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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of consolidated financial statement presentation

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries, Carver Asset Corporation, CFSB Realty Corp., CCDC, and CFSB Credit Corp., which is currently inactive. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company's subsidiary, Carver Statutory Trust I, is not consolidated with Carver Bancorp, Inc. for financial reporting purposes.  Carver Statutory Trust I was formed in 2003 for the purpose of issuing $13 million aggregate liquidation amount of floating rate Capital Securities due September 17, 2033 (“Capital Securities”) and $0.4 million of common securities (which are the only voting securities of Carver Statutory Trust I), which are 100% owned by Carver Bancorp, Inc., and using the proceeds to acquire Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by Carver Bancorp, Inc.  Carver Bancorp, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Capital Securities along with all obligations of Carver Statutory Trust I under the trust agreement relating to the Capital Securities. The Company does not consolidate the accounts and related activity of Carver Statutory Trust I because it is not the primary beneficiary of the entity.

Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are consolidated, as required, when Carver has a controlling financial interest in these entities and is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Carver is normally deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary if it has both (a) the power to direct activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could benefit from the activities that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

    The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended March 31, 2024. The consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2023. Amounts subject to significant estimates and assumptions are items such as the allowance for credit losses, realization of deferred tax assets, and the fair value of financial instruments. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for credit loss or future writedowns of real estate owned may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in the areas where Carver Federal has extended mortgages
and other credit instruments. Actual results could differ significantly from those assumptions. Current market conditions increase the risk and complexity of the judgments in these estimates.

Certain comparative amounts for the prior period have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders' equity.

Recent Events

The business climate continues to present significant challenges as banks continue to absorb heightened regulatory costs and compete for limited loan demand. Significant increases in food and energy prices resulted from swift increases in the rate of inflation. Additionally, the Federal Reserve had increased the federal funds rate at each of its meetings since March 2022, and while the rate was held steady at the June 2023 meeting, it was increased another quarter point to the highest level in 22 years at the July 2023 meeting. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at the November 2023 meeting, but has indicated that there could potentially be one more hike before the end of the calendar year. For Carver, the economic climate of New York City (“the City”), in particular, impacts our business as the City lags behind the rest of New York State and the nation both in restoring pandemic job losses and in rebounding to pre-pandemic levels of unemployment. The City's unemployment rate remains high at 5.3%, exceeding the national average, as employment in the arts and entertainment, food and hospitality sectors continue to remain below their pre-pandemic highs.

In March 2023, the FDIC was appointed as receiver for Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank after they experienced runs on deposits and other liquidity constraints. At the time, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were the 16th and 29th largest banks in the United States, respectively, as measured by total assets as of December 31, 2022. Following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, on May 1, 2023, First Republic Bank was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. The closures of those banks led to industry-wide concerns related to liquidity, deposit outflows, and unrealized securities losses and eroding confidence in the banking system from the general public. In response to these recent developments, the Company took a number of preemptive actions, which included proactive outreach to clients and steps to maximize its funding sources. As a result, the Company's liquidity position remains adequate. The impact of market volatility from the adverse developments in the banking industry along with continued high inflation and rising interest rates, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict.

The Company is closely monitoring its asset quality, liquidity, and capital positions, as well as the credit risk in its loan portfolio. Management is actively working to minimize the current and future impact of this unusual situation, and is continuing to make adjustments to operations where appropriate or necessary to mitigate risk. However, these factors and events may have negative effects on the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company and its customers.

New Accounting Standard Adopted in First Quarter

On April 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Loss (Topic 326)" and its subsequent amendments, which replaces the guidance on recognition and measurement of credit losses for financial assets. The new requirements, known as the current expected credit loss model ("CECL") will require entities to adopt an impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The Company applied the new guidance with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of April 1, 2023, using the modified-retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2023 are presented under CECL. Prior period amounts have not been restated and are reported in accordance with the incurred loss method. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 resulted in an increase of $0.7 million to the allowance for credit losses related to loans.     

Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL")

    The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loan portfolio's amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Management continues its collection efforts on previously charged-off balances and applies recoveries as additions to the ACL. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount and a reversion to historical after the reasonable and supportable period. Expected credit losses were estimated using a regression model based on historical data from the Company and peer institutions. Adjustments to modeled loss estimates may be made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level or term, as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in economic conditions, property values or other relevant factors. The discounted cash flow ("DCF") methodology is used for substantially all pools, applied with a 4-quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period and a 4-quarter reversion period where the ACL reflects the difference between the amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows. The expected cash flows are discounted at the effective interest rate and the entire change in present value is reported as credit loss
expense (or reversal of credit loss expense). On a quarterly basis, management considers probability of default utilizing economic forecasts including civilian unemployment rates and CPI index, and loss given default assumptions using Frye-Jacobs estimations. For periods beyond the forecast period, the loss rate reverts back to the long-term historical loss average with a 4-quarter straight-line reversion period for all pools. There were no changes in the assumptions used from the April 1, 2023 adoption date and for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

The Company has elected to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis in determining credit losses. Accrued interest receivable on loans is included in a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when the payment of principal or interest is considered to be in doubt, or when a loan becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect to principal or interest, except for loans that are well-secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any accrued but uncollected interest is reversed from current income. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recorded when received based upon the collectability of the loan.

Expected credit losses are measured on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans with similar risk characteristics are grouped into homogeneous segments, or pools, for allowance calculation. The Company's loan portfolio segments as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 were as follows:

One-to-four Family - Carver Federal purchases first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family properties that serve as the primary residence of the owner and non-qualified mortgages for one-to-four family residential loans. The loans are underwritten in accordance with applicable secondary market underwriting guidelines and requirements for sale. These loans present a moderate level of risk due primarily to general economic conditions.

Multifamily - Carver Federal originates and purchases recourse and non-recourse multifamily loans. Multifamily property lending entails additional risks compared to one-to-four family lending. These loans are dependent on the successful operation of such buildings and can be significantly impacted by economic conditions, industry concentration, valuation of the underlying properties, lease terms, occupancy/vacancy rates, and changes in market demand for multifamily units. The Bank primarily considers the property's ability to generate net operating income sufficient to support the debt service, the financial resources, income level and managerial expertise of the borrower, the marketability of the property and the Bank's lending experience with the owner/guarantor.

Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") - CRE lending consists predominantly of originating loans for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing office, mixed-use properties, retail and church buildings in the Bank's market area.  Mixed-use loans are secured by properties that are intended for both commercial and residential use, but predominantly commercial, and are classified as CRE. The Bank primarily considers the ability of the net operating income generated by the real estate to support the debt service, the financial resources, income level and managerial expertise of the borrower, the marketability of the property and the Bank's lending experience with the owner/guarantor. The Bank also requires the assignment of rents of all tenants' leases in the mortgaged property and personal guarantees may be obtained for additional security from these borrowers. CRE loans generally present a higher level of risk than other types of loans due primarily to the effect of general economic conditions and the complexities involved in valuing the underlying collateral.

Construction - Carver Federal historically originated or participated in construction loans for new construction and renovation of multifamily buildings, residential developments, community service facilities, churches, and affordable housing programs. The loans provide for disbursement in stages as construction is completed. Borrowers must satisfy all credit requirements that apply to the Bank’s permanent mortgage loan financing for the mortgaged property. The Bank has additional criteria for construction loans, including an engineer’s plan and periodic cost reviews on all construction budgets for loans. Construction loans present an increased level of risk from the effect of general economic conditions and uncertainties surrounding construction costs.

Business - Carver Federal originates and purchases business and SBA loans primarily to businesses located in its primary market area and surrounding areas. Business loans are typically personally guaranteed by the owners and may also be secured by additional collateral, including real estate, equipment and inventory. Business loans are subject to increased risk from the effect of general economic conditions. SBA loans are guaranteed by the U.S. government based on the percentage of each individual program.

Consumer (including Overdraft accounts) - The Consumer portfolio includes student loans to medical students enrolled in several Caribbean schools, as well as unsecured consumer loans purchased from or originated through
strategic partnerships with Bankers Healthcare Group, LLC and Upstart Holdings, Inc. Consumer loans are typically unsecured and more susceptible to declining economic conditions.

Because expected loss predictions may not adequately project the level of losses inherent in a portfolio, the Bank reviews a number of qualitative factors on a quarterly basis to determine if reserves should be adjusted based upon any of those factors.  As the risk ratings worsen, some of the qualitative factors tend to increase.  A number of qualitative factors are considered including economic forecast uncertainty, credit quality trends, valuation trends, concentration risk, quality of loan review, changes in personnel, impact of rising rates, external factors and other considerations. Although the quantitative calculation includes a measurement of statistical economic conditions based on national averages, an additional analysis is performed at the qualitative level that applies specifically to the Company's geographic area and the banking industry that includes reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Reserve for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposure

    In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated statements of condition when they are funded. The Company estimates a reserve for expected credit losses on loan commitments over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The Bank does not record any reserve for unconditionally cancellable unfunded lending commitment since the exposure may be canceled to prevent future credit loss. Reserves for unfunded lending commitments that are not unconditionally cancellable are included in Other Liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Management will consider the likelihood that funding will occur and use the discount rate based on the associated pooled loan analysis loss rate to calculate the estimated expected credit losses. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures was $8 thousand as of September 30, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities
The Company conducts periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment that has an unrealized holding loss. For available-for-sale ("AFS") securities in an unrealized loss position, management determines whether the Company has the intent to sell the security, or will more likely than not be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the ACL is written off and the amortized cost adjusted for that amount. If any incremental credit loss occurs, the amortized cost is adjusted further by the credit loss and recorded in earnings. For AFS securities that do not meet the above criteria, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management may consider various factors including downgrades in the rating of the security by rating agencies, failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments or adverse conditions specifically related to the security. If the decline in fair value is due to credit loss, the credit loss is recorded through ACL, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The Bank's held-to-maturity portfolio consists of mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies, which have an explicit government guarantee. As a result, no ACL has been recorded related to held-to-maturity securities.