SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Organization

Principles of Consolidation and Organization: The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peapack-Gladstone Bank (the “Bank”). The consolidated financial statements also include the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries:

• PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware

• Peapack Capital Corporation (“PCC”)

• Murphy Capital Management (“Murphy Capital”)

• Peapack-Gladstone Mortgage Group, Inc., which owns 99 percent of Peapack Ventures, LLC and 79 percent of Peapack-Gladstone Realty, Inc., a New Jersey real estate investment company

• PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware, which owns one percent of Peapack Ventures, LLC

• Peapack Ventures, LLC, which owns the remaining 21 percent of Peapack-Gladstone Realty, Inc.

• PGB Securities, Inc. (formed in the second quarter of 2020)

While the following footnotes include the consolidated results of the Company, the Bank and their subsidiaries, these footnotes primarily reflect the Bank’s and its subsidiaries’ activities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. In preparing the financial statements, Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the statement of condition and revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards: On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) which replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan and lease receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments). In addition, Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326 made changes to the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available-for-sale debt securities management does not intend to sell or believes that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet commitments.  Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2022, are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.  The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $3.9 million as of January 1, 2022, for the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 326.  The transition adjustment includes a $5.5 million reduction to our allowance for credit losses. The lower allowance was in part attributed to historically low charge-offs combined with the shorter duration of the loan portfolio employed in our CECL analysis.  Further, the incurred loss method required significant qualitative factors, including factors related to Covid, and the use of a multiplier for potential losses on criticized and classified loans, neither of which are included within the CECL methodology. The CECL methodology utilizes significantly less qualitative factors as it uses economic factors and historical losses over a full economic cycle and calculates losses based on DCF on an individual loan basis. Accordingly, the CECL model quantitatively accounts for some of the qualitative factors utilized in the incurred loss methodology.

The following table illustrates the impact to our financial statements as of January 1, 2022 upon adoption of ASC 326:

	January 1, 2022
(In thousands)	Impact to Consolidated Statement of Condition from ASC-326 Adoption			Tax Effect			Impact to Retained Earnings from ASC-326 Adoption
Allowance for credit losses on loans	$	(5,536	)	$	1,490		$	4,046
Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments		188			(51	)		137
Total impact from ASC 326 adoption	$	(5,348	)	$	1,439		$	(3,909	)

Segment Information

Segment Information:  The Company’s business is conducted through two business segments: (1) its banking segment (“Banking”), which involves the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers, and (2) the Peapack Private Wealth Management Division (“Peapack Private”), which includes asset management services to individuals and institutions. Management uses certain methodologies to allocate income and expense to the business segments.

The Banking segment includes: commercial (includes commercial and industrial (“C&I”) and equipment financing), commercial real estate, multifamily, residential and consumer lending activities; treasury management services; C&I advisory services; escrow management; deposit generation; operation of ATMs; telephone and internet banking services; merchant credit card services and customer support services.

Peapack Private includes: investment management services for individuals and institutions; personal trust services, including services as executor, trustee, administrator and custodian; and other financial planning and advisory services. This segment also includes the activity from the Delaware subsidiary, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware, and Murphy Capital.  Wealth management fees are primarily earned over time as the Company provides the contracted monthly or quarterly services and are generally assessed based on a tiered scale of the market value of assets under management and/or administration (“AUM”) at month-end.  Fees that are transaction based, including trade execution services, are recognized at the point in time that the transaction is executed (i.e. trade date).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.  Cash equivalents are of original maturities of 90 days or less. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions and short-term borrowings with original maturities of 90 days or less.

Interest-Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions

Interest-Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions: Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.

Securities

Securities: Prior to January 1, 2022, Management evaluated securities for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warranted. For securities in an unrealized loss position, Management considered the extent and duration of the unrealized loss and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assessed whether it intended to sell, or it is more likely than not that it was required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value was recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that did not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment was split into two components as follows: (1) other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss, which would be recognized through the income statement and (2) other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors, which would be recognized in other comprehensive income.

Effective January 1, 2022, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, debt securities available-for-sale are measured at fair value and subject to impairment testing. When an available-for-sale debt security is considered impaired, the Company must determine if the decline in fair value has resulted from a credit-related loss or other factors and then, (1) recognize an allowance for credit losses ("ACL") by a charge to earnings for the credit-related component (if any) of the decline in fair value, and (2) recognize in other comprehensive income (loss) any non-credit related components of the fair value change. If the amount of the amortized cost basis expected to be recovered increases in a future period, the valuation reserve would be reduced, but not more than the amount of the current existing reserve for that security.

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. Other debt securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.  The Company also has an investment in a Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) investment fund, which is classified as an equity security.  

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated, and premiums on callable debt securities, which are amortized to the earliest call date. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Stock:  The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of FHLB stock, based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

The Bank is also a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and required to own a certain amount of FRB stock. FRB stock is carried at cost and classified as a restricted security. Dividends are reported as income.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage loans originated with the intent to sell in the secondary market are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights released; therefore, no servicing rights are recorded. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans, shown as gain on sale of loans on the Statement of Income, are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.

SBA loans originated with the intent to sell in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. SBA loans are generally sold with the servicing rights retained. Gains and losses on the sale of SBA loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.  Total SBA loans serviced totaled $118.1 million and $97.5 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.  SBA loans held for sale totaled $26.4 million and $32.5 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. 

Loans originated with the intent to hold and subsequently transferred to loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. These are loans that the Company no longer has the intent to hold for the foreseeable future.

Loans

Loans:  Loans that Management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are stated at the principal amount outstanding. Interest on loans is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding. Loans are stated at face value, less purchased premium and discounts and net deferred fees. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized on a level-yield method over the life of the loan as an adjustment to the loan’s yield. The definition of recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable and deferred fees/costs, however, for the Company’s loan disclosures, accrued interest and deferred fees/costs were excluded as the impact was not material.

Loans are considered past due when they are not paid within 30 days in accordance with contractual terms. The accrual of income on loans, including individually evaluated loans, is discontinued if, in the opinion of Management, principal or interest is not

likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days unless the asset is both well secured and in the process of collection. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual are reversed against interest income. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are recorded as principal payments. A nonaccrual loan is returned to accrual status only when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured, generally when the Bank receives contractual payments for a minimum of six consecutive months. Commercial loans are generally charged off, in whole or in part, after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. Consumer closed-end loans are generally charged off after they become 120 days past due and open-end loans after 180 days. Subsequent payments are credited to income only if collection of principal is not in doubt. If principal and interest payments are brought contractually current and future collectability is reasonably assured, loans may be returned to accrual status. Nonaccrual mortgage loans are generally charged off to the extent that the value of the underlying collateral does not cover the outstanding principal balance. The majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses:  On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Topic 326) which replaced the incurred loss methodology with CECL for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and other commitments to extend credit. CECL requires the immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the estimated remaining life of the asset. The forward-looking concept of CECL requires loss estimates to consider historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts of future events and circumstances.

The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans held for investment is the combination of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for loan losses is reported as a reduction of the amortized cost basis of loans, while the reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included within "other liabilities" on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The estimate of credit loss incorporates assumptions for both the likelihood and amount of funding over the estimated life of the commitments, including adjustments for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management periodically reviews and updates its assumptions for estimated funding rates.  The amortized cost basis of loans does not include accrued interest receivable, which is included in "accrued interest receivable" on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The "Provision for credit losses" on the Consolidated Statements of Income is a combination of the provision for credit losses and the provision for unfunded loan commitments.

Allowance for Loan Losses under incurred methodology prior to CECL Adoption on January 1, 2022

The allowance for loan and lease losses is a valuation allowance for credit losses that is Management’s estimate of probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio.  Under this accounting method, the process to determine reserves utilizes analytical tools and Management judgment and is reviewed on a quarterly basis. When Management is reasonably certain that a loan balance is not fully collectable, an impairment analysis is completed whereby a specific reserve may be established or a full or partial charge off is recorded against the allowance.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the size and composition of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations, estimated collateral values, asset quality information, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans via a specific reserve, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in Management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component of the allowance relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by Management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Loans are individually evaluated for impairment when they are classified as substandard by Management. If a loan is considered impaired, a portion of the allowance may be allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or if repayment is expected solely from the underlying collateral, the loan principal balance is compared to the fair value of collateral less estimated disposition costs to determine the need, if any, for a charge off.

The general component of the allowance covers non-impaired loans and is based primarily on the Company’s historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company on a weighted average basis over the previous three years. This actual loss

experience is adjusted by other qualitative factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These qualitative factors include consideration of the following:  levels of and trends in delinquencies, charge-offs and impaired loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staffing and experience; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.  For loans that are graded as non-impaired, the Company allocates a higher general reserve percentage than pass-rated loans using a multiple that is calculated annually through a migration analysis.  At both December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, the multiple was 2.25 times for non-impaired special mention loans and 3.25 times for non-impaired substandard loans. 

ACL in accordance with CECL methodology

With respect to pools of similar loans, that are collectively evaluated, an appropriate level of general allowance is determined by portfolio segment using a non-linear discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The DCF model captures losses over the historical charge-off and prepayment cycle and applies those losses at a loan level over the remaining maturity of the loan. The model then calculates a historical loss rate using the average losses over the reporting period, which is then applied to each segment utilizing a standard reversion rate. This loss rate is then supplemented with adjustments for reasonable and supportable forecasts of relevant economic indicators, including but not limited to unemployment rates, national consumer price and confidence indices.  Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. Also included in the ACL are qualitative factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These qualitative factors include the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staffing and experience; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. It is also possible that these factors could include social, political, economic, and terrorist events or activities. All of these factors are susceptible to change, which may be significant. As a result of this detailed process, the ACL results in two forms of allocations, specific and general. These two components represent the total ACL deemed adequate to cover probable lifetime losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

When management identifies loans that do not share common risk characteristics (i.e., are not similar to other loans within a pool) they are evaluated on an individual basis.  These loans are not included in the collective evaluation.  For loans identified as having a likelihood of foreclosure or that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, a collateral dependent approach is used.  These are loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. Under CECL, for collateral dependent loans, the Company has adopted the practical expedient method to measure the allowance for credit losses based on the fair value of collateral. The allowance for credit losses is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan's collateral, which is adjusted for liquidation costs/discounts, and amortized cost. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost, no allowance is required.

The CECL methodology requires a significant amount of management judgment in determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses. Several of the steps in the methodology involve judgment and are subjective in nature including, among other things: segmenting the loan portfolio; determining the amount of loss history to consider; selecting predictive econometric regression models that use appropriate macroeconomic variables; determining the methodology to forecast prepayments; selecting the most appropriate economic forecast scenario; determining the length of the reasonable and supportable forecast and reversion periods; estimating expected utilization rates on unfunded loan commitments; and assessing relevant and appropriate qualitative factors. In addition, the CECL methodology is dependent on economic forecasts, which are inherently imprecise and will change from period to period. Although the allowance for credit losses is considered appropriate, there can be no assurance that it will be sufficient to absorb future losses.

In determining an appropriate amount for the allowance, the Bank segments and aggregated the loan portfolio based on common characteristics. The following segments have been identified:

Primary Residential Mortgages.  The Bank originates one to four family residential mortgage loans in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), Pennsylvania and Florida.  Loans are secured by first liens on the primary residence or investment property.  Primary risk characteristics associated with residential mortgage loans typically involve: major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; and divorce or death. In addition, residential mortgage loans that have adjustable rates could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate values could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential loss exposure for the Bank.

Junior Lien Loan on Residence (which include home equity lines of credit).  The Bank provides junior lien loans (“JLL”) and revolving home equity lines of credit against one to four family properties in the Tri-State area. These

loans are subordinate to a first mortgage which may be from another lending institution. Primary risk characteristics associated with JLLs and home equity lines of credit typically involve: major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; and divorce or death. Further, real estate values could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential loss exposure for the Bank.  In addition, home equity lines of credit typically are made with variable or floating interest rates, which could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment.  Further, real estate values could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential loss exposure for the Bank.

Multifamily.  The Bank provides mortgage loans for multifamily properties (i.e. buildings which have five or more residential units) and other commercial real estate that is either owner occupied or managed as an investment property (non-owner occupied) in the Tri-State area and Pennsylvania. Commercial real estate properties primarily include retail buildings/shopping centers, hotels, office/medical buildings and industrial/warehouse space. Some properties are considered “mixed use” as they are a combination of building types, such as a building with retail space on the ground floor and either residential apartments or office suites on the upper floors. Multifamily loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flows of the underlying property so the collective amount of rents must be sufficient to cover all operating expenses, property management and maintenance, taxes and debt service. Increases in vacancy rates, interest rates or other changes in general economic conditions can have an impact on the borrower and its ability to repay the loan.

Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans.  The Bank provides mortgage loans for owner-occupied commercial real estate properties in the Tri-State area and Pennsylvania.  Commercial real estate properties primarily include retail buildings/shopping centers, hotels, office/medical buildings and industrial/warehouse space.  Some properties are considered “mixed use” as they are a combination of building types, such as a building with retail space on the ground floor and either residential apartments or office suites on the upper floors.  Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to economic conditions.

Investment Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Bank provides mortgage loans for properties managed as an investment property (non-owner-occupied) in the Tri-State area and Pennsylvania.  Non-owner-occupied properties primarily include retail buildings/shopping centers, hotels, office/medical buildings and industrial/warehouse space.  Some properties are considered “mixed use” as they are a combination of building types, such as a building with retail space on the ground floor and either residential apartments or office suites on the upper floors.  Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to economic conditions.

Commercial and Industrial Loans.  The Bank provides lines of credit and term loans to operating companies for business purposes. The loans are generally secured by business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, business vehicles and equipment as well as the stock of a company, if privately held.  Commercial and industrial loans are typically repaid first by the cash flows generated by the borrower’s business operations. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and resulting positive cash flows. Factors that may influence a business’ profitability include, but are not limited to, demand for its products or services, quality and depth of management, degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured by business assets. To mitigate the risk characteristics of commercial and industrial loans, these loans often include commercial real estate as collateral to strengthen the Bank’s position and the Bank will often require more frequent reporting requirements from the borrower in order to better monitor its business performance.  However, the ability of the Bank to foreclose and realize sufficient value from the assets is often highly uncertain.

Leasing Finance.  PCC offers a range of finance solutions nationally. PCC provides term loans and leases secured by assets financed for U.S. based mid-size and large companies. Facilities tend to be fully drawn under fixed rate terms. PCC serves a broad range of industries including transportation, manufacturing, heavy construction and utilities.

Asset risk in PCC’s portfolio is generally recognized through changes to loan income, or through changes to lease related income streams due to fluctuations in lease rates.  Changes to lease income can occur when the existing lease contract expires, the asset comes off lease or the business seeks to enter a new lease agreement.  Asset risk may also

change through depreciation, resulting from changes in the residual value of the operating lease asset or through impairment of the asset carrying value, which can occur at any time during the life of the asset.

Credit risk in PCC’s portfolio generally results from the potential default of borrowers or lessees, which may be driven by customer specific or broader industry related conditions.  Credit losses can impact multiple parts of the income statement including loss of interest/lease/rental income and/or higher costs and expenses related to the repossession, refurbishment, re-marketing and or re-leasing of assets.

Construction.  The Bank provides commercial construction loans for properties located in the Tri-state area. Risks common to commercial construction loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements and declines in real estate values. Changes in market demand for property could lead to longer marketing times resulting in higher carrying costs, declining values, and higher interest rates.

Consumer and Other.  These are loans to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures as well as obligations of states and political subdivisions in the U.S. This also represents all other loans that cannot be categorized in any of the previous mentioned loan segments.  Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential loans but tend to have higher credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some cases the absence of collateral.

A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is a modified loan with concessions made by the lender to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty. TDRs are impaired and are generally measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a TDR is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposition costs. For TDRs that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for credit losses.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES”) Act, which provides entities with optional temporary relief from certain accounting and financial reporting requirements under U.S. GAAP, allows financial institutions to suspend application of certain current TDR accounting guidance under ASC 310-40 for loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, provided certain criteria are met. This relief can be applied to loan modifications for borrowers that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and to loan modifications that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest or change the interest rate on the loan. The revised CARES Act extended TDR relief to loan modifications through January 1, 2022. In April 2020, federal and state banking regulators issued the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus to provide further interpretation of when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, specifically indicating that if the modification is either short-term (e.g., six months) or mandated by a federal or state government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty under ASC 310-40. The Company continues to prudently work with borrowers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while managing credit risks and recognizing an appropriate allowance for credit losses on its loan portfolio.  The Company approved total loan modifications under the CARES Act of $947.0 million, of which $12.7 million remain outstanding as of March 31, 2022.  

Another key program under the CARES Act is the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) administered by the SBA which provided funding to qualifying businesses and organizations.  Under this program, the Company provided fundings of approximately $650 million. In the third quarter of 2020 and second quarter of 2021, the Company sold approximately $355.0 million and $56.5 million, respectively, of such loans, servicing rights released to a third party. The Company also referred approximately $124 million of PPP loans to a third party during the first six months of 2021.  The Company has approximately $9.6 million of PPP loans remaining in its portfolio as of March 31, 2022 and believes that substantially all of these loans will be forgiven by the SBA. These loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and provide for full forgiveness of the loans during a specified forgiveness period that meet specific guidelines provided by the SBA. Loans that do not meet the forgiveness criteria will enter a repayment period of 2 or 5 years.

Leases

Leases:  At inception, contracts are evaluated to determine whether the contract constitutes a lease agreement. For contracts that are determined to be an operating lease, a corresponding right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and operating lease liability are recorded as separate line items on the statement of condition. A ROU asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and a lease liability represents the Company’s commitment to make contractually obligated lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The measurement of the operating lease ROU asset includes any lease payments made.

If the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the incremental collateralized borrowing rate is used to determine the present value of lease payments. This rate gives consideration to the applicable FHLB collateralized borrowing rates and is based on the information available at the commencement date. The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption to leases with an initial term of 12 months or less; therefore, these leases are not recorded on the Company’s statement of condition, but rather, lease expense is recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The Company’s lease agreements may include options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company’s decision to exercise renewal options is based on an assessment of its current business needs and market factors at the time of the renewal.  The Company maintains certain property and equipment under direct financing and operating leases.  Substantially all of the leases in which the Company is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for branches and office space and are classified as operating leases.  

The ROU asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease incentives received, any cumulative prepaid or accrued rent if the lease payments are uneven throughout the lease term, any unamortized initial direct costs, and any impairment of the ROU asset. Operating lease expense consists of: a single lease cost allocated over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis, variable lease payments not included in the lease liability, and any impairment of the ROU asset.

There are no terms or conditions related to residual value guarantees and no restrictions or covenants that would impact the Company’s ability to pay dividends or to incur additional financial obligations.

Derivatives

Derivatives:  At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as one of three types based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”); (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation.  For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as non-interest income. When hedge accounting is discontinued on a fair value hedge that no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative continues to be reported at fair value in the statement of condition, but the carrying amount of the hedged item is no longer adjusted for future changes in fair value. The adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item that existed at the date hedge accounting is discontinued is amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item into earnings.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship.  This documentation includes linking fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions.  The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminated, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income.  When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

The Company also offers facility specific / loan level swaps to its customers and offsets its exposure from such contracts by entering into mirror image swaps with a financial institution / swap counterparty (loan level / back-to-back swap program).  The customer accommodations and any offsetting swaps are treated as non-hedging derivative instruments which do not qualify for hedge accounting (“standalone derivatives”).  The notional amount of the swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties.  The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual contracts.  The fair value of the swaps is recorded as both an asset and a liability, in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in equal amounts for these transactions. The Company is exposed to losses if a customer counterparty fails to make its payments under a contract in which the Company is in a net receiving position.  At this time, the Company anticipates that its counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under the agreements.  All of the contracts to which the Company is a party settle monthly.  Further, the Company has netting agreements with the dealers with which it does business.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company’s 2006 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, 2012 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and 2021 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan allow the granting of shares of the Company’s common stock as incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights to directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. There are no shares remaining for issuance with respect to the stock option plan approved in 2002, however options granted under this plan are still included in the amounts below. Options granted under these plans are, in general, exercisable not earlier than one year after the date of grant, at a price equal to the fair value of common stock on the date of grant and expire not more than ten years after the date of grant. Stock options may vest during a period of up to five years after the date of grant.  Some options granted to officers at or above the senior vice president level were immediately exercisable at the date of grant.  The Company has a policy of using authorized but unissued shares to satisfy option exercises.

Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures.

For the Company’s stock option plans, changes in options outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2022, were as follows:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average	Aggregate
				Average		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual	Value
	Options			Price		Term	(In thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2022		31,340		$	14.59
Exercised during 2022		(9,260	)		13.03
Expired during 2022		—			—
Forfeited during 2022		(480	)		10.72
Balance, March 31, 2022		21,600		$	15.35	0.94 years	$	419
Vested and expected to vest		21,600		$	15.35	0.94 years	$	419
Exercisable at March 31, 2022		21,600		$	15.35	0.94 years	$	419

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the first quarter of 2022 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options. The Company’s closing stock price on March 31, 2022 was $34.75.

There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022.  

The Company issued performance-based and service-based restricted stock units in 2022 and 2021. Service-based units vest ratably over a three- or five-year period.  There were 233,910 service-based restricted stock units granted during the first quarter of 2022.    

The performance-based awards are dependent upon the Company meeting certain performance criteria and, to the extent the performance criteria are met, will cliff vest at the end of the performance period, which is generally three years.  There were 71,482 performance-based restricted stock units granted in the first quarter of 2022.   

Changes in non-vested shares dependent on performance criteria for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2022		225,435		$	20.29
Granted during 2022		71,482			35.93
Vested during 2022		(53,729	)		26.34
Forfeited during 2022		(5,284	)		17.92
Balance, March 31, 2022		237,904		$	23.68

Changes in service-based restricted stock awards/units for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2022		701,145		$	21.93
Granted during 2022		233,910			36.86
Vested during 2022		(252,955	)		21.46
Forfeited during 2022		(16,434	)		19.80
Balance, March 31, 2022		665,666		$	27.41

As of March 31, 2022, there was $20.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to service-based and performance-based units.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.57 years. Stock compensation expense recorded for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021 totaled $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”): The ESPP provides for the granting of rights to purchase up to 150,000 shares of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation common stock. In May 2020, shareholders approved an increase of 200,000 shares of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation common stock to be issued under the ESPP.

Subject to certain eligibility requirements and restrictions, the ESPP provided for a single Offering Period of twelve months in duration, which commenced on May 16, 2019 and ended on May 15, 2020.

The ESPP was revised to allow for the purchase of shares during four three-month Offering Periods of each calendar year. The Offering Periods end on February 16, May 16, August 16 and November 16 of each calendar year.

Each participant in the Offering Period is granted an option to purchase a number of shares and may contribute between one percent and 15 percent of their compensation. At the end of each Offering Period, the number of shares to be purchased by the employee is determined by dividing the employee’s contributions accumulated during the Offering Period by the applicable purchase price. The purchase price is an amount equal to 85 percent of the closing market price of a share of common stock on the purchase date. Participation in the ESPP is entirely voluntary and employees can cancel their purchases at any time during the period without penalty. The fair value of each share purchase right is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The Company recorded $35,000 and $30,000 in salaries and employee benefits expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively related to the ESPP.  Total shares issued under the ESPP during the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 were 6,808 and 8,425, respectively.

Earnings per share - Basic and Diluted

Earnings per share – Basic and Diluted:  The following is a reconciliation of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net income per share is computed similarly to that of basic net income per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding utilizing the Treasury Stock Method if all shares underlying potentially dilutive stock options were issued and all shares of restricted stock, stock warrants or restricted stock units were to vest during the reporting period.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             For the three months ended March 31, 2022, restricted stock units totaling 299,433 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, restricted stock units totaling 239,472 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive shares are common stock equivalents with weighted average exercise prices in excess of the average market value for the periods presented.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2022		2021
Net income available to common shareholders	$	13,441	$	13,178
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		18,339,013		18,950,305
Plus: common stock equivalents		607,670		581,384
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		18,946,683		19,531,689
Net income per share
Basic	$	0.73	$	0.70
Diluted		0.71		0.67

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:  The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. Separate state income tax returns are filed for each subsidiary based on current laws and regulations.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in its financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on the enacted tax rates. Such tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of a change in tax rates in the period of enactment.

The Company recognizes a tax position as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

The Company is no longer subject to examination by the U.S. Federal tax authorities for years prior to 2018 or by New Jersey tax authorities for years prior to 2016.  

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Restrictions on Cash

Restrictions on Cash: A large portion of cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements. Prior to March 2020, reserves were in the form of cash and balances with the FRB and included in interest-earning deposits in our statement of condition. The FRB suspended cash reserve requirements effective March 26, 2020.

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive Income/(Loss): Comprehensive income/(loss) consists of net income and the change during the period in the Company’s net unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedge, net of tax, less adjustments for realized gains and losses.

Transfers of Financial Assets

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

Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties: The Company expects COVID-19 to have an impact on our operations but cannot determine or estimate the full impact at this time.  It is possible that estimates made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted as a result of the conditions created by COVID-19, including estimates regarding expected provision for credit losses and impairment of goodwill.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:  Goodwill is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree (if any), over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.  Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed.

The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test.  Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill, which includes assembled workforce has an indefinite life on our statement of financial condition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill and assembled workforce are the intangible assets with an indefinite life on our balance sheet.

Other intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationship intangible assets arising from acquisitions, are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from 5 to 15 years.