Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement from Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen on the One-Year Anniversary of the Mass Shooting in Lewiston, Maine

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    On the heels of tragedy, the people of Lewiston’s strength and resilience are a powerful reminder of the bonds that unite us.

    Today, the men and women of FBI Boston pause to honor and remember the 18 innocent lives that were lost, the survivors, and all their families whose lives have been changed forever.

    On this day, and every day, we carry the memory of those victims with us as we go to work to make our communities safer for all we serve.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for $30M COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme and Firearms Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A Georgia woman was sentenced yesterday for her role in a scheme to defraud the Georgia Department of Labor (GaDOL) out of tens of millions of dollars in benefits meant to assist unemployed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Tyshion Nautese Hicks, 32, of Vienna, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. Hicks’ total sentence includes a penalty of three consecutive years in prison, imposed yesterday in relation to a separate charge of illegal possession of a machine gun prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

    According to court documents and evidence presented in court, from March 2020 through November 2022, Hicks and her co-conspirators caused more than 5,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims to be filed with the GaDOL, resulting in at least $30 million in stolen benefits.

    “In one of the largest COVID fraud schemes ever prosecuted, the defendant and her coconspirators filed more than 5,000 fraudulent COVID unemployment insurance claims using stolen identities and unlawfully obtained more than $30 million in benefits,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In doing so, the defendant and her co-conspirators exploited a program designed to alleviate pandemic-related economic hardship to enrich themselves at the expense of federal taxpayers. Yesterday’s sentence underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who steal from the public fisc.”

    To execute the scheme, Hicks and others created fictitious employers and fabricated lists of purported employees using personally identifiable information (PII) from thousands of identity theft victims and filed fraudulent unemployment insurance claims on the GaDOL website. The co-conspirators obtained PII for use in the scheme from a variety of sources, including by paying an employee of an Atlanta-area health care and hospital network to unlawfully obtain patients’ PII from the hospital’s databases, and by purchasing PII from other sources over the internet. Using victims’ PII, Hicks and her co-conspirators caused the stolen UI funds to be disbursed via prepaid debit cards mailed to addresses of their choice, many of which were in and around Cordele and Vienna. Hicks additionally paid a local U.S. Postal Service (USPS) carrier to unlawfully divert mail containing debit cards loaded with over $512,000 in fraud proceeds to her and coached another co-conspirator on how to create her own fictitious employer account via Facebook Messenger.

    In February, Hicks pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Seven of Hicks’ co-conspirators have previously pleaded guilty or been sentenced in the investigation.

    “Tyshion Nautese Hicks and her co-conspirators used the stolen PII of unwitting victims to file numerous fraudulent claims for UI benefits with the Georgia Department of Labor,” said Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Southeast Regional Office. “We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to safeguard UI benefit programs for those who need them.”

    “The sentence received by the defendant is the outcome of IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to defraud various agencies by filing fraudulent claims using another person’s identifying information,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office.

    “Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable for engaging in fraudulent schemes to manipulate the COVID-19 program for their own financial gain,” said Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division. “The sentencing should serve as a deterrence and shows that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

    “Yesterday’s sentencing underlines our commitment to holding those who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the USPS Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). “As proven in this case, our criminal investigators along with our law enforcement partners will work together and diligently pursue anyone who attempts to exploit programs created to help legitimate people and businesses affected by the global pandemic.”

    “Hicks chose to commit fraud, further depleting limited funds designated to help individuals struggling to survive during the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Frederick D. Houston of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Atlanta Field Office. “She and her co-conspirators also stole the personally identifiable information, caring only about self-enrichment, not the lives adversely affected. This case signifies our commitment to protect citizens and businesses from fraud and identity theft. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who abuse these programs.”

    “Homeland Security Investigations will aggressively pursue those who exploit unemployment benefits meant for those in need, ensuring that justice is served, and resources are preserved for legitimate claimants,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Office.

    “Yesterday’s sentencing sends a clear message that those committing fraud will be held accountable,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). “DHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize protecting our country from these kinds of schemes.”

    DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, USPS-OIG, USPIS, USSS, HSI, and DHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Lyndie Freeman, Siji Moore, Matthew Kahn, and Andrew Jaco of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the fraud case.

    On May 17, 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada invests in a clean economy for Nova Scotia

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    October 25, 2024      Cape Breton, Nova Scotia        Transport Canada

    In Canada, the transportation sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Government of Canada is working to reduce these emissions through initiatives like the creation of green shipping corridors.

    Today, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament of Cape Breton—Canso, Mike Kelloway, on behalf of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced up to $22.5 million for EverWind Fuels. This funding, provided under the Green Shipping Corridor Program, will allow them to:

    • purchase a loading arm to fuel and fill ships with green ammonia;
    • build a pipeline to transport green ammonia from the production facility to the transport terminal; and
    • buy three tugboats and improve the dock to help move and load ships safely.

    Investments through the Green Shipping Corridor Program decarbonize the marine sector and encourage ports to adopt clean energy, while preparing them to support exports of clean fuels like ammonia.

    Reducing emissions from all modes of transportation is a key part of the Government of Canada’s plan to fight climate change. Smart climate investments like this are good for Canadian workers, good for the Canadian economy, and good for the planet. A clean transportation sector will create good, well-paying jobs for Canadians and strengthen the middle-class.

    Quotes

    “As we continue to face the growing challenges of climate change, it’s crucial that we take bold steps to reduce emissions and protect our environment. This investment in EverWind Fuels is a key part of our strategy to build a cleaner, more sustainable future for Canada’s economy.”

    The Honourable Anita Anand
    President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport

    “Today’s announcement highlights the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. By investing in innovative solutions at our ports, we are not only tackling climate change but also ensuring that Canada remains a leader in clean transportation. This is good news for Nova Scotians, and good news for Canadians.”

    Mike Kelloway
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso

    Quick facts

    • The Green Shipping Corridor Program provides funding for projects that contribute to the establishment of green shipping corridors and the decarbonization of the marine sector along the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as Canada’s East and West Coasts. The program:

      • removes barriers to the adoption of emission reducing equipment and infrastructure;
      • incentivizes industry-led partnerships and investments to accelerate the adoption of greenhouse gas emission-reduction technologies and infrastructure;
      • decreases the risks of investments made to increase the technology-readiness level of low carbon and zero-emission ship technology and marine fuels for the domestic vessel fleet; and
      • builds capacity among Canadian vessel owner/operators with respect to their ability to identify, plan and implement next generation low carbon and zero-emission ship technology and marine fuels into their vessel operations.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Laurent de Casanove
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Anita Anand
    Minister of Transport, Ottawa
    laurent.decasanove@tc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Transport Canada, Ottawa
    media@tc.gc.ca
    613-993-0055

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Announces Election Officer for the District of Arizona

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Sean Lokey will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Lokey has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the District of Arizona, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Lokey has served in this role since the 2020 election cycle.

    United States Attorney Restaino stated: “It takes a village to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot easily and efficiently, without interference or discrimination, and with confidence their vote will be counted. This Office and our federal partners have worked collaboratively with Arizona state and local law enforcement, state and local elections officials, and other first responders of democracy like All Voting is Local, the Arizona State Bar and the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council, preparing for a smooth and safe election. We thank the many civic leaders who have sat with us in educational panels, tabletop exercises, and security discussions.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

    “Democracy demands action to protect voters’ rights, and to disrupt the efforts of those individuals and entities who seek to deny those rights,” said U.S. Attorney Restaino. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Lokey will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 602-514-7516.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public by phone at 623-466-1999 or online at https://tips.fbi.gov/.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

    “Ensuring free and fair elections takes a commitment from all Americans,” noted United States Attorney Restaino. “It is important that those who have knowledge about barriers to voting rights or of specific instances of fraud by individual voters make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, that in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, you should call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
     

    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-139_Arizona-General-Election

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Major Gun Trafficking Operation in Queens

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictments of three individuals for their roles in a gun trafficking operation that illegally trafficked and sold 184 firearms in Queens County. The 579-count indictment charges Deundre Wright, 22, Abner Sparkes, 31, and Ethan Charles, 22, all of Queens, New York with trafficking and selling numerous assault weapons, semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recovered 184 firearms from the operation, which transported weapons from Goldsboro, North Carolina to New York City where they were sold. If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of 25 years in prison. 

    “The majority of guns used in crimes in New York City are illegally trafficked from other states with lax gun laws along the Iron Pipeline and are fueling deadly gun violence in our communities,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation shut down a major gun trafficking operation that brought a flood of dangerous weapons, including assault weapons, from North Carolina into New York City in the span of just a few months. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to keep New Yorkers safe and get illegal guns off our streets. I thank our partners in this investigation for their work to stop gun violence.”

    Firearms and ammunition recovered by the investigation

    The takedown was the result of a joint investigation between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s New York Strikeforce, which includes members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD)’s DEA Firearms Task Force. The investigation included the use of controlled firearms purchase operations and physical, covert video, and electronic surveillance.

    The investigation revealed that from March to July 2024, Deundre Wright was responsible for sourcing firearms in North Carolina and trafficking them to Queens where they were sold. Wright would travel by bus from Chinatown in Manhattan to North Carolina and back, storing the firearms in luggage during the trips. After transporting the guns to New York, Wright stored them at friends’ homes in Jamaica, Queens, including in cars parked at the homes. Wright would set the prices for the firearms ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per gun, and provide them to Abner Sparkes, who would meet a customer for sales at 115th Road and 222nd Street in Cambria Heights, Queens. Sparkes would meet the customer in a car, conduct the sale, and then bring the cash back to Wright who was parked nearby monitoring the transactions.

    On August 8, 2024, investigators detained Deundre Wright and Ethan Charles in Manhattan while they were exiting a bus carrying suitcases and other luggage. Investigators seized 41 firearms, including four shotguns and an inoperable rocket-propelled grenade launcher in their luggage.

    The rocket-propelled grenade launcher and one of the assault weapons seized by the investigation 

    The indictment — unsealed before Queens County Supreme Court Judge Leigh Cheng — charges the three individuals with multiple crimes, including Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, among other charges, for their participation in the illegal gun trafficking operation. Each of the three individuals have been charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree, which are both class B violent felonies. If convicted of one count of either of these crimes, the defendants face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

    “Often times we see drug and gun violence go hand in hand. The indictments of these three individuals are thanks to the hard work of our DEA Strikeforce, New York’s Attorney General, and our law enforcement partners, when targeting those who pose a threat to our communities through the sale of illegal firearms,” said DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The removal of over 150 firearms, which includes numerous assault weapons and semiautomatic pistols, just made the streets of New York City and our neighborhoods safer. The DEA remains committed to protecting our communities, reducing gun violence, and enhancing public safety.”

    “Today’s charges are a stark reminder that high-powered, illegal firearms continue to proliferate and circulate in our communities, and that NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners are doing the dangerous work of preventing them from getting into criminals’ hands on the streets,” said NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon. “Disrupting and dismantling gun trafficking networks is a top priority for our city. I thank everyone at Office of the Attorney General and all of our local, state, and federal partners for their hard work on this important case and for their ongoing commitment to our shared public safety mission.”

    The Office of the Attorney General wishes to thank the members of the DEA New York Strikeforce and the NYPD’s DEA Firearms Task Force Officers. The Office of the Attorney General also wishes to thank the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the Goldsboro Police Department in North Carolina, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations for their valuable participation and assistance in this investigation.

    The investigation was led by DEA New York Strikeforce’s Task Force Officer, NYPD Detective Ryan Foy of the NYPD’s DEA Firearms Task Force, under the supervision of NYPD Sergeant Brian O’Hanlon, Captain Jeffrey Heilig, Deputy Chief Carlos Ortiz, and Assistant Chief Jason Savino, under the overall supervision of Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. 

    For OAG, the investigation was led by OCTF Detectives Andrew Scala and Bradford Farrell, under the supervision of OCTF Supervising Detective Paul Grzegorski, Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez, and Deputy Chief Andrew Boss, with special assistance from the detective specialists from the OAG Special Operations Unit, led by Deputy Chief Sean Donovan. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

    The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Ann Lee, under the supervision of Downstate OCTF Deputy Chief Lauren Abinanti with the assistance of OCTF Legal Support Analyst Madeline Rosen. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. The Criminal Justice Division is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado. Both the Investigations Division and the Division for Criminal Justice are overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: Sam Hou Fai appointed Macao chief executive

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Oct. 25 — China’s State Council on Friday appointed Sam Hou Fai as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

    Sam was elected the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Macao SAR on Oct. 13.

    His tenure will start from Dec. 20, 2024, according to a decision made at a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Qiang.

    The appointment was made in accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR.

    Over the past 25 years since its return to the motherland, Macao has seen full and faithful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems,” and ushered in the best development situation in history, Li said at the meeting.

    He said the Central People’s Government will maintain its firm commitment to the letter and spirit of the “one country, two systems” principle, under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy.

    Li pledged that the Central People’s Government would fully support the chief executive and the Macao SAR government in exercising law-based administration, breaking new ground while upholding fundamental principles, and shouldering their responsibilities.

    The Central People’s Government will continue to support Macao to integrate itself into and contribute to the country’s overall development with its unique advantages, Li said.

    He also vowed support for the chief executive and the Macao SAR government in maintaining national security, promoting the region’s appropriate economic diversification, improving the well-being of its residents, and building a harmonious and stable society, so as to ensure the joint development and prosperity of Macao and the mainland.

    Sam was born in Zhongshan of south China’s Guangdong Province in May 1962 and later moved to Macao. He joined the first group of Macao’s judicial auditors in 1995, and was president of Macao’s Court of Final Appeal before he ran for the election.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS invests Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to map critical mineral resources in New Mexico

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The data collection will be conducted through the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys that is revolutionizing our understanding of the nation’s geology and critical mineral resources which are vital to the U.S. economy, national security and clean energy technology.  

    “These Earth MRI surveys represent a next-generation approach, bringing modern geophysics to bear that will allow us to fundamentally reevaluate our state’s inventory of resources,” said Mike Timmons, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mines director and state geologist of New Mexico. 

    The survey’s focus will cover the North American Alkaline Igneous Belt, a geologic feature that stretches from the eastern edge of Alaska down through the Rocky Mountains and into Mexico. 

    The unique alkaline igneous rocks in New Mexico’s portion of the belt contain deposits of gold, fluorine, zirconium, rare earth elements (REE), tellurium, gallium and other critical minerals and are commonly associated with ancient faults.

    Tien Grauch, the lead USGS geophysicist for this survey, explained that the new high-resolution geophysical survey has the potential to reveal even deeper layers of igneous rocks and faults than what’s known. 

    “Combined with geologic mapping that is ongoing by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology, the new information may lead to a better understanding of critical mineral resources in the region,” said Grauch. 

    The survey footprint was designed in close collaboration with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR), where officials say the geophysical data will improve their understanding of their state’s potential economic and natural resources. 

    While the primary benefit of this survey is to see into the region’s subsurface and map critical minerals, the data will also allow geoscientists to better understand the region’s groundwater flow, which supports NMBGMR’s Aquifer Mapping Program. 

    “This will be our first high-definition look at this area’s geology, and we can leverage the data across so many disciplines,” said Virginia McLemore, NMBGMR principal senior economic geologist. “Every opportunity we get to bring in new tools or data, we learn something completely new.” 

    These Earth MRI airborne geophysical surveys will collect a combination of magnetic and radiometric data. These data can be used to map rocks from just beneath vegetation and shallow sediment cover down to several miles underground. Magnetic data can be used to identify inactive faults, lava flows, other geologic features and potentially the signatures of mineral deposits. Radiometric data indicate the relative amounts of potassium, uranium and thorium in shallow rocks and soil. 

    Scientists use this information to help map rocks that may contain mineral deposits, faults that may rupture during an earthquake, areas that may be prone to increased radon, and geologic features that affect groundwater or energy resources.

    This New Mexico survey complements a similar Earth MRI geophysical survey that will be flown over the alkaline igneous belt in Texas later in the year. Both these surveys adjoin an Earth MRI survey in the Trans-Pecos region that has already been completed.

    The initial airborne geophysical survey may be followed by additional investments, including new geologic maps, geochemical sampling, and other techniques to better understand the region’s geologic framework.

    Since 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has advanced scientific innovation through a $320 million investment for the USGS to better map the Nation’s mineral resources, both still in the ground and in mine wastes, and to preserve historical geologic data and samples. Through the end of fiscal year 2024, more than $160 million has been obligated for Earth MRI initiatives, propelling efforts to make “once-in-a-generation” advancements in the nation’s geologic and geophysical data collections and mapping. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Calls in North Carolina May Come from Unknown Phone Numbers

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Calls in North Carolina May Come from Unknown Phone Numbers

    FEMA Calls in North Carolina May Come from Unknown Phone Numbers

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners and renters in 39 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who applied for FEMA disaster assistance following Helene in North Carolina should be aware that FEMA representatives may call from unfamiliar area codes and phone numbers or show SPAM or no caller ID.It is important to answer the call. FEMA representatives are reaching out to citizens that have applied for disaster assistance. Representatives may call for a variety of reasons such as issues with applications (missing documents, insurance settlement paperwork, etc.), follow-up on access and functional needs and/or to schedule inspections at the address where the damage was reported. Inspections are required to determine whether a home is safe, sanitary, functional and accessible. If an inspection cannot be scheduled, that may cause a delay in FEMA’s review of the application.Take Steps to Avoid ScamsAlways be alert to these illegitimate practices:A FEMA inspector calls, and you did not submit a FEMA application.A FEMA inspector asks for your banking information. (FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.)A payment is requested from someone who says they are from FEMA. (FEMA will never request payment.) If any of these things happen to you — or if you receive a call from someone saying they are a FEMA representative, but you aren’t sure, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to report the incident. The Helpline will be able to help you stop the processing of an application made in your name without your knowledge or apply for FEMA assistance if you live within a declared county.If you believe you are the victim of a scam related to Helene response, you should file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice by visiting ncdoj.gov/complaint or calling toll-free at 877-566-7226.If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip. 
    barbara.murien…
    Fri, 10/25/2024 – 14:00

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister LeBlanc launches Call for Applications under National Crime Prevention Strategy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    October 25, 2024

    Toronto, Ontario

    Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the launch of the application process for funding under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). Eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding from November 1st to December 20th, 2024. An estimated $123.5 million will be available over the next five years.

    Organized crime groups and gangs are increasingly recruiting among youth. By investing in prevention, we’re meeting young people where they are so that organized crime groups and gangs can’t get to them in the first place.

    This investment will support community-led crime prevention efforts tailored to at-risk and vulnerable youth, particularly Indigenous and racialized youth, youth involved in violence, and youth with repeat contacts with the criminal justice system.

    Specifically, funding will be focused on initiatives aimed at stopping crime before it occurs by reducing the risk factors that lead youth to get involved in violent criminal activity, such as gun violence and auto theft.

    In addition, an annual $700,000 portion of NCPS funding will be available for projects that focus specifically on preventing bullying and cyber bullying.

    By investing to counter crimes and giving every youth the tools to be law abiding and to lead productive lives, we are investing in a safer and more inclusive future for all.

    Quotes

    “Combatting crime is about supporting the incredible work of our frontline police officers and giving them the tools they need to hold criminals accountable, while also working directly with at-risk youth to prevent crime. By investing in prevention and giving every youth the tools to chart a brighter path in life, we are investing in a safer and more inclusive future for all.”

    – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

    “Our government understands the importance of investing in crime prevention to keep our communities safe. This investment will make a significant difference in my riding and everywhere in Canada, by reaching youth where they are and bringing everything to bear so that organized crime groups and gangs can’t get to them in the first place.”

    – The Honourable Judy A. Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River–Black Creek

    Quick facts

    • Organizations that apply for funding will follow a streamlined submission process for three funding programs under the NCPS: the Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF), the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF), and the Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF).

    • Organizations will only need to apply once under the NCPS Call for Applications.  The results of the assessment process will determine which of the three funding programs (CPAF, NICPF, or YGPF) applicants may be eligible for. 

    • Through the NCPS, Public Safety Canada will also look to support capacity building by funding initiatives to enhance community readiness for implementing long-term crime prevention programming.  

    • Public Safety Canada is responsible for implementing the NCPS and provides national leadership on effective and cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime by intervening on the risk factors before crime happens.

    • In addition to this, on September 24, 2024, Minister LeBlanc launched the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) to protect communities from hate-motivated crimes. The CCSP is the fourth program under the National Crime Prevention Strategy, along with the CPAF, NICPF and YGPF. Organizations can apply for funding at any time throughout the year through a continuous intake application process.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Gabriel Brunet
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
    819-665-6527
    gabriel.brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Public Safety Canada
    613-991-0657
    media@ps-sp.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: Fentura Financial, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FENTON, Mich., Oct. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fentura Financial, Inc. (OTCQX: FETM) has announced a regular dividend of $0.11 per share for shareholders of record as of November 4, 2024, and payable November 12, 2024.

    About Fentura Financial, Inc. and The State Bank

    Fentura Financial, Inc. is the holding company for The State Bank. It was formed in 1987 and is traded on the OTCQX exchange under the symbol FETM, and has been recognized as one of the Top 50 performing stocks on that exchange.

    The State Bank is a 5-Star Bauer Financial rated commercial, retail and trust bank headquartered in Fenton, Michigan. It currently operates 20 full-service offices and one loan production center serving Bay, Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Oakland, Saginaw, and Shiawassee counties. The State Bank believes in the potential of banking to help create better lives, better businesses, and better communities, and works to achieve this through its full array of consumer, mortgage, SBA, commercial and wealth management banking and advisory services, together with philanthropic and volunteer support to organizations and groups within the communities it serves. More information can be found at www.thestatebank.com or www.fentura.com.

    Cautionary Statement: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future growth in earning assets and net income. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services, interest rates and fees for services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

         
    Contacts: Ronald L. Justice Aaron D. Wirsing
      President & CEO Chief Financial Officer
      Fentura Financial, Inc. Fentura Financial, Inc.
      810.714.3902 810.714.3925
      ron.justice@thestatebank.com aaron.wirsing@thestatebank.com
         

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Fentura Financial, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Earnings (unaudited)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dollars in thousands except per share amounts. Certain items in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the September 30, 2024 presentation.

    FENTON, Mich., Oct. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fentura Financial, Inc. (OTCQX: FETM) announces quarterly net income results of $867 and $5,637 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.

    Ronald L. Justice, President and CEO, stated, “We ended the 2024 third quarter with record total assets, deposits, and shareholders’ equity. These results are a testament to the continued hard work of our team members, and the local value we provide our Michigan communities. During the third quarter, we announced a merger with ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., pursuant to which ChoiceOne and Fentura will merge in an all-stock transaction. Once completed, the combination will create the third largest publicly traded bank in Michigan with approximately $4.3 billion in consolidated total assets and 56 offices in Western, Central and Southeastern Michigan. We continue to expect to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.”

    Following is a discussion of our financial performance as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. At the end of this document is a list of abbreviations and acronyms.

    Results of Operations (unaudited)
    The following table outlines our QTD results of operations and provides certain performance measures as of, and for the three months ended:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    INCOME STATEMENT DATA                    
    Interest income   $ 22,194     $ 21,487     $ 21,541     $ 21,033     $ 20,416  
    Interest expense     10,202       9,650       9,315       8,526       7,757  
    Net interest income     11,992       11,837       12,226       12,507       12,659  
    Credit loss expense (reversal)     1,203       796       (43 )     (190 )     (309 )
    Noninterest income     2,210       2,314       2,355       2,145       2,338  
    Noninterest expenses     11,974       10,921       11,166       10,121       10,594  
    Federal income tax expense     158       454       668       937       937  
    Net income   $ 867     $ 1,980     $ 2,790     $ 3,784     $ 3,775  
    PER SHARE                    
    Earnings   $ 0.19     $ 0.44     $ 0.63     $ 0.85     $ 0.85  
    Dividends   $ 0.11     $ 0.11     $ 0.11     $ 0.10     $ 0.10  
    Tangible book value(1)   $ 30.51     $ 29.84     $ 29.38     $ 28.92     $ 27.64  
    Quoted market value                    
    High   $ 40.00     $ 24.39     $ 27.20     $ 27.20     $ 23.74  
    Low   $ 22.16     $ 22.33     $ 24.00     $ 22.26     $ 19.10  
    Close(1)   $ 39.07     $ 22.50     $ 24.40     $ 27.20     $ 23.74  
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
    Return on average assets     0.19 %     0.45 %     0.63 %     0.86 %     0.86 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     2.37 %     5.59 %     7.98 %     11.11 %     11.27 %
    Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity     2.54 %     5.98 %     8.55 %     11.94 %     12.14 %
    Efficiency ratio     84.31 %     77.17 %     76.58 %     69.08 %     70.64 %
    Yield on average earning assets (FTE)     5.17 %     5.18 %     5.15 %     5.06 %     4.92 %
    Rate on interest bearing liabilities     3.28 %     3.22 %     3.11 %     2.90 %     2.66 %
    Net interest margin to average earning assets (FTE)     2.80 %     2.85 %     2.92 %     3.01 %     3.05 %
    BALANCE SHEET DATA(1)                    
    Total investment securities   $ 99,724     $ 100,167     $ 103,210     $ 107,615     $ 109,543  
    Gross loans   $ 1,442,389     $ 1,459,929     $ 1,461,465     $ 1,473,471     $ 1,483,720  
    Allowance for credit losses   $ 14,700     $ 15,300     $ 15,300     $ 15,400     $ 15,400  
    Total assets   $ 1,807,370     $ 1,756,629     $ 1,764,629     $ 1,738,952     $ 1,744,939  
    Total deposits   $ 1,470,586     $ 1,427,059     $ 1,438,408     $ 1,394,182     $ 1,401,797  
    Borrowed funds   $ 179,970     $ 178,397     $ 178,500     $ 198,500     $ 201,050  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 146,398     $ 143,301     $ 141,074     $ 138,702     $ 132,902  
    Net loans to total deposits     97.08 %     101.23 %     100.54 %     104.58 %     104.75 %
    Common shares outstanding     4,495,005       4,490,087       4,484,447       4,470,871       4,466,221  
    QTD BALANCE SHEET AVERAGES                    
    Total assets   $ 1,797,307     $ 1,762,651     $ 1,771,614     $ 1,740,526     $ 1,739,510  
    Earning assets   $ 1,708,177     $ 1,669,862     $ 1,683,708     $ 1,649,091     $ 1,646,848  
    Interest bearing liabilities   $ 1,237,665     $ 1,204,370     $ 1,205,162     $ 1,165,064     $ 1,156,835  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 145,240     $ 142,577     $ 140,574     $ 135,157     $ 132,860  
    Total tangible shareholders’ equity   $ 135,959     $ 133,252     $ 131,204     $ 125,723     $ 123,349  
    Earned common shares outstanding     4,466,951       4,461,580       4,449,376       4,443,463       4,437,415  
    Unvested stock grants     26,500       26,500       31,821       26,018       26,668  
    Total common shares outstanding     4,493,451       4,488,080       4,481,197       4,469,481       4,464,083  
    ASSET QUALITY                    
    Nonperforming loans to gross loans (1)     0.71 %     0.66 %     0.39 %     0.38 %     0.24 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets (1)     0.58 %     0.56 %     0.34 %     0.35 %     0.23 %
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans (1)     1.02 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.04 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to QTD average gross loans     0.12 %     0.05 %     %   (0.01)%   (0.03)%
    Credit loss expense (reversal) to QTD average gross loans     0.08 %     0.05 %     %   (0.01)%   (0.02)%
    CAPITAL RATIOS(1)                    
    Total capital to risk weighted assets     12.48 %     12.38 %     12.27 %     11.91 %     11.59 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     11.42 %     11.28 %     11.17 %     10.82 %     10.51 %
    CET1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.40 %     10.28 %     10.17 %     9.83 %     9.53 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     8.78 %     8.92 %     8.78 %     8.77 %     8.58 %
                         
    (1)At end of period                    

    The following table outlines our YTD results of operations and provides certain performance measures as of, and for the nine months ended (unaudited):

        9/30/2024   9/30/2023   9/30/2022   9/30/2021   9/30/2020
    INCOME STATEMENT DATA                    
    Interest income   $ 65,222     $ 58,648     $ 41,438     $ 35,161     $ 34,355  
    Interest expense     29,167       19,561       3,122       2,091       4,952  
    Net interest income     36,055       39,087       38,316       33,070       29,403  
    Credit loss expense (reversal)     1,956       132       2,258       (218 )     4,652  
    Noninterest income     6,879       7,126       7,997       11,092       15,190  
    Noninterest expenses     34,061       32,547       30,870       27,815       23,939  
    Federal income tax expense     1,280       2,689       2,616       3,328       3,271  
    Net income   $ 5,637     $ 10,845     $ 10,569     $ 13,237     $ 12,731  
    PER SHARE                    
    Earnings   $ 1.26     $ 2.45     $ 2.39     $ 2.86     $ 2.73  
    Dividends   $ 0.33     $ 0.3     $ 0.27     $ 0.24     $ 0.225  
    Tangible book value(1)   $ 30.51     $ 27.64     $ 25.22     $ 26.53     $ 23.50  
    Quoted market value                    
    High   $ 40.00     $ 24.10     $ 29.25     $ 27.40     $ 26.00  
    Low   $ 22.16     $ 18.70     $ 23.00     $ 21.90     $ 12.55  
    Close(1)   $ 39.07     $ 23.74     $ 23.00     $ 25.75     $ 16.93  
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
    Return on average assets     0.42 %     0.85 %     0.95 %     1.36 %     1.45 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     5.27 %     11.15 %     11.71 %     14.55 %     15.79 %
    Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity     5.64 %     12.03 %     12.75 %     15.00 %     16.40 %
    Efficiency ratio     79.33 %     70.43 %     66.66 %     62.98 %     53.68 %
    Yield on average earning assets (FTE)     5.17 %     4.84 %     3.99 %     3.83 %     4.12 %
    Rate on interest bearing liabilities     3.20 %     2.35 %     0.49 %     0.37 %     0.93 %
    Net interest margin to average earning assets (FTE)     2.86 %     3.23 %     3.69 %     3.60 %     3.52 %
    BALANCE SHEET DATA(1)                    
    Total investment securities   $ 99,724     $ 109,543     $ 129,886     $ 138,476     $ 78,179  
    Gross loans   $ 1,442,389     $ 1,483,720     $ 1,350,851     $ 1,015,177     $ 1,060,885  
    Allowance for credit losses   $ 14,700     $ 15,400     $ 12,200     $ 10,500     $ 10,100  
    Total assets   $ 1,807,370     $ 1,744,939     $ 1,588,592     $ 1,329,300     $ 1,284,845  
    Total deposits   $ 1,470,586     $ 1,401,797     $ 1,345,209     $ 1,144,291     $ 1,061,470  
    Borrowed funds   $ 179,970     $ 201,050     $ 116,600     $ 50,000     $ 96,217  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 146,398     $ 132,902     $ 121,630     $ 124,809     $ 114,081  
    Net loans to total deposits     97.08 %     104.75 %     99.51 %     87.80 %     98.99 %
    Common shares outstanding     4,495,005       4,466,221       4,434,937       4,569,935       4,691,142  
    YTD BALANCE SHEET AVERAGES                    
    Total assets   $ 1,777,188     $ 1,710,941     $ 1,485,489     $ 1,297,657     $ 1,171,415  
    Earning assets   $ 1,687,249     $ 1,620,015     $ 1,391,179     $ 1,230,553     $ 1,116,861  
    Interest bearing liabilities   $ 1,215,731     $ 1,111,687     $ 858,600     $ 748,472     $ 711,449  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 142,796     $ 130,068     $ 120,704     $ 121,659     $ 107,711  
    Total tangible shareholders’ equity   $ 133,470     $ 120,482     $ 110,792     $ 117,991     $ 103,712  
    Earned common shares outstanding     4,459,303       4,428,963       4,425,818       4,630,709       4,665,951  
    Unvested stock grants     28,274       28,530       25,462       21,088       13,966  
    Total common shares outstanding     4,487,577       4,457,493       4,451,280       4,651,797       4,679,917  
    ASSET QUALITY                    
    Nonperforming loans to gross loans (1)     0.71 %     0.24 %     0.12 %     0.82 %     0.07 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets (1)     0.58 %     0.23 %     0.12 %     0.63 %     0.06 %
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans (1)     1.02 %     1.04 %     0.90 %     1.03 %     0.95 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to YTD average gross loans     0.18 %   (0.03)%     0.05 %     0.02 %     0.03 %
    Credit loss expense (reversal) to YTD average gross loans     0.13 %     0.01 %     0.19 %   (0.02)%     0.44 %
    CAPITAL RATIOS(1)                    
    Total capital to risk weighted assets     12.48 %     11.59 %     10.96 %     13.63 %     15.57 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     11.42 %     10.51 %     10.07 %     12.64 %     14.40 %
    CET1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.40 %     9.53 %     9.04 %     11.33 %     12.77 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     8.78 %     8.58 %     8.91 %     10.21 %     9.86 %
                         
    (1)At end of period                    

    Income Statement Breakdown and Analysis

        Quarter to Date
        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Net income   $ 867     $ 1,980     $ 2,790     $ 3,784     $ 3,775  
    Acquisition related items (net of tax)                    
    Other acquisition related expenses     753                          
    Amortization of core deposit intangibles     35       34       36       60       60  
    Total acquisition related items (net of tax)     788       34       36       60       60  
    Other nonrecurring items (net of tax)                    
    Proxy contest related expenses                              
    Prepayment penalties collected     (24 )     (40 )     (58 )     (85 )     (29 )
    Total other nonrecurring items (net of tax)     (24 )     (40 )     (58 )     (85 )     (29 )
    Adjusted net income from operations   $ 1,631     $ 1,974     $ 2,768     $ 3,759     $ 3,806  
                         
    Net interest income   $ 11,992     $ 11,837     $ 12,226     $ 12,507     $ 12,659  
    Prepayment penalties collected     (31 )     (51 )     (73 )     (107 )     (37 )
    Adjusted net interest income   $ 11,961     $ 11,786     $ 12,153     $ 12,400     $ 12,622  
                         
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
    Based on adjusted net income from operations                    
    Earnings per share   $ 0.37     $ 0.44     $ 0.62     $ 0.85     $ 0.86  
    Return on average assets     0.36 %     0.45 %     0.63 %     0.86 %     0.87 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     4.47 %     5.57 %     7.92 %     11.03 %     11.37 %
    Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity     4.77 %     5.96 %     8.49 %     11.86 %     12.24 %
    Efficiency ratio     77.45 %     77.15 %     76.65 %     69.06 %     70.31 %
                         
    Based on adjusted net interest income                    
    Yield on average earning assets (FTE)     5.16 %     5.17 %     5.13 %     5.03 %     4.91 %
    Rate on interest bearing liabilities     3.28 %     3.22 %     3.11 %     2.90 %     2.66 %
    Net interest margin to average earning assets (FTE)     2.79 %     2.84 %     2.90 %     2.98 %     3.04 %
                         
        Year to Date September 30   Variance
          2024       2023     Amount   %
    Net income   $ 5,637     $ 10,845     $ (5,208 )   (48.02)%
    Acquisition related items (net of tax)                
    Other acquisition related expenses     753             753     N/M
    Amortization of core deposit intangibles     105       180       (75 )   (41.67)%
    Total acquisition related items (net of tax)     858       180       678     376.67 %
    Other nonrecurring items (net of tax)                
    Proxy contest related expenses           413       (413 )   (100.00)%
    Prepayment penalties collected     (122 )     (133 )     11     (8.27)%
    Total other nonrecurring items (net of tax)     (122 )     280       (402 )   (143.57)%
    Adjusted net income from operations   $ 6,373     $ 11,305     $ (4,932 )   (43.63)%
                     
    Net interest income   $ 36,055     $ 39,087     $ (3,032 )   (7.76)%
    Prepayment penalties collected     (155 )     (169 )     14     (8.28)%
    Adjusted net interest income   $ 35,900     $ 38,918     $ (3,018 )   (7.75)%
                     
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                
    Based on adjusted net income from operations                
    Earnings per share   $ 1.43     $ 2.55     $ (1.12 )   (43.92)%
    Return on average assets     0.48 %     0.88 %       (0.40)%
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     5.96 %     11.62 %       (5.66)%
    Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity     6.38 %     12.55 %       (6.17)%
    Efficiency ratio     77.08 %     69.06 %       8.02 %
                     
    Based on adjusted net interest income                
    Yield on average earning assets (FTE)     5.16 %     4.83 %       0.33 %
    Rate on interest bearing liabilities     3.20 %     2.35 %       0.85 %
    Net interest margin to average earning assets (FTE)     2.85 %     3.22 %       (0.37)%
                     

    Average Balances, Interest Rate, and Net Interest Income

    The following tables present the daily average amount outstanding for each major category of interest earning assets, nonearning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and noninterest bearing liabilities. These tables also present an analysis of interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. All interest income is reported on a FTE basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%. Loans in nonaccrual status, for the purpose of the following computations, are included in the average loan balances.

    Net interest income is the amount by which interest income on earning assets exceeds the interest expenses on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income, which includes loan fees, is influenced by changes in the balance and mix of assets and liabilities and market interest rates. We exert some control over these factors; however, FRB monetary policy and competition have a significant impact. For analytical purposes, net interest income is adjusted to a FTE basis by adding the income tax savings from interest on tax exempt loans, and nontaxable investment securities, thus making period-to-period comparisons more meaningful.

        Three Months Ended
        September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
        Average Balance   Tax Equivalent Interest   Average Yield / Rate   Average Balance   Tax Equivalent Interest   Average Yield / Rate   Average Balance   Tax Equivalent Interest   Average Yield / Rate
    Interest earning assets                                    
    Total loans   $ 1,450,371     $ 19,599   5.38 %   $ 1,462,362     $ 19,550   5.38 %   $ 1,477,343     $ 19,170   5.15 %
    Taxable investment securities     89,175       335   1.49 %     89,751       350   1.57 %     101,549       397   1.55 %
    Nontaxable investment securities     10,580       57   2.14 %     11,059       62   2.25 %     12,670       70   2.19 %
    Interest earning cash and cash equivalents     148,872       2,023   5.41 %     97,511       1,331   5.49 %     43,865       594   5.37 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     9,179       192   8.32 %     9,179       207   9.07 %     11,421       199   6.91 %
    Total earning assets     1,708,177       22,206   5.17 %     1,669,862       21,500   5.18 %     1,646,848       20,430   4.92 %
                                         
    Nonearning assets                                    
    Allowance for credit losses     (15,282 )             (15,300 )             (15,503 )        
    Premises and equipment, net     13,514               13,964               15,210          
    Accrued income and other assets     90,898               94,125               92,955          
    Total assets   $ 1,797,307             $ 1,762,651             $ 1,739,510          
                                         
    Interest bearing liabilities                                    
    Interest bearing demand deposits   $ 460,256     $ 4,054   3.50 %   $ 429,141     $ 3,745   3.51 %   $ 416,500     $ 3,230   3.08 %
    Savings deposits     261,620       416   0.63 %     266,731       408   0.62 %     290,939       429   0.59 %
    Time deposits     336,570       3,865   4.57 %     330,024       3,756   4.58 %     248,389       2,280   3.64 %
    Borrowed funds     179,219       1,867   4.14 %     178,474       1,741   3.92 %     201,007       1,818   3.59 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities     1,237,665       10,202   3.28 %     1,204,370       9,650   3.22 %     1,156,835       7,757   2.66 %
                                         
    Noninterest bearing liabilities                                    
    Noninterest bearing deposits     402,274               405,985               435,398          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities     12,128               9,719               14,417          
    Shareholders’ equity     145,240               142,577               132,860          
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,797,307             $ 1,762,651             $ 1,739,510          
    Net interest income (FTE)       $ 12,004           $ 11,850           $ 12,673    
    Net interest margin to earning assets (FTE)           2.80 %           2.85 %           3.05 %
                                         
        Nine Months Ended
        September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
        Average Balance   Tax Equivalent Interest   Average Yield / Rate   Average Balance   Tax Equivalent Interest   Average Yield / Rate
    Interest earning assets                        
    Total loans   $ 1,461,289     $ 58,758   5.37 %   $ 1,464,959     $ 55,749   5.09 %
    Taxable investment securities     91,041       1,044   1.53 %     106,158       1,250   1.57 %
    Nontaxable investment securities     11,200       186   2.22 %     13,403       227   2.26 %
    Interest earning cash and cash equivalents     114,540       4,673   5.45 %     24,484       955   5.21 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     9,179       600   8.73 %     11,011       515   6.25 %
    Total earning assets     1,687,249       65,261   5.17 %     1,620,015       58,696   4.84 %
                             
    Nonearning assets                        
    Allowance for credit losses     (15,328 )             (15,290 )        
    Premises and equipment, net     13,957               15,342          
    Accrued income and other assets     91,310               90,874          
    Total assets   $ 1,777,188             $ 1,710,941          
                             
    Interest bearing liabilities                        
    Interest bearing demand deposits   $ 436,997     $ 11,358   3.47 %   $ 385,316     $ 7,927   2.75 %
    Savings deposits     266,883       1,237   0.62 %     312,762       1,336   0.57 %
    Time deposits     331,113       11,265   4.54 %     196,838       4,595   3.12 %
    Borrowed funds     180,738       5,307   3.92 %     216,771       5,703   3.52 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities     1,215,731       29,167   3.20 %     1,111,687       19,561   2.35 %
                             
    Noninterest bearing liabilities                        
    Noninterest bearing deposits     408,449               455,069          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities     10,212               14,117          
    Shareholders’ equity     142,796               130,068          
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,777,188             $ 1,710,941          
    Net interest income (FTE)       $ 36,094           $ 39,135    
    Net interest margin to earning assets (FTE)           2.86 %           3.23 %
                             

    Volume and Rate Variance Analysis

    The following table sets forth the effect of volume and rate changes on interest income and expense for the periods indicated. For the purpose of this table, changes in interest due to volume and rate were determined as follows:

    Volume – change in volume multiplied by the previous period’s rate.
    Rate – change in the FTE rate multiplied by the previous period’s volume.

    The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.

        Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30, 2024   September 30, 2024   September 30, 2024
        Compared To   Compared To   Compared To
        June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023   September 30, 2023
        Increase (Decrease) Due to   Increase (Decrease) Due to   Increase (Decrease) Due to
        Volume   Rate   Net   Volume   Rate   Net   Volume   Rate   Net
    Changes in interest income                                    
    Total loans   $ 49     $     $ 49     $ (1,847 )   $ 2,276     $ 429     $ (227 )   $ 3,236     $ 3,009  
    Taxable investment securities     (2 )     (13 )     (15 )     (47 )     (15 )     (62 )     (175 )     (31 )     (206 )
    Nontaxable investment securities     (2 )     (3 )     (5 )     (12 )     (1 )     (13 )     (37 )     (4 )     (41 )
    Interest earning cash and cash equivalents     825       (133 )     692       1,424       5       1,429       3,672       46       3,718  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock           (15 )     (15 )     (161 )     154       (7 )     (137 )     222       85  
    Total changes in interest income     870       (164 )     706       (643 )     2,419       1,776       3,096       3,469       6,565  
                                         
    Changes in interest expense                                    
    Interest bearing demand deposits     380       (71 )     309       359       465       824       1,162       2,269       3,431  
    Savings deposits     (25 )     33       8       (147 )     134       (13 )     (258 )     159       (99 )
    Time deposits     158       (49 )     109       922       663       1,585       4,001       2,669       6,670  
    Borrowed funds     9       117       126       (896 )     945       49       (1,265 )     869       (396 )
    Total changes in interest expense     522       30       552       238       2,207       2,445       3,640       5,966       9,606  
    Net change in net interest income (FTE)   $ 348     $ (194 )   $ 154     $ (881 )   $ 212     $ (669 )   $ (544 )   $ (2,497 )   $ (3,041 )
                                         
        Average Yield/Rate for the Three Months Ended
        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Total earning assets   5.17 %   5.18 %   5.15 %   5.06 %   4.92 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities   3.28 %   3.22 %   3.11 %   2.90 %   2.66 %
    Net interest margin to earning assets (FTE)   2.80 %   2.85 %   2.92 %   3.01 %   3.05 %
                         
        Quarter to Date Net Interest Income (FTE)
        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Interest income   $ 22,194     $ 21,487     $ 21,541   $ 21,033     $ 20,416  
    FTE adjustment     12       13       14     14       14  
    Total interest income (FTE)     22,206       21,500       21,555     21,047       20,430  
    Total interest expense     10,202       9,650       9,315     8,526       7,757  
    Net interest income (FTE)   $ 12,004     $ 11,850     $ 12,240   $ 12,521     $ 12,673  
                         

    Noninterest Income

        Three Months Ended
        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Service charges and fees                    
    Trust and investment services     619       607       641       433       572  
    ATM and debit card     541       545       512       549       568  
    Service charges on deposit accounts     163       162       140       211       244  
    Total     1,323       1,314       1,293       1,193       1,384  
    Net gain on sales of residential mortgage loans     211       177       143       96       164  
    Net gain on sales of commercial loans     133       98       296       226        
    Change in fair value of equity investments     33       (3 )     (10 )     42       (28 )
    Changes in the fair value of MSR     (175 )     (44 )     (96 )     (108 )     119  
    Other                    
    Mortgage servicing fees     389       386       394       398       398  
    Change in cash surrender value of corporate owned life insurance     206       207       204       192       181  
    Other     90       179       131       106       120  
    Total     685       772       729       696       699  
    Total noninterest income   $ 2,210     $ 2,314     $ 2,355     $ 2,145     $ 2,338  
                         
    Memo items:                    
    Residential mortgage operations   $ 425     $ 519     $ 441     $ 386     $ 681  
        Nine Months Ended September 30   Variance
          2024       2023     Amount   %
    Service charges and fees                
    Trust and investment services   $ 1,867     $ 1,704     $ 163     9.57 %
    ATM and debit card     1,598       1,669       (71 )   (4.25)%
    Service charges on deposit accounts     465       686       (221 )   (32.22)%
    Total     3,930       4,059       (129 )   (3.18)%
    Net gain on sales of residential mortgage loans     531       523       8     1.53 %
    Net gain on sales of commercial loans     527       95       432     454.74 %
    Change in fair value of equity investments     20       (29 )     49     (168.97)%
    Changes in the fair value of MSR     (315 )     218       (533 )   (244.50)%
    Other                
    Mortgage servicing fees     1,169       1,210       (41 )   (3.39)%
    Change in cash surrender value of corporate owned life insurance     617       531       86     16.20 %
    Other     400       519       (119 )   (22.93)%
    Total     2,186       2,260       (74 )   (3.27)%
    Total noninterest income   $ 6,879     $ 7,126     $ (247 )   (3.47)%
                     
    Memo items:                
    Residential mortgage operations   $ 1,385     $ 1,951     $ (566 )   (29.01)%
                     

    Residential Mortgage Operations

    Residential mortgage operations includes net gains on sales of loans, changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights, and mortgage servicing fees.

    Net gain on sales of residential mortgage loans represents the income earned on the sale of residential mortgage loans into the secondary market. Although elevated interest rates and limited inventories have significantly driven down the volume of new originations and refinancing activity, we continue to actively sell residential mortgage loans into the secondary market. During the third quarter of 2024, residential mortgage originations sold into the secondary market totaled $10,722.

    Changes in the fair value of MSR are highly correlated to changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds. During the third quarter of 2024, the fair value of the servicing portfolio decreased primarily due to a decline in the size of the servicing portfolio, as the portfolio declined by $4,741. Mortgage servicing rights are expected to continue to decline due to likely further reductions in the size of our servicing portfolio as paydowns and maturities are expected to outpace new originations.

    Mortgage servicing fees includes the fees earned for servicing loans that have been sold into the secondary market. The annual decrease in mortgage servicing fees is directly related to the size of the serviced portfolio. Due to reduced levels of secondary market originations and prepayments, the serviced loan portfolio declined by $22,584, or 3.58%, since September 30, 2023. We expect mortgage servicing fees to trend modestly downward in future periods due to decreased secondary market originations.

    All Other Noninterest Income

    Trust and investment services includes income earned from contracts with customers to manage assets for investment and/or to transact on their accounts through the wealth management and trust department. Trust services and wealth management fees are subject to market fluctuations and interest rate changes. We expect trust and investment services fees to modestly increase in future periods.

    ATM and debit card income represents fees earned on ATM and debit card transactions. We expect these fees to approximate current levels in 2024.

    Service charges on deposit accounts includes fees earned from deposit customers for transaction-based charges, account maintenance and overdraft services. These charges have declined in 2024 due to a reduced level of NSF fees charged to customers based on regulatory guidance and overall industry trends. Service charges on deposit accounts are expected to approximate current levels throughout the remainder of the year.

    Net gain on sales of commercial loans represents the income earned from the sale of commercial loans into the secondary market. Throughout 2024, we sold the guaranteed portion of select SBA loans. We anticipate this strategy to continue throughout the remainder of the year.

    Change in cash surrender value of corporate owned life insurance is expected to modestly increase throughout 2024.

    Other includes miscellaneous other income items, none of which are individually significant.

    Noninterest Expenses

        Three Months Ended
        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Compensation and benefits   $ 5,839   $ 5,842   $ 6,066   $ 5,521   $ 5,592
    Professional services     799     963     894     695     726
    Furniture and equipment     668     689     727     696     668
    Occupancy     622     605     623     610     591
    Data processing     751     490     547     505     576
    Loan and collection     349     425     322     301     232
    Advertising and promotional     312     337     348     139     506
    Other                    
    Acquisition related expenses     953                
    FDIC insurance premiums     275     327     299     270     330
    ATM and debit card     214     188     171     158     153
    Telephone and communication     95     86     109     103     115
    Amortization of core deposit intangibles     44     44     45     76     75
    Other general and administrative     1,053     925     1,015     1,047     1,030
    Total     2,634     1,570     1,639     1,654     1,703
    Total noninterest expenses   $ 11,974   $ 10,921   $ 11,166   $ 10,121   $ 10,594
                         
        Nine Months Ended
    September 30
      Variance
          2024     2023   Amount   %
    Compensation and benefits   $ 17,747   $ 16,876   $ 871     5.16 %
    Professional services     2,656     2,729     (73 )   (2.67)%
    Furniture and equipment     2,084     2,079     5     0.24 %
    Occupancy     1,850     1,815     35     1.93 %
    Data processing     1,788     1,654     134     8.10 %
    Loan and collection     1,096     929     167     17.98 %
    Advertising and promotional     997     1,466     (469 )   (31.99)%
    Other                
    Acquisition related expenses     953         953     N/M
    FDIC insurance premiums     901     861     40     4.65 %
    ATM and debit card     573     493     80     16.23 %
    Telephone and communication     290     334     (44 )   (13.17)%
    Amortization of core deposit intangibles     133     227     (94 )   (41.41)%
    Other general and administrative     2,993     3,084     (91 )   (2.95)%
    Total     5,843     4,999     844     16.88 %
    Total noninterest expenses   $ 34,061   $ 32,547   $ 1,514     4.65 %
                     

    Compensation and benefits includes salaries, commissions and incentives, employee benefits, and payroll taxes. Compensation and benefits has increased in 2024 due to an increase in the size of the organization, merit increases, and market based adjustments. We expect a modest increase in overall compensation and benefits throughout the remainder of 2024.

    Professional services include expenses relating to third-party professional services. These services include, but are not limited to, regulatory, auditing, consulting, and legal. Professional services expenses are expected to approximate current levels in future periods.

    Furniture and equipment and occupancy expenses primarily consist of depreciation, repairs and maintenance, certain service contracts, and other related items. These expenses are expected to approximate current levels throughout the remainder of 2024.

    Data processing primarily includes the expenses relating to our core data processor. The increase in data processing in the third quarter of 2024 is primarily due to the loss of incentive credits from our core data processor following our proposed merger announcement. Data processing expenses are expected to modestly increase throughout 2024 due to annual contractual increases from our core data processor.

    Loan and collection includes expenses related to the origination and collection of loans. The increase in such expenses in 2024 is due to increased levels of home ownership grants. Loan and collection expenses are expected to approximate current levels in future periods as loan growth is expected to approximate current levels.

    Advertising and promotional expenses includes media costs and any donations or sponsorships. These expenses also include marketing efforts to attract new and expand existing customer loan and deposit account relationships. Total advertising and promotional expenses have declined in 2024 due to the expiration of certain long-term sponsorship commitments. Advertising and promotional expenses are expected to approximate current levels in future periods.

    Acquisition related expenses includes expenses related to our proposed merger with ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., which was announced during the third quarter of 2024. These expenses include services rendered for investment banking, legal and accounting. We expect to incur additional acquisition related expenses in future periods.

    FDIC insurance premiums typically fluctuate each period based on the size of the balance sheet, capital position and overall risk profile. FDIC insurance premiums are expected to approximate current levels in future periods.

    ATM and debit card expenses fluctuate based on customer and non-customer utilization of ATMs and customer debit card volumes. We expect these fees to approximate current levels in future periods.

    Telephone and communication includes expenses relating to our communication systems. These expenses are expected to approximate current levels in future periods.

    Amortization of core deposit intangibles relates to the core deposits acquired from Community Bancorp, Inc. on December 31, 2016 and FSB on December 1, 2021. These core deposit intangibles are being amortized using an accelerated sum-of-years-digits method over their estimated useful lives of seven years. The core deposit intangibles associated with the acquisition of Community Bancorp, Inc. were fully amortized as of December 31, 2023. The core deposit intangibles associated with the acquisition of FSB will be amortized through 2028.

    Other general and administrative includes miscellaneous other expense items. Other general and administrative expenses are expected to approximate current levels in future periods.

    Balance Sheet Breakdown and Analysis

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    ASSETS                    
    Cash and due from banks   $ 199,717   $ 128,590   $ 132,349   $ 90,661   $ 83,365
    Total investment securities     99,724     100,167     103,210     107,615     109,543
    Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value     1,861     2,440     1,067     747     1,037
    Gross loans     1,442,389     1,459,929     1,461,465     1,473,471     1,483,720
    Less allowance for credit losses     14,700     15,300     15,300     15,400     15,400
    Net loans     1,427,689     1,444,629     1,446,165     1,458,071     1,468,320
    All other assets     78,379     80,803     81,838     81,858     82,674
    Total assets   $ 1,807,370   $ 1,756,629   $ 1,764,629   $ 1,738,952   $ 1,744,939
                         
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                    
    Total deposits   $ 1,470,586   $ 1,427,059   $ 1,438,408   $ 1,394,182   $ 1,401,797
    Total borrowed funds     179,970     178,397     178,500     198,500     201,050
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     10,416     7,872     6,647     7,568     9,190
    Total liabilities     1,660,972     1,613,328     1,623,555     1,600,250     1,612,037
    Total shareholders’ equity     146,398     143,301     141,074     138,702     132,902
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,807,370   $ 1,756,629   $ 1,764,629   $ 1,738,952   $ 1,744,939
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024   9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance   Variance
        Amount   %   Amount   %
    ASSETS                
    Cash and due from banks   $ 71,127     55.31 %   $ 116,352     139.57 %
    Total investment securities     (443 )   (0.44)%     (9,819 )   (8.96)%
    Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value     (579 )   (23.73)%     824     79.46 %
    Gross loans     (17,540 )   (1.20)%     (41,331 )   (2.79)%
    Less allowance for credit losses     (600 )   (3.92)%     (700 )   (4.55)%
    Net loans     (16,940 )   (1.17)%     (40,631 )   (2.77)%
    All other assets     (2,424 )   (3.00)%     (4,295 )   (5.20)%
    Total assets   $ 50,741     2.89 %   $ 62,431     3.58 %
                     
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
    Total deposits   $ 43,527     3.05 %   $ 68,789     4.91 %
    Total borrowed funds     1,573     0.88 %     (21,080 )   (10.48)%
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     2,544     32.32 %     1,226     13.34 %
    Total liabilities     47,644     2.95 %     48,935     3.04 %
    Total shareholders’ equity     3,097     2.16 %     13,496     10.15 %
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 50,741     2.89 %   $ 62,431     3.58 %
                     

    Cash and due from banks

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Cash and due from banks                    
    Noninterest bearing   $ 37,871   $ 35,437     $ 26,128   $ 29,997   $ 35,121  
    Interest bearing     161,846     93,153       106,221     60,664     48,244  
    Total   $ 199,717   $ 128,590     $ 132,349   $ 90,661   $ 83,365  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Cash and due from banks                    
    Noninterest bearing   $ 2,434     6.87 %       $ 2,750     7.83 %
    Interest bearing     68,693     73.74 %         113,602     235.47 %
    Total   $ 71,127     55.31 %       $ 116,352     139.57 %
                         

    Cash and due from banks fluctuates from period to period based on loan demand and variances in deposit account balances.

    Primary and secondary liquidity sources

    The following table outlines our primary and secondary sources of liquidity as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 199,717   $ 128,590   $ 132,349   $ 90,661   $ 83,365
    Fair value of unpledged investment securities     77,019     74,775     73,680     80,247     82,103
    FHLB borrowing availability     190,000     190,000     190,000     170,000     170,000
    Unsecured lines of credit     23,000     23,000     23,000     20,000     20,000
    Funds available through the Fed Discount Window     109     106     107     111     110
    Parent company line of credit     5,100     7,000     3,500     3,500     950
    Total liquidity sources   $ 494,945   $ 423,471   $ 422,636   $ 364,519   $ 356,528
                         

    The increase in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in total deposits (see “Total deposits” below).

    In addition to the above liquidity sources, we also have the option of utilizing wholesale funding sources, such as brokered NOW accounts, brokered time deposits, and internet time deposits. Although wholesale funding sources are typically more expensive than core deposits and other liquidity sources, they are an integral part of our overall asset and liability management strategy.

    Investment securities

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Available-for-sale                    
    U.S. Government and federal agency   $ 19,432     $ 20,430     $ 20,427     $ 22,425     $ 23,420  
    State and municipal     18,997       19,108       20,403       20,460       20,992  
    Mortgage backed residential     44,086       45,808       47,505       49,076       50,786  
    Certificates of deposit     2,234       2,481       2,729       2,728       3,956  
    Collateralized mortgage obligations – agencies     21,640       22,213       22,778       23,320       24,062  
    Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities     (8,798 )     (12,179 )     (13,027 )     (12,760 )     (15,958 )
    Total available-for-sale     97,591       97,861       100,815       105,249       107,258  
    Held-to-maturity state and municipal     535       791       877       878       879  
    Equity securities     1,598       1,515       1,518       1,488       1,406  
    Total investment securities   $ 99,724     $ 100,167     $ 103,210     $ 107,615     $ 109,543  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Available-for-sale                    
    U.S. Government and federal agency     (998 )   (4.88)%       $ (3,988 )   (17.03)%
    State and municipal     (111 )   (0.58)%         (1,995 )   (9.50)%
    Mortgage backed residential     (1,722 )   (3.76)%         (6,700 )   (13.19)%
    Certificates of deposit     (247 )   (9.96)%         (1,722 )   (43.53)%
    Collateralized mortgage obligations – agencies     (573 )   (2.58)%         (2,422 )   (10.07)%
    Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities     3,381     (27.76)%         7,160     (44.87)%
    Total available-for-sale     (270 )   (0.28)%         (9,667 )   (9.01)%
    Held-to-maturity state and municipal     (256 )   (32.36)%         (344 )   (39.14)%
    Equity securities     83       5.48 %         192       13.66 %
    Total investment securities   $ (443 )   (0.44)%       $ (9,819 )   (8.96)%
                         

    The amortized cost and fair value of AFS investment securities as of September 30, 2024 were as follows:

        Maturing        
        Due in One Year or Less   After One Year But Within Five Years   After Five Years But Within Ten Years   After Ten Years   Securities with Variable Monthly Payments or Noncontractual Maturities   Total
    U.S. Government and federal agency   $ 6,481   $ 12,951   $   $   $   $ 19,432
    State and municipal     1,624     15,190     1,113     1,070         18,997
    Mortgage backed residential                     44,086     44,086
    Certificates of deposit     2,234                     2,234
    Collateralized mortgage obligations – agencies                     21,640     21,640
    Total amortized cost   $ 10,339   $ 28,141   $ 1,113   $ 1,070   $ 65,726   $ 106,389
    Fair value   $ 10,111   $ 26,620   $ 1,017   $ 1,001   $ 58,842   $ 97,591
                             

    The amortized cost and fair value of HTM investment securities as of September 30, 2024 were as follows:

        Maturing        
        Due in One Year or Less   After One Year But Within Five Years   After Five Years But Within Ten Years   After Ten Years   Securities with Variable Monthly Payments or Noncontractual Maturities   Total
    State and municipal   $ 85   $ 295   $ 155   $   $   $ 535
    Fair value   $ 84   $ 290   $ 152   $   $   $ 526
                             

    Total investment securities have declined in recent periods primarily due to maturities and prepayments. As a result of overall market conditions, we have not replenished maturing securities with new purchases.

    Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value

    Loans HFS represent the fair value of loans that have been committed to be sold to the secondary market, but have not yet been delivered. The level of loans HFS fluctuates based on loan demand as well as the timing of loan deliveries to the secondary market.

    Loans and allowance for credit losses

    As outlined in the following tables, our loan portfolio has strategically declined throughout the past 12 months. As a result of current market conditions, we expect minimal loan growth throughout the remainder of 2024. Specifically, our commercial pipeline has declined significantly, and the requests that are being presented are lower dollar balances and often carry an SBA guarantee.

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in the loan portfolio as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Commercial and industrial   $ 109,188     $ 120,331     $ 114,772     $ 118,089     $ 125,330  
    Commercial real estate     855,270       864,200       867,270       870,693       874,870  
    Total commercial loans     964,458       984,531       982,042       988,782       1,000,200  
    Residential mortgage     419,140       418,403       426,762       431,836       431,740  
    Home equity     55,475       53,133       48,568       48,380       47,069  
    Total residential real estate loans     474,615       471,536       475,330       480,216       478,809  
    Consumer     3,316       3,862       4,093       4,473       4,711  
    Gross loans     1,442,389       1,459,929       1,461,465       1,473,471       1,483,720  
    Allowance for credit losses     (14,700 )     (15,300 )     (15,300 )     (15,400 )     (15,400 )
    Loans, net   $ 1,427,689     $ 1,444,629     $ 1,446,165     $ 1,458,071     $ 1,468,320  
                         
    Memo items:                    
    Residential mortgage loans serviced for others   $ 609,113     $ 613,854     $ 619,160     $ 624,765     $ 631,697  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Commercial and industrial   $ (11,143 )   (9.26)%       $ (16,142 )   (12.88)%
    Commercial real estate     (8,930 )   (1.03)%         (19,600 )   (2.24)%
    Total commercial loans     (20,073 )   (2.04)%         (35,742 )   (3.57)%
    Residential mortgage     737       0.18 %         (12,600 )   (2.92)%
    Home equity     2,342       4.41 %         8,406       17.86 %
    Total residential real estate loans     3,079       0.65 %         (4,194 )   (0.88)%
    Consumer     (546 )   (14.14)%         (1,395 )   (29.61)%
    Gross loans     (17,540 )   (1.20)%         (41,331 )   (2.79)%
    Allowance for credit losses     600     (3.92)%         700     (4.55)%
    Loans, net   $ (16,940 )   (1.17)%       $ (40,631 )   (2.77)%
                         
    Memo items:                    
    Residential mortgage loans serviced for others   $ (4,741 )   (0.77)%       $ (22,584 )   (3.58)%
                         

    The following table presents historical loan balances by portfolio segment as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Loans collectively evaluated                    
    Commercial and industrial   $ 102,523   $ 113,254   $ 112,542   $ 115,665   $ 124,860
    Commercial real estate     854,038     864,026     867,270     870,524     874,701
    Residential mortgage     416,864     416,130     423,881     429,109     428,927
    Home equity     55,416     53,056     48,388     48,136     46,898
    Consumer     3,325     3,862     4,093     4,473     4,711
    Subtotal     1,432,166     1,450,328     1,456,174     1,467,907     1,480,097
    Loans individually evaluated                    
    Commercial and industrial     6,665     7,077     2,230     2,424     470
    Commercial real estate     1,232     174         169     169
    Residential mortgage     2,276     2,273     2,881     2,727     2,813
    Home equity     48     77     180     244     171
    Consumer     2                
    Subtotal     10,223     9,601     5,291     5,564     3,623
    Gross Loans   $ 1,442,389   $ 1,459,929   $ 1,461,465   $ 1,473,471   $ 1,483,720
                         

    The following table presents historical allowance for credit losses allocations by portfolio segment as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Allowance for credit losses for collectively evaluated loans                    
    Commercial and industrial   $ 1,436   $ 1,434   $ 1,300   $ 1,407   $ 1,362
    Commercial real estate     8,347     8,903     8,359     8,467     8,703
    Residential mortgage     4,131     4,133     4,202     4,409     4,439
    Home equity     348     327     305     321     315
    Consumer     51     80     38     44     36
    Unallocated             670     355     294
    Subtotal     14,313     14,877     14,874     15,003     15,149
    Allowance for credit losses for individually evaluated loans                    
    Commercial and industrial     385     423     423     363     248
    Commercial real estate                    
    Residential mortgage             3     34     3
    Home equity                    
    Consumer     2                
    Unallocated                    
    Subtotal     387     423     426     397     251
    Allowance for credit losses   $ 14,700   $ 15,300   $ 15,300   $ 15,400   $ 15,400
                         
    Commercial and industrial   $ 1,784   $ 1,857   $ 1,723   $ 1,770   $ 1,610
    Commercial real estate     8,347     8,903     8,359     8,467     8,703
    Residential mortgage     4,131     4,133     4,205     4,443     4,442
    Home equity     348     327     305     321     315
    Consumer     53     80     38     44     36
    Unallocated             670     355     294
    Allowance for credit losses   $ 14,700   $ 15,300   $ 15,300   $ 15,400   $ 15,400
                         

    Loan concentration analysis

    As a result of current economic conditions, there continues to be a heightened focus in the financial industry for non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, most specifically retail and office space industries. While we continue to monitor various industries that have been impacted by the pandemic, we also continue to monitor the effects of inflation, supply chain disruption, elevated interest rates, and office space usage associated with an increased remote workforce. The overall credit quality indicators of non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio have remained strong. Performance is based on debt service coverage ratio, loan to value ratio and payment trends. As of September 30, 2024, there were no delinquencies in the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio. We expect the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio to experience insignificant growth, if any, in future periods.

    Within the net lease and retail strip center non-owner occupied commercial real estate pools, we have exposure to Rite Aid. During the fourth quarter of 2023, Rite Aid, which operates over 2,000 retail pharmacies across 17 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. During the third quarter of 2024, Rite Aid announced that it successfully emerged from bankruptcy protection and will now operate as a private company. However, all Rite Aid stores in Michigan were closed as part of the company’s restructuring. As a result, one commercial real estate loan was partially charged off and its remaining balance was moved to nonaccrual status during the third quarter of 2024. We continue to actively monitor five remaining loans previously associated with Rite Aid.

    With the ongoing pressures on the office sector due to remote work capabilities and less required office space, we continue to monitor the office pool more closely for potential deterioration. It is not expected that there will be much, if any, impact on portfolio performance in this pool in the near future due to existing lease terms, tenant mix, office size, and strong underwriting at origination. Due to current economic uncertainty and the pressures noted above, it is unlikely that we will seek new loan originations in the non-owner occupied office pool in 2024.

    Below is a description of each industry pool within the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio:

    Net lease: Loans in this pool represent national credit tenants (or franchisees of the same) or large regional tenants with excellent credit. These loans are typically single tenant net lease credits with strong debt service coverage ratios and lease terms that extend beyond the maturity of the loan.

    Retail strip centers: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by retail strip centers. The tenant base within this pool consists primarily of retail space whose average lease periods run between one and ten years. Larger strip centers are usually anchored by a national or regional tenant. Guarantors in this category typically have large liquid reserves.

    Office: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by non-owner occupied office buildings. The tenant base includes legal and other professional services whose average lease periods run from three to fifteen years.

    Special use: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by special use buildings, which include hotels, motels, assisted living and nursing homes that are not classified as construction or SBA loans.

    Industrial: Loans in this pool represent investment properties used for manufacturing and production.

    Medical office: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by non-owner occupied medical office buildings. The tenant base includes medical services whose average lease periods run from three to fifteen years.

    Self storage: Loans in this pool represent self storage buildings. Loan terms are generally five years or less and the lease terms of the units are typically on a month-to-month basis.

    Mixed use: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by mixed use real estate. The tenant base within this pool consists primarily of office-retail, office-residential or retail-residential space. The properties are most often purchased by individuals for investment purposes.

    Retail: Loans in this pool represent loans collateralized by single tenant retail buildings whose average lease periods run over five years.

    The following tables present the composition of current and historical non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, based on loan collateral, by industry pool:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Net lease   $ 137,406     $ 141,064     $ 147,103   $ 149,056     $ 160,077  
    Retail strip centers     106,948       106,631       107,834     98,588       96,567  
    Office     61,897       62,237       61,657     61,822       62,959  
    Special use     71,307       71,006       58,278     58,710       57,612  
    Industrial     23,338       23,107       22,575     28,380       28,906  
    Medical office     24,551       24,818       25,380     25,842       28,591  
    Self storage     32,797       32,502       25,660     23,455       21,993  
    Mixed use     16,829       16,980       17,174     17,335       19,833  
    Retail     15,183       17,191       12,533     12,981       14,115  
                         
    Total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans   $ 490,256     $ 495,536     $ 478,194   $ 476,169     $ 490,653  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Net lease   $ (3,658 )   (2.59)%       $ (22,671 )   (14.16)%
    Retail strip centers     317       0.30 %         10,381       10.75 %
    Office     (340 )   (0.55)%         (1,062 )   (1.69)%
    Special use     301       0.42 %         13,695       23.77 %
    Industrial     231       1.00 %         (5,568 )   (19.26)%
    Medical office     (267 )   (1.08)%         (4,040 )   (14.13)%
    Self storage     295       0.91 %         10,804       49.12 %
    Mixed use     (151 )   (0.89)%         (3,004 )   (15.15)%
    Retail     (2,008 )   (11.68)%         1,068       7.57 %
                         
    Total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans   $ (5,280 )   (1.07)%       $ (397 )   (0.08)%
                         

    The following table presents the average loan size of current and historical non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, based on loan collateral, by industry pool:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Net lease   $ 1,383   $ 1,291   $ 1,311   $ 1,316   $ 1,300
    Retail strip centers     2,379     2,197     2,231     2,135     2,115
    Office     1,370     1,363     1,296     1,297     1,294
    Special use     2,612     2,546     2,064     2,079     2,134
    Industrial     933     925     941     1,092     1,072
    Medical office     1,116     1,128     1,103     1,078     1,145
    Self storage     1,923     1,926     1,509     1,380     1,692
    Mixed use     1,324     1,334     1,321     1,333     1,240
    Retail     407     513     447     461     429
                         
    Total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans   $ 1,489   $ 1,448   $ 1,392   $ 1,379   $ 1,362
                         

    The following table presents current and historical non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, based on loan collateral, by industry pool as a percentage of gross loans:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Net lease   9.53 %   9.66 %   10.07 %   10.12 %   10.79 %
    Retail strip centers   7.41 %   7.30 %   7.38 %   6.69 %   6.51 %
    Office   4.29 %   4.26 %   4.22 %   4.20 %   4.24 %
    Special use   4.94 %   4.86 %   3.99 %   3.98 %   3.88 %
    Industrial   1.62 %   1.58 %   1.54 %   1.93 %   1.95 %
    Medical office   1.70 %   1.70 %   1.74 %   1.75 %   1.93 %
    Self storage   2.27 %   2.23 %   1.76 %   1.59 %   1.48 %
    Mixed use   1.17 %   1.16 %   1.18 %   1.18 %   1.34 %
    Retail   1.05 %   1.18 %   0.86 %   0.88 %   0.95 %
                         
    Total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans to gross loans   33.98 %   33.93 %   32.74 %   32.32 %   33.07 %
                         

    Asset quality

    The following table summarizes our current, past due, and nonaccrual loans as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Accruing interest                    
    Current   $ 1,428,014   $ 1,445,780   $ 1,451,432   $ 1,463,668   $ 1,477,386
    Past due 30-89 days     4,152     4,534     4,344     4,239     2,711
    Past due 90 days or more         14     398        
    Total accruing interest     1,432,166     1,450,328     1,456,174     1,467,907     1,480,097
    Nonaccrual     10,223     9,601     5,291     5,564     3,623
    Total loans   $ 1,442,389   $ 1,459,929   $ 1,461,465   $ 1,473,471   $ 1,483,720
    Total loans past due and in nonaccrual status   $ 14,375   $ 14,149   $ 10,033   $ 9,803   $ 6,334
                         

    The following table summarizes the our nonperforming assets as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 10,223   $ 9,601   $ 5,291   $ 5,564   $ 3,623
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more         14     398        
    Total nonperforming loans     10,223     9,615     5,689     5,564     3,623
    Other real estate owned     293     293     345     597     345
    Total nonperforming assets   $ 10,516   $ 9,908   $ 6,034   $ 6,161   $ 3,968
                         

    The following table summarizes our charge-offs, recoveries and allowance for credit losses as of, and for the three-month periods ended:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Total charge-offs   $ 1,814   $ 814   $ 86     $ 110     $ 16  
    Total recoveries     11     18     29       300       455  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries)   $ 1,803   $ 796   $ 57     $ (190 )   $ (439 )
    Allowance for credit losses   $ 1,203   $ 796   $ (43 )   $ (190 )   $ (309 )
                         

    During the third quarter of 2024, we partially charged off one commercial real estate loan for $1,443 related to the Rite Aid bankruptcy filing. We believe that the credit characteristics are unique and are not an indication of softening in the remainder of our commercial loan portfolio.

    The following table summarizes the our primary asset quality measures as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Nonperforming loans to gross loans   0.71 %   0.66 %   0.39 %   0.38 %   0.24 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.58 %   0.56 %   0.34 %   0.35 %   0.23 %
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.02 %   1.05 %   1.05 %   1.05 %   1.04 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to QTD average gross loans   0.12 %   0.05 %   %   (0.01)%   (0.03)%
    Credit loss expense (reversal) to QTD average gross loans   0.08 %   0.05 %   %   (0.01)%   (0.02)%
                         

    The following table summarizes the average loan size as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Commercial and industrial   $ 310   $ 343   $ 326   $ 334   $ 353
    Commercial real estate     901     906     900     905     896
    Total commercial loans     740     754     746     752     751
    Residential mortgage     235     234     234     236     234
    Home equity     58     56     53     53     52
    Total residential real estate loans     173     173     174     175     174
    Consumer     12     13     13     13     12
    Gross loans   $ 335   $ 337   $ 336   $ 337   $ 335
                         

    All other assets

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in other assets as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Premises and equipment, net   $ 13,203     $ 13,661     $ 14,111   $ 14,561     $ 14,928  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     9,179       9,179       9,179     9,179       9,179  
    Corporate owned life insurance     28,129       27,877       27,670     27,466       27,274  
    Mortgage servicing rights     8,461       8,636       8,680     8,776       8,884  
    Accrued interest receivable     4,354       4,747       4,869     4,472       4,485  
    Goodwill     8,853       8,853       8,853     8,853       8,853  
    Other assets                    
    Core deposit intangibles     400       444       488     533       609  
    Right-of-use assets     1,062       1,142       1,237     1,333       1,426  
    Other real estate owned     293       293       345     597       345  
    Other     4,445       5,971       6,406     6,088       6,691  
    Total     6,200       7,850       8,476     8,551       9,071  
    All other assets   $ 78,379     $ 80,803     $ 81,838   $ 81,858     $ 82,674  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Premises and equipment, net   $ (458 )   (3.35)%       $ (1,725 )   (11.56)%
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock           %               %
    Corporate owned life insurance     252       0.90 %         855       3.13 %
    Mortgage servicing rights     (175 )   (2.03)%         (423 )   (4.76)%
    Accrued interest receivable     (393 )   (8.28)%         (131 )   (2.92)%
    Goodwill           %               %
    Other assets                    
    Core deposit intangibles     (44 )   (9.91)%         (209 )   (34.32)%
    Right-of-use assets     (80 )   (7.01)%         (364 )   (25.53)%
    Other real estate owned           %         (52 )   (15.07)%
    Other     (1,526 )   (25.56)%         (2,246 )   (33.57)%
    Total     (1,650 )   (21.02)%         (2,871 )   (31.65)%
    All other assets   $ (2,424 )   (3.00)%       $ (4,295 )   (5.20)%
                         

    The annual decrease in premises and equipment was due to depreciation on our existing premises and equipment.

    Total deposits

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in the deposit portfolio as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Noninterest bearing demand   $ 398,338     $ 404,521     $ 401,518   $ 423,019     $ 425,820  
    Interest bearing                    
    Savings     264,337       262,538       274,922     273,302       293,310  
    Money market demand     250,715       230,304       229,584     223,827       225,138  
    NOW                    
    Retail NOW     202,030       205,383       203,614     178,892       198,271  
    Brokered NOW                            
                         
    Total NOW Accounts     202,030       205,383       203,614     178,892       198,271  
    Time deposits                    
    Other time deposits     294,862       264,009       268,466     234,838       198,509  
    Brokered time deposits     60,304       60,304       60,304     60,304       60,251  
    Internet time deposits                           498  
                         
    Total time deposits     355,166       324,313       328,770     295,142       259,258  
                         
    Total deposits   $ 1,470,586     $ 1,427,059     $ 1,438,408   $ 1,394,182     $ 1,401,797  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Noninterest bearing demand   $ (6,183 )   (1.53)%       $ (27,482 )   (6.45)%
    Interest bearing                    
    Savings     1,799       0.69 %         (28,973 )   (9.88)%
    Money market demand     20,411       8.86 %         25,577       11.36 %
    NOW                    
    Retail NOW     (3,353 )   (1.63)%         3,759       1.90 %
    Brokered NOW           %               %
                         
    Total NOW Accounts     (3,353 )   (1.63)%         3,759       1.90 %
    Time deposits                    
    Other time deposits     30,853       11.69 %         96,353       48.54 %
    Brokered time deposits           %         53       0.09 %
    Internet time deposits           %         (498 )   (100.00)%
                         
    Total time deposits     30,853       9.51 %         95,908       36.99 %
                         
    Total deposits   $ 43,527       3.05 %       $ 68,789       4.91 %
                         

    Between March 2022 and July 2023, the FOMC raised its target federal funds rate 11 times, from a target range of 0.00-0.25% to 5.25-5.50%, or 525 basis points, in order to combat rising inflation. This rapid increase in interest rates led to significant competition amongst financial institutions for deposits. In September 2024, the FOMC lowered the target federal funds rate 50 basis points to a target range of 4.75-5.00%. Due to the overall uncertainty regarding potential rate changes in the future, customers have not sought out long-term funds, leading to a shift in demand to higher-yielding non-maturity deposit accounts as well as short-term time deposits.

    Total borrowed funds

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in borrowed funds as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   $ 160,000   $ 160,000     $ 160,000   $ 180,000     $ 180,000  
    Subordinated debentures     14,000     14,000       14,000     14,000       14,000  
    Other borrowings     5,970     4,397       4,500     4,500       7,050  
    Total borrowed funds   $ 179,970   $ 178,397     $ 178,500   $ 198,500     $ 201,050  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   $     %       $ (20,000 )   (11.11)%
    Subordinated debentures         %               %
    Other borrowings     1,573     35.77 %         (1,080 )   (15.32)%
    Total borrowed funds   $ 1,573     0.88 %       $ (21,080 )   (10.48)%
                         

    We utilize a mix of borrowed funds and organic deposit growth to fund loan demand. As loan growth has slowed in recent periods, our reliance on FHLB advances has declined.

    Wholesale funding sources

    Although we have been successful at growing market deposits, we utilize wholesale funding sources when necessary to fill gaps when asset growth outpaces deposit growth. Our wholesale funding sources include Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, correspondent Fed Funds lines and brokered deposits. Although wholesale funding sources are typically more expensive than core deposits, they are an integral part of our funding.

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in wholesale funding sources as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   $ 160,000   $ 160,000     $ 160,000   $ 180,000     $ 180,000  
    Subordinated debentures     14,000     14,000       14,000     14,000       14,000  
    Other borrowings     5,970     4,397       4,500     4,500       7,050  
    Brokered NOW accounts                          
    Brokered time deposits     60,304     60,304       60,304     60,304       60,251  
    Internet time deposits                         498  
    Total wholesale funds   $ 240,274   $ 238,701     $ 238,804   $ 258,804     $ 261,799  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   $     %         (20,000 )   (11.11)%
    Subordinated debentures         %               %
    Other borrowings     1,573     35.77 %         (1,080 )   (15.32)%
    Brokered NOW accounts       N/A             N/A
    Brokered time deposits         %         53       0.09 %
    Internet time deposits       N/A         (498 )   (100.00)%
    Total wholesale funds   $ 1,573     0.66 %       $ (21,525 )   (8.22)%
                         

    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities includes accrued interest payable, federal income taxes payable, deferred federal income taxes payable, and all other liabilities (none of which are individually significant).

    Total shareholders’ equity

    We are considered a “well-capitalized” institution, as our capital ratios exceed the minimum designated standards necessary in accordance with Basel III guidelines. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s total capital ratio was 12.78%, tier 1 capital ratio was 11.72%, and tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.02%. The minimum requirements to be considered well-capitalized are a total capital ratio of 10.00%, tier 1 capital ratio of 8.00%, and tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.00%. While we continue to be considered well-capitalized, we are focused on enhancing our capital ratios through earnings of the Bank as well as asset growth moderation strategies in 2024.

    The following tables outline the composition and changes in shareholders’ equity as of:

        9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Common stock   $ 74,826     $ 74,690     $ 74,555     $ 74,230     $ 74,118  
    Retained earnings     78,467       78,094       76,607       74,309       70,972  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (6,895 )     (9,483 )     (10,088 )     (9,837 )     (12,188 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 146,398     $ 143,301     $ 141,074     $ 138,702     $ 132,902  
                         
        9/30/2024 vs 6/30/2024       9/30/2024 vs 9/30/2023
        Variance       Variance
        Amount   %       Amount   %
    Common stock   $ 136       0.18 %       $ 708       0.96 %
    Retained earnings     373       0.48 %         7,495       10.56 %
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     2,588     (27.29)%         5,293     (43.43)%
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 3,097       2.16 %       $ 13,496       10.15 %
                         

    The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $10,000 of common stock. As of September 30, 2024, we had $1,393 of common stock available to repurchase through the program. We did not execute any repurchases of our common stock during 2024.

    Stock Performance

    The following table compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the year-to-date, 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year periods ended September 30, 2024. The National OTC Peer Group was developed by selecting all OTC traded bank holding companies with total assets between $1 billion and $3 billion as of 03/31/2024 that had a quoted stock price on Bloomberg. The Midwest / Great Lakes OTC Peer Group represents those institutions included in the National OTC Peer Group that are headquartered in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

      # in Peer Group   YTD   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year
    Fentura Financial, Inc. (OTCQX:FETM)     45.40 %   67.28 %   59.12 %   100.80 %
                       
    National OTC Peers 43   (1.01)%   (3.49)%   2.11 %   8.44 %
    Fentura Ranking out of 44     1     1     4     4  
                       
    Midwest / Great Lakes OTC Peers 17   (1.97)%   (5.16)%   (1.63)%   1.35 %
    Fentura Ranking out of 18     1     1     1     1  
                       

    Abbreviations and Acronyms

    ABA: American Bankers Association FTE: Fully taxable equivalent
    ACH: Automated Clearing House GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
    ACL: Allowance for credit losses HFS: Held-for-sale
    AFS: Available-for-sale HTM: Held-to-maturity
    AIR: Accrued interest receivable HFS: Held-for-sale
    AOCI: Accumulated other comprehensive income HTM: Held-to-maturity
    ARRC: Alternative Reference Rates Committee IRA: Individual retirement account
    ASC: Accounting Standards Codification ITM: Interactive Teller Machine
    ASU: Accounting Standards Update LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate
    ATM: Automated teller machine MSR: Mortgage servicing rights
    CDI: Core deposit intangible N/M: Not meaningful
    CET1: Common equity tier 1 NASDAQ: National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
    COLI: Corporate owned life insurance NOW: Negotiable order of withdrawal
    DRIP: Dividend Reinvestment Plan NSF: Non-sufficient funds
    EPS: Earnings Per Common Share OCI: Other comprehensive income
    ESOP: Employee Stock Ownership Plan OIS: Overnight Index Swap
    FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board OREO: Other real estate owned
    FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation OTTI: Other-than-temporary impairment
    FHLB: Federal Home Loan Bank QTD: Quarter-to-date
    FHLLC: Fentura Holdings LLC SAB: Staff Accounting Bulletin
    FHLMC: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation SBA: U.S. Small Business Administration
    FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Association SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
    FOMC: Federal Open Market Committee SERP: Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
    FRB: Federal Reserve Bank SOFR: Secured Overnight Funding Rate
    FSB: Farmers State Bank of Munith TLM: Troubled loan modifications
       

    About Fentura Financial, Inc. and The State Bank

    Fentura Financial, Inc. is the holding company for The State Bank. It was formed in 1987 and is traded on the OTCQX exchange under the symbol FETM, and has been recognized as one of the Top 50 performing stocks on that exchange.

    The State Bank is a 5-Star Bauer Financial rated commercial, retail and trust bank headquartered in Fenton, Michigan. It currently operates 20 full-service offices and one loan production center serving Bay, Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Oakland, Saginaw, and Shiawassee counties. The State Bank believes in the potential of banking to help create better lives, better businesses, and better communities, and works to achieve this through its full array of consumer, mortgage, SBA, commercial and wealth management banking and advisory services, together with philanthropic and volunteer support to organizations and groups within the communities it serves. More information can be found at www.thestatebank.com or www.fentura.com.

    Cautionary Statement: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future growth in earning assets and net income. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services, interest rates and fees for services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

    Contacts:  Ronald L. Justice  Aaron D. Wirsing
      President & CEO Chief Financial Officer
      Fentura Financial, Inc.   Fentura Financial, Inc.
      810.714.3902 810.714.3925
      ron.justice@thestatebank.com aaron.wirsing@thestatebank.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: General Counsel of the Navy Recognized for Port Chicago Sailor Exoneration Efforts

    Source: United States Navy

    In the aftermath of the 1944 explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California, white officers were granted leave while African-American Sailors were compelled to return to work. When 258 Sailors refused to handle ammunition, they were subsequently convicted in a summary and general courts-martial.

    A comprehensive examination of both trials revealed significant legal errors in the proceedings that compromised the fairness of the trials, which include the defendants being improperly tried together despite conflicting interests and being denied a meaningful right to counsel. Additionally, the courts-martial took place before the Navy’s Court of Inquiry finalized its report on the explosion.

    Following the Navy’s review, Secretary Del Toro officially exonerated the remaining 256 defendants from the 1944 courts-martial. General Counsel Coffey led the legal review efforts and was honored with the “Port Chicago Exoneration Champion Award” from Contra Costa Justice for All for his instrumental contribution to the Sailors’ exoneration.

    General Counsel Coffey’s dedication and expertise were crucial in uncovering that the conduct of the Port Chicago courts-martial were fundamentally unfair and did not result in just outcomes for the defendants or the Navy. This decision demonstrates the Department of the Navy’s commitment to correcting historical injustices and ensuring all service members are treated fairly and equitably.

    If any family members of the defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial would like to reach out to the Department of the Navy for future notifications on the topic or more information, please reach out to PortChicago@us.navy.mil, or 703-697-5342.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments strengthening Ontario’s food supply system

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    365 agri-food businesses will receive funding to enhance operational resilience to diseases and pests

    October 25, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $7.5 million to support 365 projects that will help the province’s farmers, food processors, and essential farm-supporting agribusinesses protect their operations against pests and diseases while enhancing operational resilience and strengthening public trust in our food supply system.

    The funding through the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, combined with cost-shared investments by the sector, is expected to generate up to $31.5 million in total biosecurity enhancements across Ontario’s agri-food sector.

    Under the initiative, farmers, processors, and select farm-supporting agri-food businesses were eligible for cost-share funding ranging from 35% to 50%, depending on the project category. Supported activities include the implementation of technologies that reduce the spread of animal and plant diseases and capital upgrades that enhance biosecurity (such as constructing isolation facilities and wash bays).

    Examples of projects include:

    • Up to $50,000 for a sheep farm in Clarington to build a new barn to improve its on-farm isolation and separation processes.
    • Up to $50,000 for an Ottawa-area farm to purchase and implement an electronic traceability collection system to improve biosecurity and animal health for its cattle farming operation.
    • Up to $29,353 for a berry farm in Niagara Region for a steam treatment system to eliminate damaging pests and diseases.

    This initiative is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

    Quotes

    “Keeping our food safe while applying best management practices is vital to ensuring Ontario’s agri-food system continues to thrive. These projects will help enhance biosecurity along our supply chains so we can keep feeding Canadians, and the world.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “Maintaining and strengthening Ontario’s world-class food safety system is the number one priority for this ministry. This initiative builds on our government’s consistent record of enhancing the resilience of Ontario’s food supply chains and boosting our standing as a globally trusted producer of agri-food commodities and goods.”

    – Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

    “We are pleased with the government’s Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, which has enabled 70 producers to enhance biosecurity measures on their farms. This funding plays an important role in protecting the health of our livestock, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our industry, and maintaining confidence in the safety of Ontario-produced pork. By investing in biosecurity, we are strengthening our farms and safeguarding our food system against potential threats.”

    – Tara Terpstra, Board Chair, Ontario Pork

    Quick facts

    • Enhancing the sector’s ability to anticipate, mitigate and respond to diseases and pests was a key priority set for Sustainable CAP by the federal-provincial-territorial agricultural ministers in The Guelph Statement.

    • In 2023, Ontario’s agri-food industry contributed almost $51 billion in GDP to the provincial economy and employed over 871,000 people.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media:

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Makena Mahoney
    Minister’s Office
    Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca

    Meaghan Evans
    Communications Branch
    OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
    519-826-3145

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Security: National Guardsman Arrested and Charged for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass. has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography.  

    Nicholas Wells, 43, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. Wells was arrested yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, agreed to voluntarily detention pending trial without prejudice.  

    According to the charging documents, Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he allegedly discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. It is alleged that, following search warrants for Wells’ messaging application account and home, over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography were located on Wells’ phone, along with evidence that Wells allegedly distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography.

    The charge of possessing child pornography provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000.  The charge of distributing child pornography provides for a sentence of at leave five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Sandwich Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stoughton Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking charges. During the investigation, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled.

    James Holyoke, 43, of Stoughton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. In August 2022, Holyoke pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, as well as to six counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

    Holyoke was charged along with seven others in July 2021 and was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment that added an additional three defendants in September 2021.  Holyoke was arrested in August 2021 and has remained in custody since that arrest.

    In late 2020, Reshat Alkayisi was identified as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker, who distributed multi-pound quantities to customers throughout the New England area. Holyoke was identified as one of Alkayisi’s regular large-scale distributors who routinely purchased methamphetamine and redistributed it throughout the Boston area. As part of the investigation, Holyoke participated in 11 controlled purchases of methamphetamine from a cooperating witness. Those controlled purchases resulted in the seizure of over four kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

    Alkayisi pleaded guilty in April 2024 and in September 2024 sentenced to 23 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Holyoke is the 9th defendant to be sentenced in the case. All remaining defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: HOYLE, WYDEN, MERKLEY ANNOUNCE ANOTHER $29 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PORT OF COOS BAY INTERMODAL PROJECT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    October 25, 2024

    New federal investment in South Coast comes on top of $25 million announced last week

    For Immediate Release: Oct. 25, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, announced $29,751,615 in federal funding for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) Upgrades Planning Project. The investment comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.

    “Today’s award makes long overdue investments in the Coos Bay Rail Line and will improve sections of the line that have fallen into disrepair,” U.S. Representative Val Hoyle said. “Upgrades and repairs to rail line will help to move products across Oregon and the country faster. A renovated Coos Bay Rail Line is a key part of setting the Port of Coos Bay up to be the first ship-to-rail port on the west coast.” She went on to say, “I would like to thank Secretary Buttigieg, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the White House, and all members of the Oregon delegation for their continued support for bring this project one step closer to reality.”

    “Today’s great news for the Port of Coos Bay’s innovative ship-to-rail project keeps significant momentum rolling for this generational opportunity to spark thousands of good-paying jobs on the South Coast,” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. “On top of last week’s $25 million investment, today’s added $29 million for planning moves the port project and its huge economic and environmental benefits that much farther down the track to completion. I’m committed to continue the teamwork with Congresswoman Hoyle, Senator Merkley and the Biden-Harris administration to secure all the federal funds the Port of Coos Bay deserves for a successful result.”

    “The wins for Coos Bay’s transformative container port project keep rolling in! This additional $29.7 million award—bringing the total federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to $55 million—further moves the Port of Coos Bay toward the goal of becoming the first fully ship-to-rail port facility on the West Coast,” U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said. “Specifically, the funding to upgrade the Coos Bay Rail Line is huge for the project because it ensures we have durable infrastructure in place that cuts climate-killing emissions and addresses bottlenecks in the national supply chain. I’ll keep working with the Oregon delegation to champion even more wins for this project that will create good-paying union and permanent local jobs on Oregon’s rural South Coast and boost the economy for our entire state.”

    Combined with a previous $25,018,750 Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) grant award, that provides for engineering and design of the intermodal terminal component of the project, this award brings economic vitality back to the South Coast. With the potential to bring over 8,000 jobs back to the region, this project also makes good on the long-forgotten promise of creating new pathways to the middle class for South Coast residents.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Joly on violence in Haiti

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing violence in Haiti

    October 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing violence in Haiti:

    “Canada strongly condemns the horrifying violence that continues to be perpetrated by gangs in Haiti, resulting in immense suffering. Unchecked violence and corruption have created deep insecurity, harming civilians and leaving children at risk of starvation.

    “This politically-motivated violence is clearly aimed at undermining the transition process, which is critical to restoring security and democratic institutions. This must not be tolerated. It is essential that all stakeholders continue to abide by the agreed transition process.

    “The future of Haiti relies on a stable, democratically elected government, the restoration of security, and improved socio-economic conditions. None of these are possible while gangs hold Haitians hostage. 

    “Canada reiterates its support to the transition process and remains committed to a coordinated response, with a focus on Haitian-led solutions, together with international partners. It is imperative that the international community support the Haitian National Police and the Multilateral Security Support Mission as they work to prevent further atrocities. We must stand in solidarity with the Haitian people. Only through our collective efforts can Haiti achieve lasting peace and stability.”

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lynn Man Charged with Multiple Drug Offenses After Selling Drugs to an Undercover Officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant was on probation for armed robbery when he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer

    BOSTON – A Lynn man was arraigned Oct. 22, 2024 in connection to an ongoing investigation of fentanyl counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine.

    Ricardo Bratini-Perez, a/k/a “Rico,” a/k/a “Ricofromthesin,” 29, was arraigned on four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fentanyl analog, and methamphetamine, and one count possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bratini-Perez on Oct. 3, 2024.

    According to court records, Bratini-Perez was on probation following his release from state custody on armed robbery and firearm charges. While on probation, Bratini-Perez sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three occasions in March 2024 and April 2024. On April 8, 2024, Bratini-Perez was arrested following a fourth sale to the undercover officer. Following his arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at Bratini-Perez’s residence and recovered over 5,000 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. 
        
    The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ocala Man Arrested For Attempting To Transfer Obscene Material To A Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Nicholas Robert Davis (30, Ocala) with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

    According to court documents, during an undercover operation on July 24, 2024, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent posed online as a 13-year-old girl (UC) and received a message on an online social media platform from Davis. After learning the UC’s age, Davis and an undercover detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, also posing as the minor, had a video call. Davis exposed his genitalia to the detective during the call and, afterward, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the UC. He also sent the UC a video of himself masturbating.  

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

    This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 4681, Enhanced Oversight and Accountability in Screening Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 4681 would establish a committee to advise the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on its screening, vetting, and inspection activities at airports and other ports of entry. Under the bill, the committee would make recommendations to the department to improve its policies and procedures, including training; data collection, storage, and analysis; internal oversight; and responsiveness to complaints from the public. S. 4681 would require the committee to report to the Congress annually on its activities until its termination on December 31, 2030. The bill also would permit the committee to accept and spend donations and gifts.

    S. 4681 would require DHS, within two years of enactment, to report to the Congress on a plan to improve the process for people who believe they have been wrongly identified as a threat while traveling to submit complaints to the department. The bill also would require the Department of Justice to report annually to the Congress on the consolidated terrorism watchlist, a database containing information on people known or suspected to be involved in terrorist activity. Lastly, S. 4681 would require DHS to report to the Congress annually for 11 years after enactment on the effectiveness of its enhanced screenings, which are additional security checks above what is required in airports and other ports of entry. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU concludes crisis response exercise EU Integrated Resolve 2024

    Source: European Commission – Justice

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 25 Oct 2024 The EU has concluded successfully the EU Integrated Resolve 2024, a joint exercise co-led by the Council of the EU, the European Commission, as well as the European External Action Service.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two men charged with murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two men will appear in court charged with the murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah who died after being stabbed in east London in 2017.

    [D] Lekan Akinsoji – 26 (15.01.98) of no fixed abode and [E] Sundjata Keita – 26 (11.03.98) of St Margaret’s Court, E12 will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 26 October.

    Both were arrested on Friday, 25 October.

    Ahmed died after being attacked in Freemasons Road, Custom House on 2 April 2017.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tantallon — Police charge three people and seize weapons following search

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP and HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has charged three people and seized firearms and crossbows after executing a search warrant at a Tantallon residence.

    On October 23, officers from the Special Enforcement Section of the Integrated CID, assisted by the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team and the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 12700 block of Peggy’s Cove Rd as part of an ongoing investigation. Three people were safely arrested at the residence.

    During the search, officers located two prohibited firearms, a restricted firearm, ammunition, and four crossbows.

    Jedidiah Lewis Langille, 30, and Trena Whittier, 54, both of Tantallon, and Dean Richardson, 51, of Glen Haven have been charged with 26 criminal code offences. The firearms and weapons related offences include, but are not limited to:

    • Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
    • Possessing a Firearm for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Possessing a Weapon (crossbow) for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Possessing a Loaded Restricted or Prohibited Firearm
    • Possessing a firearm obtained by the commission of an offence

    Langille faces an additional 16 charges related to an existing court-ordered firearms prohibition, including but not limited to:

    • Possessing a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
    • Possessing a Crossbow Contrary to Prohibition Order
    • Possession Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order

    Langille and Richardson were held in custody and appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on October 24, 2024.

    Whittier was released from custody to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on December 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly Applauds Court Decision Stopping Governor Youngkin’s Illegal Voter Purges

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

    Connolly Applauds Court Decision Stopping Governor Youngkin’s Illegal Voter Purges

    Fairfax, VA, October 25, 2024

    Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) released the following statement after a federal judge put an end to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s illegal voter roll purges happening within 90 days of an election:

    “Governor Youngkin’s effort to cancel voter registrations is clearly against federal law, which requires states to refrain from systematically purging voter rolls within 90 days of an election. I am grateful to the court for recognizing that reality. Voter fraud, particularly as it relates to citizenship, is exceedingly rare in Virginia. Governor Youngkin’s purges have served only one purpose – to disenfranchise thousands of lawfully voting citizens of the Commonwealth. That stops today.”

    Connolly wrote to Governor Youngkin on October 7 to urge him to cease the purging of voter rolls. Connolly also notified the Department of Justices of the purges.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)
    NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), Dr Starry Lee, inspected the passing-out parade for 37 probationary inspectors and 195 recruit police constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (January 25) and witnessed the moment they became the new blood of the Force.           Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr Lee said that the duty of the police officers bears the trust of the community, adding that the graduates would officially become the guardians of Hong Kong’s rule of law and shoulder the mission of maintaining law and order in the community. She believed that being a police officer is not only a profession, but also a commitment and a dedication to the society.           She continued that the graduates had experienced multiple physical and mental challenges during the training, ranging from physical exercise to tactical training; as well as from legal knowledge to adaptability. Each of the course not only brings the improvement of skills, but also the development of tenacity, and such perseverance being developed would be attribute for their career development.           Noting that Hong Kong is an international metropolis with a complex and rapidly changing security landscape, Dr Lee believed that law enforcement officers should possess a high degree of professionalism and sound psychological quality. She added that the graduates would face different challenges, from dealing with emergencies to handling social conflicts; and from combating crimes to serving citizens, each of their duty is related to the safety of Hong Kong citizens and social stability. Meanwhile, the modus operandi of crimes has become more complicated, coupled with new challenges emerging from technology crime, online fraud and transnational crime. As such, she encouraged the graduates to keep pace with the times, and keep learning to be more professional and resilient in coping with various challenges ahead in their career.           She also pointed out that as part of the country, Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability hinges on the national development. She hoped that the graduates can uphold the spirit of patriotism and love the city, make every effort to safeguard national security and maintain the successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.           She emphasised that police are not only the law enforcers, but also the guardians of the citizens; and the Police’s professionalism, fairness and responsibility in serving the public are essential for gaining public support. Therefore, she hoped the police to uphold their integrity and honesty, and carry out every task cautiously at all time, so as to let the public feel the professionalism and care of the Force.           Finally, she encouraged the graduates to remain true to their original aspiration and take upholding social justice as their responsibility, thereby becoming the trusted guardians of the citizens and a driving force of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

     
    Ends/Saturday, January 25, 2025Issued at HKT 13:37

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense Contractor Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Unlawful Export of Technical Data

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Yuksel Senbol, 36, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, violating the Export Control Reform Act, and violating the Arms Export Control Act. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $275,430.90, the proceeds of Senbol’s fraud and money laundering scheme. Senbol entered pleaded guilty on May 7.

    According to facts taken from public filings, beginning in approximately April 2019, Senbol operated a front company in the Middle District of Florida called Mason Engineering Parts LLC. She used this front company to assist her co-conspirators, Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek, to fraudulently procure contracts to supply critical military components to the Department of Defense. These components were intended for use in the Navy Nimitz and Ford Class Aircraft Carriers, Navy Submarines, Marine Corps Armored Vehicles, and Army M-60 Series Tank and Abrahams Battle Tanks, among other weapons systems.

    To fraudulently procure the government contracts, Senbol and her co-conspirators falsely represented to the U.S. government and U.S. military contractors that Mason Engineering Parts LLC was a vetted and qualified manufacturer of military components, when in fact, the parts were being manufactured by Ozcan and Simsek in Turkey. As Senbol knew, Simsek’s involvement had to be concealed from the U.S. government because he had been debarred from contracting with the U.S. government after being convicted of a virtually identical scheme in the Southern District of Florida.

    In order to enable Ozcan and Simsek to manufacture the components in Turkey, Senbol assisted them in obtaining sensitive, export-controlled drawings of critical U.S. military technology. Using software that allowed Ozcan to remotely control her computer — and thus evade security restrictions that limited access to these sensitive military drawings to computers within the United States — Senbol knowingly facilitated the illegal export of these drawings. She did so despite having executed numerous agreements promising to safeguard the drawings from unlawful access or export, and in spite of the clear warnings on the face of each drawing that it could not be exported without obtaining a license.

    Once Ozcan and Simsek manufactured the components in Turkey, they shipped them to Senbol, who repackaged them — making sure to remove any reference to their Turkish origin. The conspirators then lied about the origin of the parts to the U.S. government and a U.S. government contractor to receive payment for the parts. Senbol then laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds back to Turkey through international wire transfers.

    This scheme continued until uncovered and disrupted by federal investigators. Parts supplied by Senbol were tested by the U.S. military and were determined not to conform with product specifications. Many of the components supplied to the U.S. military by Senbol were “critical application items,” meaning that failure of these components would have potentially rendered the end system inoperable.

    Alleged co-conspirators Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek are fugitives.

    The General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security; Air Force Office of Special Investigations; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; and Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Lindsey Schmidt for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Stephen Marzen of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Verge: Democrats want DOJ to prosecute tax prep companies for privacy violations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 22, 2024
    A group of Democratic lawmakers are urging the Justice Department to prosecute tax prep companies accused of improperly sharing user information with Meta and Google through their advertising pixels.
    Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), are calling on the DOJ to take action against tax prep companies that they say failed to protect taxpayer privacy. In a new letter shared exclusively with The Verge, the lawmakers advance their previous calls for law enforcers to investigate these companies.

    Read the full story here.
    By:  Lauren FeinerSource: The Verge

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bloomberg Law: Democrats Urge Biden: Fix Migrant Work Permit Backlog This Year

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 23, 2024
    Congressional Democrats Tuesday pressed the Department of Homeland Security to clear a backlog of 1.4 million work permit applications for migrants before the end of the year.
    Despite several policy changes to address wait times at US Citizenship and Immigration Services, more than 900,000 immigrants seeking their first work permits and half a million more looking to renew the documents remain “at the mercy of USCIS’s bureaucratic processing delays,” according to a letter from 70 House and Senate Democrats led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
    Many temporary visa holders and people with humanitarian protections like asylum seekers must apply for Employment Authorization Documents before they can legally work in the US. Lawmakers urged the administration to act before Biden leaves office at the beginning of next year.

    Read the full story here.
    By:  Andrew KreighbaumSource: Bloomberg Law
    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Announces $18.57 Million in Awards From the Federal Rail Administration to Northern Ohio & Western Railway and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Toledo, Ohio – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced a total of $18.57 Million in awards from the Federal Rail Administration secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) for Northern Ohio & Western Railway and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway.

    The first award for critical safety upgrades for Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway totals $12.17 Million and was secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The project involves final design and construction activities to replace deteriorating and broken rail and ties and expanded capacity along the eastern half of the Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway. The project is the third and final phase of the full corridor rehabilitation of Napoleon, Defiance & Western track. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety as the project will improve safety, resilience, and operational efficiency with added benefit to Paulding and Defiance Counties. The Ohio Rail Development Commission and Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway will contribute 25 percent of the total project cost.

    The second award for major rail upgrades for Northern Ohio & Western Railway totals $6.4 Million and was secured alongside the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) also through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. This involves construction to upgrade track infrastructure across the approximately 24-mile rail line owned by the Sandusky County, Seneca County, and the City of Tiffin Port Authority and is operated by the Northern Ohio & Western Railway. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety and improving system and service performance as the project will return the line to FRA standards. The Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Sandusky County-Seneca County-City of Tiffin Port Authority will contribute 20 percent of the total project cost.

    “I am encouraged to see these new investments in rail coming to Northern Ohio, and I know that this will be transformative for the people of Defiance County, Sandusky County, and so many across our region. This funding continues the lasting impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as an engine of economic development for the state of Ohio,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Rail safety was a major impetus for our desire to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and now we are seeing investment and opportunity coming back to our region in transformational ways. We are working together to make our communities safer, and bring back major investment that underscores rail as the spine of our Northern Ohio economy. I will never stop fighting to deliver for the people of Northern Ohio.”

    These investments follow a $10,792,157 award Congresswoman Kaptur announced on October 3, 2023 for major rail upgrades for Napoleon, Defiance, & Western Railway. On September 22, 2023 Congresswoman Kaptur hosted a roundtable discussion on the future of passenger rail in Northern Ohio and the Great Lakes Region with participants including international, national, regional, and local transit, labor, and civic leaders and included FRA Administrator Amit Bose, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and Eddie Hall, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southey — Southey RCMP investigating fatal collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    October 24, 2024
    Southey, Saskatchewan

    News release

    On October 23, 2024 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Southey RCMP received a report of a collision on Highway #6 approximately 10 kilometres north of Regina.

    Officers immediately responded. The driver of one of the vehicles was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. He has been identified as a 35-year-old man from Piapot First Nation. An adult male passenger was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

    The adult male driver of the other vehicle was transported to hospital with injuries described as serious in nature.

    Highway #6 was closed during initial investigation but has since re-opened. Southey RCMP continues to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.

    –30–

    Backgrounder

    Southey RCMP: motorists can expect delays on Highway #6

    Southey RCMP are currently at the scene of a serious collision on Highway #6 about 10 kilometers north of Regina, SK.

    The highway is currently closed and detours are in place. Motorists should expect delays.

    Please slow down as you approach the area and follow the directions of emergency personnel on scene.

    As this investigation is in preliminary stages, we do not have additional details to share at this time.

    Please visit the Highway Hotline for road closure updates.

    MIL Security OSI