailing quarter. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased ten basis points from the trailing quarter, to 3.19%. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 12 basis points to 2.96%, compared to 2.84% for the trailing quarter. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 2.36% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.27% for the trailing quarter. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was 3.73%, compared to 3.83% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. All yields and costs reflect a full quarter of combined operations with Lakeland.

    Provision for Credit Losses on Loans

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a $9.6 million provision for credit losses on loans, compared with a provision for credit losses on loans of $66.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The provision for credit losses on loans in the quarter was primarily attributable to specific reserves required on individually analyzed loans, combined with some economic forecast deterioration, while the provision for credit losses on loans in the prior quarter was primarily attributable to an initial CECL provision for credit losses of $60.1 million, recorded as part of the Lakeland merger in accordance with GAAP requirements for accounting for business combinations. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $6.8 million, or an annualized 14 basis points of average loans.

    Non-Interest Income and Expense

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest income totaled $26.9 million, an increase of $4.6 million, compared to the trailing quarter. Net gain on securities transactions increased $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to a $2.8 million loss realized on the sale from the Provident investment portfolio of subordinated debt issued by Lakeland in the prior quarter.   Fee income increased $1.1 million to $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to increases in deposit and debit card related fee income. The increases in fee income are primarily attributable to the addition of the Lakeland customer base. BOLI income increased $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to an increase in benefit claims recognized. Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest income, insurance agency income decreased $857,000 to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, due to a seasonal decrease in business activity in the current quarter, while wealth management income decreased $149,000 to $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, mainly due to a seasonal decrease in tax preparation fees, partially offset by an increase in the average market value of assets under management during the period.

    Non-interest expense totaled $136.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $20.6 million, compared to $115.4 million for the trailing quarter. Compensation and benefits expense increased $8.6 million to $63.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $54.9 million for the trailing quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to a full quarter of combined operations with Lakeland, compared to 45 days in the prior quarter.   Amortization of intangibles increased $5.7 million to $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $6.5 million for the trailing quarter, largely due to a full quarter of core deposit intangible amortization related to Lakeland.   Other operating expenses increased $4.5 million to $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $11.3 million for the trailing quarter, primarily due to increases in professional service expenses. Data processing expense increased $2.0 million to $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $8.4 million for the trailing quarter, primarily due a full quarter of combined operations with Lakeland, while net occupancy expense increased $1.6 million to $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $11.1 million for the trailing quarter, primarily due to increases in maintenance and depreciation expenses from the addition of Lakeland.   Additionally, FDIC insurance increased $1.1 million to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily resulting from the impact of the Lakeland merger. Partially offsetting these increases, merger-related expenses decreased $3.3 million to $15.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter.

    The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets(5) declined to 1.98% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.02% for the trailing quarter. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income)(6) improved to 57.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 57.86% for the trailing quarter.

    Income Tax Expense/Benefit

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s income tax expense was $18.9 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $9.8 million for the trailing quarter. The increase in tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared with the trailing quarter was largely due to an increase in taxable income in the current quarter as a result of the Lakeland merger and a $5.3 million tax benefit realized in the trailing quarter related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets to reflect the imposition by the State of New Jersey of a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee, effective January 1, 2024.  

    Three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $46.4 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $28.5 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The Company’s earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 reflected the impact of the May 16, 2024 merger with Lakeland. The results of operations included transaction costs related to the merger with Lakeland totaling $15.6 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased $87.5 million to $183.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $96.2 million for same period in 2023. Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was favorably impacted by the net assets acquired from Lakeland, combined with favorable repricing of adjustable rate loans, higher market rates on new loan originations and the originations of higher-yielding loans, partially offset by unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings.

    The Company’s net interest margin increased 35 basis points to 3.31% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 2.96% for the same period last year. Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Lakeland merger contributed 53 basis points to the net interest margin in the current quarter.   The current quarter net interest margin reflects the acquisition of Lakeland’s interest bearing assets and liabilities, the prior quarter sale of $554.2 million of securities acquired from Lakeland and the repayment of overnight borrowings as well as the prior quarter issuance of subordinated debt.

    The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 95 basis points to 5.84%, compared to 4.89% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 69 basis points for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 to 3.19%, compared to 2.50% for the third quarter of 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was 2.96%, compared to 2.22% for the same period last year. Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased $1.51 billion to $3.74 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.23 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 2.36% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with 1.74% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was 3.73%, compared to 3.74% for the same period last year.

    Provision for Credit Losses on Loans

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a $9.6 million provision for credit losses on loans, compared with an $11.0 million provision for credit losses on loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.   The provision for credit losses on loans in the current quarter was primarily attributable to specific reserves required on individually analyzed loans, combined with some economic forecast deterioration.   For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $6.8 million, or an annualized 14 basis points of average loans.

    Non-Interest Income and Expense

    Non-interest income totaled $26.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $7.5 million, compared to the same period in 2023. Fee income increased $3.7 million to $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to increases in deposit fee income, debit card related fee income and loan related fee income, resulting from the Lakeland merger.   BOLI income increased $2.5 million to $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in benefit claims recognized, combined with an increase in income related to the addition of Lakeland’s BOLI. Wealth management fees increased $628,000 to $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to an increase in the average market value of assets under management during the period, while insurance agency income increased $407,000 to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, largely due to an increase in business activity. Additionally, other income increased $339,000 to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to increases in gains on the sale of SBA and mortgage loans.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $136.0 million, an increase of $70.4 million, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. Compensation and benefits expense increased $27.8 million to $63.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $35.7 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to the addition of Lakeland. Additionally, merger-related expenses increased $13.3 million to $15.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Amortization of intangibles increased $11.5 million to $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $720,000 for the same period in 2023, largely due to core deposit intangible amortization related to Lakeland in the current quarter. Data processing expenses increased $5.2 million to $10.5 million for three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to additional software and hardware expenses needed for the addition of Lakeland. Net occupancy expense increased $4.7 million to $12.8 million for three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $8.1 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in depreciation and maintenance expenses due to the addition of Lakeland.   Other operating expenses increased $5.0 million to $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in professional service expenses, while FDIC insurance increased $2.6 million to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the addition of Lakeland.

    The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets(5) was 1.98% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 1.80% for the same period in 2023. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income)(6) was 57.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 54.81% for the same respective period in 2023.

    Income Tax Expense

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s income tax expense was $18.9 million with an effective tax rate of 28.9%, compared with an income tax expense of $8.8 million with an effective tax rate of 23.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared with the same period last year was largely due to an increase in taxable income in the quarter, as a result of the Lakeland merger and the imposition by the State of New Jersey of a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee in the prior quarter.

    Nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income totaled $67.0 million, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $101.1 million, or $1.35 per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company’s earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were impacted by an initial CECL provision for credit losses on loans and commitments to extend credit of $60.1 million recorded as part of the Lakeland merger in accordance with GAAP requirements for accounting for business combinations. Transaction costs related to our merger with Lakeland totaled $36.7 million and $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, the Company realized a $2.8 million loss related to the sale from the Provident investment portfolio of subordinated debt issued by Lakeland, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased $115.2 million to $418.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $303.7 million for same period in 2023. Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was favorably impacted by the net assets acquired from Lakeland, combined with the favorable repricing of adjustable rate loans, higher market rates on new loan originations and the originations of higher-yielding loans, partially offset by the unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, our net interest margin decreased one basis point to 3.18%, compared to 3.19% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The weighted average yield on interest earning assets increased 85 basis points to 5.61% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.76% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, while the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 99 basis points to 3.06% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.07% for the same period last year. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 102 basis points to 2.84% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 1.82% for the same period last year. Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased $514.3 million to $2.90 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $2.38 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 2.27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with 1.40% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of borrowings for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 3.73%, compared to 3.29% for the same period last year.

    Provision for Credit Losses on Loans

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a $75.9 million provision for credit losses on loans, compared with a provision for credit losses on loans of $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increased provision for credit losses on loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to an initial CECL provision for credit losses on loans of $60.1 million recorded as part of the Lakeland merger in accordance with GAAP requirements for accounting for business combinations, partially offset by an improved economic forecast for the current nine-month period within our CECL model, compared to the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $9.1 million or an annualized eight basis points of average loans.

    Non-Interest Income and Expense

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest income totaled $69.9 million, an increase of $9.1 million compared to the same period in 2023. Fee income increased $6.1 million to $24.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in deposit fee income, debit and credit card related fee income and loan related fee income resulting from the Lakeland merger. BOLI income increased $4.6 million to $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in benefit claims recognized, combined with an increase in income related to the addition of Lakeland’s BOLI, while wealth management income increased $2.1 million to $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, mainly due to an increase in the average market value of assets under management during the period. Additionally, insurance agency income increased $1.7 million to $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $11.2 million for the same period in 2023, largely due to increases in contingent commissions, retention revenue and new business activity. Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest income, net gains on securities transactions decreased $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a $2.8 million loss related to the sale from the Provident investment portfolio of subordinated debt issued by Lakeland. Other income decreased $2.4 million to $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to a $2.0 million gain from the sale of a foreclosed commercial property recorded in the prior year, combined with a decrease in gains on sales of SBA loans.

    Non-interest expense totaled $323.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $123.7 million, compared to $199.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Compensation and benefits expense increased $48.7 million to $158.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $109.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to the addition of Lakeland.   Merger-related expenses increased $31.3 million to $36.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Amortization of intangibles increased $17.2 million to $19.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, largely due to core deposit intangible amortization related to Lakeland. Data processing expense increased $9.2 million to $25.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to additional software and hardware expenses needed for the addition of Lakeland, while net occupancy expense increased $8.0 million to $32.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in depreciation and maintenance expense related to the addition of Lakeland. Other operating expenses increased $5.6 million to $37.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to increases in professional service expenses, while FDIC insurance increased $3.9 million to $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the addition of Lakeland.

    Income Tax Expense
    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s income tax expense was $19.9 million with an effective tax rate of 22.9%, compared with $34.9 million with an effective tax rate of 25.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared with the same period last year was largely due to a $5.8 million tax benefit related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets to reflect the imposition by the State of New Jersey of a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee, effective January 1, 2024, combined with a decrease in taxable income as a result of the initial CECL provision for credit losses on loans of $60.1 million recorded in accordance with GAAP requirements for accounting for business combinations and additional expenses from the Lakeland merger.

    Asset Quality

    The Company’s total non-performing loans as of September 30, 2024 were $89.9 million, or 0.47% of total loans, compared to $67.9 million, or 0.36% of total loans as of June 30, 2024 and $49.6 million, or 0.46% of total loans as of December 31, 2023. The $22.1 million increase in non-performing loans as of September 30, 2024, compared to the trailing quarter, consisted of a $10.4 million increase in non-performing commercial mortgage loans, an $8.9 million increase in non-performing commercial loans, a $1.5 million increase in non-performing construction loans, a $764,000 increase in non-performing residential mortgage loans, a $302,000 increase in non-performing multi-family loans and a $289,000 increase in non-performing consumer loans. As of September 30, 2024, impaired loans totaled $74.0 million with related specific reserves of $7.2 million, compared with impaired loans totaling $54.6 million with related specific reserves of $7.7 million as of June 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, impaired loans totaled $42.8 million with related specific reserves of $2.4 million.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to the loan portfolio was 1.02% of total loans, compared to 1.00% and 0.99% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The allowance for credit losses increased $84.0 million to $191.2 million as of September 30, 2024, from $107.2 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans as of September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 was due to a $75.9 million provision for credit losses, which included an initial CECL provision of $60.1 million on loans acquired from Lakeland, and a $17.2 million allowance recorded through goodwill related to Purchased Credit Deteriorated loans acquired from Lakeland, partially offset by net charge-offs of $9.1 million.

    The following table sets forth accruing past due loans and non-accrual loans on the dates indicated, as well as delinquency statistics and certain asset quality ratios.

        September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Number
    of
    Loans    		   Principal
    Balance
    of Loans    		   Number
    of
    Loans    		   Principal
    Balance
    of Loans    		   Number
    of
    Loans    		   Principal
    Balance
    of Loans
        (Dollars in thousands)
    Accruing past due loans:                        
    30 to 59 days past due:                        
    Commercial mortgage loans   2   $ 430     3   $ 1,707     1   $ 825  
    Multi-family mortgage loans   —     —     —     —     1     3,815  
    Construction loans   —     —     —     —     —     —  
    Residential mortgage loans   23     5,020     9     1,714     13     3,429  
    Total mortgage loans   25     5,450     12     3,421     15     8,069  
    Commercial loans   14     1,952     20     3,444     6     998  
    Consumer loans   53     4,073     38     2,891     31     875  
    Total 30 to 59 days past due   92   $ 11,475     70   $ 9,756     52   $ 9,942  
                             
    60 to 89 days past due:                        
    Commercial mortgage loans   1   $ 641     3   $ 1,231     —   $ —  
    Multi-family mortgage loans   —     —     —     —     1     1,635  
    Construction loans   —     —     —     —     —     —  
    Residential mortgage loans   11     1,991     10     2,193     8     1,208  
    Total mortgage loans   12     2,632     13     3,424     9     2,843  
    Commercial loans   9     1,240     6     1,146     3     198  
    Consumer loans   10     606     9     648     5     275  
    Total 60 to 89 days past due   31     4,478     28     5,218     17     3,316  
    Total accruing past due loans   123   $ 15,953     98   $ 14,974     69   $ 13,258  
                             
    Non-accrual:                        
    Commercial mortgage loans   17   $ 13,969     10   $ 3,588     7   $ 5,151  
    Multi-family mortgage loans   6     7,578     5     7,276     1     744  
    Construction loans   2     13,151     1     11,698     1     771  
    Residential mortgage loans   24     5,211     20     4,447     7     853  
    Total mortgage loans   49     39,909     36     27,009     16     7,519  
    Commercial loans   69     48,592     58     39,715     26     41,487  
    Consumer loans   32     1,433     24     1,144     10     633  
    Total non-accrual loans   150   $ 89,934     118   $ 67,868     52   $ 49,639  
                             
    Non-performing loans to total loans         0.47 %         0.36 %         0.46 %
    Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans         217.09 %         277.50 %         215.96 %
    Allowance for loan losses to total loans         1.02 %         1.00 %         0.99 %
                                         

    As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company held foreclosed assets of $9.8 million and $11.7 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, there were three properties sold with an aggregate carrying value of $532,000 and one write-down of a foreclosed commercial property of $1.3 million. Foreclosed assets as of September 30, 2024 consisted primarily of commercial real estate. Total non-performing assets as of September 30, 2024 increased $36.6 million to $97.9 million, or 0.41% of total assets, from $61.3 million, or 0.43% of total assets as of December 31, 2023.

    Balance Sheet Summary

    Total assets as of September 30, 2024 were $24.04 billion, a $9.83 billion increase from December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets was primarily due to the addition of Lakeland.

    The Company’s loans held for investment portfolio totaled $18.79 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $10.87 billion as of December 31, 2023. The loan portfolio consisted of the following:

      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Mortgage loans:          
    Commercial $ 7,342,456     $ 7,337,742     $ 4,512,411  
    Multi-family   3,226,918       3,189,808       1,812,500  
    Construction   873,509       970,244       653,246  
    Residential   2,032,671       2,024,027       1,164,956  
    Total mortgage loans   13,475,554       13,521,821       8,143,113  
    Commercial loans   4,710,601       4,617,232       2,440,621  
    Consumer loans   623,709       626,016       299,164  
    Total gross loans   18,809,864       18,765,069       10,882,898  
    Premiums on purchased loans   1,362       1,410       1,474  
    Net deferred fees and unearned discounts   (16,617 )     (7,149 )     (12,456 )
    Total loans $ 18,794,609     $ 18,759,330     $ 10,871,916  
                           

    As part of the merger with Lakeland, we acquired $7.91 billion in loans, net of purchase accounting adjustments.   Compared to the prior quarter, during the three months ended September 30, 2024, the loan portfolio had net increases of $93.4 million of commercial loans, $37.1 million of multi-family loans, $8.6 million of residential mortgage loans, and $4.7 million of commercial mortgage loans, partially offset by net decreases of $96.7 million of construction loans and $2.3 million of consumer loans.   Commercial loans, consisting of commercial real estate, multi-family, commercial and construction loans, represented 85.9% of the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2024, compared to 86.5% as of December 31, 2023.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, loan funding, including advances on lines of credit, totaled $2.78 billion, compared with $2.53 billion for the same period in 2023.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s unfunded loan commitments totaled $2.97 billion, including commitments of $1.84 billion in commercial loans, $231.0 million in construction loans and $225.7 million in commercial mortgage loans. Unfunded loan commitments as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 were $2.09 billion and $2.18 billion, respectively.

    The loan pipeline, consisting of work-in-process and loans approved pending closing, totaled $1.98 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1.09 billion and $1.70 billion as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

    Total investment securities were $3.17 billion as of September 30, 2024, a $1.04 billion increase from December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the addition of Lakeland.

    Total deposits increased $8.08 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, to $18.38 billion, due primarily to the addition of Lakeland. Total savings and demand deposit accounts increased $6.02 billion to $15.22 billion as of September 30, 2024, while total time deposits increased $2.06 billion to $3.16 billion as of September 30, 2024. The increase in savings and demand deposits was largely attributable to a $2.92 billion increase in interest bearing demand deposits, a $1.58 billion increase in non-interest bearing demand deposits, a $1.03 billion increase in money market deposits and a $495.5 million increase in savings deposits. The increase in time deposits consisted of a $2.01 billion increase in retail time deposits and a $46.5 million increase in brokered time deposits.

    Borrowed funds increased $244.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, to $2.21 billion. The increase in deposits and borrowings was largely due to the addition of Lakeland. Borrowed funds represented 9.2% of total assets as of September 30, 2024, a decrease from 13.9% as of December 31, 2023.

    Stockholders’ equity increased $930.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, to $2.62 billion, primarily due to common stock issued for the purchase of Lakeland, net income earned for the period and an improvement in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, partially offset by cash dividends paid to stockholders. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, common stock repurchases totaled 1,969 shares at an average cost of $16.36 per share and 88,821 shares at an average cost of $14.87 per share, respectively, all of which were made in connection with withholding to cover income taxes on the vesting of stock-based compensation. As of September 30, 2024, approximately 1.0 million shares remained eligible for repurchase under the current stock repurchase authorization. Book value per share and tangible book value per share(1) as of September 30, 2024 were $20.09 and $13.66, respectively, compared with $22.38 and $16.32, respectively, as of December 31, 2023.

    About the Company

    Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the holding company for Provident Bank, a community-oriented bank offering “commitment you can count on” since 1839. Provident Bank provides a comprehensive array of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout New Jersey, Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Orange, Queens and Nassau Counties in New York. Provident Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc.

    Post Earnings Conference Call

    Representatives of the Company will hold a conference call for investors on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-888-412-4131 (United States Toll Free) and 1-646-960-0134 (United States Local). Speakers will need to enter conference ID code (3610756) before being met by a live operator. Internet access to the call is also available (listen only) at provident.bank by going to Investor Relations and clicking on “Webcast.”

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, inflation and unemployment, competitive products and pricing, real estate values, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, the effects of any turmoil or negative news in the banking industry, changes in accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by the regulatory agencies and the accounting standards setters, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, potential goodwill impairment, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets, the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity, any failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger transaction when expected or at all; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected conditions, factors or events, potential adverse reactions or changes to business, employee, customer and/or counterparty relationships, including those resulting from the completion of the merger and integration of the companies; and the impact of a potential shutdown of the federal government.

    The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement.

    Footnotes

    (1) Annualized adjusted return on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity, annualized adjusted pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity, tangible book value per share, annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets and the efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the Notes following the Consolidated Financial Highlights which contain the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and the associated calculations.

                       
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Dollars in Thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
           
      At or for the
    Three Months Ended    		   At or for the
    Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Statement of Income                  
    Net interest income $ 183,701     $ 141,506     $ 96,236     $ 418,877     $ 303,666  
    Provision for credit losses   9,299       69,705       12,541       78,684       29,031  
    Non-interest income   26,855       22,275       19,320       69,937       60,861  
    Non-interest expense   136,002       115,394       65,625       323,224       199,485  
    Income (loss) before income tax expense   65,255       (21,318 )     37,390       86,906       136,011  
    Net income (loss)   46,405       (11,485 )     28,547       67,001       101,086  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.38     $ 0.65     $ 1.35  
    Interest rate spread   2.65 %     2.58 %     2.39 %     2.55 %     2.69 %
    Net interest margin   3.31 %     3.21 %     2.96 %     3.18 %     3.19 %
                       
    Profitability                  
    Annualized return on average assets   0.76 %   (0.24 )%     0.81 %     0.47 %     0.98 %
    Annualized adjusted return on average assets (1)   0.95 %   0.06 %     0.86 %     0.66 %     1.02 %
    Annualized return on average equity   6.94 %   (2.17 )%     6.84 %     4.14 %     8.22 %
    Annualized adjusted return on average equity (1)   8.62 %   0.53 %     7.30 %     5.83 %     8.59 %
    Annualized return on average tangible equity (4)   12.06 %   (3.15 )%     9.47 %     7.13 %     11.40 %
    Annualized adjusted return on average tangible equity (1)   14.53 %     2.01 %     10.24 %     9.56 %     12.07 %
    Annualized adjusted non-interest expense to average assets (4)   1.98 %     2.02 %     1.80 %     1.99 %     1.87 %
    Efficiency ratio (6)   57.20 %     57.86 %     54.81 %     58.27 %     53.26 %
                       
    Asset Quality                  
    Non-accrual loans     $ 67,868         $ 89,934     $ 39,529  
    90+ and still accruing       —           —       —  
    Non-performing loans       67,868           88,061       39,529  
    Foreclosed assets       11,119           9,801       16,487  
    Non-performing assets       78,987           97,862       56,016  
    Non-performing loans to total loans       0.36 %         0.47 %     0.37 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets       0.33 %         0.41 %     0.40 %
    Allowance for loan losses     $ 188,331         $ 191,175     $ 107,563  
    Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans       277.50 %         217.09 %     272.11 %
    Allowance for loan losses to total loans       1.00 %         1.02 %     1.01 %
    Net loan charge-offs $ 6,756     $ 1,340     $ 5,510     $ 9,067     $ 7,266  
    Annualized net loan charge-offs to average total loans   0.14 %     0.04 %     0.21 %     0.08 %     0.09 %
                       
    Average Balance Sheet Data                  
    Assets $ 24,248,038     $ 19,197,041     $ 13,976,610     $ 19,198,113     $ 13,848,351  
    Loans, net   18,531,939       14,649,413       10,470,843       14,631,071       10,269,022  
    Earning assets   21,809,226       17,385,819       12,735,938       17,305,446       12,574,437  
    Core deposits   15,394,715       12,257,244       9,212,202       12,271,839       9,408,156  
    Borrowings   2,125,149       2,158,193       1,780,655       2,074,958       1,556,619  
    Interest-bearing liabilities   17,304,569       13,856,039       9,826,064       13,757,895       9,554,204  
    Stockholders’ equity   2,660,470       2,127,469       1,654,920       2,163,856       1,645,093  
    Average yield on interest-earning assets   5.84 %     5.67 %     4.89 %     5.61 %     4.76 %
    Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities   3.19 %     3.09 %     2.50 %     3.06 %     2.07 %
                       

    Notes and Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Dollars in Thousands, except share data)

    The Company has presented the following non-GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how the Company evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the Company’s industry. Investors should recognize that the Company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and the Company strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.

                         
    (1) Annualized Adjusted Return on Average Assets, Equity and Tangible Equity                    
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net Income   $ 46,405     $ (11,485 )   $ 28,547     $ 67,001     $ 101,086  
    Merger-related transaction costs     15,567       18,915       2,289       36,684       5,349  
    Less: income tax expense     (4,306 )     (4,625 )     (486 )     (9,274 )     (1,015 )
    Annualized adjusted net income   $ 57,666     $ 2,805     $ 30,350     $ 94,411     $ 105,420  
    Less: Amortization of Intangibles (net of tax)   $ 8,551     $ 4,532     $ 503     $ 13,577     $ 1,560  
    Annualized adjusted net income for annualized adjusted return on average tangible equity   $ 66,217     $ 7,337     $ 30,853     $ 107,988     $ 106,980  
                         
    Annualized Adjusted Return on Average Assets     0.95 %     0.06 %     0.86 %     0.66 %     1.02 %
    Annualized Adjusted Return on Average Equity     8.62 %     0.53 %     7.30 %     5.83 %     8.59 %
    Annualized Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Equity     14.53 %     2.01 %     10.24 %     9.56 %     12.07 %
                         
    (2) Annualized adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision (“PTPP”) returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity                    
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net income (loss)   $ 46,405     $ (11,485 )   $ 28,547     $ 67,001     $ 101,086  
    Adjustments to net income (loss):                    
    Provision for credit losses     9,299       69,705       12,541       78,684       29,031  
    Net loss on Lakeland bond sale     —       2,839       —       —       —  
    Merger-related transaction costs     15,567       18,915       2,289       36,684       5,349  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     18,850       (9,833 )     8,843       19,905       34,925  
    PTPP income   $ 90,121     $ 70,141     $ 52,220     $ 202,274     $ 170,391  
                         
    Annualized PTPP income   $ 358,525     $ 282,106     $ 207,177     $ 270,191     $ 227,812  
    Average assets   $ 24,248,038     $ 19,197,041     $ 13,976,610     $ 19,198,113     $ 13,848,351  
    Average equity   $ 2,660,470     $ 2,127,469     $ 1,654,920     $ 2,163,856     $ 1,645,093  
    Average tangible equity   $ 1,813,327     $ 1,468,630     $ 1,195,787     $ 1,508,594     $ 1,185,222  
                         
    Annualized PTPP return on average assets     1.48 %     1.47 %     1.48 %     1.41 %     1.65 %
    Annualized PTPP return on average equity     13.48 %     13.26 %     12.52 %     12.49 %     13.85 %
    Annualized PTPP return on average tangible equity     19.77 %     19.21 %     17.33 %     17.91 %     19.22 %
                         
    (3) Book and Tangible Book Value per Share        
                September 30,   June 30,   December 31,
                  2024       2024       2023  
    Total stockholders’ equity           $ 2,621,058     $ 2,555,646     $ 1,690,596  
    Less: total intangible assets             839,223       851,507       457,942  
    Total tangible stockholders’ equity           $ 1,781,835     $ 1,704,139     $ 1,232,654  
                         
    Shares outstanding             130,448,599       130,380,393       75,537,186  
                         
    Book value per share (total stockholders’ equity/shares outstanding)           $ 20.09     $ 19.60     $ 22.38  
    Tangible book value per share (total tangible stockholders’ equity/shares outstanding)           $ 13.66     $ 13.07     $ 16.32  
                         
    (4) Annualized Return on Average Tangible Equity                    
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Total average stockholders’ equity   $ 2,660,470     $ 2,127,469     $ 1,654,920     $ 2,163,856     $ 1,645,093  
    Less: total average intangible assets     847,143       658,839       459,133       655,262       459,871  
    Total average tangible stockholders’ equity   $ 1,813,327     $ 1,468,630     $ 1,195,787     $ 1,508,594     $ 1,185,222  
                         
    Net income (loss)   $ 46,405     $ (11,485 )   $ 28,547     $ 67,001     $ 101,086  
    Less: Amortization of Intangibles, net of tax     8,551       4,532       503       13,577       1,560  
    Total net income (loss)   $ 54,956     $ (6,953 )   $ 29,050     $ 80,578     $ 102,646  
                         
    Annualized return on average tangible equity (net income/total average tangible stockholders’ equity)     12.06 %   (1.90)        %     9.64 %     7.13 %     11.58 %
                         
    (5) Annualized Adjusted Non-Interest Expense to Average Assets                    
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Reported non-interest expense   $ 136,002     $ 115,394     $ 65,625     $ 323,224     $ 199,485  
    Adjustments to non-interest expense:                    
    Merger-related transaction costs     15,567       18,915       2,289       36,684       5,349  
    Adjusted non-interest expense   $ 120,435     $ 96,479     $ 63,336     $ 286,540     $ 194,136  
                         
    Annualized adjusted non-interest expense   $ 479,122     $ 388,036     $ 251,279     $ 382,751     $ 259,559  
                         
    Average assets   $ 24,248,038     $ 19,197,041     $ 13,976,610     $ 19,198,113     $ 13,848,351  
                         
    Annualized adjusted non-interest expense/average assets     1.98 %     2.02 %     1.80 %     1.99 %     1.87 %
                         
    (6) Efficiency Ratio Calculation                    
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net interest income   $ 183,701     $ 141,506     $ 96,236     $ 418,877     $ 303,666  
    Reported non-interest income     26,855       22,275       19,320       69,937       60,861  
    Adjustments to non-interest income:                    
    Net (gain) loss on securities transactions     (2 )     2,973       13       2,972       (37 )
    Adjusted non-interest income     26,853       25,248       19,333       72,909       60,824  
    Total income   $ 210,554     $ 166,754     $ 115,569     $ 491,786     $ 364,490  
                         
    Adjusted non-interest expense   $ 120,435     $ 96,479     $ 63,336     $ 286,540     $ 194,136  
                         
    Efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense/income)     57.20 %     57.86 %     54.80 %     58.27 %     53.26 %
                         
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023
    (Dollars in Thousands)
           
    Assets September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Cash and due from banks $ 244,064     $ 180,241  
    Short-term investments   25       14  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   244,089       180,255  
    Available for sale debt securities, at fair value   2,725,110       1,690,112  
    Held to maturity debt securities, net of allowance (fair value of $322,427 as of September 30, 2024 (unaudited) and $352,601 as of December 31, 2023)   332,021       363,080  
    Equity securities, at fair value   20,044       1,270  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   96,219       79,217  
    Loans held for sale   5,757       1,785  
    Loans held for investment   18,794,609       10,871,916  
    Less allowance for credit losses   191,175       107,200  
    Net loans   18,609,191       10,766,501  
    Foreclosed assets, net   9,801       11,651  
    Banking premises and equipment, net   124,955       70,998  
    Accrued interest receivable   89,866       58,966  
    Intangible assets   839,223       457,942  
    Bank-owned life insurance   403,648       243,050  
    Other assets   548,348       287,768  
    Total assets $ 24,042,515     $ 14,210,810  
           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
    Deposits:      
    Demand deposits $ 13,548,480     $ 8,020,889  
    Savings deposits   1,671,209       1,175,683  
    Certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more   800,005       218,549  
    Other time deposits   2,356,491       877,393  
    Total deposits   18,376,185       10,292,514  
    Mortgage escrow deposits   48,007       36,838  
    Borrowed funds   2,214,512       1,970,033  
    Subordinated debentures   414,184       10,695  
    Other liabilities   368,569       210,134  
    Total liabilities   21,421,457       12,520,214  
           
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued   —       —  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 137,565,966 shares issued and 130,448,599 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 75,537,186 outstanding as of December 31, 2023.   1,376       832  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,871,343       989,058  
    Retained earnings   972,997       974,542  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (93,049 )     (141,115 )
    Treasury stock   (129,148 )     (127,825 )
    Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan   (2,461 )     (4,896 )
    Common Stock acquired by the Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan   (2,247 )     (2,694 )
    Deferred Compensation – Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan   2,247       2,694  
    Total stockholders’ equity   2,621,058       1,690,596  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 24,042,515     $ 14,210,810  
                   
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    Three months ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)
                       
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
        2024     2024       2023     2024       2023
    Interest and dividend income:                  
    Real estate secured loans $ 197,857   $ 156,318     $ 104,540   $ 461,632     $ 299,830
    Commercial loans   81,183     58,532       33,806     175,815       93,915
    Consumer loans   12,947     8,351       4,746     25,820       13,419
    Available for sale debt securities, equity securities and Federal Home Loan Bank stock   25,974     20,394       11,886     58,698       34,748
    Held to maturity debt securities   2,136     2,357       2,334     6,761       7,059
    Deposits, federal funds sold and other short-term investments   2,425     1,859       885     5,466       2,678
    Total interest income   322,522     247,811       158,197     734,192       451,649
                       
    Interest expense:                  
    Deposits   110,009     81,058       44,923     243,602       108,880
    Borrowed funds   19,923     20,566       16,765     57,871       38,329
    Subordinated debt   8,889     4,681       273     13,842       774
    Total interest expense   138,821     106,305       61,961     315,315       147,983
    Net interest income   183,701     141,506       96,236     418,877       303,666
    Provision charge for credit losses   9,299     69,705       12,541     78,684       29,031
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   174,402     71,801       83,695     340,193       274,635
                       
    Non-interest income:                  
    Fees   9,816     8,699       6,132     24,426       18,294
    Wealth management income   7,620     7,769       6,992     22,878       20,826
    Insurance agency income   3,631     4,488       3,224     12,912       11,175
    Bank-owned life insurance   4,308     3,323       1,820     9,448       4,838
    Net gain (loss) on securities transactions   2     (2,973 )     13     (2,972 )     37
    Other income   1,478     969       1,139     3,245       5,691
    Total non-interest income   26,855     22,275       19,320     69,937       60,861
                       
    Non-interest expense:                  
    Compensation and employee benefits   63,468     54,888       35,702     158,404       109,724
    Net occupancy expense   12,790     11,142       8,113     32,452       24,474
    Data processing expense   10,481     8,433       5,312     25,698       16,536
    FDIC Insurance   4,180     3,100       1,628     9,553       5,688
    Amortization of intangibles   12,231     6,483       720     19,420       2,231
    Advertising and promotion expense   1,524     1,171       1,133     3,661       3,722
    Merger-related expenses   15,567     18,915       2,289     36,684       5,349
    Other operating expenses   15,761     11,262       10,728     37,352       31,761
    Total non-interest expense   136,002     115,394       65,625     323,224       199,485
    Income (loss) before income tax expense   65,255     (21,318 )     37,390     86,906       136,011
    Income tax expense (benefit)   18,850     (9,833 )     8,843     19,905       34,925
    Net income (loss) $ 46,405   $ (11,485 )   $ 28,547   $ 67,001     $ 101,086
                       
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.36   $ (0.11 )   $ 0.38   $ 0.65     $ 1.35
    Average basic shares outstanding   129,941,845     102,957,521       74,909,083     102,819,042       74,793,530
                       
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36   $ (0.11 )   $ 0.38   $ 0.65     $ 1.35
    Average diluted shares outstanding   130,004,870     102,957,521       74,914,205     102,845,261       74,816,606
                                     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    Net Interest Margin Analysis
    Quarterly Average Balances
    (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average Balance   Interest   Average
    Yield/Cost    		   Average Balance   Interest   Average
    Yield/Cost    		   Average Balance   Interest   Average
    Yield/Cost
    Interest-Earning Assets:                                  
    Deposits $ 179,313   $ 2,425   5.38 %   $ 40,228   $ 1,859   5.38 %   $ 74,183   $ 884   4.73 %
    Federal funds sold and other short-term investments   —     —   — %     0     —   — %     57     1   4.00 %
    Available for sale debt securities   2,644,262     24,884   3.72 %     2,244,725     17,647   3.14 %     1,724,833     10,127   2.35 %
    Held to maturity debt securities, net (1)   342,217     2,136   2.50 %     352,216     2,357   2.68 %     373,681     2,334   2.50 %
    Equity securities, at fair value   19,654     —   — %     10,373     —   — %     1,068     —   — %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   91,841     1,090   4.75 %     88,864     2,747   12.36 %     91,273     1,759   7.71 %
    Net loans: (2)                                  
    Total mortgage loans   13,363,265     197,857   5.83 %     10,674,109     156,318   5.81 %     7,881,193     104,540   5.21 %
    Total commercial loans   4,546,088     81,183   7.05 %     3,514,602     58,532   6.62 %     2,289,267     33,806   5.81 %
    Total consumer loans   622,586     12,947   8.27 %     460,702     8,351   7.29 %     300,383     4,746   6.27 %
    Total net loans   18,531,939     291,987   6.21 %     14,649,413     223,201   6.05 %     10,470,843     143,092   5.37 %
    Total interest-earning assets $ 21,809,226   $ 322,522   5.84 %   $ 17,385,819   $ 247,811   5.67 %   $ 12,735,938   $ 158,197   4.89 %
                                       
    Non-Interest Earning Assets:                                  
    Cash and due from banks   341,505             37,621             82,522        
    Other assets   2,097,307             1,773,601             1,158,150        
    Total assets $ 24,248,038           $ 19,197,041           $ 13,976,610        
                                       
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                                  
    Demand deposits $ 9,942,053   $ 74,864   3.00 %   $ 7,935,543   $ 58,179   2.95 %   $ 5,741,052   $ 35,290   2.44 %
    Savings deposits   1,711,502     1,006   0.23 %     1,454,784     832   0.23 %     1,240,951     592   0.19 %
    Time deposits   3,112,598     34,139   4.36 %     2,086,433     22,047   4.25 %     1,052,793     9,041   3.41 %
    Total deposits   14,766,153     110,009   2.96 %     11,476,760     81,058   2.84 %     8,034,796     44,923   2.22 %
                                       
    Borrowed funds   2,125,149     19,923   3.73 %     2,158,193     20,566   3.83 %     1,780,655     16,765   3.74 %
    Subordinated debentures   413,267     8,889   8.56 %     221,086     4,681   8.52 %     10,613     273   10.24 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   17,304,569     138,821   3.19 %     13,856,039     106,305   3.09 %     9,826,064     61,961   2.50 %
                                       
    Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:                                  
    Non-interest bearing deposits   3,741,160             2,866,917             2,230,199        
    Other non-interest bearing liabilities   541,839             346,616             265,427        
    Total non-interest bearing liabilities   4,282,999             3,213,533             2,495,626        
    Total liabilities   21,587,568             17,069,572             12,321,690        
    Stockholders’ equity   2,660,470             2,127,469             1,654,920        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 24,248,038           $ 19,197,041           $ 13,976,610        
                                       
    Net interest income     $ 183,701           $ 141,506           $ 96,236    
                                       
    Net interest rate spread         2.65 %           2.58 %           2.39 %
    Net interest-earning assets $ 4,504,657           $ 3,529,780           $ 2,909,874        
                                       
    Net interest margin (3)         3.31 %           3.21 %           2.96 %
                                       
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest-bearing liabilities 1.26x           1.25x           1.30x        
       
    (1 ) Average outstanding balance amounts shown are amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
    (2 ) Average outstanding balances are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and expenses, loan premiums and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
    (3 ) Annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
         
    The following table summarizes the quarterly net interest margin for the previous five quarters.      
      9/30/24   6/30/24   3/31/24   12/31/23   9/30/23
      3rd Qtr.   2nd Qtr.   1st Qtr.   4th Qtr.   3rd Qtr.
    Interest-Earning Assets:                  
    Securities 3.69 %   3.40 %   2.87 %   2.79 %   2.67 %
    Net loans 6.21 %   6.05 %   5.51 %   5.50 %   5.37 %
    Total interest-earning assets 5.84 %   5.67 %   5.06 %   5.04 %   4.89 %
                       
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                  
    Total deposits 2.96 %   2.84 %   2.60 %   2.47 %   2.22 %
    Total borrowings 3.73 %   3.83 %   3.60 %   3.71 %   3.74 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 3.19 %   3.09 %   2.80 %   2.71 %   2.50 %
                       
    Interest rate spread 2.65 %   2.58 %   2.26 %   2.33 %   2.39 %
    Net interest margin 3.31 %   3.21 %   2.87 %   2.92 %   2.96 %
                       
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 1.26x   1.25x   1.28x   1.28x   1.30x
                       
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    Net Interest Margin Analysis
    Average Year to Date Balances
    (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
                           
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average       Average   Average       Average
      Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost   Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost
    Interest-Earning Assets:                      
    Deposits $ 39,280   $ 5,466   5.38 %   $ 69,696   $ 2,676   5.13 %
    Federal funds sold and other short term investments   —     —   — %     58     2   5.34 %
    Available for sale debt securities   2,189,671     52,553   3.19 %     1,777,861     30,819   2.31 %
    Held to maturity debt securities, net (1)   350,529     6,761   2.57 %     379,144     7,059   2.48 %
    Equity securities, at fair value   10,050     —   — %     1,022     —   — %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   84,845     6,145   9.66 %     77,634     3,929   6.75 %
    Net loans: (2)                      
    Total mortgage loans   10,682,974     461,632   5.70 %     7,740,591     299,830   5.12 %
    Total commercial loans   3,487,600     175,815   6.69 %     2,225,725     93,915   5.60 %
    Total consumer loans   460,497     25,820   7.49 %     302,706     13,419   5.93 %
    Total net loans   14,631,071     663,267   5.99 %     10,269,022     407,164   5.25 %
    Total interest-earning assets $ 17,305,446   $ 734,192   5.61 %   $ 12,574,437   $ 451,649   4.76 %
                           
    Non-Interest Earning Assets:                      
    Cash and due from banks   229,336             121,801        
    Other assets   1,663,331             1,152,113        
    Total assets $ 19,198,113           $ 13,848,351        
                           
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                      
    Demand deposits $ 7,931,251   $ 174,609   2.94 %   $ 5,710,855   $ 85,822   2.01 %
    Savings deposits   1,444,135     2,476   0.23 %     1,315,157     1,582   0.16 %
    Time deposits   2,091,806     66,517   4.25 %     961,010     21,476   2.99 %
    Total deposits   11,467,192     243,602   2.84 %     7,987,022     108,880   1.82 %
    Borrowed funds   2,074,958     57,871   3.73 %     1,556,619     38,329   3.29 %
    Subordinated debentures   215,745     13,842   8.57 %     10,563     774   9.80 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 13,757,895   $ 315,315   3.06 %   $ 9,554,204   $ 147,983   2.07 %
                           
    Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:                      
    Non-interest bearing deposits   2,896,453             2,382,144        
    Other non-interest bearing liabilities   379,909             266,910        
    Total non-interest bearing liabilities   3,276,362             2,649,054        
    Total liabilities   17,034,257             12,203,258        
    Stockholders’ equity   2,163,856             1,645,093        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 19,198,113           $ 13,848,351        
                           
    Net interest income     $ 418,877           $ 303,666    
                           
    Net interest rate spread         2.55 %           2.69 %
    Net interest-earning assets $ 3,547,551           $ 3,020,233        
                           
    Net interest margin (3)         3.18 %           3.19 %
                           
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest-bearing liabilities 1.26x           1.32x        
                           
                           
    (1) Average outstanding balance amounts shown are amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
    (2) Average outstanding balance are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and expenses, loan premium and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
    (3) Annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
     
    The following table summarizes the year-to-date net interest margin for the previous three years.
                 
      Nine Months Ended  
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023   September 23, 2022  
    Interest-Earning Assets:            
    Securities 3.33 %   2.57 %   1.72 %  
    Net loans 5.99 %   5.25 %   4.01 %  
    Total interest-earning assets 5.61 %   4.76 %   3.51 %  
                 
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:            
    Total deposits 2.84 %   1.82 %   0.33 %  
    Total borrowings 3.73 %   3.29 %   0.97 %  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 3.06 %   2.07 %   0.38 %  
                 
    Interest rate spread 2.55 %   2.69 %   3.13 %  
    Net interest margin 3.18 %   3.19 %   3.24 %  
                 
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 1.26x   1.32x   1.38x  

    SOURCE: Provident Financial Services, Inc.

    CONTACT: Investor Relations, 1-732-590-9300 Web Site: http://www.Provident.Bank

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