The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. The level of uncertainty in estimates and assumptions increases with the length of time until the underlying transactions are complete. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company applies fair value accounting to certain of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820 — Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value and requires disclosures for fair value measurements. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments carried at fair value, based on the priority of the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market participant who holds the financial instrument rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions reflect those that management believe market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument at the measurement date.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new, whether the product is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market and the current market conditions. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value was greatest for financial instruments classified as Level 3.

Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management and the Board to confirm that the changes are appropriate. As markets change, new products develop and the pricing for products becomes more or less transparent, the Company will continue to refine its valuation methodologies. See further description of fair value methodology in NOTE 9—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS.

The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of available for sale debt securities. Securities that are classified as “available for sale” are carried at their estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. The fair values of our securities are affected by changes in market interest rates and credit spreads. In general, as interest rates rise and/or credit spreads widen, the fair value of securities will decline. As interest rates fall and/or credit spreads tighten, the fair value of securities will rise. The Company evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions at least quarterly to determine if an allowance for credit losses is required. Based on an evaluation of available information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that are relevant to collectability, the Company has concluded that it expects to receive all contractual cash flows from each security held in its available-for-sale securities portfolio.

Assets related to transactions that do not meet ASC Topic 860 — Transfers and Servicing (“ASC Topic 860”) requirements for accounting sale treatment are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as investments. Those assets are owned by the securitization trusts and are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The creditors of the special purpose entities have received security interests in such assets and such assets are not intended to be available to the creditors of the Company.

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method, in which the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally measured and recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date, with the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired recognized as goodwill. Items such as acquired income-tax related balances are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP, which may result in measurements that differ from fair value. Business combinations are included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. Historical reporting periods reflect only the results of legacy Newtek operations. Acquisition-related costs are expensed in the period incurred and presented within the applicable non-interest expense category. Additional information regarding the Company’s acquisitions can be found within NOTE 3—BUSINESS COMBINATION.

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”) approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of a loan (or pool of loans). It replaces the incurred loss approach’s threshold that required the recognition of a credit loss when it was probable a loss event was incurred. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from, or added to, the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net, lifetime amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes a loan balance is confirmed to be uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, related to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Company historical loss experience was supplemented with peer information when there was insufficient loss data for the Company. Peer selection was based on a review of institutions with comparable loss experience as well as loan yield, bank size, portfolio concentration and geography. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, production metrics, property values, or other relevant factors. Significant management judgment is required at each point in the measurement process.

Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Management developed segments for estimating loss based on type of borrower and collateral which is generally based upon federal call report segmentation and have been combined or sub-segmented as needed to ensure loans of similar risk profiles are appropriately pooled. These portfolio segments are as follows:

Commercial Real Estate: The commercial real estate portfolio is comprised of loans to borrowers on small offices, owner-occupied commercial buildings, industrial/warehouse properties, income producing/investor real estate properties, and multi-family loans secured by first mortgages. The Company’s underwriting standards generally target a loan-to-value ratio of 75%, depending on the type of collateral, and requires debt service coverage of a minimum of 1.2 times.

SBA 7(a): The SBA 7(a) portfolio includes loans originated under the federal Section 7(a) loan program. The SBA is an independent government agency that facilitates one of the nation’s largest sources of SMB financing by providing credit guarantees for its loan programs. SBA 7(a) loans are partially guaranteed by the SBA, with SBA guarantees typically ranging between 50% and 90% of the principal and interest due. Under the SBA’s 7(a) lending program, a bank or other lender may underwrite loans between $5,000 and $5.0 million for a variety of general business purposes based on the SBA’s loan program requirements.

The impairment model for AFS debt securities differs from the CECL approach utilized for financial instruments measured at amortized cost because AFS debt securities are measured at fair value. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Bank 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 of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities AFS that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, 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, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, failure of the

issuer of the debt security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, 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 are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The cash flows should be estimated using information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses 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 allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the AFS security is uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. As of March 31, 2023, the Company determined that the unrealized loss positions in the AFS securities were not the result of credit losses, and therefore, an allowance for credit losses was not recorded.

Upon the Acquisition and adoption of CECL, the Company made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable: (1) presented accrued interest receivable balances separately within other assets balance sheet line item; (2) excluded interest receivable that is included in amortized cost of financing receivables from related disclosures requirements and (3) continued our policy to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income. For loans, write off typically occurs upon becoming over 90 to 120 days past due and therefore the amount of such write offs are immaterial. Historically, the Company has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on investment securities.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Invested cash is held exclusively at financial institutions of high credit quality. As of March 31, 2023, cash deposits in excess of insured amounts totaled $49.3 million. The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to cash balances in excess of insured amounts and management does not believe there was a significant concentration of risk with respect to cash balances as of March 31, 2023.

Restricted cash includes amounts due on SBA loan-related remittances to third parties, cash reserves established as part of a voluntary agreement with the SBA, cash reserves associated with securitization transactions, and cash margin as collateral for derivative instruments. As of March 31, 2023, total restricted cash was $72.6 million.


	March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022		December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Cash and due from banks	$	27,349	4,911		53,692		$	2,397
Restricted cash	72,599		158,543		71,914		184,463
Interest bearing deposits in banks	97,196		—		—		—
Cash and restricted cash	$	197,144	$	163,454	$	125,606	$	186,860

For a transfer of financial assets to be considered a sale, the transfer must meet the sale criteria of ASC 860, which, at the time of the transfer, requires that the transferred assets qualify as recognized financial assets and the Company surrender control over the assets. Such surrender requires that the assets be isolated from the Company, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, the purchaser have the right to pledge or sell the assets transferred and the Company not have an option or obligation to reacquire the assets. If the sale criteria are not met, the transfer is considered to be a secured borrowing, the assets remain on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the sale proceeds are recognized as a liability.

From 2010 through March 31, 2023, NSBF engaged in securitizations of the unguaranteed portions of its SBA 7(a) loans. A securitization uses a special purpose entity (the “Trust”), which is considered a variable interest entity. Applying the consolidation requirements for VIEs under the accounting rules in ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, and ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, which became effective January 1, 2010, the Company determined that as the primary beneficiary of the securitization vehicle, based on its power to direct activities through its role as servicer for the Trust and its obligation to absorb losses and right to receive benefits, it needed to consolidate the Trusts. The Company therefore consolidated the entities using the carrying amounts of the Trust’s assets and liabilities and reflects the assets in SBA Unguaranteed Loans and reflects the associated financing in Notes Payable - Securitization trusts on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Company accounts for servicing assets in accordance with ASC Topic 860-50 - Transfers and Servicing - Servicing Assets and Liabilities. Servicing assets are measured at fair value at each reporting date and the Company reports changes in the fair value of servicing assets in earnings in the period in which the changes occur. The Company earns servicing fees from the guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans it originates and sells. The valuation model for servicing assets incorporates assumptions including, but not limited to, servicing costs, discount rate, prepayment rate, and default rate. Considerable judgement is required to estimate the fair value of servicing assets and as such these assets are classified as Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy.

Due to participants represents amounts due to third party investors in the SBA guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) and PPP loans. When the Company receives principal payments, including PPP loan forgiveness, after the loan has been either partially or fully sold to the participant, the remittances received by the Company are either owed in part of in full to the participant and amounts are recorded as a liability on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.

The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to economically manage the fair value variability of fixed rate assets caused by interest rate fluctuations. Derivative instruments consist of interest rate futures and are held at fair value on the balance sheet. Collateral posted with our futures counterparties is segregated in the Company’s books and records. Interest rate futures are centrally cleared by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) through a futures commission merchant. Interest rate futures that are governed by an ISDA agreement provide for bilateral collateral pledging based on the counterparties’ market value. The counterparties have the right to re-pledge the collateral posted but have the obligation to return the pledged collateral, or, if the Company agrees, substantially the same collateral as the market value of the interest rate futures change.

The Company is required to post initial margin and daily variation margin for interest rate futures that are centrally cleared by CME. CME determines the fair value of our centrally cleared futures, including daily variation margin. Effective January 3, 2017, CME amended its rulebooks to legally characterize daily variation margin payments for centrally cleared interest rate futures as settlement rather than collateral. As a result of this rule change, variation margin pledged on the Company’s centrally cleared interest rate futures is settled against the realized results of these futures.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. These differences stem from net unrealized gains and losses generated by the Company and on the book value of intangible assets held by the Company. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Such deferred tax liabilities recorded on the statement of financial condition were $3.52 million and $19.19 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Deferred tax assets was $8.23 million at March 31, 2023 and there was no deferred tax asset at December 31, 2022 on the statement of financial condition. The change in deferred tax liabilities is included as a component of income tax expense (benefit) in the consolidated statements of operations as a financial holding company.

Formerly, as a RIC ending with the Company’s December 31, 2022 fiscal year end, the Company was not subject to corporate level income tax. Beginning with the January 1, 2023 fiscal year, the Company no longer qualifies as a RIC and will be subject to corporate level income tax. See NOTE 18—INCOME TAXES.

NSBF SBA 7(a) Portfolio: Management reviews all loans that become 90 days or more past due on principal or interest or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected for possible placement on management’s designation of non-accrual status. Interest receivable is analyzed regularly and reserved against when deemed uncollectible. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans are recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, is likely to remain current, although we may make exceptions to this general rule if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. In connection with the April 13, 2023 wind-down agreement between NSBF and the SBA, NSBF has begun to wind-down its operations and NSBF will continue to own the SBA 7(a) loans in its SBA loan portfolio to maturity, liquidation, charge-off, or (subject to SBA’s prior written approval), sale or transfer. NSBF will continue to service and liquidate its SBA loan portfolio, pursuant to an SBA approved lender service provider agreement with SBL. (See NOTE 20—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: NSBF Wind-down Agreement).

Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis for preferred equity securities to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected or realized. In determining the amount of dividend income to recognize, if any, from cash distributions on common equity securities, we assess many factors, including the joint ventures’ and non-controlled equity investments’ cumulative undistributed income and operating cash flow. Cash distributions from common equity securities received in excess of such undistributed amounts are recorded first as a reduction of our investment and then as a realized gain on investment.

The Company earns a variety of fees from borrowers in the ordinary course of conducting its business, including packaging, legal, late payment and prepayment fees. All other income is recorded when earned. Other income is generally non-recurring in nature and earned as “one time” fees in connection with the origination of new debt investments with non-affiliates.

Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains or losses on joint ventures are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the cost basis of investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. The Company reports current period changes in the fair value of investments as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on joint ventures in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company accounts for its equity-based compensation plan using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC Topic 718 – Stock Compensation. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, the Company measures the grant date fair value based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant and amortizes this fair value to salaries and benefits ratably over the requisite service period or vesting term.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326) and in April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04 “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments” (collectively, “CECL”). CECL changed how entities measure potential credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value. CECL replaced the “incurred loss” approach under existing guidance with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. While ASU 2016-13 does not require any particular method for determining the CECL allowance, it does specify the allowance should be based on relevant information about past events, including historical loss experience, current portfolio and market conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts for the duration of each respective loan. CECL was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023; however, the Company continues to fair value NSBF’s SBA 7(a) loan portfolio and intends to do so until the portfolio is completely runoff. Following the Acquisition on January 6, 2023, the Company owns and consolidates Newtek Bank, which applies CECL.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820),” which clarifies the guidance in Topic 820 when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security and introduces new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820. The amendments affect all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction. ASU 2022-03 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. An entity that qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 should apply the amendments in ASU No. 2022-03 to an investment in an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction that is executed or modified on or after the date of adoption. The Company does not expect any material impact from adopting ASU No. 2022-03 on the consolidated financial statements.

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Management has determined that the Company has four reportable operating segments: Banking, Non-Bank SBA 7(a) Lending, Technology, Payments, and Other as discussed more fully in NOTE 19—SEGMENTS. In determining the appropriateness of a segment definition, the Company considers the criteria of FASB ASC 280, Segment Reporting.