EX-99.3 24 tm238570d1_ex99-3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 1

Table of Contents

Mercer Savings Bank

 

     
Table of Contents 1
     
Introduction      3
     
1. Overview and Financial Analysis      6
     
  General Overview      6
  History and overview      6
  Strategic Direction      7
  balance sheet trends      7
  Loan Portfolio      11
  investments      13
  asset quality      15
  Funding composition      16
  Asset liability management      16
  Capital      18
  income and expense trends      18
  Legal proceedings      21
  subsidiaries      21
     
2. Market Area Analysis      22
     
3. Comparisons with Publicly Traded Thrifts      23
     
  Overview of the Comparables      26
     
4. Market Value Determination      28
     
  Financial Condition      29
  Balance Sheet Growth      34
  Earnings Quality, Predictability and Growth      35
  Market area      39
  Cash Dividends      43
  Recent Regulatory Matters      44
     
5. Other Factors      45
     
  Management      45
  Liquidity of the shares      46
  marketing of the issuance      47

 

 

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  Valuation Adjustments      49
     
6. Valuation      50
     
  Discussion of Weight Given to Valuation Multiples      50
  Offering Value in Relation to Comparables      53
  Comparison to Recent Standard Conversions      55
  Valuation Conclusion      56
     
7. Exhibits      57

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 3

Introduction

 

February 28, 2023

 

Board of Directors

Mercer Savings Bank

1100 Irmscher Blvd.

Celina, OH 45822

 

Members of the Board Directors:

 

At your request, FinPro Capital Advisors, Inc. (“FinPro” or “FCA”) has completed and hereby provides an independent appraisal ("Appraisal") of the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock which is to be issued in connection with the mutual-to-stock conversion transaction described below.

 

This Appraisal is furnished pursuant to the requirements stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations and has been prepared in accordance with the “Guidelines for Appraisal Reports for the Valuation of Savings and Loan Associations Converting from Mutual to Stock Form of Organization” (the “Valuation Guidelines”) of originally issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) and accepted by the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions (the “ODFI”) and other state banking regulatory agencies, and applicable regulatory interpretations thereof.

 

Description of Plan of Conversion

 

The Board of Directors of Mercer Savings Bank (“Mercer” or the “Bank”) has adopted the plan of conversion (the “Plan”); whereby the Bank will convert to stock form. As a result of the conversion, the Bank will convert to the stock form of ownership and issue all of its common stock to a to-be-formed holding company called Mercer Bancorp, a newly formed Maryland corporation, (“the Company”). It is our understanding that the Bank will offer its stock in a subscription and community offering to Eligible Account Holders, to the Employee Plans and to Supplemental Eligible Account Holders of the Bank. To the extent that shares remain available for purchase after satisfaction of all subscriptions received in the subscription offering, the shares may be offered for sale to members of the general public in a direct community offering and/or a syndicated community offering. A portion of the net proceeds received from the sale of the common stock will be used to purchase all of the then to be issued and outstanding capital stock of Mercer and the balance of the net proceeds will be retained by the Company.

 

At this time, no other activities are contemplated for the Company other than the ownership of the Bank, a loan to the newly formed ESOP and reinvestment of the proceeds that are retained by the Bank. In the future, the Company may acquire or organize other operating subsidiaries, diversify into other banking-related activities, pay dividends, or repurchase its stock, although there are no specific plans to undertake such activities at the present time. The plan of conversion will provide for the establishment of a new charitable foundation (the “Foundation”). On a preliminary basis, the Foundation contribution is expected to consist of $100 thousand of cash and 50 thousand shares of Company common stock.

 

 

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In compiling the pro formas, FinPro relied upon the assumptions provided by the Bank and its agents.

 

The pro forma assumptions are as follows:

 

·100.00% of the total shares will be sold to the depositors and public,

·the stock will be issued at $10.00 per share,

·the fixed conversion expenses will be $1.5 million at the midpoint,

·placement agent fee greater of 1% of issuance or $250 thousand,

·there will be an ESOP equal to 8.00% of the shares sold, funded internally, and amortized over 15 years straight-line,

·there will be an MRP equal to 4.00% of the shares sold, amortized over 5 years straight-line,

·there will be a Stock Option Plan equal to 10% of the shares sold, expensed at $3.72 per option over 5 years straight-line,

·the tax rate is assumed at 21%, and

·the net proceeds will be invested at the one-year treasury rate of 5.00%, pre-tax.

 

In the course of preparing our report, we reviewed the Bank’s financials for the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. We also reviewed the registration statement as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We have conducted due diligence analysis of the Bank and held due diligence related discussions with the Bank’s Management and Board and Luse Gorman, PC (the Bank’s counsel). The valuation parameters set forth in the appraisal were predicated on these discussions, but all conclusions related to the valuation were reached and made independent of such discussions.

 

Where appropriate, we considered information based upon other publicly available sources, which we believe to be reliable; however, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. We reviewed the Bank’s primary market area and reviewed the market area’s economic condition. We also reviewed the competitive environment in which the Bank operates and its relative strengths and weaknesses. We compared the Bank’s performance with selected publicly traded institutions. We reviewed conditions in the securities markets in general and in the market for similar institutions in particular. Our analysis included a review of the estimated effects of the Conversion of the Bank on the operations and expected financial performance as they related to the Bank’s estimated pro forma value.

 

In preparing our valuation, we relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of financial and other information provided to us by the Bank and its independent accountants. We did not independently verify the financial statements and other information provided by the Bank and its independent accountants, nor did we independently value any of the Bank’s assets or liabilities. This estimated valuation considers the Bank only as a going concern and should not be considered as an indication of its liquidation value.

 

Our valuation is not intended, and must not be construed, to be a recommendation of any kind as the advisability of purchasing shares of Common Stock in the stock issuance. Moreover, because such valuation is necessarily based upon estimates and projections of a number of matters, all of which are subject to change from time to time, no assurance can be given that persons who purchase shares of Common Stock in the stock issuance will thereafter be able to sell such shares at prices related to the foregoing valuation of the pro forma market value thereof. FinPro is not a seller of securities within the meaning of any federal or state securities laws. Any report prepared by FinPro shall not be used as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities.

 

 

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The estimated valuation herein will be updated as appropriate. These updates will consider, among other factors, any developments or changes in the Bank’s financial condition, operating performance, management policies and procedures and current conditions in the securities market for thrift institution common stock. Should any such developments or changes, in our opinion, be material to the estimated pro forma market value of the Bank, appropriate adjustments to the estimated pro forma market value will be made. The reasons for any such adjustments will be explained at that time.

 

Valuation Conclusion

 

It is, FinPro’s opinion that as of February 23, 2023, the estimated aggregate pro forma market value of the Bank was $13,000,000 at the midpoint of a range (excluding foundation shares) with a minimum of $11,050,000 to a maximum of $14,950,000 at 15% below and 15% above the midpoint of the range respectively. Assuming an adjusted maximum value of 15% above the maximum value, the adjusted maximum value or super maximum value is $17,192,500. The stock will be issued at $10.00 per share.

 

FinPro Capital Advisors

 

FinPro Capital Advisors, Inc. (“FCA” or “FinPro”) is a registered broker dealer and is a wholly owned subsidiary of FinPro, Inc. FCA addresses numerous areas of capital markets in the heavily regulated financial institution industry including M&A advisory, capital raising, strategic advice, valuation, due diligence, accounting, mark-to-market, enterprise risk management, business planning and regulatory advice. FCA further specializes in financial valuations and analyses of business enterprises and securities, including the pro forma valuation for savings institutions converting from mutual-to-stock form. We believe that, except for the fee we will receive for the Appraisal to assist in the stock conversion process, we are independent of the Bank, Mercer Savings Bank and the other parties engaged by Mercer Savings Bank.

 

 

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1. Overview and Financial Analysis

General Overview

 

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $147.0 million in total assets, $128.5 million in deposits, $118.7 million in net loans and $14.5 million in equity. The following table shows the Bank’s facilities.

 

Figure– List of Branch Offices

 

US Branch List for Mercer SB

 

          2022   2021   2017   2021-2022   2017-2022 
Street Address  City  State   Deposits ($000)   Deposits ($000)   Deposits ($000)   Growth Rate (%)   Growth Rate (%) 
1100 Irmscher Blvd  Celina  OH    25,281    26,473    13,988    (4.50)   80.73 
120 N Wayne St  Fort Recovery  OH    41,144    32,005    22,898    28.55    79.68 
125 E Main St  Greenville  OH    27,221    26,820    20,126    1.50    35.25 
217 W Market St  Celina  OH    45,231    48,183    44,732    (6.13)   1.12 

 

Source: S&P Global

 

History And Overview

 

Mercer Savings Bank is a bank. The company was founded in 1888 and is based in Celina, Ohio. Mercer Savings has been a trusted community bank for more than 130 years. The Bank offers the financial products and services that make their customers life easier and money work harder for them. Mercer Savings Bank is a community-first financial partner that shares the values of the customers it serves. The Bank understands the importance of hard work, doing the right thing, and supporting local endeavors.

 

The Bank considers its primary market area for loan originations and deposit gathering to be Mercer and Darke Counties in western Ohio and contiguous areas, including Adams and Jay Counties in eastern Indiana. The Bank conducts its operations from its main office in Celina, Ohio and three branch offices in Celina, Fort Recovery and Greenville, Ohio. In addition to the branch network, the Bank offers online and mobile banking.

 

The Bank’s business consists primarily of taking deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and agricultural real estate loans secured by properties located in the Bank’s primary market area. To a lesser extent, the Bank also originates multifamily real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, construction and land loans, home equity lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, and consumer loans, and purchase investment securities. The Bank offers a variety of deposit accounts including checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. The primary source of funding is core deposits. The Bank also utilize advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and brokered deposits for liquidity and asset/liability management purposes and may attempt to attract municipal deposits to a lesser extent.

 

 

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Strategic Direction

 

The Bank’s mission is to operate and further expand a profitable and diversified community banking franchise. It plans to achieve this by executing its strategy of:

 

·establishing a fifth branch office during 2024 in Adams or Jay County in eastern Indiana, where the Bank has active lending operations.

 

·continuing to transform its balance sheet to emphasize assets and liabilities that allow it to increase its net interest margin while reducing its exposure to risk from interest rate fluctuations.

 

balance sheet trends

 

The Bank’s balance sheet decreased by $6.6 million, or -4.35%, from $152.8 million on September 30, 2022, to $146.2 million as of December 31, 2022.

 

The Bank’s equity increased by $479 thousand, or 3.42%, from $14.0 million on September 30, 2022, to $14.5 million as of December 31, 2022.

 

Figure– Balance Sheet Trends

 

   At December 31,   At September 30, 
   2022   2022   2021 
   (In thousands) 
Selected Financial Condition Data:               
Total assets   $146,190   $152,883   $147,345 
Cash and cash equivalents    7,203    14,377    18,001 
Interest-bearing time deposits    100    100    100 
Securities available for sale    13,321    12,572    8,585 
Securities held to maturity    212    233    339 
Loans held for sale    282        399 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses    117,830    117,671    112,511 
Premises and equipment, net    2,603    2,608    2,416 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock    1,390    1,390    1,605 
Bank-owned life insurance    1,753    1,742    2,066 
Total deposits    127,699    134,759    128,245 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances    3,000    3,000    4,000 
Total equity    14,526    14,056    14,063 

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

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Figure– Key Ratio Trends

 

  

At or For the

Three Months Ended

December 31,

  

At or For the

Year Ended

September 30,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Performance Ratios:                    
Return on average assets (1) (2)    0.88%   0.48%   0.62%   0.39%
Return on average equity (1) (3)    9.29%   5.10%   6.76%   4.15%
Interest rate spread (4)    3.68%   2.84%   2.92%   2.84%
Net interest margin (1) (5)    3.71%   2.88%   2.95%   2.89%
Noninterest expense to average assets (1)    2.84%   2.61%   2.60%   2.60%
Efficiency ratio (6)    72.35%   80.02%   77.33%   81.04%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities    122.74%   118.91%   120.53%   119.31%
                     
Capital Ratios:                    
Average equity to average assets    9.49%   9.39%   9.17%   9.37%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets    16.80%   16.60%   16.60%   16.40%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets    15.80%   15.50%   15.60%   15.30%
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets    15.80%   15.50%   15.60%   15.30%
Tier 1 capital to average assets    10.20%   9.50%   9.70%   9.30%
                     
Asset Quality Ratios:                    
Allowance for loan losses to total loans    0.79%   0.84%   0.81%   0.83%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans    222.45%   926.67%   281.14%   449.77%
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans    222.45%   1.09%   281.14%   449.77%
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average outstanding loans    (0.02)%           (0.06)%
Non-accrual loans to total loans    0.35%   0.13%   0.29%   0.19%
Non-performing loans to total loans    0.35%   0.13%   0.29%   0.19%
Non-performing loans to total assets    0.30%   0.07%   0.23%   0.14%
Total non-performing assets to total assets    0.30%   0.07%   0.23%   0.14%
                     
Other:                    
Number of offices    4    4    4    4 
Number of full-time employees    28    31    28    31 
Number of part-time employees    2    3    3    3 

 

 

(1)            Annualized where appropriate.

(2)            Represents net income divided by average total assets.

(3)            Represents net income divided by average equity.

(4)            Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(5)            Represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(6)            Represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest and dividend income and noninterest income.

 

 

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Source: Offering Prospectus

 

Figure– Average Balances

 

  

At

   For the Three Months Ended December 31, 
   December 31. 2022   2022   2021 
   Weighted-
Average
Yield/Rate
   Average
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/Rate
   Average
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/Rate
 
                             
   (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:                                
Loans (1)   4.09%  $118,826   $1,222   4.11%  $114,461   $1,072   3.75%
Taxable securities   1.51%   10,366    41   1.58%   7,644    14   0.73%
Tax-exempt securities   2.83%   4,047    25   2.47%   1,881    9   1.91%
Interest-earning deposits and other   4.18%   10,834    106   3.91%   19,713    11   0.22%
Total interest-earning assets   3.87%   144,073    1,394   3.87%   143,699    1,106   3.08%
Noninterest-earning assets        6,193             6,883          
Allowance for loan losses        (972)            (965)         
Total assets       $149,294            $149,617          
                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                
Interest-bearing demand deposits   0.05%  $44,897    3   0.03%  $44,408    4   0.04%
Savings deposits   0.05%   45,272    8   0.07%   42,356    7   0.07%
Certificates of deposit   0.78%   24,208    38   0.63%   30,078    53   0.70%
Total interest-bearing deposits   0.20%   114,377    49   0.17%   116,842    64   0.22%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances   0.95%   3,000    7   0.93%   4,000    9   0.90%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   0.22%   117,377    56   0.19%   120,842    73   0.24%
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits        16,655             13,453          
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities        1,094             1,273          
Total liabilities        135,126             135,568          
Equity        14,168             14,049          
Total liabilities and equity       $149,294            $149,617          
Net interest income            $1,338            $1,033     
Net interest rate spread (2)   3.65%            3.68%            2.84%
Net interest-earning assets (3)       $26,696            $22,857          
Net interest margin (4)                 3.71%            2.88%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities        122.74%            118.91%         

 

(footnotes on following page)

 

 

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   At   For the Year Ended September 30, 
   September 30. 2022   2022   2021 
   Weighted-
Average
Yield/Rate
   Average
 Outstanding
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/Rate
   Average 
Outstanding
Balance
   Interest   Average 
Yield/Rate
 
       (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:                                   
Loans (1)    3.94%  $114,595   $4,322    3.77%  $110,023   $4,343    3.95%
Taxable securities    1.50%   9,190    67    0.73%   5,762    60    1.04%
Tax-exempt securities    2.22%   2,548    53    2.08%   1,072    22    2.05%
Interest-earning deposits and other    3.06%   20,266    153    0.75%   23,429    36    0.15%
Total interest-earning assets    3.64%   146,599    4,595    3.13%   140,286    4,461    3.18%
Noninterest-earning assets         6,514              7,311           
Allowance for loan losses         (977)             (904)          
Total assets        $152,136             $146,693           
                                    
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                   
Interest-bearing demand deposits    0.05%  $45,854    14    0.03%  $41,916    15    0.04%
Savings deposits    0.05%   44,129    30    0.07%   38,427    32    0.08%
Certificates of deposit    0.68%   28,181    189    0.67%   32,774    316    0.96%
Total interest-bearing deposits    0.20%   118,164    233    0.20%   113,117    363    0.32%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances    0.95%   3,462    32    0.92%   4,462    39    0.87%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
   0.22%   121,626    265    0.22%   117,579    402    0.34%
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits
        15,540              14,105           
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities         1,014              1,260           
Total liabilities         138,180              132,944           
Equity         13,956              13,749           
Total liabilities and equity        $152,136             $146,693           
Net interest income             $4,330             $4,059      
Net interest rate spread (2)    3.42%             2.92%             2.84%
Net interest-earning assets (3)        $24,973             $22,707           
Net interest margin (4)                   2.95%             2.89%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities         120.53%             119.31%          

 

 

(1)Net deferred fee income included in interest earned on loans totaled $18,000 and $31,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $110,000 and $157,000 for the year ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

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Loan Portfolio

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $76.6 million of loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate, representing 62.6% of total loans. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $31.0 million in agricultural real estate loans, representing 25.3% of total loans. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $4.2 million in construction and land loans, representing 3.5% of our total loan portfolio. Net loans increased by $160 thousand, or 0.1%, to $117.8 million as of December 31, 2022 from $117.7 million at September 30, 2022.

 

Additionally, in 2023, the Bank began implementing an indirect automobile lending program. The management team has experience with indirect automobile lending and the Bank intend to prudently grow that segment of our loan portfolio.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2022, agricultural real estate loans increased $2.5 million, or 8.7%, to a total of $31.0 million at December 31, 2022 and construction and land loans increased $618,000, or 17.1%, to $4.2 million at December 31, 2022, while residential real estate loans decreased $1.7 million, or 2.2%, to $76.6 million at December 31, 2022, from $78.3 million at September 30, 2022. Changes in loan balances reflect the Bank’s strategic focus on diversification of the loan portfolio amid strong competition loans in the Bank’s market area.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 12

 

Figure – Loan Composition

 

              At September 30, 
    At December 31, 2022    2022    2021 
    Amount    Percent    Amount    Percent    Amount    Percent 
    (Dollars in thousands)   
Real estate loans:                              
One- to four-family   $76,582    62.6%  $78,312    64.4%  $73,808    64.2%
Multifamily    1,346    1.1    1,356    1.1    1,173    1.0 
Agricultural    30,987    25.3    28,516    23.5    27,290    23.7 
Commercial    1,780    1.5    1,790    1.5    1,792    1.6 
Construction and land    4,228    3.5    3,610    3.0    3,631    3.2 
Home equity lines of credit    4,716    3.9    5,175    4.3    4,220    3.7 
Commercial and industrial loans    1,767    1.4    1,833    1.5    2,170    1.9 
Consumer loans    868    0.7    926    0.8    921    0.8 
    Total   122,274    100.0%   121,518    100.0%   115,005    100.0%
                               
Less:                              
Undisbursed loans in process    3,151         2,530         1,202      
Net deferred loan fees    332         334         334      
Allowance for loan losses    961         984         958      
Loans, net   $117,830        $117,670        $112,511      

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 13

 

investments

 

The Bank’s investment portfolio generally consists of mortgage-backed securities, treasury securities and agency bonds. The Bank holds the vast majority of securities as available for sale.

 

Investment securities increased $728 thousand, or 5.7%, to $13.5 million at December 31, 2022, from $12.7 million at September 30, 2022. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2022, securities purchases of $1.3 million were partially offset by sales, calls, maturities and repayments of $700 thousand.

 

The average balance of investment securities increased $4.9 million to $11.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2022 from $6.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2021, while the average yield on investment securities decreased by 18 basis points to 1.02% for the year ended September 30, 2022 from 1.20% for the year ended September 30, 2021. Interest income on interest-earning deposits and other interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of certificates of deposit in other financial institutions, overnight deposits and stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank, increased $117,000, or 328.1%, for the year ended September 30, 2022 , due to an increase in the average yield of 60 basis points, to 0.75% for the year ended September 30, 2022 from 0.15% for the year ended September 30, 2021, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of $3.2 million. The increase in average yield was due to the increase in interest rates in the overall economy during the periods.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 14

 

Figure– Investment Composition

 

   One Year or Less   More than One Year to
Five Years
   More than Five Years to
Ten Years
   More than Ten Years 
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
December 31, 2022                                        
                                         
Held-to-maturity:                                        
Mortgage-backed Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs)   $1    2.99%  $83    2.18%  $128    3.08%  $    %
                                         
Available-for-sale:                                        
U.S. Treasury Securities   $1,006    0.14%  $999    0.32%  $    %  $    %
U.S. Government Agencies   $1,001    0.17%  $3,021    1.92%  $    %  $    %
Mortgage-backed GSEs   $    %  $    %  $221    1.75%  $3,812    1.92%
State and political subdivisions   $253    0.68%  $441    3.23%  $    %  $3,533    3.66%

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 15

 

asset quality

 

Over the past year the Bank has seen a decline in the allowance for loan losses to total loans, declining to 0.79% as of December 31, 2022. The Bank has strong coverage to both non-performing loans and non-accrual loans as measured by the allowance for loan losses. The Bank has further had no material charge offs since 2021. Please see the Key Ratio Trends table for further details.

 

Figure– Non-Performing Asset Composition

 

   At December 31,   At September 30, 
         
   2022   2022   2021 
             
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Non-accrual loans:               
Real estate loans:               
One- to four-family   $288   $347   $166 
Multifamily    -    -    - 
Agricultural    -    -    - 
Commercial    -    -    - 
Construction and land    -    -    - 
Home equity lines of credit    144    -    28 
Commercial and industrial loans    -    -    - 
Consumer loans    -    3    19 
Total non-performing loans    432    350    213 
                
Total non-performing assets   $432   $350   $213 
                
Total non-performing loans to total loans    0.35%   0.29%   0.19%
Total non- performing loans to total assets    0.30%   0.23%   0.14%
Total non-performing assets to total assets    0.30%   0.23%   0.14%
                

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 16

 

Funding composition

 

Deposits decreased by $7.1 million, or 5.2%, to $127.7 million at December 31, 2022 from $134.8 million at September 30, 2022. Core deposits decreased $4.9 million, or 4.5%, to $104.6 million at December 31, 2022 from $109.5 million at September 30, 2022. Certificates of deposit decreased $2.2 million, or 8.6%, to $23.1 million at December 31, 2022 from $25.3 million at September 30, 2022. The decrease in certificates of deposit was primarily the result of an outflow of brokered deposits. The decrease in core deposits was due to migration to higher rate alternatives at investment brokerages, as well as normal seasonal declines in transactional accounts.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2022, management continued its strategy of pursuing growth in demand accounts and other lower cost core deposits, in part by enhancing products and services offered and increased marketing. Management intends to continue its efforts to increase core deposits, with an emphasis on growth in consumer and business demand deposits, and may attempt to attract municipal deposits to a lesser extent.

 

At December 31, 2022, the Bank had $3.0 million of outstanding borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. At December 31, 2022, the Bank had the capacity to borrow $53.9 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. At December 31, 2022, September 30 2022 and 2021, the Bank had a cash management line of credit agreement with the FHLB providing for additional borrowing of $10 million.

 

Asset liability management

 

The following chart provides the Bank’s estimated net portfolio value at various interest rate shock scenarios.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 17

 

Figure– EVE Results as of December 31, 2022

 

At December 31, 2022 
               

EVE as a Percentage of Present Value of

Assets (3)

 
        Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE         

Change in Interest

Rates (basis points) (1)

  

Estimated EVE

(2)

   Amount   Percent   EVE Ratio (4)  

Increase

(Decrease) (basis

points)

 
                      
(Dollars in thousands) 
 300   $32,543   $(10,123)   (23.73)%   23.33%   (726)
 200    36,828    (5,838)   (13.68)%   26.41%   (418)
 100    39,812    (2,854)   (6.69)%   28.55%   (204)
     42,666            30.59%    
 (100)   41,828    (838)   (1.96)%   29.99%   (60)
 (200)   38,606    (4,060)   (9.52)%   27.68%   (291)
 (300)   32,078    (10,588)   (24.82)%   23.00%   (759)

 

 
 
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
(4)EVE Ratio represents EVE divided by the present value of assets.

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 18

 

Figure– NII Results as of December 31, 2022

 

At December 31, 2022 

Change in Interest Rates
(basis points) (1)

   NII Year 1 Forecast   Year 1 Change from Level 
          
    (Dollars in thousands)     
 +300   $5,275    (2.33)%
 +200    5,308    (1.72)%
 +100    5,334    (1.24)%
 Level    5,401     
 (100)   5,414    0.24%
 (200)   5,630    4.24%
 (300)   5,513    2.03%

 

 

(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

Capital

 

Total equity increased $469 thousand, or 3.3%, to $14.5 million at December 31, 2022 from $14.0 million at September 30, 2022. The increase resulted from net income of $329,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and a $140 thousand increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

income and expense trends

 

The Bank’s net income has trended upward between the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. The increase is predominately attributable to higher net interest income, which was a function of both higher interest income and lower interest expense. During this time frame net interest income rose from $4.5 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 to $4.6 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022.

 

The net income for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was $150 thousand above the net income for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The growth in net income is attributable to a $305 thousand increase in net interest income. This growth is partially offset by the increase in noninterest expenses over the past year.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 19

 

Figure– Income Statement Trends

 

   For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
   For the Year Ended
September 30,
 
         
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
                 
   (In thousands) 
Selected Operating Data:                    
Interest income   $1,394   $1,106   $4,595   $4,461 
Interest expense    56    73    265    402 
Net interest income    1,338    1,033    4,330    4,059 
Provision for loan losses        15    25    180 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses    1,338    1,018    4,305    3,879 
Noninterest income    127    188    795    656 
Noninterest expense    1,060    977    3,963    3,821 
Income before income taxes    405    229    1,137    714 
Income tax expense    76    50    193    143 
Net income   $329   $179   $944   $571 

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 20

 

 

Figure– Rate Volume Analysis

 

   Three Months Ended
December 31, 2022 vs. 2021
   Year Ended
September 30, 2022 vs. 2021
 
   Increase (Decrease) Due to       Increase (Decrease) Due to     
   Volume   Rate   Total Increase
(Decrease)
   Volume   Rate   Total Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
   (In thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:                              
Loans   $42   $108   $150   $176   $(197)  $(21)
Taxable securities    6    21    27    29    (22)   7 
Tax exempt-securities    12    4    16    30    1    31 
Interest-earning deposits and other    (3)   98    95    (6)   123    117 
Total interest-earning assets    57    231    288    229    (95)   134 
                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Interest-bearing demand deposits    -    (1)   (1)   1    (2)   (1)
Savings deposits    1    -    1    5    (7)   (2)
Certificates of deposit    (9)   (6)   (15)   (40)   (87)   (127)
Total interest-bearing deposits    (8)   (7)   (15)   (34)   (96)   (130)
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances    (2)   -    (2)   (9)   2    (7)
Total interest-bearing liabilities    (10)   (7)   (17)   (43)   (94)   (137)
                               
Change in net interest income   $67   $238   $305   $272   $(1)  $271 

 

Source: Offering Prospectus

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 21

 

Legal proceedings

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Bank was not party to any pending legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

subsidiaries

 

The Bank does not have any subsidiaries.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 22

 

2. Market Area Analysis

 

The following tables provide deposit and demographic data for the counties in which the Bank has branches.

 

Figure– Deposit Market Share

 

Mercer Savings Bank | Deposit Market Share 
Market Share Data* 
  
           2022   2021 
Institution (ST)  2022
Rank
   2021
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Total
Deposits In
Market ($000)
   Total
Market
Share (%)
   Total Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Total
Market
Share (%)
 
Mercer, OH                                   
Peoples Holding Co. (OH)   1    1    6    580,320    34.36    545,822    33.51 
St Henry Bancorp Inc (OH)   2    3    3    350,665    20.76    308,909    18.96 
First Financial Bancorp. (OH)   3    2    3    344,841    20.42    352,725    21.65 
Mercer SB (OH)   4    5    3    111,656    6.61    106,661    6.55 
Park National Corp. (OH)   5    4    2    106,749    6.32    121,622    7.47 
Citizens Bancshares Inc. (OH)   6    6    1    83,234    4.93    86,817    5.33 
OSB Bancorp Inc. (OH)   7    7    1    57,299    3.39    55,047    3.38 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NY)   8    8    1    52,066    3.08    49,195    3.02 
Woodforest Financial Group (TX)   9    9    1    2,018    0.12    2,073    0.13 
Total For Institutions In Market             21    1,688,848         1,628,871      
Darke, OH                                   
Greenville National Bancorp (OH)   1    1    7    463,342    28.67    437,034    28.63 
Park National Corp. (OH)   2    2    5    350,225    21.67    314,358    20.59 
Greenville Fed Finl Corp (OH)   3    3    2    174,441    10.79    172,769    11.32 
OSB Bancorp Inc. (OH)   4    4    2    154,748    9.58    146,086    9.57 
FSB Financial Corp (OH)   5    5    3    137,166    8.49    125,510    8.22 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NY)   6    6    1    73,648    4.56    70,953    4.65 
Fifth Third Bancorp (OH)   7    7    1    61,259    3.79    67,419    4.42 
First Financial Bancorp. (OH)   8    8    1    60,070    3.72    56,793    3.72 
U.S. Bancorp (MN)   9    9    1    54,772    3.39    53,810    3.53 
Versailles Financial Corp (OH)   10    10    1    51,279    3.17    47,089    3.08 
Mercer SB (OH)   11    11    1    27,221    1.68    26,820    1.76 
Total For Institutions In Market             26    1,616,097         1,526,436      

 

*The market share data displayed is for Mercer Savings Bank

 

Source: S&P Global

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 23

 

Figure– County Demographics

 

Mercer Savings Bank | Market Demographics (Mercer Savings Bank)
 
                   Percent of   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number 
of 
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   State 
Franchise
(%)
   National 
Franchise
(%)
   Total 
Population
(Actual)
   Population 
Change (%)
   Projected 
Population 
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Ohio (OH)                                                       
Mercer   4    3    111,656    6.61    80.40    80.40    42,451    4.01    0.64    76,032    11.60 
Darke   11    1    27,221    1.68    19.60    19.60    51,332    (3.07)   (1.01)   64,462    9.95 
OH Totals        4    138,877         100.00    100.00    93,783                     
Weighted Average: Ohio Franchise                                      2.62    0.32    73,764    11.27 

 

Source: S&P Global

 

3. Comparisons with Publicly Traded Thrifts

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This section presents an analysis of the Bank’s operations against a selected group (“Comparable Group”) of publicly traded, fully converted thrifts. The Comparable Group was selected based upon similarity of characteristics to the Bank. The Comparable Group multiples provide the basis for the valuation of the Bank.

 

Factors that influence the Bank’s value such as balance sheet structure and size, profitability, income and expense trends, capital levels, credit risk, and recent operating results can be measured against the Comparable Group. The Comparable Group’s current market pricing, coupled with the appropriate aggregate adjustment for differences between the Bank and the Comparable Group, will then be utilized as the basis for the pro forma valuation of the Bank’s to-be-issued common stock.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

 

The goal of the selection criteria process is to find those institutions with characteristics that most closely match those of the Bank. In an ideal world, all of the Comparable Group would contain the exact characteristics of the Bank. However, none of the Comparables selected will be exact clones of the Bank.

 

The Peer Group selection process is governed by the general parameters set forth in the regulatory valuation guidelines. Accordingly, the Peer Group is comprised of only those publicly traded savings institutions whose common stock is either listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ, since their stock trading activity is regularly reported and generally more frequent than non-publicly traded and closely-held institutions. Institutions that are not listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ are inappropriate, since the trading activity for thinly-traded or closely-held stocks are typically highly irregular in terms of frequency and price and thus may not be a reliable indicator of market value. We have also excluded from the Peer Group those companies under acquisition or merger of equals.

 

Ideally, the Peer Group, which must have at least 10 members to comply with the regulatory valuation guidelines, should be comprised of locally- or regionally-based institutions with comparable resources, strategies and financial characteristics. There are approximately 38 publicly-traded savings institutions nationally and, thus, it is typically the case that the Peer Group will be comprised of institutions with relatively comparable characteristics. To the extent that differences exist between the converting institution and the Peer Group, valuation adjustments will be applied to account for the differences.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 24

 

Since Mercer will be a full public company upon completion of the offering, we considered only full public companies to be viable candidates for inclusion in the Peer Group. From the universe of publicly-traded thrifts, we selected ten institutions with characteristics similar to those of Mercer. In the selection process, we applied the following “screen” to the universe of all public companies that were eligible for consideration:

 

Next in the screening process, FinPro selected all fully converted thrifts located in the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions. This resulted in 26 organizations.

 

FinPro excluded institutions that have recently converted, as the earnings of newly converted institutions do not reflect a full year’s benefit from the reinvestment of proceeds, and thus the price/earnings multiples and return on equity measures for these institutions tend to be skewed upward and downward, respectively. As such, one institution was excluded that converted after January 1, 2022, was eliminated.

 

Of the remaining 25, FinPro then eliminated 13 of the institutions with assets in excess of $2.25 billion as these entities have greater financial and managerial resources and a broader branch network.

 

FinPro eliminated one minority focused institution.

 

This results in a total of 12 Comparables. FinPro reviewed the recent performance and news releases of these companies and determined that all eleven were acceptable Comparables.

 

Figure– Comparable Group

 

Corporate

 

Company Name  Ticker  Exchange  IPO Date  Number of
Offices
  City  State
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  BCOW  NASDAQCM  1/8/2019  6  Greenfield  WI
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  BLFY  NASDAQGS  7/15/2021  20  Rutherford  NJ
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  FNWD  NASDAQCM     30  Munster  IN
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  FSEA  NASDAQCM  7/16/2019  5  Dover  NH
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  GBNY  NASDAQCM  7/10/2006  10  Seneca Falls  NY
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  HMNF  NASDAQGM  6/30/1994  14  Rochester  MN
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  MSVB  NASDAQCM  4/8/1998  3  Salem  IN
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  NECB  NASDAQCM  7/5/2006  12  White Plains  NY
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  PBBK  NASDAQCM  7/14/2021  4  Coatesville  PA
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  PVBC  NASDAQCM  7/15/2015  7  Amesbury  MA
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  WSBF  NASDAQGS  10/4/2005  16  Wauwatosa  WI
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  WMPN  NASDAQCM  4/15/2008  13  Bristol  PA
                   
25% Percentile:           6      
Median:           11      
75% Percentile:           15      

 

Source: S&P Global

 

List below provides a list of the institutions that were eliminated and included by the Comparable screens.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 25

 

Figure– List of all Publicly-traded Savings Institutions

 

Entity Name  Exchange   Merger
Target or
MOE
Participant?
  U.S.
Region
  Total Assets
(Reported)
   Total Assets
(Reported)
   Industry
Classification
  IPO Date
MM/dd/yyyy
  Reason eliminated
             FQ42022   FQ32022          
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  NASDAQCM   No  MW   NA    529,317   Savings Institutions  01/08/2019  In Comperable Group
Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AX)  NYSE   No  WE   17,401,165    16,080,950   Savings Institutions  03/14/2005  Out of region
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  NASDAQGS   No  MA   2,043,338    2,011,918   Savings Institutions  07/15/2021  In Comperable Group
Broadway Financial Corporation (NASDAQCM:BYFC)  NASDAQCM   No  WE   1,184,293    1,169,634   Savings Institutions  01/08/1996  Out of region
Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:CFFN)  NASDAQGS   No  MW   9,624,897    9,476,053   Savings Institutions  03/31/1999  Asset Size
Carver Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:CARV)  NASDAQCM   No  MA   735,314    722,810   Savings Institutions  10/24/1994  Minority Focus
Cullman Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:CULL)  NASDAQCM   No  SE   NA    406,081   Savings Institutions  10/08/2009  Out of region
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  NASDAQCM   No  MW   2,070,339    2,052,986   Savings Institutions     In Comperable Group
First Northwest Bancorp (NASDAQGM:FNWB)  NASDAQGM   No  WE   2,042,070    2,091,441   Savings Institutions  01/29/2015  Out of region
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  NASDAQCM   No  NE   NA    523,801   Savings Institutions  07/16/2019  In Comperable Group
FS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSBW)  NASDAQCM   No  WE   2,632,898    2,652,138   Savings Institutions  07/09/2012  Out of region
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  NASDAQCM   No  MA   NA    373,612   Savings Institutions  07/10/2006  In Comperable Group
Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQGM:HIFS)  NASDAQGM   No  NE   4,193,799    4,062,114   Savings Institutions  12/13/1988  Asset Size
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  NASDAQGM   No  MW   1,096,202    1,047,793   Savings Institutions  06/30/1994  In Comperable Group
Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (NASDAQCM:HFBL)  NASDAQCM   No  SW   590,480    574,597   Savings Institutions  01/18/2005  Out of region
Kearny Financial Corp. (NASDAQGS:KRNY)  NASDAQGS   No  MA   7,719,883    7,389,891   Savings Institutions  02/23/2005  Asset Size
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  NASDAQCM   No  MW   269,218    264,548   Savings Institutions  04/08/1998  In Comperable Group
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB)  NYSE   No  MA   90,144,000    62,956,000   Savings Institutions  11/23/1993  Asset Size
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  NASDAQCM   No  MA   1,425,037    1,284,905   Savings Institutions  07/05/2006  In Comperable Group
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (Staten Island, NY) (NASDAQGS:NFBK)  NASDAQGS   No  MA   5,601,293    5,669,595   Savings Institutions  11/07/2007  Asset Size
NSTS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NSTS)  NASDAQCM   No  MW   NA    268,178   Savings Institutions  01/18/2022  Recent Conversion
OP Bancorp (NASDAQGM:OPBK)  NASDAQGM   No  WE   2,094,293    2,029,575   Savings Institutions  03/27/2018  Out of region
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  NASDAQCM   No  MA   NA    376,739   Savings Institutions  07/14/2021  In Comperable Group
Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQGM:PDLB)  NASDAQGM   No  MA   2,311,989    2,192,402   Savings Institutions  09/29/2017  Asset Size
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  NASDAQCM   No  NE   1,636,381    1,773,684   Savings Institutions  07/15/2015  In Comperable Group
Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS)  NYSE   No  MA   13,783,436    13,603,846   Savings Institutions  01/15/2003  Asset Size
Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGS:RVSB)  NASDAQGS   No  WE   1,740,096    1,683,076   Savings Institutions  10/26/1993  Out of region
Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGM:SMBC)  NASDAQGM   No  MW   3,214,782    3,264,018   Savings Institutions  04/13/1994  Asset Size
Sterling Bancorp, Inc. (Southfield, MI) (NASDAQCM:SBT)  NASDAQCM   No  MW   2,444,735    2,447,904   Savings Institutions  11/16/2017  Asset Size
TC Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:TCBC)  NASDAQCM   No  SE   NA    406,223   Savings Institutions  07/20/2021  Out of region
Territorial Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQGS:TBNK)  NASDAQGS   No  WE   2,168,754    2,164,823   Savings Institutions  07/10/2009  Out of region
Third Coast Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQGS:TCBX)  NASDAQGS   No  SW   3,773,148    3,516,845   Savings Institutions  11/08/2021  Out of region
Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGM:TSBK)  NASDAQGM   No  WE   1,860,508    1,887,795   Savings Institutions  01/12/1998  Out of region
TrustCo Bank Corp NY (NASDAQGS:TRST)  NASDAQGS   No  MA   6,000,052    6,079,494   Savings Institutions     Asset Size
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  NASDAQGS   No  MW   2,031,672    1,975,051   Savings Institutions  10/04/2005  In Comperable Group
Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WNEB)  NASDAQGS   No  NE   2,553,150    2,578,825   Savings Institutions  12/27/2001  Asset Size
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  NASDAQCM   No  MA   879,952    868,981   Savings Institutions  04/15/2008  In Comperable Group
WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQGS:WSFS)  NASDAQGS   No  MA   19,914,755    19,985,387   Savings Institutions  11/26/1986  Asset Size

 

Source: S&P Global

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 26

 

Overview of the Comparables

 

The members of the Comparable Group were reviewed against the Bank to ensure comparability based upon the following criteria:

 

1.            Asset size

 

2.            Profitability

 

3.            Capital Level

 

4.            Balance Sheet Mix

 

5.            Operating Strategy

 

6.            Date of conversion

 

1.Asset Size: The Comparable Group should have a similar asset size to the Bank. The Comparable Group ranged in size from $264.5 million to $2.1 billion in total assets with a median of $983.6 million. The Bank’s asset size was $147.0 million as of December 31, 2022. On a pro forma basis, the Bank’s assets are projected to grow to approximately $157.7 million at the midpoint of the estimated value range. Due to the smaller size Mercer Savings Bank, there is a lack of similar size peers to be able to compare to.

2.Profitability: The Comparable Group had a median ROAA of 0.44% and a median ROAE of 3.20% for the last twelve months. The Comparable Group profitability measures had a dispersion about the mean for the ROAA measure ranging from a low of (1.24)% to a high of 1.95%, while the ROAE measure ranged from a low of (9.26)% to a high of 10.47%. The Bank had a ROAA of 0.73% and a ROAE of 8.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

3.Capital Level: The Comparable Group had a median equity to assets ratio of 12.26% with a high of 20.58% and a low of 6.59%. On December 31, 2022, the Bank had an equity to assets ratio of 9.85%. The increase in the Bank’s pro forma equity ratio will be favorable from a risk perspective and in terms of future earnings potential that could be realized through leverage. At the same time, the Bank’s higher pro forma equity ratio will depress return on equity. Both the Bank’s pro forma equity and the Peer Group's equity ratios reflected surpluses with respect to the regulatory capital requirements. On a pro forma basis, the Bank’s regulatory surpluses will be higher than the Peer Group figures after the conversion.

4.Balance Sheet Mix: At December 31, 2022, the Bank had a net loan to asset ratio of 81.57%. The median loan to asset ratio for the Comparables was 74.94%, ranging from a low of 56.89% to a high of 88.25%. On the liability side, the Bank’s deposit to asset ratio was 87.45% at December 31, 2022 while the Comparable median was 76.58%, ranging from 59.02% to 89.58%. The Bank’s borrowing to asset ratio of 2.04% is below the Comparable median of 9.39%.

5.Operating Strategy: An institution’s operating characteristics are important because they determine future performance. Operational strategy also affects expected rates of return and investors’ general perception of the quality, risk and attractiveness of a given company. Specific operating characteristics include profitability, balance sheet growth, asset quality, capitalization and non-financial factors such as management strategies and lines of business.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 27

 

6.Date of Conversion Recent conversions, those completed on or after January 1, 2022, were excluded since the earnings of a newly converted institution do not reflect the reinvestment of conversion proceeds. Additionally, new issues tend to trade at a discount to the market averages.

 

Based on the above analysis, FinPro concluded that the Peer Group forms a reasonable basis for determining the pro forma market value of the Bank. Such general characteristics as asset size, capital position, interest-earning asset composition, funding composition, core earnings measures, loan composition, credit quality and exposure to interest rate risk all tend to support the reasonability of the Peer Group from a financial standpoint. Those areas where differences exist will be addressed in the form of valuation adjustments to the extent necessary.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 28

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal Report

 

4. Market Value Determination

 

MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENTS

 

The estimated pro forma market value of the Bank, along with certain adjustments to its value relative to market values for the Comparable Group are delineated in this section. The adjustments are made from potential investors’ viewpoint and are adjustments necessary when comparing the Bank to the Comparable Group. The adjustment factors are subjectively weighed using the appraiser’s knowledge and expertise and an aggregate adjustment is determined. Potential investors include depositors holding subscription rights and unrelated parties who may purchase stock in the community offering and who are assumed to be aware of all relevant and necessary facts as they pertain to the value of the Bank relative to other publicly traded thrift institutions and relative to alternative investment opportunities.

 

There are numerous criteria on which the market value adjustments are based. The major criteria utilized for purposes of this report include:

 

Adjustments Relative to the Comparable Group:

 

·Financial Condition

·Balance Sheet Growth

·Earnings Quality, Predictability and Growth

·Market Area

·Cash Dividends

·Liquidity of the Issue

·Recent Regulatory Matters

 

Adjustments for Other Factors:

 

·Management

·Subscription Interest

 

To ascertain the market value of the Bank, the median trading multiple values for the Comparable Group are utilized as the starting point. The adjustment, up or down, to the Comparable Group median multiple values is made based on the comparison of the Bank to the Comparable Group.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 29

 

Financial Condition

 

The balance sheet strength of an institution is an important market value determinant, as the investment community considers such factors as cash liquidity, capitalization, asset composition, funding mix, intangible levels and interest rate risk in assessing the attractiveness of investing in the common stock of a thrift. The following figures summarize the key financial elements of the Bank measured against the Comparable Group.

 

Figure– Key Balance Sheet Data

 

   Balance Sheet Composition & Liquidity 
   Total Assets   Gross Loans
HFI/ Total
Assets
   Deposits/
Assets
   Gross Loans
HFI/ Deposits
   Debt and
Borrowings/
Assets
   Nonint.
Bearing
Deposits/
Total
Deposits
 
Company Name  ($000s)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)   529,317    67.62    71.66    94.36    10.76    28.81 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)   2,043,338    75.62    63.08    119.88    16.53    34.82 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   2,070,339    73.11    85.74    85.27    6.54    20.23 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)   523,801    75.56    73.84    102.33    15.87    23.14 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)   373,612    78.69    82.52    95.35    6.45    18.71 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   1,096,202    71.83    89.58    80.18    -     NA  
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   264,548    54.48    76.29    71.41    11.72    13.66 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   1,425,037    85.45    78.73    108.53    1.68    33.54 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)   376,739    81.00    76.88    105.37    10.78    8.23 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   1,636,381    88.25    78.20    112.86    8.01    40.66 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   2,031,672    74.33    59.02    125.95    19.04     NA  
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   870,944    56.89    70.66    80.51    7.86    10.83 
                               
25% Percentile:   487,036    70.77    71.41    84.08    6.52    14.92 
Median:   983,573    74.94    76.58    98.84    9.39    21.68 
75% Percentile:   1,735,204    79.26    79.68    109.61    12.76    32.36 
                               
Mercer Savings Bank   146,987    81.57    87.45    93.28    2.04    12.66 

 

 

(1) Borrowings (ex. Sub Debt/TruPs) + Brokered & Listing Service Deposits as a % of Total Deposits and Borrowings

 

Data is: LTM (Last 12 Months)  

 

Source: S&P Global, Offering Circular and FinPro Computations

 

Asset Size – The Bank, at $147.0 million, is significantly smaller than each Bank in the comparable group. The Comparable Group median is larger than the assets of the Bank, with median assets of $983.6 million. At the pro forma midpoint of the offering range, the Bank is expected to have assets of $157.7 million.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 30

 

 

Asset Composition – The Bank’s gross loans to assets ratio of 81.57% is above the Comparable Group median of 74.94%. The Bank has a lower level of cash, securities, and other assets as a percentage of assets compared to the Comparable Group.

 

Funding Mix – The Bank’s deposits to asset ratio of 87.45% is above the Comparable Group median of 76.58%. Gross loans to deposit ratio of the Bank is below peers. The Bank utilizes a lower level of borrowings and debt compared to the Comparable Group. The Bank funds itself through deposits, 87.45% of assets, and borrowings, 2.04% of assets. The Comparable Group has a deposit to assets ratio of 76.58% and a debt and borrowings to asset ratio of 9.39%. Lastly, the Bank has a lower amount of non-interest bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits, 12.66%, compared to the Comparable Group median of 21.68%.

 

Interest Rate Risk - The Bank’s interest rate risk position is illustrated discussed previously. The Bank’s profile appears to be within acceptable regulatory parameters. No similar data is available for the Comparable Group.

 

Figure– Capital Data

 

     Capitalization 
    Equity/
Assets
    Tangible
Equity/
Tangible
Assets
    Tangible
Common
Equity/
Tangible
Assets
    Tier 1
Leverage Ratio
    Tier 1 Risk
Based Ratio
    Risk Based
Capital
Ratio
 
Company Name   (%)    (%)    (%)    (%)    (%)    (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)   14.34    14.34    14.34     NA      NA     17.46 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)   19.27    19.24    19.24     NA      NA     21.90 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   6.59    5.34    5.34    7.70    11.20    12.06 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)   9.11    9.11    9.11     NA      NA     16.37 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)   10.08    9.71    9.71     NA      NA     14.71 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   8.88    8.81    8.81     NA      NA     12.65 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   11.65    11.65    11.65    15.38     NA      NA  
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   18.39    18.38    18.38     NA      NA     13.50 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)   11.84    11.84    11.84     NA      NA      NA  
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   12.68    12.68    12.68     NA      NA     12.62 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   18.24    18.21    18.21    19.45    23.29    24.36 
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   20.58    20.08    20.08     NA      NA      NA  
                               
25% Percentile:   9.84    9.56    9.56    11.54    14.22    12.65 
Median:   12.26    12.26    12.26    15.38    17.25    14.71 
75% Percentile:   18.27    18.25    18.25    17.42    20.27    17.46 
                               
Mercer Savings Bank   9.85    9.85    9.85    10.13    15.78    16.78 

 

 

 

Source: S&P Global, Offering Circular and FinPro Computations 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 31

 

Capitalization - The Comparable Group’s median equity to assets ratio of 12.26% is above the Bank’s ratio of 9.85%. The Bank’s pro forma Tier 1 Leverage ratio is projected to increase at the midpoint of the valuation range. The Bank currently operates with a tangible equity/assets ratio which is below the Comparable Group’s median on a pre-conversion basis. However, following the stock offering, the Bank’s holding company’s pro forma capital position will exceed the Comparable Group’s figures by a material amount. In summary, FinPro concluded that capital strength was a positive factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

 

Intangible Levels - An important factor influencing market values is the level of intangibles that an institution carries on its books. Seven of the Comparables have intangible assets. The Bank does not have any intangible assets.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 32

 

The asset quality of an institution is an important determinant of market value. The investment community considers levels of nonperforming loans, Real Estate Owned (“REO”) and levels of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”) in assessing the attractiveness of investing in the common stock of an institution.

 

Figure– Asset Quality Data

 

   Asset Quality 
   Adjusted
Texas Ratio
   NPA & Loans
90+ PD/
Tangible
Equity + LLR
   Texas Ratio   Nonaccrual
Loans/
Loans
   NPLs/ Loans   NPAs/
Assets
   NPA ex.
Performing
TDRs/ Total
Assets
   LLR/ Gross
Loans
   NCOs/ Avg
Loans
 
Company Name  (%)(1,2)   (%)   (%)(2)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  1.87    NA    1.28   0.21   0.33    NA     NA    0.89   (0.04)
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  3.18    NA    2.83   0.50    NA     NA    0.38   0.87   - 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  9.46   11.41   8.65    NA     NA    0.66   0.53    NA    0.03 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  0.01    NA    0.21   0.00    NA     NA    0.00   0.91   - 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  16.12   16.03   11.77   1.22   2.07   1.65   0.98   0.79   (0.01)
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  2.34    NA    2.07   0.24    NA     NA    0.17   1.30   0.01 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  4.33   5.19   2.20   0.59   1.10   0.64   0.36   1.15   (0.02)
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  0.64    NA    0.64   -    NA     NA    0.10   0.45   0.02 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  3.98   3.91   2.62   0.44   0.62   0.50   0.36   1.24   0.12 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  12.33    NA    5.53   0.38    NA     NA    0.71   1.94   3.26 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  1.15    NA    1.31    NA     NA     NA     NA    1.08   (0.04)
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  3.28   2.73   3.00   0.86   0.97   0.56   0.49   0.67   0.05 
                                     
25% Percentile:  1.69   3.91   1.30   0.22   0.62   0.56   0.22   0.83   (0.01)
Median:  3.23   5.19   2.41   0.41   0.97   0.64   0.37   0.91   0.01 
75% Percentile:  5.61   11.41   3.63   0.57   1.10   0.66   0.52   1.19   0.04 
                                     
Mercer Savings Bank  2.80   2.80   2.80   0.36   0.36   0.29   0.29   0.80   0.02 

 

 

 

Data is: LTM (Last 12 Months)                  
(1) Note: NPLs and NPAs include TDRs unless otherwise stated and Adjusted = Adjusted for FDIC Loss Share coverage
(2) Texas Ratio is defined as NPA ex. Performing TDRs / Tangible Equity + LLR; Adjusted Texas Ratio includes Performing TDRs into calculation

 

Source: S&P Global, Offering Circular and FinPro Computations

 

The Bank’s level of nonperforming loans (“NPL”) to total loans, at 0.36%, is below the Comparable Group median at 0.97%. The Bank had a nonperforming asset to assets ratio of 0.29%, which is below the Comparable median of 0.64%. The Bank’s reserve level, 0.80% of total loans, is below the Comparable median of 0.91% of loans. The Bank’s level of charge offs to average loans is inline with that of the Comparable Group.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 33

 

The Bank’s asset mix is weaker than the Comparable Group’s, primarily a result of a smaller balance sheet. The Bank has a higher level of deposits and a lower level of borrowings as a percentage of assets relative to the Comparable Group. The Bank has lower capital levels, but at the midpoint of the range will have higher capital levels. The Bank has a lower level of NPLs and NPAs, but the Bank’s reserve levels as a percentage of loans are below the Comparable levels. Taken collectively, a downward adjustment is warranted for financial condition.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 34

 

Balance Sheet Growth

 

The Bank’s assets, loan and deposits have grown slower than the Comparable Group. The Bank experienced deposit runoff and subsequent asset declines, relative to growth for the Comparable Group.

 

Figure– Growth Rate Data

 

   Growth Rates 
   Asset
Growth
Rate
   Loan
Growth
Rate
   Deposit
Growth
Rate
 
Company Name  (%)   (%)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)   0.53    10.69    (0.76)
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)   6.56    20.00    1.66 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   27.69    55.93    23.81 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)   6.04    6.05    (0.70)
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)   1.76    9.44    1.32 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   2.55    18.17    4.48 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   5.74    17.71    3.59 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   15.45    24.27    17.39 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)   23.38    20.81    15.28 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   (5.22)   (2.17)   (12.29)
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   (8.28)   8.09    (2.65)
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   4.49    7.64    4.03 
                
25% Percentile:   1.45    7.98    (0.72)
Median:   5.12    14.20    2.63 
75% Percentile:   8.78    20.20    7.18 
                
Mercer Savings Bank   (2.54)   5.02    (2.38)

 

 

Data is: LTM (Last 12 Months)

 

Source: S&P Global, Offering Circular and FinPro Computations

 

Growth Rate - The Comparable Group’s median and 25% percentile growth rates for assets, loans and deposits are all above the growth rates of the Bank.

 

The Bank had lower levels of growth compared to the Comparable group and experienced deposit runoff compared to growth by the peers. Taken collectively, a strong downward adjustment is warranted.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 35

 

Earnings Quality, Predictability and
Growth

 

The earnings quality, predictability and growth are critical components in the establishment of market values for thrifts. Thrift earnings are primarily a function of:

 

·net interest income

 

·loan loss provision

 

·non-interest income

 

·non-interest expense

 

The quality and predictability of earnings is dependent on both internal and external factors. Some internal factors include the mix of the balance sheet, the interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet, the asset quality, and the infrastructure in place to deliver the assets and liabilities to the public. External factors include the competitive market for both assets and liabilities, the global interest rate scenario, local economic factors and regulatory issues.

 

Investors are focusing on earnings sustainability as interest rate volatility has caused a wide variation in income levels. With the intense competition for both assets and deposits, banks cannot easily replace lost spread and margin with balance sheet growth.

 

Each of these factors can influence the earnings of an institution, and each of these factors is volatile. Investors prefer stability and consistency. As such, solid, consistent earnings are preferred to high but risky earnings. Investors also prefer earnings to be diversified and not entirely dependent on interest income.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 36

 

The Bank’s net income has trended upward between the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. The increase is predominately attributable to higher net interest income, which was a function of both higher interest income and lower interest expense. During this time frame noninterest expense rose from $3.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, to $4.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

 

The net income for the three months ended December 31, 2022, was $149 thousand above the net income for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The growth in net income is attributable to a $143 thousand increase in net interest income. These changes were partially offset by lower noninterest income and lower noninterest expenses.

 

Figure– Income Statement Data

 

Key Financial Highlights
Summary Income Statement ($000's)   Growth 
Mercer Savings Bank  2021Q1   2021Q2   2021Q3   2021Q4   2022Q1   2022Q2   2022Q3   2022Q4   Quarterly   Annual 
Interest Income: Loans & Leases  1,128    1,097    1,089    1,102    1,083    1,089    1,170    1,247    77    145 
Interest Income: Investments & Other  29    31    32    33    34    95    111    172    61    139 
Total Interest Income  1,157    1,128    1,121    1,135    1,117    1,184    1,281    1,419    138    284 
Interest Expense: Deposits  94    90    76    63    59    56    54    49    -5    -14 
Interest Expense: Borrowings & Other  10    9    9    9    9    7    7    7    0    -2 
Total Interest Expense  104    99    85    72    68    63    61    56    -5    -16 
Net Interest Income  1,053    1,029    1,036    1,063    1,049    1,121    1,220    1,363    143    300 
Provisions for Credit Losses  60    45    16    15    10    1    0    0    0    -15 
NII Noninterest Income: Fiduciary Activities  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
NII Service Charges on Deposit Accounts  25    23    28    28    25    28    30    28    -2    0 
NII Net Servicing Fees  2    -1    8    18    12    10    9    10    1    -8 
NII Net Securitization Income  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
NII Inv Banking, Advisory & Underwriting Fees  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
NII Insurance Related  0    1    1    -1    0    0    1    0    -1    1 
NII Net Gain on Sale of Loans and Leases  0    2    0    37    4    13    -1    0    1    -37 
NII Net Gain on Sale Other  -34    -4    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
NII Other Noninterest Income  65    75    75    70    68    76    245    72    -173    2 
Realized Gain on Securities  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    -8    -8    -8 
Total Noninterest Income  58    96    112    152    109    127    284    110    -174    -42 
NIE: Salary & Benefits  456    459    473    498    498    506    521    530    9    32 
NIE: Premises & Fixed Assets  102    81    83    88    93    80    91    116    25    28 
NIE: Amort of Intang & Goodwill Impairment  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    8    8    8 
NIE:Other Noninterest Expense  372    378    400    384    384    367    452    414    -38    30 
Total Noninterest Expense  930    918    956    970    975    953    1,064    1,060    -4    90 
Net Income before Tax & Extra  121    162    176    230    173    294    440    405    -35    175 
Income Taxes  28    37    39    50    20    51    46    76    30    26 
Net Income before Extra  93    125    137    180    153    243    394    329    -65    149 
Extraordinary Items-Net  0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 
Net Income  93    125    137    180    153    243    394    329    -65    149 

 

Source: S&P Global, Call Reports and FinPro Computations

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 37

 

The Bank’s ROAA and ROAE are above the Comparable Group median. The Bank’s higher capitalization following the offering is expected to reduce return on equity for the near term. On a pro forma basis, the Bank’s ROAA and core ROAE are projected to be 0.82% and 5.24%, respectively.

 

The Bank yield on earning assets is below the Comparable Group median. Additionally, the Bank’s cost of funds is below all comparable group peers.

 

The Bank’s efficiency ratio of 75.00% is below the Comparable median of 77.33%.

 

On a forward-looking basis, after the conversion the Bank’s operating expenses are expected to rise as a result of the stock benefit plans and additional costs of being a public company. At the same time, the Bank will have additional capital to deploy and leverage.

 

Figure– Income Statement Data

 

   Overall Profitability   Components of Profitability 
   ROAA   ROAE   Yield on
Earning
Assets
   Cost of
Funds
   Net Interest
Margin
(FTE)
   Noninterest
Income/
Avg Assets
   Noninterest
Expense/
Avg Assets
   Efficiency
Ratio (FTE)
 
Company Name  (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  (0.08)   (0.52)   3.06    0.45    2.78    0.44    2.75    90.15 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  0.12    0.58    3.28    0.71    2.74    0.07    2.55    93.18 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  0.74    10.47    4.00    0.23    3.56    0.51    3.01    77.33 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  0.29    2.58    3.27    0.39    2.99    0.28    2.90    87.96 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  0.42    3.74    3.91    0.58    3.51    0.51    3.09    85.77 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  0.75    7.03    3.30    0.21    3.10    0.72    2.50    66.98 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  0.72    4.69    3.31    0.44    2.98    0.41    2.31    66.50 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  1.95    9.60    6.00    0.83    5.37    0.29    2.39    44.01 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  0.35    2.66    3.56    0.92    2.96    0.41    2.23    67.15 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  (1.24)   (9.26)   4.87    0.30    4.65    0.34    3.02    64.05 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  0.96    4.88    3.70    0.81    3.11    5.12    6.75     NA  
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  0.46    2.05    3.59    0.52    3.09    0.28    2.40    77.70 
                                        
25% Percentile:  0.25    1.68    3.29    0.37    2.98    0.29    2.40    66.74 
Median:  0.44    3.20    3.57    0.49    3.10    0.41    2.65    77.33 
75% Percentile:  0.74    5.42    3.93    0.74    3.52    0.51    3.01    86.87 
                                        
Mercer Savings Bank  0.73    8.00    3.38    0.17    3.22    0.41    2.66    75.00 

 

 

 

Source: S&P Global, Call Reports and FinPro Computations

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 38

 

The Bank is more profitable than the Comparables on a ROAA and ROAE basis. After the conversion, the Bank is expected to have a lower ROAE. The Bank’s earnings composition is generally better or inline with the Comparable Group as the Bank has a higher net margin and inline level of noninterest income and noninterest expense. Taken collectively, no adjustment is warranted for this factor.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 39

 

Market area

 

The market area that an institution serves has a significant impact on value, as future success is interrelated with the economic, demographic and competitive aspects of the market. The location of an institution will have an impact on the trading value of an institution, as many analysts compare the pricing of institutions relative to a state or regional multiples in investor presentations.

 

The following figure compares the demographic for the market areas serviced by the Bank, to the demographics of the Comparable Group members.

 

Figure– Market Demographics

 

   Market Demographics 
   2023 Median
Household
Income
   Projected
Annualized
Change in
Median HHI ('23-
'28)
 
Company Name  ($)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)   72,136    12.04 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)   116,292    11.58 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   69,481    11.66 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)   83,978    11.55 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)   67,026    13.03 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   84,332    14.94 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   61,256    11.17 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   100,598    13.30 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)    NA      NA  
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   97,434    15.06 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   72,632    11.91 
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   88,378    11.93 
           
25% Percentile:   70,809    11.62 
Median:   83,978    11.93 
75% Percentile:   92,906    13.16 
           
Mercer Savings Bank   73,764    11.27 

 

 

 

Source: S&P Global, Call Reports and FinPro Computations

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 40

 

Figure– Market Demographics For Comparables

 

Mercer Savings Bank | Market Demographics (Mercer Savings Bank)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Ohio (OH)                                                       
Mercer   4    3    111,656    6.61    80.40    80.40    42,451    4.01    0.64    76,032    11.60 
Darke   11    1    27,221    1.68    19.60    19.60    51,332    (3.07)   (1.01)   64,462    9.95 
OH Totals        4    138,877         100.00    100.00    93,783                     
Weighted Average: Ohio Franchise                                      2.62    0.32    73,764    11.27 

 

1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. | Market Demographics (1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Wisconsin (WI)                                                       
Milwaukee   15    3    276,871    0.42    68.08    68.08    924,278    (2.47)   (1.12)   59,776    12.68 
Waukesha   27    2    88,400    0.51    21.74    21.74    410,596    5.31    1.66    100,234    11.77 
Ozaukee   12    1    41,421    1.22    10.18    10.18    93,143    7.81    2.55    94,790    9.97 
WI Totals        6    406,692         100.00    100.00    1,428,017                     
Weighted Average: Wisconsin Franchise                                      0.27    (0.14)   72,136    12.20 

 

Blue Foundry Bancorp | Market Demographics (Blue Foundry Bancorp)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
New Jersey (NJ)                                                       
Bergen   15    11    1,113,223    1.58    78.54    78.54    958,976    5.92    1.50    118,275    11.79 
Morris   20    5    182,384    0.58    12.87    12.87    512,633    4.14    1.44    128,691    10.52 
Passaic   16    1    70,932    0.33    5.00    5.00    519,751    3.69    0.41    83,801    11.41 
Essex   29    1    45,034    0.15    3.18    3.18    863,569    10.16    1.84    72,194    11.31 
Hudson   26    2    5,855    0.01    0.41    0.41    711,498    12.18    0.89    85,825    10.72 
NJ Totals        20    1,417,428         100.00    100.00    3,566,427                     
Weighted Average: New Jersey Franchise                                      5.74    1.44    116,292    11.59 

 

Finward Bancorp | Market Demographics (Finward Bancorp)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Illinois (IL)                                                       
Cook   32    13    663,265    0.15    93.69    34.58    5,165,243    (0.57)   (1.22)   76,354    14.17 
DuPage   39    1    44,691    0.08    6.31    2.33    924,736    0.85    (0.21)   103,897    8.25 
IL Totals        14    707,956         100.00    36.91    6,089,979                     
Weighted Average: Illinois Franchise                                      (0.48)   (1.15)   78,093    13.79 
Indiana (IN)                                                       
Lake   4    15    1,159,693    8.40    95.85    60.47    498,070    0.42    0.48    63,729    10.20 
Porter   9    1    50,215    1.18    4.15    2.62    175,287    6.66    2.23    80,921    10.82 
IN Totals        16    1,209,908         100.00    63.09    673,357                     
Weighted Average: Indiana Franchise                                      0.68    0.56    64,443    10.23 

 

First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. | Market Demographics (First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
New Hampshire (NH)                                                       
Strafford   3    4    345,588    14.00    86.36    86.36    133,404    8.35    3.02    80,894    11.45 
Rockingham   19    1    54,581    0.46    13.64    13.64    319,300    8.15    2.82    103,502    12.08 
NH Totals        5    400,169         100.00    100.00    452,704                     
Weighted Average: New Hampshire Franchise                                      8.32    3.00    83,978    11.53 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 41

 

Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. | Market Demographics (Generations Bancorp NY, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
New York (NY)                                                       
Seneca   3    3    145,000    20.74    45.18    45.18    33,368    (5.34)   (1.60)   63,907    10.62 
Cayuga   10    3    66,551    4.21    20.74    20.74    75,087    (6.17)   (1.89)   68,267    16.79 
Ontario   9    3    55,111    1.57    17.17    17.17    112,745    4.46    0.92    76,935    15.73 
Orleans   4    1    54,290    10.48    16.92    16.92    39,699    (7.42)   (2.16)   63,774    11.25 
NY Totals        10    320,952         100.00    100.00    260,899                     
Weighted Average: New York Franchise                                      (4.18)   (1.32)   67,026    12.88 

 

HMN Financial, Inc. | Market Demographics (HMN Financial, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Iowa (IA)                                                       
Marshall   7    1    75,170    5.33    100.00    7.57    39,691    (2.35)   (0.60)   68,357    9.91 
IA Totals        1    75,170         100.00    7.57    39,691                     
Weighted Average: Iowa Franchise                                      (2.35)   (0.60)   68,357    9.91 
Minnesota (MN)                                                       
Olmsted   5    4    414,643    7.19    47.74    41.77    165,766    14.91    3.76    93,603    18.11 
Fillmore   5    1    82,515    11.08    9.50    8.31    21,288    2.02    1.13    74,282    10.63 
Freeborn   6    1    81,130    9.53    9.34    8.17    30,636    (1.98)   (0.23)   66,764    14.35 
Mower   5    1    78,105    8.89    8.99    7.87    40,221    2.70    1.36    62,210    7.47 
Dodge   2    1    73,711    19.69    8.49    7.42    21,014    4.61    1.78    97,623    17.53 
Dakota   28    1    45,107    0.43    5.19    4.54    447,187    12.20    3.36    98,990    12.75 
Houston   4    1    37,593    8.26    4.33    3.79    18,715    (1.64)   (0.06)   69,487    9.27 
Winona   7    1    31,569    2.17    3.63    3.18    49,301    (4.20)   (0.54)   71,242    12.73 
Steele   11    1    24,238    2.45    2.79    2.44    37,397    2.24    0.95    79,815    12.50 
MN Totals        12    868,611         100.00    87.49    831,525                     
Weighted Average: Minnesota Franchise                                      8.23    2.33    84,818    15.03 
Wisconsin (WI)                                                       
Waukesha   30    1    48,995    0.28    100.00    4.94    410,596    5.31    1.66    100,234    11.77 
WI Totals        1    48,995         100.00    4.94    410,596                     
Weighted Average: Wisconsin Franchise                                      5.31    1.66    100,234    11.77 

 

Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. | Market Demographics (Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Indiana (IN)                                                       
Washington   1    1    109,501    27.78    53.23    53.23    28,037    (0.80)   0.04    60,080    10.19 
Orange   3    1    57,107    18.62    27.76    27.76    19,795    (0.23)   0.24    59,072    11.28 
Lawrence   6    1    39,124    8.44    19.02    19.02    44,847    (2.79)   (0.18)   67,735    13.44 
IN Totals        3    205,732         100.00    100.00    92,679                     
Weighted Average: Indiana Franchise                                      (1.02)   0.06    61,256    11.11 

 

Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. | Market Demographics (Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Massachusetts (MA)                                                       
Norfolk   36    1    58,373    0.15    51.08    6.27    730,687    8.92    2.10    118,738    12.06 
Essex   32    1    34,456    0.10    30.15    3.70    814,620    9.62    2.15    94,724    15.94 
Middlesex   45    1    21,448    0.03    18.77    2.30    1,628,018    8.31    1.46    121,029    15.27 
MA Totals        3    114,277         100.00    12.28    3,173,325                     
Weighted Average: Massachusetts Franchise                                      9.02    2.00    111,927    13.83 
New York (NY)                                                       
Rockland   9    2    278,169    1.87    34.07    29.89    341,891    9.69    2.14    109,483    11.97 
Orange   11    2    196,565    1.83    24.08    21.12    407,445    9.29    2.38    95,921    16.00 
Westchester   23    1    152,883    0.23    18.73    16.43    1,001,569    5.53    0.74    114,960    14.37 
Bronx   19    1    94,637    0.53    11.59    10.17    1,427,704    3.08    (0.69)   45,729    11.92 
New York   68    2    93,788    0.01    11.49    10.08    1,605,752    1.25    (0.48)   102,325    10.33 
Sullivan   9    1    376    0.02    0.05    0.04    79,819    2.93    1.51    68,397    16.24 
NY Totals        9    816,418         100.00    87.72    4,864,180                     
Weighted Average: New York Franchise                                      7.08    1.31    99,012    13.20 

 

PB Bankshares, Inc. | Market Demographics (PB Bankshares, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Pennsylvania (PA)                                                       
Chester   18    2    186,343    1.00    60.30    60.30    543,020    8.85    2.40    115,534    14.26 
Lancaster   18    2    122,670    0.76    39.70    39.70    557,393    7.31    1.72    74,803    11.53 
PA Totals        4    309,013         100.00    100.00    1,100,413                     
Weighted Average: Pennsylvania Franchise                                      8.24    2.13    99,365    13.17 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 42

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc. | Market Demographics (Provident Bancorp, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Massachusetts (MA)                                                       
Essex   12    3    708,190    2.11    100.00    48.61    814,620    9.62    2.15    94,724    15.94 
MA Totals        3    708,190         100.00    48.61    814,620                     
Weighted Average: Massachusetts Franchise                                      9.62    2.15    94,724    15.94 
New Hampshire (NH)                                                       
Hillsborough   7    1    400,657    2.29    53.51    27.50    426,530    6.45    2.12    96,951    16.29 
Rockingham   9    3    348,089    2.96    46.49    23.89    319,300    8.15    2.82    103,502    12.08 
NH Totals        4    748,746         100.00    51.39    745,830                     
Weighted Average: New Hampshire Franchise                                      7.24    2.44    99,997    14.34 

 

Waterstone Financial, Inc. | Market Demographics (Waterstone Financial, Inc.)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
Wisconsin (WI)                                                       
Milwaukee   9    11    842,694    1.28    65.12    65.12    924,278    (2.47)   (1.12)   59,776    12.68 
Waukesha   13    4    342,480    1.98    26.47    26.47    410,596    5.31    1.66    100,234    11.77 
Washington   11    1    108,814    3.03    8.41    8.41    137,656    4.37    1.39    85,324    8.29 
WI Totals        16    1,293,988         100.00    100.00    1,472,530                     
Weighted Average: Wisconsin Franchise                                      0.16    (0.17)   72,632    12.07 

 

William Penn Bancorporation | Market Demographics (William Penn Bancorporation)

 

                   Percent   Percent of   2023   2010-2023   2023-2028   2023   2023-2028 
County  Market
Rank
   Number
of
Branches
   Deposits
In Market
($000)
   Deposit
Market
Share (%)
   of State
Franchise
(%)
   National
Franchise
(%)
   Total
Population
(Actual)
   Population
Change (%)
   Projected
Population
Change (%)
   Median
Household
Income ($)
   Projected HH
Income Change
(%)
 
New Jersey (NJ)                                                       
Camden   16    2    116,094    0.75    55.99    17.83    524,296    2.06    0.82    83,038    15.19 
Burlington   19    1    46,768    0.29    22.55    7.18    465,549    3.76    1.46    100,592    14.59 
Mercer   21    1    44,491    0.19    21.46    6.83    387,838    5.82    1.30    91,384    11.90 
NJ Totals        4    207,353         100.00    31.84    1,377,683                     
Weighted Average: New Jersey Franchise                                      3.25    1.07    88,788    14.35 
Pennsylvania (PA)                                                       
Bucks   16    7    322,960    1.20    72.77    49.60    647,873    3.62    0.83    102,052    10.56 
Philadelphia   21    2    120,865    0.18    27.23    18.56    1,581,552    3.64    (0.19)   51,139    12.15 
PA Totals        9    443,825         100.00    68.16    2,229,425                     
Weighted Average: Pennsylvania Franchise                                      3.63    0.55    88,187    10.99 

 

Source: S&P Global

 

The Bank’s market area has grown and is projected to continue to grow at a generally inline rate with the Comparable Group’s markets. Household income levels are lower in the Bank’s markets and are projected to grow at a similar rate with the Comparables. Based upon these factors, a moderate downward adjustment is warranted for market area.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 43

 

Cash Dividends

 

Currently, most conversions are not establishing a dividend policy concurrent with the conversion. Historical issues have been fully or oversubscribing without the need for the additional enticement of dividends. After the conversion is another issue, however. Pressures on ROAE and on internal rates of return to investors prompted the industry toward cash dividends. This trend is exacerbated by the lack of growth in the market. Typically, when institutions are in a growth mode, they issue stock dividends or do not declare a dividend. When growth is stunted, these institutions shift toward reducing equity levels and thus utilize cash dividends as a tool in managing equity. Recent tax code changes have made cash dividends more attractive to investors.

 

Figure– Dividends

 

   Dividends 
   Quarterly Dividends Per Share   LTM Dividends Per Share   LTM Dividend Payout Ratio   Dividend Yield 
Company Name  ($)   ($)   (%)   (%) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)    NA     -     NA      NA  
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)    NA     -     NM      NA  
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   0.31    1.24    34.35    3.41 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)    NA     -     NM      NA  
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)    NA     -     NM      NA  
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   0.06    0.24    13.11    1.09 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   0.06    0.20    29.41    1.84 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   0.06    0.42    26.58    1.50 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)    NA     -     NM      NA  
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   0.04    0.08     NM     - 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   0.20    0.80    89.89    4.99 
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   0.03    0.12    40.00    1.01 
                     
25% Percentile:   0.05    -    27.29    1.05 
Median:   0.06    0.10    31.88    1.50 
75% Percentile:   0.13    0.29    38.59    2.62 

 

Source: S&P Global, Call Reports and FinPro Computations

 

Seven of the twelve Comparable institutions had declared cash dividends. The median dividend payout ratio for the Comparable Group was 31.88%. Currently, the Bank does not pay a cash dividend as is a mutual bank.

 

The Bank, on a pro forma basis (at the mid point of the value range) will have an tier one leverage ratio of 12.53%. The Bank will have adequate capital and profits to pay cash dividends.

 

As such, no adjustment is warranted for this factor.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 44

 

Recent Regulatory Matters

 

Regulatory matters influence the market for thrift conversions. The Bank will operate in substantially the same regulatory environment as the Comparable Group.

 

The Bank is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the ODFI, the chartering authority, and the FDIC, the primary federal regulator.

 

As such, no adjustment for this factor is warranted.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 45

 

5. Other Factors

 

Management

 

In February 2022, the Bank hired the current President and Chief Executive Officer, Barry Parmiter, who has 25 years of experience in community bank leadership in Ohio. Since that time, the board of directors and management have conducted an extensive review of our business strategy, operations, and information technology systems and other third-party service providers. In July 2022, consistent with the Bank’s strategy to implement an indirect automobile lending program, the Bank hired a Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending. The Bank is currently seeking to hire a new Senior Vice President of Lending.

 

The Bank has developed a good management team with considerable banking experience. The Bank’s organizational chart is reasonable for an institution of its size and complexity. The Board is active and oversees and advises on all key strategic and policy decisions and holds the management to high performance standards.

 

As such, no adjustment appears to be warranted for this factor.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 46

 

Liquidity of the shares

 

The Peer Group is by definition composed of companies that are traded in the public markets. All of the Peer Group companies trade on NASDAQ. Typically, the number of shares outstanding and market capitalization provides an indication of how much liquidity there will be in a particular stock. The market capitalization of the Peer Group companies ranged from $33.3 million to $345.8 million as of February 17, 2023, with a median market value of $125.2 million.

 

Mercer Bancorp is a newly formed company and has never issued capital stock. Mercer Savings Bank, as a mutual institution, is not authorized to issue capital stock. Mercer Bancorp expects that that its common stock will be quoted on the OTCQB Market operated by OTC Markets Group upon the completion of the conversion and stock offering. However, following completion of the conversion, if the Company meets Nasdaq listing requirements, it will use best efforts to obtain approval for our shares of common stock to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Overall, we anticipate that the Bank’s stock will have a lower level of trading liquidity as the Peer Group companies on average and, therefore, we concluded that a downward was necessary for this factor.

 

Figure– Market Pricing and Valuation

 

Size / Regional Peers  Market Pricing and Valuation 
   Date of
Closing
Price
  Market Cap.  Price/ MRQ
Core EPS

  Price/ LTM
Core EPS
  Price/
Tangible
Book
  Tangible
Premium/
Core Deposits
  LTM
Dividend
Payout Ratio
  Dividend
Yield
  Avg Daily
Volume
  Avg Daily
Volume
 
Company Name  ($)  ($mil)  (x)  (x)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (Three Month)  (One Year) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  2/17/2023  64.5  61.7  NA  81.7  -3.3  NA  NA  3,656  7,283 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  2/17/2023  333.7  149.6  133.6  83.8  NA  NM  NA  62,305  69,841 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  2/17/2023  156.9  7.4  7.9  143.7  NA  34.3  3.4  5,990  5,136 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  2/17/2023  52.2  26.8  35.4  109.2  NA  NM  NA  26,363  13,189 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  2/17/2023  25.7  18.7  15.3  71.3  -4.2  NM  NA  1,129  2,281 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  2/17/2023  94.9  NA  NA  101.9  NA  13.1  1.1  2,547  3,410 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  2/17/2023  35.4  17.2  19.2  121.8  2.5  29.4  1.8  891  1,943 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  2/17/2023  235.3  7.1  9.5  97.8  NA  26.6  1.5  67,558  41,461 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  2/17/2023  33.3  19.4  24.5  81.0  NA  NM  NA  2,453  3,402 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  2/17/2023  170.3  15.3  NM  83.5  NA  NM  0.0  162,799  67,050 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  2/17/2023  345.8  100.1  18.3  96.0  -2.7  89.9  5.0  67,173  81,288 
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  2/17/2023  155.4  48.0  36.7  96.7  NA  40.0  1.0  28,164  23,970 
                                
25% Percentile:     48.0  16.3  15.3  83.1  -3.5  27.3  1.1  2,524  3,408 
Median:     125.2  19.4  19.2  96.4  -3.0  31.9  1.5  16,177  10,236 
75% Percentile:     186.5  54.9  35.4  103.7  -1.4  38.6  2.6  63,522  47,858 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 47

 

marketing of the issuance

 

Three separate markets exist for thrift stocks: (1) the after-market for public companies, both fully-converted stock companies and MHC’s, in which trading activity is regular and investment decisions are made based upon financial condition, earnings, capital, ROE, dividends and future prospects; (2) the new issue market in which converting thrifts are evaluated on the basis of the same factors but on a pro forma basis without the benefit of prior operations as a publicly-held Bank and stock trading history; and (3) the thrift acquisition market. All three of these markets were considered in the valuation of the Bank’s to-be-issue stock.

 

The Public Market- The value of publicly traded thrift stocks is easily measurable, and is tracked by most investment houses and related organizations. In general, thrift stock values react to market stimuli such as interest rates, inflation, perceived industry health, projected rates of economic growth, regulatory issues, and stock market conditions in general.

 

The New Issue Market- In addition to thrift stock market conditions in general, the new issue market for converting thrifts is also an important consideration in determining the Bank’s pro forma market value. The new issue market is separate and distinct from the market for seasoned thrift stocks in that the pricing ratios for converting issues are computed on a pro forma basis, specifically: (1) the numerator and denominator are both impacted by the conversion offering amount, unlike existing stock issues in which price change affects only the numerator; and (2) the pro forma pricing ratio incorporates assumptions regarding source and use of proceeds, effective tax rates, stock plan purchases, etc. which impact pro forma financials, whereas pricing for existing issues are based on reported financials. The distinction between pricing of converting and existing issues is perhaps no clearer than in the case of the price/book ("P/B") ratio in that the P/B ratio of a converting thrift will typically result in a discount to book value whereas in the current market for existing thrifts the P/B ratio often reflects a premium to book value. Therefore, it is appropriate to also consider the market for new issues, both at the time of the conversion and in the aftermarket.

 

The Acquisition Market- Also considered in the valuation was the potential impact on the Banks holding company’s stock price of recently completed and pending acquisitions of other savings institutions operating in the region. There have been numerous bank and thrift acquisitions completed over the past number of years. To the extent that acquisition speculation may impact the Bank’s offering, we have largely taken this into account in selecting companies for the Peer Group which operate in markets that have experienced a comparable level of acquisition activity as the Bank’s market and, thus, are subject to the same type of acquisition speculation that may influence Bank’s stock. However, since converting thrifts are subject to a three-year regulatory moratorium from being acquired, acquisition speculation in the Bank’s stock would tend to be less compared to the stocks of the Peer Group companies.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 48

 

In determining our valuation adjustment for marketing of the issue, we considered trends in both the overall thrift market, the new issue market including the new issue market for thrift conversions and the Bank acquisition market for thrift stocks. Overall, volatile market conditions coupled with the prospect of projected reduction in the number of rate increases by the Federal Reserve have led to unusual market volatility. Taking these factors and trends into account, FinPro concluded that a slight downward adjustment was appropriate in the valuation analysis for purposes of marketing of the issue.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 49

Valuation Adjustments

 

Relative to the Comparables the following adjustments need to be made to the Bank’s pro forma market value.

 

Valuation Factor   Valuation Adjustment
Financial Condition   Downward
     
Balance Sheet Growth   Strong Downward
     
Earnings Quality, Predictability and Growth   No Adjustment
     
Market Area   Moderate Downward
     
Dividends   No Adjustment
     
Liquidity of the Issue   Downward
     
Recent Regulatory Matters   No Adjustment

 

Additionally, the following adjustments should be made to the Bank’s market value.

 

Valuation Factor   Valuation Adjustment
Management   No Adjustment
     
Marketing of the Issuance   No Adjustment

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 50

 

6. Valuation

 

In applying the accepted valuation methodology promulgated by the regulators, i.e., the pro forma market value approach, three key pricing multiples were considered. The three multiples include:

 

Price to core earnings (“P/E”)

 

Price to book value (“P/B”) / Price to tangible book value (“P/TB”)

 

Price to assets (“P/A”)

 

All of the approaches were calculated on a pro forma basis including the effects of the conversion proceeds. All of the assumptions utilized are presented.

 

Discussion of Weight Given to Valuation Multiples

 

To ascertain the pro forma estimated market value of the Bank, the market multiples for the Comparable Group were utilized. As a secondary check, all publicly traded thrifts, Mid-west regional thrifts and recent (2017 to date) conversions along with historical standard conversions were assessed. The data for the Comparable Group, all publicly traded thrifts, and historical offerings are showing on the following pages.

 

Figure–Comparable Group Market Pricing and Valuation

 

Size / Regional Peers  Market Pricing and Valuation 
   Date of
Closing
Price
  Market Cap.  Price/ MRQ
Core EPS
  Price/ LTM
Core EPS
  Price/
Tangible
Book
  Tangible
Premium/
Core Deposits
  LTM
Dividend
Payout Ratio
  Dividend
Yield
  Avg Daily
Volume
  Avg Daily
Volume
 
Company Name  ($)  ($mil)  (x)  (x)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (Three Month)  (One Year) 
1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)  2/17/2023  64.5  61.7  NA  81.7  -3.3  NA  NA  3,656  7,283 
Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)  2/17/2023  333.7  149.6  133.6  83.8  NA  NM  NA  62,305  69,841 
Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)  2/17/2023  156.9  7.4  7.9  143.7  NA  34.3  3.4  5,990  5,136 
First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)  2/17/2023  52.2  26.8  35.4  109.2  NA  NM  NA  26,363  13,189 
Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)  2/17/2023  25.7  18.7  15.3  71.3  -4.2  NM  NA  1,129  2,281 
HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)  2/17/2023  94.9  NA  NA  101.9  NA  13.1  1.1  2,547  3,410 
Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)  2/17/2023  35.4  17.2  19.2  121.8  2.5  29.4  1.8  891  1,943 
Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)  2/17/2023  235.3  7.1  9.5  97.8  NA  26.6  1.5  67,558  41,461 
PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)  2/17/2023  33.3  19.4  24.5  81.0  NA  NM  NA  2,453  3,402 
Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)  2/17/2023  170.3  15.3  NM  83.5  NA  NM  0.0  162,799  67,050 
Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)  2/17/2023  345.8  100.1  18.3  96.0  -2.7  89.9  5.0  67,173  81,288 
William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)  2/17/2023  155.4  48.0  36.7  96.7  NA  40.0  1.0  28,164  23,970 
                                
25% Percentile:     48.0  16.3  15.3  83.1  -3.5  27.3  1.1  2,524  3,408 
Median:     125.2  19.4  19.2  96.4  -3.0  31.9  1.5  16,177  10,236 
75% Percentile:     186.5  54.9  35.4  103.7  -1.4  38.6  2.6  63,522  47,858 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 51

 

Figure–All Publicly Traded Thrifts Market Pricing and Valuation

 

       Market Pricing and Valuation 
       Date of
Closing
Price
  Market
Cap.
  Price/
MRQ EPS
  Price/
LTM EPS
  Price/
Tangible
Book
  Tangible
Premium/ Core
Deposits
  LTM Dividend
Payout Ratio
  Dividend
Yield
  Price Change
Since IPO
  Price/
Assets (%)
  Avg Weekly
Volume/
Shares Out
  Avg Weekly
Volume/
Shares Out
  Avg Daily
Volume
  Avg Daily
Volume
 
   Company Name   ($)  ($mil)  (x)  (x)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (%)  (%)   (%)  (Three
Month)
  (One Year)  (Three
Month)
  (One Year) 
1 

1895 Bancorp of Wisconsin, Inc. (NASDAQCM:BCOW)

  2/17/2023  64.5  124.5  NA  81.7  -3.3  NA  NA  NA  12.2  0.28  0.56  3,656  7,283
2  Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AX)   2/17/2023  3014.4  9.3  11.7  184.9  NA  NM  NA  0.0  12.2  2.49  2.75  298,988  329,533 
3  Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQGS:BLFY)   2/17/2023  333.7  149.6  133.0  83.8  NA  NM  NA  29.0  17.3  1.12  1.25  62,305  69,841 
4  Broadway Financial Corporation (NASDAQCM:BYFC)   2/17/2023  100.3  16.4  16.4  95.7  NA  NA  0.0  124.1  NA  1.01  1.76  96,924  169,139 
5  Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:CFFN)   2/17/2023  1140.5  17.9  14.8  111.8  NA  126.7  4.0  120.0  11.9  2.76  2.48  730,853  657,996 
6  Carver Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:CARV)   2/17/2023  19.6  NM  NM  100.9  NA  NM  0.0  -23.4  2.6  2.32  10.59  19,623  89,475 
7  Cullman Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:CULL)   2/17/2023  86.7  22.5  22.1  88.0  -5.1  22.6  1.0  NA  19.4  0.14  0.28  2,075  4,190 
8  Finward Bancorp (NASDAQCM:FNWD)   2/17/2023  156.9  9.8  10.1  143.7  NA  34.3  3.4  NA  7.5  0.70  0.60  5,990  5,136 
9  First Northwest Bancorp (NASDAQGM:FNWB)   2/17/2023  137.8  5.7  8.9  91.6  NA  16.4  1.9  21.8  7.3  0.61  0.66  11,175  11,955 
10  First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSEA)   2/17/2023  52.2  26.8  34.4  109.2  NA  NM  NA  NA  12.0   NA    NA   26,363  13,189 
11  FS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:FSBW)   2/17/2023  279.5  9.5  9.9  125.6  2.9  25.7  2.7  0.1  9.8  1.39  1.92  21,098  29,076 
12  Generations Bancorp NY, Inc. (NASDAQCM:GBNY)   2/17/2023  25.7  20.9  16.2  71.3  -4.2  NM  NA  NA  7.0  0.24  0.48  1,129  2,281 
13  Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQGM:HIFS)   2/17/2023  627.3  13.4  17.1  162.5  13.3  17.8  0.9  NA  14.1  1.76  1.12  7,552  4,812 
14  HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGM:HMNF)   2/17/2023  94.9  9.8  12.0  101.9  NA  13.1  1.1  93.1  8.7  0.29  0.39  2,547  3,410 
15  Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (NASDAQCM:HFBL)   2/17/2023  59.9  9.1  11.4  128.1  NA  26.3  2.4  -17.8  9.3  0.14  0.40  857  2,385 
16  Kearny Financial Corp. (NASDAQGS:KRNY)   2/17/2023  651.1  83.6  14.3  103.1  NA  62.9  4.5  57.2  8.3  1.87  2.33  242,737  303,797 
17  Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:MSVB)   2/17/2023  35.4  17.2  19.2  121.8  2.5  29.4  1.8  NA  14.5  0.16  0.36  891  1,943 
18  New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB)   2/17/2023  6396.6  7.8  7.5  114.1  NA  40.5  7.2  3355.7  6.5  7.17  6.24  9,763,143  8,499,882 
19  Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NECB)   2/17/2023  235.3  7.4  10.1  97.8  NA  26.6  1.5  NA  16.8  2.29  1.40  67,558  41,461 
20  Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (Staten Island, NY) (NASDAQGS:NFBK)   2/17/2023  703.1  12.0  11.2  106.5  NA  39.4  3.5  46.6  13.3  1.54  1.41  147,560  134,475 
21  NSTS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:NSTS)   2/17/2023  57.4  132.9  NA  72.5  -13.8  NA  NA  25.9  21.8  0.59  0.83  6,374  8,942 
22  OP Bancorp (NASDAQGM:OPBK)   2/17/2023  175.6  5.6  5.4  103.0  NA  21.5  4.2  8.2  8.1  0.80  1.32  24,441  40,078 
23  PB Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PBBK)   2/17/2023  33.3  20.6  26.4  81.0  NA  NM  NA  30.8  9.0  0.49  0.67  2,453  3,402 
24  Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQGM:PDLB)   2/17/2023  213.5  NM  NM  85.7  NA  NM  NA  NA  11.1  1.62  1.43  74,905  66,357 
25  Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM:PVBC)   2/17/2023  170.3  15.3  NM  83.5  NA  NM  0.0  NA  7.9  4.69  1.93  162,799  67,050 
26  Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS)   2/17/2023  1799.6  9.1  10.2  158.3  6.6  40.9  4.0  55.0  11.6  2.38  2.45  354,592  364,399 
27  Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGS:RVSB)   2/17/2023  153.7  7.4  8.1  123.4  NA  26.7  3.3  NA  10.3  0.53  0.54  22,713  23,059 
28  Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGM:SMBC)   2/17/2023  545.1  9.6  10.2  145.9  NA  17.5  1.8  102.5  12.3  1.56  1.37  28,824  25,235 
29  Sterling Bancorp, Inc. (Southfield, MI) (NASDAQCM:SBT)   2/17/2023  317.0  NM  78.0  95.8  NA  NM  0.0  1.3  12.7  0.24  0.57  24,288  57,927 
30  TC Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQCM:TCBC)   2/17/2023  73.5  29.3  NA  94.0  -4.1  NA  0.6  21.1  17.2  0.34  0.52  2,998  4,657 
31  Territorial Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQGS:TBNK)   2/17/2023  208.0  15.1  13.1  83.5  -3.6  56.7  3.9  49.9  10.0  0.94  0.75  16,543  13,137 
32  Third Coast Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQGS:TCBX)   2/17/2023  259.7  10.9  15.4  87.6  NA  NM  NA  0.0  6.7  1.05  1.83  28,478  49,399 
33  Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGM:TSBK)   2/17/2023  286.5  9.7  11.4  138.2  NA  32.2  2.6  190.0  15.3  0.95  0.68  15,588  11,260 
34  TrustCo Bank Corp NY (NASDAQGS:TRST)   2/17/2023  704.6  8.4  9.4  117.6  NA  35.9  3.9  NA  11.9  2.22  1.97  84,551  74,947 
35  Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WSBF)   2/17/2023  345.8  100.1  18.0  96.0  -2.7  89.9  5.0  23.4  18.8  1.51  1.82  67,173  81,288 
36  Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQGS:WNEB)   2/17/2023  222.8  6.0  8.5  104.4  NA  21.2  2.8  337.7  8.2  1.00  0.71  44,384  31,705 
37  William Penn Bancorporation (NASDAQCM:WMPN)   2/17/2023  155.4  37.1  39.6  96.7  NA  40.0  1.0  NA  19.7  1.05  0.89  28,164  23,970 
38  WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQGS:WSFS)   2/17/2023  3133.0  9.3  14.6  262.6  NA  16.6  1.2  NA  14.0  2.11  2.54  259,758  312,867 
                                                
   25% Percentile:   2/17/2023  88.8  9.2  10.1  88.9  -4.1  21.4  1.0  6.5  8.3  0.53  0.60  6,669  7,698 
   Median:   2/17/2023  210.8  12.0  12.6  102.5  -3.3  28.1  2.4  29.9  11.9  1.05  1.25  25,402  30,391 
   75% Percentile:   2/17/2023  495.3  21.7  17.4  123.0  2.7  40.1  3.9  95.5  14.1  1.87  1.92  82,140  79,703 

 

Price to Earnings – According to the Appraisal Guidelines: “When both the converting institution and the comparable companies are recording “normal” earnings, a P/E approach may be the simplest and most direct method of valuation. When earnings are low or negative, however, this approach may not be appropriate and the greater consideration should be given to the P/BV approach.” In this particular case, the Bank’s earnings are “normal”. As a basis for comparison, the price to core earnings was utilized for both the Bank and the Comparable Group to eliminate any nonrecurring items. As such, this approach was considered in this appraisal.

 

In the pro forma figures for the Bank, FinPro incorporated the impact of SFAS 123, which requires the expensing of stock options. In preparing the fully converted pro forma figures for the Comparable Group, FinPro also incorporated the impact of SFAS 123.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 52

 

Price to Book/Price to Tangible Book - According to the Appraisal Guidelines: “The P/BV approach works best when the converting institution and the Comparables have a normal amount of book value. The P/BV approach could seriously understate the value of an institution that has almost no book value but has an outstanding future earnings potential. For converting institutions with high net worth, the appraiser may have difficulty in arriving at a pro forma market value because of pressure placed on the P/E multiple as higher P/BV levels are required to reflect a similar P/BV ratio as the peer group average. The P/BV approach also suffers from the use of historical cost accounting data.”

 

Since thrift earnings in general have had a high degree of volatility over the past decade, the P/B is utilized frequently as the benchmark for market value. A better approach is the P/TB approach. In general, investors tend to price financial institutions on a tangible book basis, because it incorporates the P/B approach adjusted for intangibles. Initially following conversion, FinPro believes that thrifts often trade on a price to tangible book basis.

 

Price to Assets - According to the Appraisal Guidelines: “This approach remedies the problems of a small base that can occur with the P/BV approach, but the approach has many of the other limitations of the latter approach (the P/BV approach).” FinPro places little weight on this valuation approach due to the lack of consideration of asset and funding mixes and the resulting earnings impact.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 53

 

Offering Value in Relation to Comparables

 

Based upon the premiums and discounts defined in the section above, the Bank’s aggregate pro forma market value (excluding the stock foundation) at the midpoint is estimated to be $13,000,000. Based upon a range below and above the midpoint value, the relative values are $11,050,000 at the minimum and $14,950,000 at the maximum, respectively. At the super maximum of the estimated value range, the offering value would be $17,192,500.

 

At the various levels of the estimated value range, the full offering would result in the following offering data:

 

Figure - Value Range - Full Offering

 

   Total Shares   Price   Total 
Conclusion  Shares   Per Share   Value 
Appraised Value - Midpoint   1,300,000   $10.00   $13,000,000 
                
Range:               
- Minimum   1,105,000   $10.00    11,050,000 
- Maximum   1,495,000    10.00    14,950,000 
- Super Maximum   1,719,250    10.00    17,192,500 

 

Source: FinPro Inc. Pro Forma Model

 

This equates to the following multiples:

 

Figure - Value Range Pricing Multiples

 

      Bank   Comparables   Region   National 
          Mean   Median   Mean   Median   Mean   Median 
   Min  7.58                         
Price-Core Earnings Ratio P/E  Mid  8.62   33.40   19.20   23.34   16.42   20.00   11.40 
   Max  9.62                         
   Smax  10.75                         
                                
   Min  51.41%                        
Price-to-Book Ratio P/B  Mid  55.83%  94.40%  94.80%  105.59%  101.10%  102.10%  97.70%
   Max  59.67%                        
   Smax  63.49%                        
                                
   Min  51.41%                        
Price-to-Tangible Book Ratio P/TB  Mid  55.83%  97.40%  96.40%  111.18%  101.94%  102.50%  111.90%
   Max  59.67%                        
   Smax  63.49%                        
                                
   Min  7.49%                        
Price-to-Assets Ratio P/A  Mid  8.66%  12.60%  12.09%  13.52%  12.26%  11.80%  11.90%
   Max  9.81%                        
   Smax  11.09%                        

 

Source: FinPro Inc. Pro Forma Model

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 54

 

Figure - Comparable Pricing Multiples to the Bank’s Pro Forma Midpoint

 

   Price Relative to 
   Core Earnings   Book   Tangible Book   Assets 
The Bank (at midpoint) Full Conversion   8.62    55.83%   55.83%   8.66%
Comparable Group Median   19.20    94.80%   96.40%   12.09%
(Discount) Premium   -55.10%   -41.11%   -42.09%   -28.40%

 

Source: FinPro Calculations

 

Figure above illustrates that at the midpoint of the estimated valuation range the Bank is priced at a 55.10% discount to the Comparable median price to core earnings multiple. On a tangible book basis, the Bank is priced at a -42.09% discount.

 

Figure - Comparable Pricing Multiples to the Bank’s Pro Forma Super maximum

 

   Price Relative to 
   Core Earnings   Book   Tangible Book   Assets 
The Bank (at the supermax) Full Conversion   10.75    63.49%   63.49%   11.09%
Comparable Group Median   19.20    94.80%   96.40%   12.09%
(Discount) Premium   -44.01%   -33.03%   -34.14%   -8.31%

 

Source: FinPro Calculations

 

Figure above illustrates that at the super maximum of the estimated valuation range the Bank is priced at a 44.01% discount to the Comparable median price to core earnings multiple. On a tangible book basis, the Bank is priced at a 34.14% discount.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 55

 

Comparison to Recent Standard Conversions

 

As a secondary check FinPro reviewed the pro forma pricing multiples of the Bank relative to the other recent standard conversion pro forma pricing multiples.

 

Figure–Recent Standard Conversion Offerings

 

         Offering Data  Financial Performance At Offering
Institution Name  State  Trading
Symbol
  Offering
Completion
Date
  Offering
Announcement
Date
  Net
Proceeds
$000s
  Pro Forma
Price/
Earnings
(x)
  Pro Forma
Price/ Book
(%)
  Pro Forma
Price/
Tangible
Book
(%)
  Total
Assets
$000s
  ROAE
(%)
   Core ROAE
(%)
   Tangible
Equity/
Tangible
Assets
(%)
  NPAs/
Assets
(%)
 
ECB Bancorp, Inc.  MA  ECBK  7/27/2022  3/10/2022  75,794  25.9  59.8  59.8  688,639  5.40   7.11   11.42  NA 
VWF Bancorp, Inc.  OH  VWFB  7/13/2022  3/3/2022  15,422  250.0  50.2  50.2  137,048  0.11   1.02   17.62  NA 
NSTS Bancorp, Inc.  IL  NSTS  1/18/2022  7/19/2021  44,494  NM  59.7  59.7  259,881  0.19   (0.03)  17.68  0.68 
PB Bankshares, Inc.  PA  PBBK  7/14/2021  3/8/2021  23,083  NM  61.7  61.7  281,066  (1.66)  (0.68)  7.76  1.04 
TC Bancshares, Inc.  GA  TCBC  7/20/2021  3/5/2021  41,777  NM  59.9  59.9  363,624  2.02   4.22   11.14  NA 
Texas Community Bancshares, Inc.  TX  TCBS  7/14/2021  3/3/2021  26,776  86.3  53.2  56.0  316,501  2.27   2.27   9.85  0.53 
Catalyst Bancorp, Inc.  LA     10/12/2021  3/12/2021  44,958  NM  55.5  55.5  238,329  (1.38)  NA   21.29  1.92 
Systematic Savings Bank  MO     10/13/2020  3/18/2020  5,101  62.5  58.7  58.7  39,995  2.18   2.18   12.64  0.08 
Eureka Homestead Bancorp, Inc.  LA  ERKH  7/9/2019  3/1/2019  11,311  44.7  60.6  60.6  98,403  2.32   NA   12.52  0.00 
Richmond Mutual Bancorporation, Inc.  IN  RMBI  7/1/2019  2/6/2019  111,240  18.9  74.5  74.5  882,800  6.98   6.94   10.10  0.26 
CBM Bancorp, Inc.  MD     9/27/2018  5/23/2018  35,785  41.7  73.5  73.5  184,177  0.95   NA   11.95  0.86 
Sidney Federal Savings and Loan Association  NE     7/26/2018  10/17/2017  816  NM  71.0  71.0  16,660  (26.09)  (26.09)  5.66  0.14 
Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc.  LA  HRGG  7/12/2017  3/7/2017  13,347  NM  72.5  72.5  104,063  NA   NA   9.19  NA 
Eagle Financial Bancorp, Inc.  OH  EFBI  7/20/2017  3/3/2017  12,543  10.2  61.7  61.7  119,296  7.68   7.68   11.49  0.96 
Community Savings Bancorp, Inc.  OH     1/10/2017  8/25/2016  2,684  6.1  57.3  57.3  53,606  NA   NA   12.43  NA 
HV Bancorp, Inc.  PA  HVBC  1/11/2017  7/20/2016  17,899  22.7  70.7  70.7  177,115  8.43   8.29   7.45  0.93 
                                           
25th Percentile:              12,235  19.8  58.3  58.3  102,648  0.13   0.49   9.69  0.20 
Median              20,491  33.8  60.3  60.3  180,646  2.10   2.27   11.46  0.68 
Average              30,189  56.9  62.5  62.7  247,575  0.67   1.17   11.89  0.67 
75th Percentile:              42,456  58.0  70.8  70.8  289,925  4.63   7.02   12.55  0.94 

 

Figure–Median Pro Forma Price/ TBV Trend

 

 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 56

 

 

Valuation Conclusion

 

It is, FinPro’s opinion that as of February 23, 2023, the estimated aggregate pro forma market value of the Bank was $13,000,000 at the midpoint of a range (excluding foundation shares) with a minimum of $11,050,000 to a maximum of $14,950,000 at 15% below and 15% above the midpoint of the range respectively. Assuming an adjusted maximum value of 15% above the maximum value, the adjusted maximum value or super maximum value is $17,192,500. The stock will be issued at $10.00 per share.

 

   Pre Foundation 
   Appraised Value 
Conclusion  Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMaximum * 
Total Shares   1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Price per Share  $10   $10   $10   $10 
Full Conversion Value  $11,050,000   $13,000,000   $14,950,000   $17,192,500 
Conversion Shares   1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Conversion Percent   100.00%   100.00%   100.00%   100.00%
Gross Proceeds  $11,050,000   $13,000,000   $14,950,000   $17,192,500 

 

*  SuperMaximum is an overallotment option that is 15% above the maximum amount.

 

The document represents an initial valuation for the Bank. Due to the duration of time that passes between the time this document is compiled and the time the offering closes, numerous factors could lead FinPro to update or revised the appraised value of the Bank. Some factors that could lead FinPro to adjust the appraised value include: (1) changes in the Bank’s operations and financial condition; (2) changes in the market valuation or financial condition of the Comparable Group; (3) changes in the broader market; and (4) changes in the market for thrift conversions. Should there be material changes to any of these factors, FinPro will prepare an appraisal update to appropriately adjust the value of the Bank. At the time of closing, FinPro will prepare a final appraisal to determine if the valuation range is still appropriate and determine the exact valuation amount appropriate for the Bank.

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 57

 

7. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 1. Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Ratios

 

       Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   Adj. Maximum 
   Historical   1,105,000   1,300,000   1,495,000   1,719,250 
   $   %   $   %   $   %   $   %   $   % 
GAAP Capital  $14,526    9.9%  $17,790    11.9%  $18,531    12.3%  $19,272    12.8%  $20,125    13.3%
                                                   
Tier 1 Leverage Capital  $15,181    10.2%  $18,445    12.1%  $19,186    12.5%  $19,927    12.9%  $20,780    13.4%
Tier 1 Leverage Requirement  $7,473    5.0%  $7,637    5.0%  $7,674    5.0%  $7,711    5.0%  $7,753    5.0%
Excess  $7,708    5.2%  $10,808    7.1%  $11,512    7.5%  $12,216    7.9%  $13,027    8.4%
                                                   
Tier 1 Risk based  $15,181    15.8%  $18,445    19.1%  $19,186    19.8%  $19,927    20.6%  $20,780    21.4%
Risk-Based Capital Requirement  $7,673    8.0%  $7,725    8.0%  $7,737    8.0%  $7,749    8.0%  $7,762    8.0%
Excess  $7,508    7.8%  $10,720    11.1%  $11,449    11.8%  $12,178    12.6%  $13,018    13.4%
                                                   
Total Risk-Based Capital  $16,142    16.8%  $19,406    20.1%  $20,147    20.8%  $20,888    21.6%  $21,741    22.4%
Risk-Based Capital Requirement  $9,591    10.0%  $9,656    10.0%  $9,671    10.0%  $9,686    10.0%  $9,703    10.0%
Excess  $6,551    6.8%  $9,750    10.1%  $10,476    10.8%  $11,202    11.6%  $12,038    12.4%
                                                   
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based  $15,181    15.8%  $18,445    19.1%  $19,186    19.8%  $19,927    20.6%  $20,780    21.4%
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Requirement  $6,234    6.5%  $6,277    6.5%  $6,286    6.5%  $6,296    6.5%  $6,307    6.5%
Excess  $8,947    9.3%  $12,168    12.6%  $12,900    13.3%  $13,631    14.1%  $14,473    14.9%
                                                   
Reconcilation of Capital Infused in Mercer Savings Bank:                                                  
50% of Net Proceeds            $4,650        $5,625        $6,600        $7,722      
Less: ESOP            $-924        $-1,080        $-1,236        $-1,415      
Less: MRP            $-462        $-540        $-618        $-708      
Pro Forma Increase            $3,264        $4,005        $4,746        $5,599      

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 58

 

Exhibit 2. Pro Forma Analysis Sheet

  

       Company Pro Forma Based Upon Sale at $10.00 Per Share 
       1,105,000   1,300,000   1,495,000   1,719,250 
       Shares   Shares   Shares   Shares 
       (Minimum of   (Midpoint of   (Maximum of   (15% above Max of 
   Bank   Estimated   Estimated   Estimated   Estimated 
   Historical   Price Range)   Price Range)   Price Range)   Price Range) 
                     
   (In thousands) 
Deposits  $127,699   $127,699   $127,699   $127,699   $127,699 
Borrowings   3,000    3,000    3,000    3,000    3,000 
Total Deposits and Borrowings  $130,699   $130,699   $130,699   $130,699   $130,699 
                          
Stockholders' equity:                         
Preferred  $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Common   -    12    14    15    18 
APIC   -    9,288    11,236    13,185    15,425 
Retained Earnings   15,288    15,288    15,288    15,288    15,288 
Net unrealized g/(l) on AFS, net   (763)   (763)   (763)   (763)   (763)
Plus:                         
Amount of the foundation   -    500    500    500    500 
Less:                         
After Tax Expense of foundation   -    (474)   (474)   (474)   (474)
Less:                         
CS acquired by old ESOP   -    -    -    -    - 
CS acquired by old MRP   -    -    -    -    - 
CS to be acquired by ESOP   -    (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
CS to be acquired by MRP   -    (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Total Stockholder's equity  $14,526   $22,465   $24,181   $25,897   $27,871 
                          
Total Shares Outstanding        1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Foundation Shares        50,000    50,000    50,000    50,000 
                          
Equity to Assets   9.94%   14.6%   15.5%   16.4%   17.5%
Equity to Tangiable Assets   9.94%   14.6%   15.5%   16.4%   17.5%

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 59

 

Exhibit 3. Pro Forma Analysis Sheet

 

Valuation Parameters        
Prior Twelve Months Ended  Y      
Period Ended September 30, 2022     $944  (1)
Pre-Conversion Book Value  B      
As of September 30, 2022     $14,056  
Pre-Conversion Assets  A      
As of September 30, 2022     $152,883  
Return on Money  R   3.95 % (2)
Conversion Expenses     $1,750  
   X   13.46 % (3)
Proceeds Not Invested     $1,620  (4)
Estimated ESOP Borrowings     $1,080  
ESOP Purchases  E   8.00 % (5)
Cost of ESOP Borrowings     $72  (5) 
Cost of ESOP Borrowings  S   0.00 % (5)
Amort of ESOP Borrowings  T   15 Years
Amort of MRP Amount  N   5 Years
Estimated MRP Amount     $540  (6)
MRP Purchases  M   4.00 %
MRP Expense     $108  
Stock Foundation Amount     $500  (7)
Stock Foundation Amount  F   3.85% 0.00 %
Foundation Opportunity Cost     $20  
Tax Benefit  Z  $105  (8)
Tax Rate  TAX   21.00 %
Percentage Sold  PCT   100.00 %
Amount to be issued to Public     $13,000  (9)
Earnings Multiple      12  

 

(1)  Net income for the 12 months ended September 30, 2022.    
(2)  Net Return assumes a reinvestment rate of 5.00 percent (the 1 year Treasury at September 30, 2022), and a tax rate of 21%.
(3)  Conversion expenses reflect estimated expenses as presented in the offering document.
(4)  Includes Stock from ESOP and MRP.      
(5)  Assumes ESOP is amortized straight line over 15 years.    
(6)  Assumes MRP is amortized straight line over 5 years.    
(7)  The Foundation is assumed to be 4% of the gross proceeds.    
(8)  The after-tax benefit of the Foundation is assumed to be 21% of Foundation.  
(9)  The amount to be offered to public.        

 

            Pro Forma Calculation 
Calculation of Estimated Value (V) at Midpoint Value       
        
3.  V=  P/E*Y  =  $13,000,000 
   1-P/E*PCT*((1-X-E-M-F)*R-(1-TAX)*E/T-(1-TAX)*M/N)        
2.  V=  P/B*(B+Z)  =  $13,000,000 
   1-P/B*PCT*(1-X-E-M-F)        
1.  V=  P/A*A  =  $13,000,000 
   1-P/A*PCT*(1-X-E-M-F)        

 

The appraisal was performed on a market basis and not on the above formulas.

 

   Total Shares   Price   Total 
Conclusion  Shares   Per Share   Value 
Appraised Value - Midpoint   1,300,000   $10.00   $13,000,000 
                
Range:               
-Minimum   1,105,000   $10.00    11,050,000 
- Maximum   1,495,000    10.00    14,950,000 
- Super Maximum   1,719,250    10.00    17,192,500 

 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 60

 

Exhibit 4. Pro Forma Effect of Conversion

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
Conversion Proceeds      Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Total Shares Offered        1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Conversion Shares Offered        1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Price Per Share       $10   $10   $10   $10 
Gross Proceeds       $11,050   $13,000   $14,950   $17,193 
Plus: Value issued to Foundation   (9)    500    500    500    500 
Pro Forma Market Capitalization        11,550    13,500    15,450    17,693 
Gross Proceeds        11,050    13,000    14,950    17,193 
Less:  Est. Conversion Expenses        (1,750)   (1,750)   (1,750)   (1,750)
Net Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Less:  Cash issued to Foundation        (100)   (100)   (100)   (100)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (3)    (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (3)    (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Net Proceeds Reinvested       $7,814   $9,530   $11,246   $13,220 
Estimated Incremental Rate of Return        3.95%   3.95%   3.95%   3.95%
Estimated Incremental Return       $309   $376   $444   $522 
Less:  Cost of ESOP   (4)    -    -    -    - 
Less:  Amortization of ESOP   (7)    (49)   (57)   (65)   (75)
Less:  Option Expense   (10)    (86)   (100)   (115)   (132)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (7)    (73)   (85)   (98)   (112)
Pro Forma Net Income        101    134    166    203 
Earnings Before Conversion        1,314    1,314    1,314    1,314 
Earnings Excluding Adjustment        1,415    1,448    1,480    1,517 
Earnings Adjustment   (6)    -    -    -    - 
Earnings After Conversion       $1,415   $1,448   $1,480   $1,517 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 61

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
       Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Pro Forma Equity                         
Equity at September 30, 2022       $14,526   $14,526   $14,526   $14,526 
Net Conversion Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        500    500    500    500 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (474)   (474)   (474)   (474)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (1)   (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (2)   (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Pro Forma Equity       $22,466   $24,182   $25,898   $27,872 
Less:  Intangible   (5)   -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Tangible Equity       $22,466   $24,182   $25,898   $27,872 
Pro Forma Assets                         
Total Assets at September 30, 2022       $146,190   $146,190   $146,190   $146,190 
Net Conversion Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        500    500    500    500 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (474)   (474)   (474)   (474)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (1)   (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (2)   (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Pro-forma Total Assets        154,130    155,846    157,562    159,536 
Stockholder's Equity Per Share *                         
Equity at September 30, 2022       $12.58   $10.76   $9.40   $8.21 
Estimated Net Proceeds        8.05    8.33    8.54    8.73 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        0.43    0.37    0.32    0.28 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (0.41)   (0.35)   (0.31)   (0.27)
Less:  ESOP Stock        (0.80)   (0.80)   (0.80)   (0.80)
Less:  MRP Stock        (0.40)   (0.40)   (0.40)   (0.40)
Pro Forma Equity Per Share *        19.45    17.91    16.76    15.75 
Less:  Intangible        -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Tangible Equity Per Share *       $19.45   $17.91   $16.76   $15.75 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 62

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
       Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Net Earnings Per Share *                         
Historical Earnings Per Share   (8)   $1.23   $1.05   $0.92   $0.80 
Incremental return Per Share   (8)    0.29    0.30    0.31    0.32 
ESOP Adjustment Per Share   (8)    (0.05)   (0.05)   (0.05)   (0.05)
Option Expense Per Share   (10)    (0.08)   (0.08)   (0.08)   (0.08)
MRP Adjustment Per Share   (8)    (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.07)
Normalizing Adjustment Per Share        -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Earnings Per Share *   (8)   $1.32   $1.16   $1.04   $0.93 
                          
Shares Utilized for EPS        1,068,760    1,249,200    1,429,640    1,637,146 
Pro Forma Ratios                         
Price/EPS without Adjustment        7.58    8.62    9.62    10.75 
Price/EPS with Adjustment        7.58    8.62    9.62    10.75 
Price/Book Value per Share        51.41%   55.83%   59.67%   63.49%
Price/Tangible Book Value        51.41%   55.83%   59.67%   63.49%
Market Value/Assets        7.49%   8.66%   9.81%   11.09%

 

* The totals for the per share data are actual figures rounded to two decimals.  The component parts may not add to the total due to rounding.

(1)  ESOP Borrowings are deducted from net worth and assets, and amortized over 15 years.

(2)  MRP Borrowings are omitted from net worth and assets, and amortized over 5 years.

(3)  Consists of ESOP and MRP amortization.

(4)  The ESOP loan is from the Holding Company and therefore, there are no costs.

(5)  Not applicable.

(6)  Not applicable.

(7)  ESOP and MRP are amortized over 15 and 5 years respectively, and tax impacted at 21%.

(8)  All EPS computations are done in accordance with SOP 93-6.

(9)  The Foundation is assumed to be 4% of the gross proceeds.

(10) Assumed option expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123.

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 63

 

Exhibit 5. Comparison of Valuation with and without Foundation

 

   At the minimum   At the midpoint   At the maximum   At the maximum, as adjusted 
   With
Foundation
   No
Foundation
   W/Found
(1)
   No
Foundation
   With
Foundation
   No
Foundation
   With
Foundation
   No
Foundation
 
Estimated Offering Amount  $11,050   $11,050   $13,000   $13,000   $14,950   $14,950   $17,193   $17,193 
                                         
Pro forma Market Capitalization  $11,550   $11,050   $13,500   $13,000   $15,450   $14,950   $17,693   $17,193 
                                         
Total Assets  $154,130   $154,164   $155,846   $155,880   $157,562   $157,596   $159,536   $159,570 
                                         
Total Liabilities  $131,664   $131,664   $131,664   $131,664   $131,664   $131,664   $131,664   $131,664 
                                         
Pro forma stockholders Equity  $22,466   $22,500   $24,182   $24,216   $25,898   $25,932   $27,872   $27,906 
                                         
Pro forma consolidated net earnings  $1,415   $1,430   $1,448   $1,463   $1,480   $1,497   $1,517   $1,534 
                                         
Pro forma stockholders equity per share  $19.45   $20.36   $17.91   $18.63   $16.76   $17.35   $15.75   $16.23 
                                         
Pro forma consolidated net earnings per share  $1.32   $1.40   $1.16   $1.22   $1.04   $1.08   $0.93   $0.96 
                                         
Pro forma pricing ratios                                        
                                         
Offering price as a % of pro forma                                        
stockholders equity per share   51.41%   49.12%   55.83%   53.68%   59.67%   57.64%   63.49%   61.61%
                                         
Offering price to pro forma                                        
net earnings per share   7.58    7.14    8.62    8.20    9.62    9.26    10.75    10.42 
                                         
Offering price to assets   7.49%   7.17%   8.66%   8.34%   9.81%   9.49%   11.09%   10.77%
                                         
Pro forma Financial Ratios                                        
ROA   0.92%   0.93%   0.93%   0.94%   0.94%   0.95%   0.95%   0.96%
ROE   6.30%   6.36%   5.99%   6.04%   5.71%   5.77%   5.44%   5.50%
Equity to Assets   14.58%   14.59%   15.52%   15.54%   16.44%   16.45%   17.47%   17.49%

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 64

 

Exhibit 6. Use of Proceeds

   

    1,105,000    % of Gross    1,300,000    Gross    1,495,000    Gross    1,719,250    Gross 
Use of Proceeds   Shares    Proceeds    Shares    Proceeds    Shares    Proceeds    Shares    Proceeds 
Gross Offering Proceeds  $11,050        $13,000        $14,950        $17,193      
Less: Expense   (1,750)        (1,750)        (1,750)        (1,750)     
Net Proceeds   9,300    100.0%   11,250    100.0%   13,200    100.0%   15,443    100.0%
                                         
Less:                                        
Proceeds to Bank   (4,650)   -50.0%   (5,625)   -50.0%   (6,600)   -50.0%   (7,722)   -50.0%
ESOP   (924)   -9.9%   (1,080)   -9.6%   (1,236)   -9.4%   (1,415)   -9.2%
Cash to Foundation   (100)   -1.1%   (100)   -0.9%   (100)   -0.8%   (100)   -0.7%
Proceeds for HC   3,626    39.0%   4,445    39.5%   5,264    39.9%   6,206    40.2%

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 65

 

Exhibit 7. Pro-forma As of September 2022

 

Valuation Parameters           
Prior Twelve Mos. Earning Base   Y         
Period Ended September 30, 2022       $944  (1) 
Pre-Conversion Book Value   B         
As of September 30, 2022       $14,056    
Pre-Conversion Assets   A         
As of September 30, 2022       $152,883    
Return on Money   R    3.20% (2) 
Conversion Expenses       $1,750    
    X    13.46% (3) 
Proceeds Not Invested       $1,620  (4) 
Estimated ESOP Borrowings       $1,080    
ESOP Purchases   E    8.00% (5) 
Cost of ESOP Borrowings       $72  (5) 
Cost of ESOP Borrowings   S    0.00% (5) 
Amort of ESOP Borrowings   T    15  Years 
Amort of MRP Amount   N    5  Years 
Estimated MRP Amount       $540  (6) 
MRP Purchases   M    4.00%   
MRP Expense       $108    
Stock Foundation Amount       $500  (7) 
Stock Foundation Amount   F    3.85% 0.00% 
Foundation Opportunity Cost       $16    
Tax Benefit   Z   $105  (8) 
Tax Rate   TAX    21.00%   
Percentage Sold   PCT    100.00%   
Amount to be issued to Public       $13,000  (9) 
Earnings Multiple        12    

 

(1)  Net income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022.
(2)  Net Return assumes a reinvestment rate of 5.00 percent (the 1 year Treasury at September 30, 2022), and a tax rate of 21%.
(3)  Conversion expenses reflect estimated expenses as presented in the offering document.
(4)  Includes Stock from ESOP and MRP.
(5)  Assumes ESOP is amortized straight line over 15 years.
(6)  Assumes MRP is amortized straight line over 5 years.
(7)  The Foundation is assumed to be 4% of the gross proceeds.
(8)  The after-tax benefit of the Foundation is assumed to be 21% of Foundation.
(9)  The amount to be offered to public.

 

 
     Pro Forma Calculation 
Calculation of Estimated Value (V) at Midpoint Value       
        
3.      V=                  P/E*Y =  $13,000,000 
         1-P/E*PCT*((1-X-E-M-F)*R-(1-TAX)*E/T-(1-TAX)*M/N)       
        
2.     V=                 P/B*(B+Z) =  $13,000,000 
                  1-P/B*PCT*(1-X-E-M-F)       
        
1.      V=          P/A*A =  $13,000,000 
             1-P/A*PCT*(1-X-E-M-F)       

 

The appraisal was performed on a market basis and not on the above formulas.

   Total Shares   Price   Total 
Conclusion  Shares   Per Share   Value 
Appraised Value - Midpoint   1,300,000   $10.00   $13,000,000 
                
Range:               
  - Minimum   1,105,000   $10.00    11,050,000 
  - Maximum   1,495,000    10.00    14,950,000 
  - Super Maximum   1,719,250    10.00    17,192,500 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 66

 

 

   Pre Foundation 
   Appraised Value 
Conclusion  Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMaximum * 
Total Shares   1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Price per Share  $10   $10   $10   $10 
Full Conversion Value  $11,050,000   $13,000,000   $14,950,000   $17,192,500 
Conversion Shares   1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Conversion Percent   100.00%   100.00%   100.00%   100.00%
Gross Proceeds  $11,050,000   $13,000,000   $14,950,000   $17,192,500 

 

*  SuperMaximum is an overallotment option that is 15% above the maximum amount.

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
Conversion Proceeds      Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Total Shares Offered        1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Conversion Shares Offered        1,105,000    1,300,000    1,495,000    1,719,250 
Price Per Share       $10   $10   $10   $10 
Gross Proceeds       $11,050   $13,000   $14,950   $17,193 
Plus: Value issued to Foundation   (9)    500    500    500    500 
Pro Forma Market Capitalization        11,550    13,500    15,450    17,693 
Gross Proceeds        11,050    13,000    14,950    17,193 
Less:  Est. Conversion Expenses        (1,750)   (1,750)   (1,750)   (1,750)
Net Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Less:  Cash issued to Foundation        (100)   (100)   (100)   (100)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (3)    (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (3)    (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Net Proceeds Reinvested       $7,814   $9,530   $11,246   $13,220 
Estimated Incremental Rate of Return        3.20%   3.20%   3.20%   3.20%
Estimated Incremental Return       $250   $305   $360   $423 
Less:  Cost of ESOP   (4)    -    -    -    - 
Less:  Amortization of ESOP   (7)    (49)   (57)   (65)   (75)
Less:  Option Expense   (10)    (86)   (100)   (115)   (132)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (7)    (73)   (85)   (98)   (112)
Pro Forma Net Income        42    63    82    104 
Earnings Before Conversion        944    944    944    944 
Earnings Excluding Adjustment        986    1,007    1,026    1,048 
Earnings Adjustment   (6)    -    -    -    - 
Earnings After Conversion       $986   $1,007   $1,026   $1,048 

 

Conversion Valuation Appraisal ReportPage 67

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
       Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Pro Forma Equity                         
Equity at September 30, 2022       $14,056   $14,056   $14,056   $14,056 
Net Conversion Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        500    500    500    500 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (474)   (474)   (474)   (474)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (1)    (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (2)    (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Pro Forma Equity       $21,996   $23,712   $25,428   $27,402 
Less:  Intangible   (5)    -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Tangible Equity       $21,996   $23,712   $25,428   $27,402 
Pro Forma Assets                         
Total Assets at September 30, 2022       $152,883   $152,883   $152,883   $152,883 
Net Conversion Proceeds        9,300    11,250    13,200    15,443 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        500    500    500    500 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (474)   (474)   (474)   (474)
Less:  ESOP Adjustment   (1)    (924)   (1,080)   (1,236)   (1,415)
Less:  MRP Adjustment   (2)    (462)   (540)   (618)   (708)
Pro-forma Total Assets        160,823    162,539    164,255    166,229 
Stockholder's Equity Per Share *                         
Equity at September 30, 2022       $12.17   $10.41   $9.10   $7.94 
Estimated Net Proceeds        8.05    8.33    8.54    8.73 
Plus:  Value issued to Foundation        0.43    0.37    0.32    0.28 
Less: After Tax Expense of Foundation        (0.41)   (0.35)   (0.31)   (0.27)
Less:  ESOP Stock        (0.80)   (0.80)   (0.80)   (0.80)
Less:  MRP Stock        (0.40)   (0.40)   (0.40)   (0.40)
Pro Forma Equity Per Share *        19.04    17.56    16.46    15.49 
Less:  Intangible        -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Tangible Equity Per Share *       $19.04   $17.56   $16.46   $15.49 

 

       Pro Forma Effect of Conversion Proceeds 
       As of September 30, 2022 
       (Dollars in Thousands) 
       Minimum   Midpoint   Maximum   SuperMax 
Net Earnings Per Share *                         
Historical Earnings Per Share   (8)   $0.88   $0.76   $0.66   $0.58 
Incremental return Per Share   (8)    0.23    0.24    0.25    0.26 
ESOP Adjustment Per Share   (8)    (0.05)   (0.05)   (0.05)   (0.05)
Option Expense Per Share   (10)    (0.08)   (0.08)   (0.08)   (0.08)
MRP Adjustment Per Share   (8)    (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.07)
Normalizing Adjustment Per Share        -    -    -    - 
Pro Forma Earnings Per Share *   (8)   $0.92   $0.81   $0.72   $0.64 
                          
Shares Utilized for EPS        1,068,760    1,249,200    1,429,640    1,637,146 
Pro Forma Ratios                         
Price/EPS without Adjustment        10.87    12.35    13.89    15.63 
Price/EPS with Adjustment        10.87    12.35    13.89    15.63 
Price/Book Value per Share        52.52%   56.95%   60.75%   64.56%
Price/Tangible Book Value        52.52%   56.95%   60.75%   64.56%
Market Value/Assets        7.18%   8.31%   9.41%   10.64%

 

* The totals for the per share data are actual figures rounded to two decimals.  The component parts may not add to the total due to rounding.

(1)  ESOP Borrowings are deducted from net worth and assets, and amortized over 15 years.

(2)  MRP Borrowings are omitted from net worth and assets, and amortized over 5 years.

(3)  Consists of ESOP and MRP amortization.

(4)  The ESOP loan is from the Holding Company and therefore, there are no costs.

(5)  Not applicable.

(6)  Not applicable.

(7)  ESOP and MRP are amortized over 15 and 5 years respectively, and tax impacted at 21%.

(8)  All EPS computations are done in accordance with SOP 93-6.

(9)  The Foundation is assumed to be 4% of the gross proceeds.

(10) Assumed option expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123.