Eagle Bancorp (EGBN) 10-Q2024 Q1 Quarterly report

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (the "Parent") and its subsidiaries (together with the Parent, the "Company"), with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. EagleBank (the "Bank"), a Maryland chartered commercial bank, is the Parent's principal subsidiary.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") and to general practices in the banking industry. The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes of the Company included herein are unaudited. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 was derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of that date. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that in the opinion of management are necessary to present fairly the results for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In addition to the accounting policies described below, the Company applies the accounting policies contained in Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Certain reclassifications have been made to 2023 amounts previously reported to conform to the 2024 presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders' equity. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company, through the Bank, conducts a full service community banking business, primarily in Northern Virginia, Suburban Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The primary financial services offered by the Bank include real estate, commercial and consumer lending, as well as traditional deposit and repurchase agreement products. The Bank is also active in the origination of small business loans, and the origination, securitization and sale of multifamily Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") loans. The guaranteed portion of small business loans, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"), is typically sold to third party investors in a transaction apart from the loan's origination.

In April 2024, the Company closed a branch following the lease's expiration. The Bank offers its products and services through twelve banking offices, four lending centers and various digital capabilities, including remote deposit services and mobile banking services. Eagle Insurance Services, LLC, a subsidiary of the Bank that previously offered access to insurance products and services through a referral program with a third party insurance broker, continues to receive fee income in connection with such program. Landroval Municipal Finance, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bank, focuses on lending to municipalities by buying debt on the public market as well as direct purchase issuance.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes acquired securities on the trade date. Investment securities comprise debt securities, which are classified depending on the Company's intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale when management may have the intent to sell them prior to maturity. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity.

Premiums and discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted to the earlier of call or maturity based on expected lives, which include prepayment adjustments and call optionality.

Transfers of debt securities into the held-to-maturity category from the available-for-sale category are made at amortized cost, net of unrealized gain or loss reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer is retained in other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity ("HTM") securities. Such amounts are amortized over the remaining life of the security.

Loans held for investment are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unamortized deferred costs and fees. Interest income on loans is recognized at the contractual rate on the principal amounts outstanding. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, and commitment fees are deferred and amortized on the interest method over the term of the loan.

Past due loans are placed on nonaccrual status when there is a clear indication that the borrower's cash flow may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become due. Generally, this conclusion is reached when a loan is 90 days past due. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is reversed through interest income. Interest income is subsequently recognized on a cash basis as long as the remaining book balance of the asset is deemed to be collectible. If collectability is questionable, then cash payments are applied to principal. A loan is placed back on accrual status when both principal and interest are current and it is probable that we will be able to collect all amounts due (both principal and interest) according to the terms of the loan agreement.

The following table presents a breakdown of the provision for credit losses included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the applicable periods (in thousands):

The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") - loans is an estimate of the expected credit losses in the loans held for investment portfolio. The Company's ACL on the loan portfolio is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged off against the allowance when they are deemed uncollectible. Expected recoveries are recorded to the extent they do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Reserves on loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Nonaccrual loans are specifically reviewed for loss potential and when deemed appropriate are assigned a reserve based on an individual evaluation. The remainder of the portfolio, representing all loans not evaluated individually for impairment, is segregated by call report codes, and a loan-level probability of default ("PD") / loss given default ("LGD") cash flow method is applied using an exposure at default ("EAD") model. These historical loss rates are then modified to incorporate our reasonable and supportable forecast of future losses at the portfolio segment level, as well as any necessary qualitative adjustments.

The Company uses regression analysis of historical internal and peer data provided by a third-party service provider (as Company loss data is insufficient) to determine suitable credit loss drivers to utilize when modeling lifetime PD and LGD. This analysis also determines how expected PD will be impacted by different forecasted levels of the loss drivers.

A similar process is employed to calculate a reserve assigned to off-balance sheet commitments, specifically unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit, and any needed reserve is recorded in reserve for unfunded commitments ("RUC") on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For periods beyond which we are able to develop reasonable and supportable forecasts, we revert to the historical loss rate on a straight-line basis over a twelve-month period.

For each of these loan segments, the Company generates cash flow projections at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speeds, PD rates, and LGD rates. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds is based on historical internal data. EAD is based on each instrument's underlying amortization schedule in order to estimate the bank's expected credit loss exposure at the time of the borrower's potential default.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, management enhanced the cash flow model to incorporate three macroeconomic variables in addition to national unemployment. The four economic variables selected, national unemployment, which was the original variable used, Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") Price Index, House Price Index and Gross Domestic Product ("GDP"), are incorporated by utilizing a Loss Driver Analysis approach that factors in historical losses, including during the Great Recession, of regional peer banks and the Bank. The updated model incorporates a weighting of three economic scenarios; baseline, upside and downside. The scenarios cover the four economic forecast variables, with each segment of the portfolio linked to two of these variables, depending on the segment. The loss driver analysis is spread over a reasonable and supportable period of 18 months and reverts back to a historical loss rate over twelve months on a straight-line basis over the loan's remaining maturity. Management leverages economic projections from reputable and independent third parties to inform its loss driver forecasts over the forecast period.

The ACL also includes an amount for inherent risks not reflected in the historical analyses. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, concentrations of credit risk, changes in underwriting standards, experience and depth of lending staff and trends in delinquencies.

While our methodology in establishing the ACL attributes portions of the ACL and RUC to the separate loan pools or segments, the entire ACL and RUC is available to absorb credit losses expected in the total loan portfolio and total amount of unfunded credit commitments, respectively. Portfolio segments are used to pool loans with similar risk characteristics and align with our methodology for measuring current expected credit losses ("CECL").

A summary of our primary portfolio segments is as follows:

We have several pass credit grades that are assigned to loans based on varying levels of risk, ranging from credits that are secured by cash or marketable securities, to watch credits which have all the characteristics of an acceptable credit risk but warrant more than the normal level of monitoring. Special mention loans are those that are currently protected by the sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower, but that are potentially weak and constitute an additional credit risk. These loans have the potential to deteriorate to a substandard grade due to the existence of financial or administrative deficiencies. Substandard loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Some substandard loans are inadequately protected by the sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower and of the collateral pledged and may be considered impaired. Substandard loans can be accruing or can be on nonaccrual depending on the circumstances of the individual loans.

Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard loans with the added characteristics that the weaknesses make collection in full highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high. All doubtful loans are on nonaccrual.

Classified loans represent the sum of loans graded substandard and doubtful.

The methodology used in the estimation of the allowance, which is performed at least quarterly, is designed to be dynamic and responsive to changes in portfolio credit quality and forecasted economic conditions. Changes are reflected in the pool-basis allowance and individually assessed loans as the collectability of classified loans is evaluated with new information. As our portfolio has matured, historical loss ratios have been closely monitored. The review of the appropriateness of the allowance is performed by executive management and presented to management committees and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The committees' reports to the Board are part of the Board review on a quarterly basis of our consolidated financial statements.

When management determines that foreclosure is probable, and for certain collateral-dependent loans where foreclosure is not considered probable, expected credit losses are based on the estimated fair value of the collateral adjusted for selling costs, when appropriate. A loan is considered collateral-dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications unless management has a reasonable expectation that a borrower will result in financial difficulty.

We do not measure an ACL on accrued interest receivable balances because these balances are written off in a timely manner as a reduction to interest income when loans are placed on nonaccrual status.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment of the financial asset to be provided substantially through the sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the net present value ("NPV") from the operation of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The ACL may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of the financial asset.

The Company evaluates loan restructurings to determine if we have a loan modification and whether it results in a new loan or the continuation of the existing loan. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that result in a direct change in the timing or amount of contractual cash flows include situations where there are principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions, and combinations of the listed modifications.

A loan that is considered a modified loan may be subject to an individually-evaluated loan analysis if the commitment is $1.0 million or greater; otherwise, the restructured loan remains in the appropriate segment in the ACL model and associated provisions are adjusted based on changes in the discounted cash flows resulting from the modification of the restructured loan.

Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status, foreclosure or repossession of the collateral to minimize economic loss to the Company.

For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criterion is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, as a non-credit-related impairment.

The entire amount of an impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In all other situations, only the portion of the impairment loss representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.

We have made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of available-for-sale debt securities and report accrued interest separately in accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Available-for-sale debt securities are placed on nonaccrual status when we no longer expect to receive all contractual amounts due, which is generally at 90 days past due. Accrued interest receivable is reversed against interest income when a security is placed on nonaccrual status. Accordingly, we do not recognize an allowance for credit loss against accrued interest receivable.

The Company separately evaluates its HTM investment securities for any credit losses. The Company pools like securities and calculates expected credit losses through an estimate based on a security's credit rating, which is recognized as part of the ACL for held-to-maturity securities and included in the balance of investment securities held-to-maturity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the Company determines that a security indicates evidence of deteriorated credit quality, the security is individually evaluated and a discounted cash flow analysis may be performed and compared to the amortized cost basis.

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Company records a RUC on off-balance sheet credit exposures through a charge to provision for credit loss expense in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The RUC on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in the RUC on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is subject to impairment testing, which must be conducted at least annually or upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Various factors, such as the Company’s results of operations, the trading price of the Company’s common stock relative to the book value per share, macroeconomic conditions and conditions in the banking sector, inform whether a triggering event for an interim goodwill impairment test has occurred. Goodwill is recorded and evaluated for impairment at its reporting unit, the Company. The Company's policy is to test goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31, or on an interim basis if an event triggering an impairment assessment is determined to have occurred.

Testing of goodwill impairment comprises a two-step process. First, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to evaluate relevant events or circumstances to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred, it proceeds to the quantitative impairment test, whereby it calculates the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it with its carrying amount, including goodwill. In its performance of impairment testing, the Company has the unconditional option to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test, bypassing the qualitative assessment. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds fair value, up to the carrying value of goodwill, is recorded through earnings as an impairment charge. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is not more likely than not that an impairment has occurred, or if the quantitative impairment test results in a fair value of the reporting unit that is greater than the carrying amount, then no impairment charge is recorded.

As part of its annual testing for goodwill impairment, the Company concluded that no impairment existed at December 31, 2023. Management has evaluated and will continue to evaluate economic conditions in interim periods for triggering events. As of the time of this report's filing, the Company did not identify any triggering events for interim testing. However, future events including a continuation of the recent trading price of the Company's common stock relative to the book value per share through the second quarter of 2024 could cause the Company to conclude that goodwill or other intangibles have become impaired, which would result in recording an impairment loss. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, however, it would not impact our regulatory capital ratios, tangible common equity ratio, nor its liquidity position.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Bank maintained an average daily balance at the Federal Reserve Bank of $1.9 billion and $662.4 million, respectively, on which interest is paid.

Additionally, the Bank maintains interest-bearing balances with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLB") and noninterest-bearing balances with domestic correspondent banks to cover associated costs for services they provide to the Bank.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company's available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are summarized as follows:

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company held $54.7 million and $25.7 million, respectively, of equity securities in a combination of Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve Board," "Federal Reserve" or "FRB") and FHLB stocks, which are required to be held for regulatory purposes. The securities are not marketable, and therefore are carried at cost; they are classified as restricted securities, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $50.0 million and $51.7 million, respectively, of unamortized unrealized losses outstanding following the transfer of investment securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity in 2022. These unrealized losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and are amortized through interest income as a yield adjustment over the remaining term of the securities.

Accrued interest receivable on investment securities totaled $7.8 million and $7.6 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The accrued interest receivable is excluded from the amortized cost of the securities and is reported in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following tables summarize available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position by length of time:

Unrealized losses at March 31, 2024 were generally attributable to changes in market interest rates and interest spread relationships subsequent to the dates the securities were originally purchased and were considered to be temporary, and not due to credit quality concerns on the investment securities. The fair values of these securities are expected to recover as the securities approach their respective maturity dates. The Company does not intend to sell and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery.

The Company measures its AFS and HTM security portfolios for current expected credit losses as part of its ACL analysis. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses on its held-to-maturity portfolio of $1 thousand and $1.2 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses on its available-for-sale portfolio of $14 thousand. No provision was recorded for its available-for-sale security portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had a total allowance of $17 thousand on its available-for-sale securities and $2.0 million on its held-to-maturity securities, each of which primarily comprise allowances for corporate bonds.

There were no gross realized losses on sales or calls of investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were $26 thousand of gross realized losses on sales or calls of investment securities.

Gross sales and call proceeds were $27.1 million and $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The book value of securities pledged as collateral for certain government deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and certain lines of credit with correspondent banks at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $2.1 billion, which were well in excess of required amounts in order to operationally provide significant reserve amounts for new business. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and U.S. agency securities, which exceeded ten percent of shareholders' equity.

The Bank makes loans to customers primarily in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and surrounding communities. A substantial portion of the Bank's loan portfolio consists of loans to businesses secured by real estate and other business assets.

Loans, net of unamortized deferred fees and costs, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized by portfolio segment as follows:

Unamortized net deferred fees and costs amounted to $24.1 million and $27.0 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank serviced $334.1 million and $328.0 million, respectively, of multifamily FHA loans, SBA loans and other loan participations that are not reflected as loan balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Construction loans require that the financial condition and experience of the general contractor and major subcontractors be satisfactory to the Bank. Guaranteed, fixed-price contracts are required whenever appropriate, along with payment and performance bonds or completion bonds for larger scale projects.

Loans intended for residential land acquisition, lot development and construction are made on the premise that the land: 1) is or will be developed for building sites for residential structures, and 2) will ultimately be utilized for construction or improvement of residential zoned real properties, including the creation of housing. Residential development and construction loans will finance projects such as single family subdivisions, planned unit developments, townhouses, and condominiums. Residential land acquisition, development and construction loans generally are underwritten with a maximum term of 36 months, including extensions approved at origination.

Commercial land acquisition and construction loans are secured by real property where loan funds will be used to acquire land and to construct or improve appropriately zoned real property for the creation of income producing or owner occupied commercial properties. Borrowers are generally required to put equity into each project at levels determined by the appropriate approval authority. Commercial land acquisition and construction loans generally are underwritten with a maximum term of 24 months.

Substantially all construction draw requests must be presented in writing on American Institute of Architects documents and certified either by the contractor, the borrower and/or the borrower's architect. Each draw request shall also include the borrower's soft cost breakdown certified by the borrower or their agent. Prior to an advance, the Bank or its contractor inspects the project to determine that the work has been completed, to justify the draw requisition.

Commercial permanent loans are generally secured by improved real property that is generating income in the normal course of operation. Debt service coverage, assuming stabilized occupancy, must be satisfactory to support a permanent loan. The debt service coverage ratio is ordinarily at least 1.15 to 1.0. As part of the underwriting process, debt service coverage ratios are stress tested assuming a 200 basis point increase in interest rates from their current levels.

Commercial permanent loans generally are underwritten with a term not greater than 10 years or the remaining useful life of the property, whichever is lower. The preferred term is between 5 to 7 years, with amortization to a maximum of 25 years.

The Company's loan portfolio includes acquisition, development and construction ("ADC") real estate loans including both investment and owner-occupied projects. ADC loans amounted to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2024. A portion of the ADC portfolio, both speculative and non-speculative, includes loan-funded interest reserves at origination. ADC loans that provide for the use of interest reserves represent approximately 58.5% of the outstanding ADC loan portfolio at March 31, 2024. The decision to establish a loan-funded interest reserve is made upon origination of the ADC loan and is based upon a number of factors considered during underwriting of the credit, including: (1) the feasibility of the project; (2) the experience of the sponsor; (3) the creditworthiness of the borrower and guarantors; (4) the borrower equity contribution; and (5) the level of collateral protection. When appropriate, an interest reserve provides a means of addressing the cash flow characteristics of a properly underwritten ADC loan. The Company does not significantly utilize interest reserves in other loan products. The Company recognizes that one of the risks inherent in the use of interest reserves is the potential masking of underlying problems with the project and/or the borrower's ability to repay the loan. In order to mitigate these inherent risks, the Company employs a series of reporting and monitoring mechanisms on all ADC loans, whether or not an interest reserve is provided, including: (1) construction and development timelines that are monitored on an ongoing basis and track the progress of a given project to the timeline projected at origination; (2) a construction loan administration department independent of the lending function; (3) third party independent construction loan inspection reports; (4) monthly interest reserve monitoring reports detailing the balance of the interest reserves approved at origination and the days of interest carry represented by the reserve balances as compared to the then current anticipated time to completion and/or sale of speculative projects; and (5) quarterly commercial real estate construction meetings among senior Company management, which include monitoring of current and projected real estate market conditions. If a project has not performed as expected, it is not the customary practice of the Company to increase loan funded interest reserves.

The following table details activity in the ACL by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. PPP loans are excluded from these tables since they do not carry an allowance for credit loss, as these loans are fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the SBA, whose guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.