Company: SFBC
Filing Date: 2025-03-18
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001541119-25-000009
Chunk: 76

Company: Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-03-18
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 76
---
 project success and the borrower's ability to sell or lease the property or obtain permanent financing, rather than independent repayment capability.

•Commercial and Multifamily Real Estate Loans.  Our commercial and multifamily real estate loans generally involve higher principal amounts compared to other loan types, and some commercial borrowers maintain multiple loans with us. Consequently, an adverse development in any single loan or credit relationship can significantly heighten our exposure to potential losses, far more than the impact of a similar development in a one-to-four family residential mortgage loan. The repayment of these loans relies on income generated from the property securing the loan. This income must sufficiently cover operational expenses and debt service. Economic fluctuations or shifts in local market conditions may adversely affect the property's income, posing potential repayment challenges. Moreover, a substantial portion of our commercial and multifamily real estate loans do not fully amortize and include substantial balloon payments upon maturity. These balloon payments may require the borrower to either sell or refinance the property, potentially heightening the risk of default or non-payment. In the event of a foreclosure on a commercial or multifamily real estate loan, our holding period for the collateral tends to be more extended compared to one-to-four family residential loans. This elongated holding period results from a limited pool of potential purchasers for the collateral.

In recent years, the commercial real estate market has experienced substantial growth, with increased competition contributing to historically low capitalization rates and rising property values. However, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted this market. The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of remote work, which has led many companies to re-evaluate their long-term real estate needs. While some businesses are returning to traditional office environments, others are downsizing or shifting to hybrid models, creating uncertainty in demand for office space and other commercial properties. This trend could result in prolonged vacancies, declining rental income, and reduced property values, adversely affecting the performance of our commercial real estate loan portfolio. Federal banking regulators also have raised concerns about weaknesses in the commercial real estate market. Failures in our risk management policies and controls could lead to higher delinquencies and losses, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

36

•Commercial Business Loans.  Our commercial business loans are primarily made based on the cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. A borrower’s cash flow may prove to be unpredictable, and collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most often, this collateral includes accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or