BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2022
BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which became the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”) in 2016. The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). Basis of Presentation In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of June 30, 2022, its consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the remainder of the year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis. Risks and Uncertainties In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected local, national and global economic activity. Various actions taken to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 included restrictions on travel, quarantines and government-mandated closures of various businesses. The outbreak caused significant disruptions to the economy and disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in March 2020 to, among other things, provide emergency assistance to individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in future periods, and it is unknown what the complete financial impact will be to the Company. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the coronavirus, the new “waves” of COVID-19 infections, the spread of new variants of the virus, and the distribution of vaccines and vaccination rates, among others. It is possible that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted due to these conditions. Accounting Policies Allowance for Loan Losses – The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice, and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis. Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the loan’s contractual life using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments. Loans that are acquired are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of expected principal and interest cash flows to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market interest rate. At June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $1.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively, which at the time of acquisition, showed evidence of credit deterioration since origination. Loans Held for Sale - Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans. For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Recent Accounting Developments In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments introduce an impairment model that is based on current expected credit losses (“CECL”), rather than incurred losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments (i.e. loans and held to maturity securities), including certain off-balance sheet financial instruments (i.e. commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that are not unconditionally cancellable). The CECL standard should consider historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments, over the contractual term. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. Financial instruments with similar risk characteristics may be grouped together when estimating credit losses. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial estimate of expected credit loss would be recognized through an allowance for credit losses with an offset (i.e. increase) to the purchase price at acquisition. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for loan losses for these assets. The ASU also amends the current available for sale security impairment model for debt securities whereby credit losses relating to available for sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The amendments will be applied through a modified retrospective approach, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. As the Company is a smaller-reporting company under SEC regulations, the Company will adopt CECL on October 1, 2023 and the future adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The amendments in this update primarily replace the existing accounting requirements for operating leases for lessees. Lessee accounting requirements for finance leases and lessor accounting requirements for operating leases and sales type and direct financing leases (sales-type and direct financing leases were both previously referred to as capital leases) are largely unchanged. The amendments require the lessee of an operating lease to record a balance sheet gross-up upon lease commencement by recognizing a right-of-use asset and lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments. The right-of-use asset and lease liability should be derecognized in a manner that effectively yields a straight-line lease expense over the lease term. In addition to the changes to the lessee operating lease accounting requirements, the amendments also change the types of costs that can be capitalized related to a lease agreement for both lessees and lessors. The amendments also require additional disclosures for all lease types for both lessees and lessors. The FASB has subsequently issued additional ASUs intended to clarify guidance, provide implementation support, and provide an additional transition election. The amendments are effective on October 1, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, and we anticipate selecting the transition option that will allow us to record a cumulative adjustment as of the adoption date. We are assessing our current population of lease contracts and upon adoption, our balance sheet will include a right-of-use asset and lease liability for our operating leases where we are the lessee, which primarily include our facilities leases. We do not anticipate the adoption of these amendments will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. We plan to adopt these amendments on October 1, 2022 and expect to use the modified retrospective approach as currently required.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which became the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”) in 2016. The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”).

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of June 30, 2022, its consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the remainder of the year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.

Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected local, national and global economic activity. Various actions taken to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 included restrictions on travel, quarantines and government-mandated closures of various businesses. The outbreak caused significant disruptions to the economy and disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in March 2020 to, among other things, provide emergency assistance to individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in future periods, and it is unknown what the complete financial impact will be to the Company. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the coronavirus, the new “waves” of COVID-19 infections, the spread of new variants of the virus, and the distribution of vaccines and vaccination rates, among others. It is possible that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted due to these conditions.

Accounting Policies

Allowance for Loan Losses – The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice, and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans.

Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the loan’s contractual life using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments.

Loans that are acquired are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of expected principal and interest cash flows to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market interest rate. At June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $1.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively, which at the time of acquisition, showed evidence of credit deterioration since origination.

Loans Held for Sale - Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans.

For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Recent Accounting Developments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments introduce an impairment model that is based on current expected credit losses (“CECL”), rather than incurred losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments (i.e. loans and held to maturity securities), including certain off-balance sheet financial instruments (i.e. commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that are not unconditionally cancellable). The CECL standard should consider historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments, over the contractual term. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. Financial instruments with similar risk characteristics may be grouped together when estimating credit losses. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial estimate of expected credit loss would be recognized through an allowance for credit losses with an offset (i.e. increase) to the purchase price at acquisition. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for loan losses for these assets. The ASU also amends the current available for sale security impairment model for debt securities whereby credit losses relating to available for sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The amendments will be applied through a modified retrospective approach, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. As the Company is a smaller-reporting company under SEC regulations, the Company will adopt CECL on October 1, 2023 and the future adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The amendments in this update primarily replace the existing accounting requirements for operating leases for lessees. Lessee accounting requirements for finance leases and lessor accounting requirements for operating leases and sales type and direct financing leases (sales-type and direct financing leases were both previously referred to as capital leases) are largely unchanged. The amendments require the lessee of an operating lease to record a balance sheet gross-up upon lease commencement by recognizing a right-of-use asset and lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments. The right-of-use asset and lease liability should be derecognized in a manner that effectively yields a straight-line lease expense over the lease term. In addition to the changes to the lessee operating lease accounting requirements, the amendments also change the types of costs that can be capitalized related to a lease agreement for both lessees and lessors. The amendments also require additional disclosures for all lease types for both lessees and lessors. The FASB has subsequently issued additional ASUs intended to clarify guidance, provide implementation support, and provide an additional transition election. The amendments are effective on October 1, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, and we anticipate selecting the transition option that will allow us to record a cumulative adjustment as of the adoption date. We are assessing our current population of lease contracts and upon adoption, our balance sheet will include a right-of-use asset and lease liability for our operating leases where we are the lessee, which primarily include our facilities leases. We do not anticipate the adoption of these amendments will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. We plan to adopt these amendments on October 1, 2022 and expect to use the modified retrospective approach as currently required.