EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 717538
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 717538_10-K_2025_0000717538-25-000023.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
A. GENERAL
Arrow was incorporated on March 21, 1983 and is registered as a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Until December 31, 2024, Arrow operated with two subsidiaries which were nationally-chartered banks in New York, GFNB and SNB. On December 31, 2024, SNB was merged into GFNB, with GFNB as the surviving entity, and GFNB was renamed Arrow Bank National Association (the "Unification"). Through Arrow Bank, Arrow indirectly owns various non-bank subsidiaries, including an insurance agency, a registered investment adviser and a REIT. See "The Company and Its Subsidiaries," above.
Arrow Bank (dollars in thousands and data is as of December 31, 2024)
Total Assets at Year-End $ 4,585,745
Employees (full-time equivalent) 554
Bank Branches 38
Insurance Offices 9
Main Office 250 Glen Street
Glens Falls, NY
Arrow’s business consists primarily of the ownership, supervision and control of Arrow Bank, including the bank's subsidiaries. Arrow provides various advisory and administrative services and coordinates the general policies and operation of Arrow Bank. There were 554 full-time equivalent employees, including 38 employees within Arrow's insurance agency subsidiary, at December 31, 2024. See the discussion of our human capital resources in Section G ("HUMAN CAPITAL") of this Item 1.
Arrow offers a broad range of commercial and consumer banking and financial products. The deposit base consists of deposits derived principally from the communities served. The Company targets lending activities to consumers and small- and mid-sized companies in Arrow's regional geographic area. In addition, through an indirect lending program Arrow sources consumer loans from an extensive network of automobile dealers that operate throughout New York and Vermont. Through its trust operations, Arrow Bank provides retirement planning, trust and estate administration services for individuals, and pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit plan administration for corporations.
B. LENDING ACTIVITIES
Arrow Bank engages in a wide range of lending activities, including commercial and industrial lending primarily to small and mid-sized companies; mortgage lending for residential and commercial properties; and consumer installment and home equity financing. An active indirect lending program is maintained through Arrow Bank's sponsorship of automobile dealer programs under which consumer auto loans, primarily from dealers that meet pre-established specifications are sourced. From time to time, a portion of Arrow Bank's residential real estate loan originations are sold into the secondary market, primarily to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and other governmental agencies. Normally, the Company retains the servicing rights on mortgage loans originated and sold into the secondary markets, subject to periodic determinations on the continuing profitability of such activity. Arrow Bank does not engage in subprime mortgage lending as a business line and does not extend or purchase so-called "Alt A," "negative amortization," "option ARMs" or "negative equity" mortgage loans.
Arrow Bank lends primarily to borrowers within the normal retail service area in upstate New York, with the exception of the indirect consumer lending line of business, where Arrow Bank makes loans through an extensive network of automobile dealers that operate in a larger area of New York and Vermont. The loan portfolio does not include any foreign loans or any other significant risk concentrations. From time to time, Arrow Bank buys and offers participations in individual commercial loans, primarily in upstate New York. The total dollar amount of such participations has fluctuated, but generally represents less than 20% of commercial loans outstanding. The majority of the portfolio is collateralized, and most commercial loans are further supported by personal guarantees.
Generally, Arrow continues to implement lending strategies and policies that are intended to protect the quality of the loan portfolio, including strong underwriting and collateral control procedures and credit review systems. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status either due to the delinquency status of principal and/or interest or a judgment by management that the full repayment of principal and interest is unlikely. Home equity lines of credit, secured by real property, are systematically placed on nonaccrual status when 120 days past due, and residential real estate loans are placed on nonaccrual status when 150 days past due. Commercial and commercial real estate loans are evaluated on a loan-by-loan basis and are placed on nonaccrual status when 90 days past due if the full collection of principal and interest is uncertain (See Part II, Item 7.C.II.c. "Risk Elements"). Subsequent cash payments on loans classified as nonaccrual may be applied entirely to principal, although income in some cases may be recognized on a cash basis.
C. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The following generally describes the laws and regulations to which Arrow is subject. Bank holding companies, banks and their affiliates are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. To the extent that the following information summarizes statutory or regulatory law, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular provisions of the various statutes and regulations. Any change in applicable law may have a material effect on business operations, customers, prospects and investors.
Bank Regulatory Authorities with Jurisdiction over Arrow and Arrow Bank
Arrow is a registered bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 ("BHC Act") and as such is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB"). As a "bank holding company" under New York State law, Arrow is also subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Arrow Bank is a national bank and is subject to supervision and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"). Arrow Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the deposits of Arrow Bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The BHC Act generally prohibits Arrow from engaging, directly or indirectly, in activities other than banking, activities closely related to banking, and certain other financial activities. Under the BHC Act, a bank holding company generally must obtain FRB approval before acquiring, directly or indirectly, voting shares of another bank or bank holding company, if after the acquisition the acquiror would own 5 percent or more of a class of the voting shares of that other bank or bank holding company. Bank holding companies are able to acquire banks or other bank holding companies located in all 50 states, subject to certain limitations. Bank holdings companies that meet certain qualifications may choose to apply to the FRB for designation as “financial holding companies.” Upon receipt of such designation, a financial holding company may engage in a broader array of activities, such as insurance underwriting, securities underwriting and merchant banking. Arrow has not attempted to become, and has not been designated as, a financial holding company.
The FRB and the OCC have broad regulatory, examination and enforcement authority. The FRB and the OCC conduct regular examinations of the entities they regulate. In addition, banking organizations are subject to requirements for periodic reporting to the regulatory authorities. The FRB and OCC have the authority to implement various remedies if they determine that the financial condition, capital, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity or other aspects of a banking organization's operations are unsatisfactory or if they determine the banking organization is violating or has violated any law or regulation. The authority of the federal bank regulators over banking organizations includes, but is not limited to, prohibiting unsafe or unsound practices; requiring affirmative action to correct a violation or unsafe or unsound practice; issuing administrative orders; requiring the organization to increase capital; requiring the organization to sell subsidiaries or other assets; restricting dividends, distributions and repurchases of the organization's stock; restricting the growth of the organization; assessing civil money penalties; removing officers and directors; and terminating deposit insurance. The FDIC may terminate a depository institution's deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution's financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices for certain other reasons.
Regulatory Supervision of Other Arrow Subsidiaries
The insurance agency subsidiary of Arrow Bank is subject to the licensing and other provisions of New York State Insurance Law and is regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Arrow's investment adviser subsidiary is subject to the licensing and other provisions of the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and is regulated by the SEC.
Regulation of Transactions between Banks and their Affiliates
Transactions between banks and their "affiliates" are regulated by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (FRA), and its implementing regulation, Regulation W. Under Section 23A, Arrow Bank is an affiliate of Arrow. Extensions of credit that a bank may make to affiliates, or to third parties secured by securities or obligations of the affiliates, are substantially limited by the FRA and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA). Such acts further restrict the range of permissible transactions between a bank and any affiliate, including a bank affiliate. Furthermore, under the FRA, a bank may engage in certain transactions, including loans and purchases of assets, with a non-bank affiliate, only if certain special conditions, including collateral requirements for loans, are met and if the other terms and conditions of the transaction, including interest rates and credit standards, are substantially the same as, or at least as favorable to Arrow Bank as, those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions by Arrow Bank with non-affiliated companies or, in the absence of comparable transactions, on terms and conditions that would be offered by Arrow Bank to non-affiliated companies.
Regulatory Capital Standards
An important area of banking regulation is the federal banking system's promulgation and enforcement of minimum capitalization standards for banks and bank holding companies.
Bank Capital Rules. In July 2013, federal bank regulators, including the FRB and the OCC, approved revised bank capital rules aimed at implementing capital requirements pursuant to Dodd-Frank. These rules were also intended to coordinate U.S. bank capital standards with the then-current drafts of the Basel III proposed bank capital standards for all of the developed world's banking organizations. The federal regulators' revised capital rules (the "Capital Rules"), which impose significantly higher minimum capital ratios on U.S. financial institutions than the rules they replaced, became effective for Arrow and Arrow Bank on January 1, 2015, and were fully phased in by the end of 2019.
The Capital Rules which remain applicable to Arrow consist of two basic types of capital measures, a leverage ratio and a set of risk-based capital measures. Within these two broad types of rules, however, significant changes were made in the revised Capital Rules, as discussed below.
Leverage Ratio. The Capital Rules require a leverage ratio of 4.0%. The leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of the institution's "Tier 1" capital to total tangible assets.
Risk-Based Capital Measures. Current risk-based capital measures assign various risk weightings to all of the institution's assets, by asset type, and to certain off balance sheet items, and then establish minimum levels of capital to the aggregate dollar amount of such risk-weighted assets. Under the risk-based Capital Rules, there are eight major risk-weighted categories of assets (although there are several additional super-weighted categories for high-risk assets that are generally not held by community banking organizations like Arrow). The Capital Rules include a measure called the "common equity tier 1 capital ratio" (CET1). For this ratio, only common equity (basically, common stock plus surplus plus retained earnings) qualifies as capital (i.e., CET1). Preferred stock and trust preferred securities, which qualify as Tier 1 capital, are not included in CET1 capital. Under these rules, CET1 capital also includes most elements of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), including unrealized securities gains and losses, as part of both total regulatory capital (numerator) and total assets (denominator). However, smaller banking organizations like Arrow's were given the opportunity to make a one-time irrevocable election to include or not to include certain elements of AOCI, most notably unrealized securities gains or losses. Arrow made such an election, and therefore does not include unrealized securities gains and losses in calculating the CET1 ratio under the Capital Rules. The minimum CET1 ratio under these rules is 4.50%.
The Capital Rules require a minimum ratio for Tier 1 risk-based capital to be 6.0%, effective January 1, 2015. The minimum level for total risk-based capital under the Capital Rules is 8.0%.
The Capital Rules also incorporated a capital concept, the so-called "capital conservation buffer" (set at 2.5%), which must be added to each of the minimum required risk-based capital ratios (i.e., the minimum CET1 ratio, the minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and the minimum total risk-based capital ratio). When, during economic downturns, an institution's capital begins to erode, the first deductions from a regulatory perspective would be taken against the capital conservation buffer. To the extent that such deductions should erode the buffer below the required level, the institution will not necessarily be required to replace the buffer deficit immediately, but will face restrictions on paying dividends and other negative consequences until the buffer is fully replenished.
Also under the Capital Rules, and as required under Dodd-Frank, TRUPs issued by small- to medium-sized banking organizations (such as Arrow) that were outstanding on the Dodd-Frank grandfathering date for TRUPS (May 19, 2010) will continue to qualify as tier 1 capital, up to a limit of 25% of tier 1 capital, until the TRUPs mature or are redeemed, subject to certain limitations. See the discussion of grandfathered TRUPs in Section E ("CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DIVIDENDS") of Item 7.
The following is a summary of the definitions of capital under the various risk-based measures in the Capital Rules:
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (CET1): Equals the sum of common stock instruments and related surplus (net of treasury stock), retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), and qualifying minority interests, minus applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. Such deductions will not include AOCI unless the organization has exercised its irrevocable option to exclude AOCI in capital. Arrow Bank has exercised its irrevocable option to exclude AOCI from its equity capital. Mortgage-servicing assets, deferred tax assets, and investments in financial institutions are limited to 15% of CET1 in the aggregate and 10% of CET1 for each such item individually.
Additional Tier 1 Capital: Equals the sum of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, tier 1 minority interests, grandfathered TRUPs, and Troubled Asset Relief Program instruments, minus applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions.
Tier 2 Capital: Equals the sum of subordinated debt and preferred stock, total capital minority interests not included in Tier 1, and allowance for loan and lease losses (not exceeding 1.25% of risk-weighted assets) minus applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions.
The following table presents the Capital Rules applicable to Arrow and Arrow Bank:
Year, as of January 1 2024
Minimum CET1 Ratio 4.500 %
Capital Conservation Buffer ("Buffer") 2.500 %
Minimum CET1 Ratio Plus Buffer 7.000 %
Minimum Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 6.000 %
Minimum Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio Plus Buffer 8.500 %
Minimum Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 8.000 %
Minimum Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio Plus Buffer 10.500 %
Minimum Leverage Ratio 4.000 %
At December 31, 2024, Arrow and Arrow Bank exceeded, by a substantial amount, each of the applicable minimum capital ratios established under the Capital Rules, including the minimum CET1 Ratio, the minimum Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio, the minimum Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio, and the minimum Leverage Ratio, and including in the case of each risk-based ratio, the capital buffer. See Note 20, Regulatory Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a presentation of Arrow's period-end ratios for 2024 and 2023.
Regulatory Capital Classifications. Under applicable banking law, federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The regulators have established five capital classifications for banking institutions, ranging from the highest category of "well-capitalized" to the lowest category of "critically under-capitalized". Under the Capital Rules, a banking institution is considered "well-capitalized" if it meets the following capitalization standards on the date of measurement: a CET1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.50% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.00% or greater, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.00% or greater, provided the institution is not subject to any regulatory order or written directive regarding capital maintenance.
As of December 31, 2024, Arrow Bank qualified as "well-capitalized" under the revised capital classification scheme.
Dividend Restrictions; Other Regulatory Sanctions
A holding company's ability to pay dividends or repurchase its outstanding stock, as well as its ability to expand its business, including for example, through acquisitions of additional banking organizations or permitted non-bank companies, may be restricted if its capital falls below minimum regulatory capital ratios or fails to meet other informal capital guidelines that the regulators may apply from time to time to specific banking organizations. In addition to these potential regulatory limitations on payment of dividends, Arrow's ability to pay dividends to shareholders, and Arrow Bank's ability to pay dividends to Arrow are also subject to various restrictions under applicable corporate laws, including banking laws (which affect Arrow Bank) and the New York Business Corporation Law (which affects Arrow). The ability of Arrow and Arrow Bank to pay dividends or repurchase shares in the future is, and is expected to continue to be, influenced by regulatory policies, the Capital Rules and other applicable law.
In cases where banking regulators have significant concerns regarding the financial condition, assets or operations of a bank holding company and/or one of its banks, the regulators may take enforcement action or impose enforcement orders, formal or informal, against the holding company or the particular bank. If the ratio of tangible equity to total assets of a bank falls to 2% or below, Arrow Bank will likely be closed and placed in receivership, with the FDIC as receiver.
Privacy and Confidentiality Laws
Arrow and its subsidiaries are subject to a variety of laws that regulate customer privacy and confidentiality. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires financial institutions to adopt privacy policies, to restrict the sharing of nonpublic customer information with nonaffiliated parties upon the request of the customer, and to implement data security measures to protect customer information. Certain state laws may impose additional privacy and confidentiality restrictions. The Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, regulates use of credit reports, providing of information to credit reporting agencies and sharing of customer information with affiliates, and sets identity theft prevention standards.
Anti-Money Laundering, the U.S. Patriot Act and OFAC
The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001 initially adopted in 2001 and re-adopted by the U.S. Congress in 2006 with certain changes (the “Patriot Act”), imposes substantial record-keeping and due diligence obligations on banks and other financial institutions, with a particular focus on detecting and reporting money-laundering transactions involving domestic or international customers. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued and will continue to issue regulations clarifying the Patriot Act's requirements.
Under the Patriot Act and other federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Currency and Foreign Transactions Report Act (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), financial institutions, including banks, must maintain certain anti-money laundering compliance, customer identification and due diligence programs that include established internal policies, procedures, and controls. Financial institutions are also prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must meet enhanced standards for due diligence and customer identification. Financial institutions must take reasonable steps to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and to report suspicious transactions. Law enforcement authorities have been granted increased access to financial information maintained by financial institutions. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance
with these obligations and they must consider an institution's compliance in connection with the regulatory review of applications, including applications for banking mergers and acquisitions. The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crises Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) establishes customer due diligence requirements for banks, including the requirement to identify and verify the identity of beneficial owners of customers that are legal entities, subject to certain exclusions and exemptions. The Company has established procedures for compliance with these requirements. Compliance with the provisions of the Patriot Act and other Anti-Money Laundering Laws results in substantial costs on all financial institutions.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for helping to insure that United States persons, including banks, do not engage in transactions with certain prohibited parties, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. OFAC publishes lists of persons, organizations, and countries suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, including, but not limited to, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. If Arrow Bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, Arrow Bank must freeze or block such account or transaction, file a suspicious activity report, if required, notify the appropriate authorities and maintain appropriate records.
Community Reinvestment Act
Arrow Bank is subject to the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") and implementing regulations. CRA regulations establish the framework and criteria by which the bank regulatory agencies assess an institution's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its community, including low and moderate-income individuals. CRA ratings are taken into account by regulators in reviewing certain applications made by Arrow and Arrow Bank.
The Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank significantly changed the regulatory structure for financial institutions and their holding companies, for example, through provisions requiring the Capital Rules. Among other provisions, Dodd-Frank implemented corporate governance revisions that apply to all public companies, not just financial institutions, permanently increased the FDIC’s standard maximum deposit insurance amount to $250,000, changed the FDIC insurance assessment base to assets rather than deposits and increased the reserve ratio for the deposit insurance fund to ensure the future strength of the fund. The federal prohibition on the payment of interest on certain demand deposits was repealed, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction accounts. Dodd-Frank established a new federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), centralizing significant aspects of consumer financial protection under this agency. Limits were imposed for debit card interchange fees for issuers that have assets greater than $10 billion, which also could affect the amount of interchange fees collected by financial institutions with less than $10 billion in assets. Dodd-Frank also imposed new requirements related to mortgage lending, including prohibitions against payment of steering incentives and provisions relating to underwriting standards, disclosures, appraisals and escrows. The Volcker Rule prohibited banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in certain unregistered investment companies.
Federal banking regulators and other agencies including, among others, the FRB, the OCC and the CFPB, have been engaged in extensive rule-making efforts under Dodd-Frank, as explained above.
Incentive Compensation
The federal banking agencies have released comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon three core principles; (i) balanced risk-taking incentives; (ii) effective internal controls and risk management compatibility, and (iii) strong corporate governance. Management believes the current and past compensation practices of the Company do not encourage excessive risk taking or undermine the safety and soundness of the organization. The federal bank regulators issued proposed rules to address incentive-based compensation arrangements in June 2016. Final rules have not yet been issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies under this Dodd-Frank provision.
The FRB will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
Deposit Insurance Laws and Regulations
The Dodd-Frank Act established the minimum required Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio of 1.35% by September 30, 2028. In response to updated analysis and projections for the fund balance and the Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio, the FDIC adopted a final rule in October 2022 increasing the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules by two percent effective January 1, 2023 and beginning on the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The increase is intended to ensure that the reserve ratio meets the minimum ratio of 1.35% by the September 30, 2028 statutory deadline Arrow is unable to predict whether or to what extent the FDIC may elect to impose additional special assessments on insured institutions in upcoming years, especially in light of recent high-profile large bank failures.
Reserve Requirements
Pursuant to regulations of the FRB, all banking organizations are required to maintain average daily reserves at mandated ratios against their transaction accounts and certain other types of deposit accounts. These reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in an account at a Federal Reserve Bank. In March 2020, the Federal Reserve Board reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent to free up liquidity in the banking industry to support lending to households and businesses.
D. LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory authorities. These initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to change the financial institution regulatory environment. Such legislation could change banking laws and the operating environment of our Company in substantial, but unpredictable ways. Arrow cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations would have on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
E. STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE - (Regulation S-K, Subpart 1400)
Set forth below is an index identifying the location in this Report of various items of statistical information required to be included in this Report by the SEC’s industry guide for Bank Holding Companies.
Required Information Location in Report
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential Part II, Item 7.B.I.
Investment Portfolio Part II, Item 7.C.I.
Loan Portfolio Part II, Item 7.C.II.
Summary of Credit Loss Experience Part II, Item 7.C.III.
Deposits Part II, Item 7.C.IV.
Return on Equity and Assets Part II, Item 6.
Short-Term Borrowings Part II, Item 7.C.V.
F. COMPETITION
Arrow faces intense competition in all markets served. Competitors include traditional local commercial banks, savings banks and credit unions, non-traditional internet-based lending alternatives, as well as local offices of major regional and money center banks. Like all banks, Arrow Bank encounters strong competition in the mortgage lending space from a wide variety of other mortgage originators, all of whom are principally affected in this business by the rate and terms set, and the lending practices established from time-to-time by the very large government sponsored enterprises ("GSEs") engaged in residential mortgage lending, most importantly, “Fannie Mae” and “Freddie Mac.” For many years, these GSEs have purchased and/or guaranteed a very substantial percentage of all newly-originated mortgage loans in the U.S. Additionally, non-banking financial organizations, such as consumer finance companies, insurance companies, securities firms, money market funds, mutual funds, credit card companies and wealth management enterprises offer substantive equivalents of the various other types of loan and financial products and services and transactional accounts that are offered, even though these non-banking organizations are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions and capital requirements that apply to Arrow. Under federal banking laws, such non-banking financial organizations not only may offer products and services comparable to those offered by commercial banks, but also may establish or acquire their own commercial banks.
G. HUMAN CAPITAL
Arrow has prioritized investment in the well-being, performance, engagement and development of its employees. This includes, but is not limited to, providing access to well-being resources and assistance, offering competitive compensation and benefits to attract and retain top-level talent, empowering team members to take an active role in the formation and execution of the business strategy, and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the many values of the communities that Arrow serves. One example is through Arrow University, through which we are investing in our people by bringing employee learning and development to the forefront. We offer opportunities to employees at all levels for personal and professional growth, technical training, and career exploration and enhancement. At December 31, 2024, Arrow had 554 full-time equivalent employees.
H. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNANCE
Arrow Financial Corporation remains committed to responsible business practices that create long-term value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. Arrow believes these practices are critical to attracting and retaining the best talent, meeting the evolving needs of its customers and being good stewards of its communities.
Arrow integrates corporate responsibility into our operations by fostering a strong governance framework, supporting community engagement and maintaining sound risk management practices.
Employees and Workplace Culture
We strive to maintain a workplace that promotes professional growth, employee well-being and a culture of inclusion. Our policies and programs support career development, workplace safety, wellness and employee engagement to cultivate a rewarding and long-lasting work relationship.
Community Commitment
Arrow remains dedicated to strengthening the financial well-being of the communities we serve. One of the strongest ways we care for our communities is through our charitable contributions, partnerships and volunteerism. Since 2019, Arrow and our team members have donated more than $3 million to non-profit organizations in our service area. We also engage in community development efforts through measurable and impactful employee volunteerism, financial literacy initiatives and strategic partnerships with local organizations to meet the financial needs of the low- to moderate-income population. To further assist our communities, we have a lending program to facilitate first-time home ownership.
Environmental Considerations
We seek to operate efficiently and responsibly, incorporating sustainability measures and complying with environmental regulations. This includes investments in energy-efficient infrastructure throughout our footprint and providing and encouraging the use of digital banking solutions that reduce environmental impact.
Governance and Risk Management
Arrow maintains a strong corporate governance framework with independent board oversight, sound risk management and a commitment to data security and privacy. We adhere to rigorous compliance standards and proudly maintain a culture of accountability and ethical business practices.
I. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names and ages of the executive officers of Arrow and positions held by each are presented in the following table:
Name Age Positions Held and Years from Which Held
David S. DeMarco 63 President and Chief Executive Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since May 13, 2023. Mr. DeMarco joined the Company in 1987 as a commercial lender and since that time has served in positions of increasing responsibility within the organization. In 2012, he was named President and CEO of SNB. In May 2023, he was named President and CEO of the Company and GFNB. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. DeMarco is a graduate of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He serves as a Director of the Company and Arrow Bank and sits on the boards of various non-profits dedicated to healthcare and economic development.
Penko Ivanov 56 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank effective February 21, 2023 and Senior Executive Vice President since February 1, 2024. Mr. Ivanov joined the Company in 2023 with more than 30 years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, Controllership, SOX, Financial Reporting and Treasury. Mr. Ivanov previously served as CFO for Bankwell Financial Group, helping it almost double in size over six-plus years to $3.3 billion. He has held CFO positions at Darien Rowayton Bank and for Doral Bank’s U.S. Operations. He began his career with Ernst & Young and held accounting/ finance positions at PepsiCo, GE Capital and Bridgewater Associates. Mr. Ivanov holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of South Florida. He is also Six Sigma Black Belt certified.
Michael Jacobs 54 Chief Information Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since February 1, 2024. Mr. Jacobs joined GFNB, in 2003 as Information Systems Manager. He was later promoted to Senior Vice President and then Executive Vice President. As Chief Information Officer, Mr. Jacobs guides the Company’s strategic technology plans. He has more than 30 years of experience in the community banking industry, having previously served as Operations Manager at Cohoes Savings Bank and Item Processing Manager at Hudson River Bank and Trust. Mr. Jacobs earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Siena College and an associate degree in business administration from Hudson Valley Community College.
David D. Kaiser 64 Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since February 2022. Mr. Kaiser joined the Company in 2001 as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. He served as Corporate Banking Manager and was later promoted to Senior Vice President, before being named Chief Credit Officer in 2011, followed by promotions to Executive Vice President and Senior Executive Vice President. Prior to joining the Company, he spent 15 years in the Capital Region as a Commercial Loan Officer. Mr. Kaiser has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Siena College. Mr. Kaiser actively serves on boards of numerous community organizations.
Brooke Pancoe 39 Chief Human Resources Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since February 1, 2024. Ms. Pancoe joined the Company in 2018 as Director of Human Resources. In her current role as Chief Human Resources Officer, she has executive oversight of the Company’s human resource strategies, which includes organizational design and succession planning, talent acquisition and retention, performance management, professional development
and compensation and benefits. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Pancoe held various human resource management roles within the power generation and engineering services industry. Ms. Pancoe holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clark University in Worcester, MA, and an MBA from the University at Albany. In addition, she maintains a certified professional human resources designation.
Andrew J. Wise 58 Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since February 1, 2024. Mr. Wise joined the Company in 2016 as Senior Vice President of Administration for GFNB. He has since been promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company. He has more than 30 years of experience building and leading both community banks and bank-owned insurance agencies. Mr. Wise previously served as Vice President and CISO for The Adirondack Trust Company and acted as Executive Vice President, COO for Wise Insurance Brokers, Inc. He has extensive experience in designing, implementing and managing workflows and delivering operational efficiency. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University’s School of Management.
Marc J. Yrsha 46 Chief Banking Officer of Arrow and Arrow Bank since February 1, 2024. Mr. Yrsha joined the Company in 2015. As Chief Banking Officer, Mr. Yrsha oversees the strategic direction of the Retail Banking unit, which includes retail deposits and lending, business development, consumer payments, business services, municipal banking, as well as small business and retail lending. In addition, Mr. Yrsha oversees the Wealth Management division and Marketing. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Yrsha spent time in retail leadership, retail and commercial lending at large regional and community banks within the Arrow
footprint. Mr. Yrsha is active in the community serving in leadership roles on a variety of boards. He is a graduate of Castleton University in Vermont and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Adirondack Program.
J. AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Arrow's Internet address is www.arrowfinancial.com. The Company makes available, free of charge, on or through Arrow's website, the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as practicable after they are filed or furnished with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. We intend to use our website to disclose material non-public information and various other documents related to corporate operations, the charters of principal board committees, and codes of ethics and to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following and reviewing our news releases, filings with the SEC and other presentations. The Company has adopted a financial code of ethics that applies to Arrow’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer and a business code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries. Both of these can be found at: https://www.arrowfinancial.com/Corporate/Governance.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Arrow's financial results and the market price of its stock are subject to risks arising from many factors, including the risks listed below, as well as other risks and uncertainties. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect Arrow's business, financial condition or results of operations. Please note that the discussion below regarding the potential impact on Arrow of certain of these factors that may develop in the future is not meant to provide predictions by Arrow's management that such factors will develop, but to acknowledge the possible negative consequences to the Company and business if certain conditions materialize.
MACROECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY RISKS
Arrow remains subject to inflationary risk which could adversely impact our business and our customers. Beginning in the first half of 2022, the FRB steadily increased in benchmark interest rates in response to signs of growing inflation. Although the FRB cut certain benchmark interest rates twice in the second half of 2024, the inflationary outlook remains uncertain. Should interest rates rise, the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, would likely decrease (although this effect may be mitigated for floating rate instruments). Further, continued inflation increases the cost of operational expenses which increases our noninterest expenses. Additionally, our customers may be affected by inflation, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay loans. Finally, a return to a higher inflationary environment may discourage our customers from pursuing new loans.
Market conditions could present significant challenges to the U.S. commercial banking industry and its core business of making and servicing loans. Any substantial downturn in the regional markets in which Arrow operates or in the U.S. economy generally could adversely affect Arrow's ability to maintain and/or grow earnings. Arrow's business is highly dependent on the business environment in the markets in which the Company operates as well as the United States as a whole. Arrow's business is dependent upon the financial stability of the Company's borrowers, including their ability to pay interest on and repay the principal amount of outstanding loans, the value of the collateral securing those loans, and the overall demand for loans and other products and services, all of which impact Arrow's stability and future growth. If unpredictable or unfavorable economic conditions unique to the market area should occur in upcoming periods, these conditions will likely have an adverse effect on the quality of the loan portfolio and financial performance. Arrow is less able than larger regional competitors to spread the risk of unfavorable local economic conditions over a larger market area. Further, if the overall U.S. economy deteriorates, then Arrow's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected. In particular, financial performance may be adversely affected by short-term and long-term interest rates, the prevailing yield curve, inflation, monetary supply, fluctuations in the debt and equity capital markets, and the strength of the domestic economy and the local economies in the markets in which Arrow operates, all of which are beyond Arrow's control.
Any future economic or financial downturn, including any significant correction in the equity markets, could adversely affect Arrow's volume of income attributable to, and demand for, fee-based services of Arrow Bank, including the Company's fiduciary business, which could negatively impact Arrow's financial condition and results of operations. Revenues from trust and wealth management business are dependent on the level of assets under management. Any significant downturn in the equity markets may lead Arrow's trust and wealth management customers to liquidate their investments, or may diminish account values for those customers who elect to leave their portfolios with Arrow, in either case reducing assets under management and thereby decreasing revenues from this important sector of the business. Other fee-based businesses are also susceptible to a sudden economic or financial downturn.
Moreover, weak or worsening economic conditions often lead to difficulties in other areas of its business, including growth of its business generally, thereby compounding the negative effects on earnings.
Arrow operates in a highly competitive industry and market areas that could negatively affect growth and profitability. Competition for commercial banking and other financial services is fierce in Arrow's market areas. In one or more aspects of business, Arrow Bank competes with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, Internet-based financial services companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking companies, and other financial intermediaries. Additionally, due to their size and other factors, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services, as well as better pricing for those products and services, than Arrow and its subsidiaries can. Technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. In addition, many of Arrow's competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulations that govern bank holding companies and federally insured banks. Failure by Arrow to offer competitive services in Arrow's market areas could significantly weaken Arrow's market position, adversely affecting growth, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on Arrow's financial condition and results of operations.
The financial services industry is faced with technological advances and changes on a continuing basis, and failure to adapt to these advances and changes could have a material adverse impact on Arrow's business. Technological advances and changes in the financial services industry are pervasive and constant. The retail financial services sector, like many other retail goods and services sectors, is constantly evolving, involving new delivery and communications systems and technologies that are extraordinarily far-reaching and impactful. For Arrow to remain competitive, Arrow must adapt to these systems and technologies. Proper implementation of new technologies can increase efficiency, decrease costs and help to meet customer demand. However, many competitors have greater resources to invest in technological advances and changes. Arrow may not always be successful in utilizing the latest technological advances in offering its products and services or in otherwise conducting its business. Failure to identify, consider, adapt to and implement technological advances and changes could have a material adverse effect on business. In particular the use or implementation of AI and generative AI technologies can have a significant impact. Arrow is still evaluating the potential threats and uses of this technology.
Problems encountered by other financial institutions could adversely affect Arrow. Arrow Bank's ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by financial or commercial problems confronting other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. Arrow has exposure to many different counterparties in the normal course of business, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, other commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other financial institutions. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by Arrow Bank or by other financial institutions on whom Arrow Bank relies or with whom Arrow Bank interacts. Some of these transactions expose Arrow Bank to credit and other potential risks in the event of default of Arrow Bank's counterparty or client. In addition, credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by Arrow Bank cannot be liquidated or only may be liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount due Arrow under the underlying financial instrument held by Arrow. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect the results of operations of Arrow.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Arrow faces continuing and growing security risks to its information base including the information maintained relating to customers, and any breaches in the security systems implemented to protect this information could have a material negative effect on Arrow's business operations and financial condition. In the ordinary course of business, Arrow relies on electronic communications and information systems to conduct its operations and to store sensitive data. Arrow employs an in-depth, layered, defensive approach that leverages people, processes and technology to manage and maintain cybersecurity controls. Arrow employs a variety of preventative and detective tools to monitor, block, and provide alerts regarding suspicious activity, as well as to report on any suspected advanced persistent threats. Arrow has implemented and regularly
reviews and updates extensive systems of internal controls and procedures as well as corporate governance policies and procedures intended to protect its business operations, including the security and privacy of all confidential customer information. In addition, Arrow relies on the services of a variety of vendors to meet data processing and communication needs. No matter how well designed or implemented its controls are, Arrow cannot provide an absolute guarantee to protect its business operations from every type of cybersecurity or other security problem in every situation, whether as a result of systems failures, human error or negligence, cyberattacks, security breaches, fraud or misappropriation. Any failure or circumvention of these controls could have a material adverse effect on Arrow's business operations and financial condition. Notwithstanding the strength of defensive measures, the threat from cyberattacks is severe, attacks are sophisticated and increasing in volume, and attackers respond rapidly to changes in defensive measures.
While to date, Arrow has not experienced a significant compromise, significant data loss or any material financial losses related to cybersecurity attacks or other security problems, Arrow's systems and those of its customers and third-party service providers are under constant threat. Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks or other security problems are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats and issues, as well as due to the expanding use of Internet banking, mobile banking and other technology-based products and services by Arrow and customers.
The computer systems and network infrastructure that Arrow uses are always vulnerable to unforeseen disruptions, including theft of confidential customer information (“identity theft”) and interruption of service as a result of fire, natural disasters, explosion, general infrastructure failure, cyberattacks or other security problems. These disruptions may arise in Arrow's internally developed systems, or the systems of our third-party service providers or may originate from the actions of our consumer and business customers who access our systems from their own networks or digital devices to process transactions. Information security and cybersecurity risks have increased significantly in recent years because of consumer demand to use the Internet and other electronic delivery channels to conduct financial transactions. Cybersecurity risk and other security problems are a major concern to financial services regulators and all financial service providers, including Arrow. These risks are further exacerbated due to the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other disreputable parties. Arrow regularly assesses and tests security systems and disaster preparedness, including back-up systems, but the risks are substantially escalating. As a result, cybersecurity and the continued enhancement of Arrow's controls and processes to protect its systems, data and networks from attacks or unauthorized access remain a priority. Accordingly, Arrow may be required to expend additional resources to enhance its protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or exposures. Any breach of Arrow's system security could result in disruption of its operations, unauthorized access to confidential customer information, significant regulatory costs, litigation exposure and other possible damages, loss or liability. Such costs or losses could exceed the amount of available insurance coverage, if any, and would adversely affect Arrow's earnings. Also, any failure to prevent a security breach or to quickly and effectively deal with such a breach could negatively impact customer confidence, damaging Arrow's reputation and undermining its ability to attract and keep customers. In addition, if Arrow fails to observe any of the cybersecurity requirements in federal or state laws, regulations or regulatory guidance, Arrow could be subject to various sanctions, including financial penalties. For additional information on Arrow’s cybersecurity protocols and the management and oversight thereof, please see Item 1C. Cybersecurity, below.
Business could suffer if Arrow loses key personnel unexpectedly. Arrow's success depends, in large part, on Arrow's ability to retain key personnel for the duration of their expected terms of service. On an ongoing basis, Arrow prepares and reviews back-up plans, in the event key personnel are unexpectedly rendered incapable of performing or depart or resign from their positions. However, any sudden unexpected change at the senior management level may adversely affect business.
Health emergencies may adversely affect Arrow’s business activities, financial condition and results of operations. The business of Arrow and its subsidiaries depends on the willingness and ability of its customers to conduct financial transactions. Health emergencies could disrupt the business, activities, and operations of Arrow’s customers, as well as Arrow's business and operations.
Arrow has taken steps to mitigate the risk of harm to its employees and customers and to its operations from health emergencies or other events through its business continuity plan. If a health emergency has an adverse effect on (i) customer deposits, (ii) the ability of borrowers to satisfy their obligations, (iii) the demand for loans or other financial products and services, (iv) the ability of Arrow’s personnel and third party service providers to perform effectively, (v) financial markets, real estate markets, or economic growth, or (vi) other aspects of operations, then Arrow’s liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Arrow may not realize the anticipated benefits of unifying its two former subsidiary banks into one bank. On December 31, 2024, Arrow merged its two former subsidiary banks into one subsidiary bank, and changed the name of the unified institution to Arrow Bank. Arrow anticipates the unification will simplify the bank’s brand identity, strengthen its market presence, create operational efficiencies, and enhance Arrow's ability to pursue its strategic growth objectives; however, Arrow could experience additional costs associated with rebranding and integrating operations, disruptions to company operations, or a loss of customers or brand awareness, any of which could have a material impact on our operations.
FINANCIAL RISKS
Arrow is subject to interest rate risk, which could adversely affect profitability. Profitability depends to a large extent on Arrow's net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest received on loans and securities and the amount of interest paid on deposits and borrowings, but also (i) Arrow's ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of mortgage-backed securities portfolio. If the interest rates Arrow pays on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans, securities and other interest-earning investments, net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on
deposits and other borrowings. Changes in interest rates, whether they are increases or decreases, can also trigger repricing and changes in the pace of payments for both assets and liabilities.
Arrow Bank's allowance for possible credit losses may be insufficient, and an increase in the allowance would reduce earnings. Arrow Bank's loan quality is affected by the condition of the economy. Like other financial institutions, Arrow Bank maintains an allowance for credit losses to provide for probable credit losses at the balance sheet date. While Arrow Bank has continued to enjoy a very high level of quality in its loan portfolio generally and very low levels of loan charge-offs and non-performing loans, if the economy in Arrow Bank's geographic market area should deteriorate to the point that recessionary conditions return, or if the regional or national economy experiences a protracted period of stagnation, the quality of our loan portfolio may weaken so significantly that its allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual or expected loan losses. In such events, Arrow Bank may be required to increase its provisions for credit losses and this could materially and adversely affect financial results. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses based on management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio and the general economy. The allowance for credit losses is based upon a number of factors, including the size of the loan portfolio, asset classifications, economic trends, industry experience and trends, industry and geographic concentrations, estimated collateral values, management’s assessment of the credit risk inherent in the portfolio, historical loss experience and loan underwriting policies. In addition, Arrow Bank evaluates all loans identified as problem loans and augments the allowance based upon an estimation of the potential loss associated with those problem loans. Additions to the allowance for credit losses decrease net income through provisions for credit losses. Arrow Bank's regulators, in reviewing the loan portfolio as part of a regulatory examination, may from time to time require Arrow Bank to increase the allowance for credit losses, thereby negatively affecting earnings, financial condition and capital ratios at that time. Moreover, additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions, new information regarding existing loans and leases, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of Arrow's control. Additions to the allowance could have a negative impact on Arrow Bank's results of operations, which would impact the Company's results of operations.
The increasing complexity of Arrow's operations presents varied risks that could affect earnings and financial condition. Arrow processes a large volume of transactions on a daily basis and is exposed to numerous types of risks related to internal processes, people and systems. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk of fraud by persons inside or outside the Company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and systems, breaches of data security, human error or negligence, and Arrow's internal control system and compliance with a complex array of consumer protection and safety and soundness regulations. Arrow could also experience additional loss as a result of potential legal actions that could arise as a result of operational deficiencies or as a result of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Arrow’s financial condition and the results of its operations could be negatively impacted by changes in its liquidity position. Arrow’s liquidity can be significantly and negatively impacted by factors outside the Company’s control, including general disruptions in the financial markets, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, regulatory changes, negative investor perceptions of Arrow’s creditworthiness, unexpected increases in cash or collateral requirements and the consequent inability to monetize available liquidity resources. Further, competition for deposits has continued to increase in recent years, including as a result of online banks and digital banking and fixed income alternatives for customer funds. Continued or increased competition for deposits in the current higher interest rate environment could negatively impact Arrow’s liquidity going forward.
In addition, as a holding company, Arrow relies on interest, dividends, distributions and other payments from Arrow Bank to fund dividends as well as to satisfy its debt and other obligations. Limitations on the payments that Arrow receives from Arrow Bank could also impact Arrow’s liquidity. A bank holding company is required by law to act as a source of financial and managerial strength for Arrow Bank. As a result, Arrow may be required to commit resources to Arrow Bank, even if doing so is not otherwise in the interests of the Company, its shareholders or its creditors, which could reduce the amount of funds available to meet its obligations.
Arrow could recognize losses on securities held in its securities portfolio, particularly if interest rates increase or economic and market conditions deteriorate. Factors beyond Arrow's control can significantly influence and cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of securities in its portfolio. These types of factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency downgrades of the securities, its own analysis of the value of the securities, defaults by the issuers or individual mortgagors with respect to the underlying securities and instability in the credit markets. Any of the foregoing factors, as well as changing economic and market conditions, generally, could cause other-than-temporary impairments, realized or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other comprehensive income, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNING OUR COMMON STOCK
The Company relies on the operations of its subsidiaries to provide liquidity, which, if limited, could impact Arrow's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders or to repurchase its common stock. Arrow is a single bank holding company, a separate legal entity from its subsidiaries. The bank holding company does not have significant operations of its own. The ability of the subsidiaries, including Arrow Bank and the insurance subsidiary, to pay dividends is limited by various statutes and regulations. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of Arrow's subsidiaries and other factors, that the subsidiaries might be restricted at some point in the ability to pay dividends to Arrow, including by a bank regulator asserting that the payment of such dividends or other payments would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. In addition, under federal banking law, Arrow is subject to consolidated capital requirements at the holding company level. If Arrow or Arrow Bank is required to retain or increase capital, Arrow may not be able to maintain the cash dividends or pay dividends at all, or to repurchase shares of Arrow's common stock.
LEGAL, TAX, REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE RISKS
Federal banking statutes and regulations could change in the future, which may adversely affect Arrow. Arrow Bank is subject to extensive federal and state banking regulations and supervision. Banking laws and regulations are intended primarily to protect bank depositors’ funds (and indirectly the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund) as well as bank retail customers, who may lack the sophistication to understand or appreciate bank products and services. These laws and regulations generally are not, however, aimed at protecting or enhancing the returns on investment enjoyed by bank shareholders.
Arrow Bank's depositor/customer awareness of the changing regulatory environment is particularly true of the set of laws and regulations under Dodd-Frank, which were passed in the aftermath of the 2008-09 financial crisis and in large part were intended to better protect bank customers (and to some degree, banks) against a wide variety of lending products and aggressive lending practices that pre-dated the crisis and are seen as having contributed to its severity. Although not all banks offered such products or engaged in such practices, all banks are affected by these laws and regulations to some degree.
Dodd-Frank restricts Arrow Bank's lending practices, requires us to expend substantial additional resources to safeguard customers, significantly increases its regulatory burden, and subjects Arrow Bank to significantly higher minimum capital requirements which, in the long run, may serve as a drag on its earnings, growth and ultimately on its dividends and stock price (the Dodd-Frank capital standards are separately addressed in a previous risk factor).
Although the Economic Growth Act and similar initiatives may mitigate the impact of Dodd-Frank, other statutory and regulatory changes including additional guidance and interpretations of existing rules and requirements could add to the existing regulatory burden imposed on banking organizations like Arrow Bank, resulting in a potential material adverse effect on Arrow's financial condition and results of operations.
Capital and liquidity standards require banks and bank holding companies to maintain more and higher quality capital and greater liquidity than has historically been the case. Capital standards, particularly those adopted as a result of Dodd-Frank, continue to have a significant effect on banks and bank holding companies, including Arrow. The need to maintain more and higher quality capital, as well as greater liquidity, and generally increased regulatory scrutiny with respect to liquidity and capital levels, may at some point limit business activities, including lending, and our ability to expand. It could also result in Arrow being required to take steps to increase regulatory capital and may dilute shareholder value or limit the ability to pay dividends or otherwise return capital to investors through stock repurchases. The Capital Rules promulgated under Dodd-Frank will remain applicable to Arrow.
Non-compliance with the Patriot Act, Bank Secrecy Act, or other anti-money laundering laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions and restrictions on conducting acquisitions or establishing new branches. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act) and the Bank Secrecy Act require financial institutions to develop programs to prevent financial institutions from being used for money laundering and terrorist activities. If such activities are suspected, financial institutions are obligated to file suspicious activity reports with FinCEN. Federal anti-money laundering rules require financial institutions to establish procedures for identifying and verifying the identity of customers seeking to open new financial accounts. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or sanctions, and restrictions on conducting acquisitions or establishing new branches. The policies and procedures Arrow has adopted that are designed to assist in ensuring compliance with these laws and regulations may not be effective in preventing violations of these laws and regulations.
Arrow, through Arrow Bank, is subject to the CRA and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties. CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the CRA or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity and restrictions on expansion. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on Arrow's business, financial condition and results of operations.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments - None

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Arrow's main office is at 250 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York. The building is owned by Arrow Bank National Association and serves as the main office for Arrow and Arrow Bank. In 2023, Arrow completed a multi-year renovation project to enhance and improve the downtown Glens Falls Main Campus. The renovations provide added energy efficiency, productivity, and more collaborative work space. This project provides for a renovated and more functional Main Office branch and lending space for customers. Arrow's investment in its downtown campus dates back to 2012 with the construction of our 20 South Street Building and has continued with phased improvements to other adjacent properties. Arrow Bank owns 26 branch banking offices, leases 12 branch banking offices, leases two residential loan origination offices and a business development office, all at market rates. Two of the 12 leased locations reflect the long term lease of property upon which Arrow owns buildings. Arrow's insurance agency is co-located in seven bank-owned branches, as well as two leased insurance offices. Arrow also leases a maintenance building and parking lots near the main office in Glens Falls as well as land and additional office space within our footprint to support our business.
In the opinion of management, the physical properties of Arrow and its subsidiaries are suitable and adequate. For more information on Arrow's properties, see Notes 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, 6, Premises and Equipment, and 18, Leases, to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Arrow, including its subsidiaries, is not currently the subject of any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation occurring in the normal course of their business. On an ongoing basis, Arrow is often the subject of, or a party to, various legal claims by other parties against Arrow, by Arrow against other parties, or involving Arrow, which arise in the normal course of business. The various pending legal claims against Arrow will not, in the opinion of management based upon consultation with counsel, result in any material liability. Legal expenses incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.
As previously disclosed in certain of the Company’s filings with the SEC, on June 23, 2023, Robert C. Ashe filed a putative class action complaint (the "Ashe Lawsuit") against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. In addition to the Company, the complaint names as defendants Thomas J. Murphy, the Company’s former CEO and from September 30, 2022 to February 20, 2023, its interim CFO, Edward J. Campanella, the Company’s former CFO, and Penko Ivanov, the Company’s current CFO (“Individual Defendants” and, together with the Company, the "Defendants"). The complaint alleges that the Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations and compliance policies in the Company’s public filings between March 12, 2022 and May 12, 2023. The complaint further alleges that the Individual Defendants are liable for these materially false and misleading statements as "controlling persons" of the Company. Based on these allegations, the complaint brings two claims for violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Ashe, on behalf of a purported class of shareholders, seeks compensatory damages as well as recovery of the costs and fees associated with the litigation. On December 5, 2023, plaintiff Ashe filed an amended complaint that changed the putative class period to the period from August 5, 2022 through May 12, 2023, but challenged substantially the same statements on the same basis. On February 9, 2024, the Company moved to dismiss the action in its entirety. On June 7, 2024, the parties reached a settlement (subject to court approval.) On February 13, 2025 the court approved the settlement, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial results or financial position and was fully recognized during 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
On December 12, 2023 the Company became aware that Stephen Bull filed a complaint (the "Shareholder Derivative Complaint") on behalf of Arrow against the three Individual Defendants, as well as against all members of Arrow’s board of directors during the class period in Ashe. The Company is named solely as a nominal defendant in the action and would be the beneficiary of any recovery. The Shareholder Derivative Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duty (i) by the Ashe individual defendants based on substantially the same allegedly misleading statements pleaded in the Ashe complaint; and (ii) the director
defendants by failing to adequately oversee the individual defendants and maintain internal and disclosure controls. Plaintiffs seek (i) unspecified damages (which would be payable to the Company) for costs incurred as a result of the alleged misstatements, including costs of investigation, remediation, and litigation, (ii) repayment of the director defendants’ compensation on an unjust enrichment theory, and (iii) an order directing the Company to take all necessary actions to reform and improve its corporate governance, and (iv) the recovery of costs and fees associated with the litigation. The Shareholder Derivative Complaint also asserts various federal securities claims based on the same alleged misrepresentations as set forth in the Ashe Lawsuit. The parties have reached a settlement in principle (subject to review and approval by a court) under which the Company has agreed to make certain adjustments to its governance structure and processes. The parties are continuing to negotiate the final settlement terms. The agreed upon settlement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial results or position.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures - None
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Arrow's common stock is traded on the Global Select Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASDAQ®") Stock Market under the symbol AROW.
Based on information received from Arrow's transfer agent and various brokers, custodians and agents, Arrow estimates there were approximately 10,000 beneficial owners of Arrow’s common stock at December 31, 2024. Arrow has no other class of stock outstanding.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth certain information regarding Arrow's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024. These equity compensation plans were (i) the 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and its predecessors; (ii) the Amended and Restated 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") and its predecessors; and (iii) the 2023 Directors' Stock Plan ("DSP") and its predecessors. The LTIP, the DSP and the ESPP have been approved by Arrow's shareholders.
Plan Category (a)
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Warrants and Rights (b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (c)
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders (1)(2)(3)
268,271 $ 29.50 735,944
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
- -
Total 268,271 735,944
(1)The total of 268,271 shares listed in column (a) includes shares which are issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the LTIP or its predecessor plans.
(2)The total of 735,944 shares listed in column (c) includes (i) 392,331 shares of common stock available for future award grants under the LTIP, (ii) 288,082 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the ESPP and (iii) 55,531 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the DSP.
(3)The Weighted-Average Exercise Price listed in column (b) reflects the weighted-average exercise price of the 246,453 outstanding stock options, the only outstanding equity compensation with an exercise price, included in the column (a) total of 268,271.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph provide a comparison of the total cumulative return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) for the common stock of Arrow as compared to the Russell 2000 Index, the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank TRBanks Index, the Zacks $1B-$5B Bank Assets Index, the KBW Bank Index, the KBW Regional Bank Index and the NASDAQ Composite Index for the five-year period from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2024.
The historical information in the graph may not be indicative of future performance of Arrow stock on the various stock indices.
Effective with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, Arrow will be eliminating the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank TR index and the Zacks $1B - $5B Bank Assets Index and replacing them with the KBW Bank Index, the KBW Regional Bank Index, and the NASDAQ Composite Index which are more commonly used for financial institutions of Arrow's size.
The preceding stock performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference, by virtue of any general statement contained herein or in any other filing incorporated by reference herein, into any other SEC filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference into such filing, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed as part of any such other filing.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information about repurchases by Arrow during the three months ended December 31, 2024 of Arrow's common stock (the only class of equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). In October 2023, the Board of Directors expanded its existing stock repurchase program (the "2022 Repurchase Program") by $5 million, bringing the total availability under the repurchase program to $9.1 million, and removed the expiration date previously incorporated into the 2022 Repurchase Program. In the first half of 2024, Arrow repurchased approximately $6.4 million (263,000 shares of its common stock) under the 2022 Repurchase Program and fully utilized the $9.1 million authorized program amount.
On April 24, 2024, the Board approved a new stock repurchase program (the "2024 Repurchase Program"), under which the Board authorized management, in its discretion, to repurchase from time to time, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, up to $5 million of Arrow common stock. No shares were purchased under the 2024 Repurchase Program during the year ended December 31, 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 through March 13, 2025, Arrow repurchased approximately $3.3 million (126,067 shares) of its common stock under the 2024 Repurchase Program.
Fourth Quarter 2024
Calendar Month
(a) Total Number of
Shares Purchased1
(b) Average Price Paid Per Share1
(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or Programs2
(d) Maximum
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs2
October - $ - - $ 5,000,000
November - - - 5,000,000
December - - - 5,000,000
Total - - -
1 No shares were purchased in the open market under the ESOP on behalf of the participants under the ESOP by
the administrator of the ESOP or by Arrow pursuant to the Company's 2024 Repurchase Program.
2 No shares were acquired under the 2024 Repurchase Program in October, November or December 2024.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Reserved

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quarter Ended 12/31/2024 9/30/2024 6/30/2024 3/31/2024 12/31/2023
Selected Twelve-Month Information
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
2022 share and per share amounts have been restated for the September 2023 3% stock dividend
2024 2023 2022
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):
Net Changes in Fair Value of Equity Investments 95 (67) 315
Period End Shares Outstanding1
16,743 16,942 17,048
Basic Average Shares Outstanding1
16,739 17,037 17,008
Diluted Average Shares Outstanding1
16,745 17,037 17,059
Basic Earnings Per Share1
$ 1.77 $ 1.77 $ 2.86
Diluted Earnings Per Share1
1.77 1.77 2.86
Cash Dividends Per Share1
1.09 1.06 0.99
Average Assets 4,266,721 4,084,519 4,047,480
Average Equity 384,858 362,781 360,095
Return on Average Assets 0.70 % 0.74 % 1.21 %
Return on Average Equity 7.72 % 8.29 % 13.55 %
Average Earning Assets $ 4,102,954 $ 3,948,708 $ 3,902,077
Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities 3,126,495 2,903,925 2,834,266
Interest Income 194,993 162,564 129,651
Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent* 195,638 163,328 130,737
Interest Expense 83,261 57,732 11,308
Net Interest Income 111,732 104,832 118,343
Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent* 112,377 105,596 119,429
Net Interest Margin 2.72 % 2.65 % 3.03 %
Net Interest Margin, Tax-Equivalent* 2.74 % 2.67 % 3.06 %
Efficiency Ratio Calculation*4
Noninterest Expense $ 97,268 $ 93,048 $ 81,530
Less: Intangible Asset Amortization 248 176 193
Net Noninterest Expense 97,020 92,872 81,337
Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 112,377 105,596 119,429
Noninterest Income 28,074 29,117 30,898
Less: Net (Loss) Gain on Securities (2,907) (92) 427
Net Gross Income, Adjusted $ 143,358 $ 134,805 $ 149,900
Efficiency Ratio* 67.68 % 68.89 % 54.26 %
Period-End Capital Information:
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 9.60 % 9.84 % 9.80 %
Total Stockholders’ Equity (i.e. Book Value) $ 400,901 $ 379,772 $ 353,538
Book Value per Share 23.94 22.42 20.74
Intangible Assets 25,847 22,983 23,373
Tangible Book Value per Share 2
22.40 21.06 19.37
Asset Quality Information:
Net Loans Charged-off as a Percentage of Average Loans 0.09 % 0.07 % 0.08 %
Provision for Credit Losses as a Percentage of Average Loans 0.16 % 0.11 % 0.17 %
Allowance for Credit Losses as a Percentage of Period-End Loans 0.99 % 0.97 % 1.00 %
Allowance for Credit Losses as a Percentage of Nonperforming Loans 159.69 % 147.82 % 249.95 %
Nonperforming Loans as a Percentage of Period-End Loans 0.62 % 0.66 % 0.40 %
Nonperforming Assets as a Percentage of Total Assets 0.50 % 0.51 % 0.32 %
*See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" on page 4.
Arrow Financial Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Footnotes:
1. 2022 share and per share data have been restated for the September 26, 2023, 3% stock dividend.
2.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation: Financial Institutions often use the "efficiency ratio", a non-GAAP ratio, as a measure of expense control. Arrow believes the efficiency ratio provides investors with information that is useful in understanding its financial performance. Arrow defines efficiency ratio as the ratio of noninterest expense to net gross income (which equals tax-equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income, as adjusted).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies, as described in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements are essential in understanding the Management Discussion and Analysis. Many of the significant accounting policies require complex judgments to estimate the values of assets and liabilities. Arrow has procedures and processes in place to facilitate making these judgments. The more judgmental estimates are summarized in the following discussion. In many cases, there are numerous alternative judgments that could be used in the process of determining the inputs to the models. Where alternatives exist, Arrow has used the factors that are believed to represent the most reasonable value in developing the inputs. Actual performance that differs from estimates of the key variables could impact the results of operations.
Allowance for credit losses: The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for credit losses and the allowance for losses on unfunded commitments. Arrow adopted on January 1, 2021, Accounting Standards Updates (‘‘ASU’’) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (‘‘CECL’’) and its related amendments. The CECL approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure (or pool of exposures). The estimate of expected credit losses under the CECL approach is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amounts. Historical loss experience is generally the starting point for estimating expected credit losses. Arrow then considers whether the historical loss experience should be adjusted for asset-specific risk characteristics or current conditions at the reporting date that did not exist over the period from which historical experience was used. Finally, Arrow considers forecasts about future economic conditions that are reasonable and supportable. The allowance for losses on unfunded commitments represents the expected credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. However, a liability is not recognized for commitments unconditionally cancellable by Arrow. The allowance for losses on unfunded commitments is determined by estimating future draws and applying the expected loss rates on those draws. Arrow considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for credit losses to be a critical accounting estimate given the uncertainty in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover Arrow's estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then-existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods. While management’s current evaluation of the allowance for credit losses indicates that the allowance is appropriate at this time, the allowance may need to be adjusted in the future due to changes in conditions or assumptions. The impact of utilizing the CECL approach to calculate the reserve for credit losses will be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our loan portfolio, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts utilized. Material changes to these and other relevant factors may result in greater volatility to the reserve for credit losses, and therefore, greater volatility to our reported earnings. Arrow's policy on the allowance for credit losses is disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-K.
A. OVERVIEW
The following discussion and analysis focuses on and reviews Arrow's results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024 and the financial condition as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the selected quarterly and annual information set forth above and the Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial data presented elsewhere in this Report. When necessary, prior-year financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.
Summary of 2024 Financial Results: Net income for 2024 was $29.7 million, down from $30.1 million for 2023.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.77 for 2024, unchanged from 2023. ROE and ROA were 7.72% and 0.70%, respectively, as compared to 8.29% and 0.74%, respectively, for 2023.
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $111.7 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 6.6%, from the prior year. Compared to the prior year, the increase was primarily due to interest income outpacing growth in interest expense. Interest and fees on loans were $171.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 20.6% from $142.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by loan growth and higher loan rates. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $83.3 million. This represents an increase of $25.5 million, or 44.2%, from $57.7 million in interest expense for the prior-year period. The increase in interest expense was driven primarily by higher deposit rates and changes in deposit composition.
Net interest margin was 2.72% (2.74% FTE1) for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 2.65% (2.67% FTE) for the year ended December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the provision for credit losses was $5.2 million, compared to $3.4 million in the prior year. The key drivers for the provision for credit losses in 2024 were loan growth, charge-offs, and changes to the portfolio mix/age due to fourth-quarter commercial loan growth, partially offset by changes to the economic forecast factors embedded in the credit loss allowance model, as well as qualitative factors relating to local and Arrow-specific conditions.
Non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $4.2 million, or 4.5%, to $97.3 million, as compared to $93.0 million in 2023. The largest component of non-interest expense is salaries and benefits paid to our employees, which totaled $52.7 million in 2024 and increased $5.0 million, or 10.6%, from the prior year. The increase was related to headcount increases to support additional control and compliance initiatives and our growing organization. Salaries and benefits were also impacted by inflation-driven wage increases and rising benefit costs.
1 FTE net interest margin is a non-GAAP measure. See reconciliation on Note 3 to the Selected Quarterly Information.
The provision for income taxes for 2024 was $7.6 million, compared to $7.4 million for 2023. The effective income tax rates for 2024 and 2023 were 20.5% and 19.8%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily the result of reduced tax exempt income in 2024.
Total assets were $4.3 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $136.5 million, or 3.3%, compared to December 31, 2023. The increase over the prior year was primarily driven by loan growth.
Total investments were $570.8 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $65.4 million, or 10.3%, compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease was driven primarily by paydowns and maturities, the proceeds of which were primarily used to fund loan growth in 2024. The minor repositioning of the investment portfolio in the fourth quarter did not materially impact the overall investment balance. There were no credit quality issues identified related to the investment portfolio.
On December 20, 2024, Arrow sold approximately $75 million of lower-yielding available-for-sale investments with an average book yield of approximately 0.6% and weighted average remaining life of 1.3 years, recognizing a pre-tax loss on the sale of approximately $3.0 million. Proceeds from the sale have been redeployed into higher-yielding available-for-sale investments with an average book yield of approximately 4.4% and weighted average remaining life of 4.5 years. The expected earn-back period of these investment transactions is approximately 1.1 years. Based on current market interest rates, the transaction is expected to improve Arrow's net interest income by approximately $2.7 million for 2025 and beyond, due to increased duration within the portfolio. Year end regulatory capital ratios were not materially impacted as the new investments carry a lower risk weighting than the securities that were sold. Year-end tangible common equity and tangible book value were not impacted.
At December 31, 2024, total loan balances reached $3.4 billion. Loan growth for the fourth quarter was $59 million2. Loan growth for the year was $185 million3 or 5.8%. Loan growth was spread across all loan products.
The allowance for credit losses was $33.6 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $2.3 million from December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses at year-end 2024 represented 0.99% of loans outstanding, an increase from 0.97% at year-end 2023. Asset quality remained solid at December 31, 2024. Net loan charge-offs, expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding, were 0.09% for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 0.07% for the prior year. Nonperforming assets of $21.5 million at December 31, 2024, represented 0.50% of period-end assets, compared to $21.5 million or 0.51% at December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2024, total deposit balances were $3.8 billion, an increase of $140.4 million, or 3.8%, from the prior-year level. Non-municipal deposits, excluding brokered CDs, decreased by $57.6 million and municipal deposits decreased by $12.2 million, each as compared to December 31, 2023. Non-interest bearing deposits decreased by $55.4 million, or 7.3%, during 2024, and represented 18.4% of total deposits at year-end, as compared to the prior-year level of 20.6%. At December 31, 2024, total time deposits, excluding brokered CDs, increased $36.0 million from the prior-year level. The change in composition of deposits was primarily due to pressure from competitive rate pricing and the migration from low to higher costing products.
Total borrowings were $8.6 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $17.9 million, or 67.5%, compared to December 31, 2023.
Total shareholders’ equity was $400.9 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $21.1 million, or 5.6%, from December 31, 2023. Arrow's regulatory capital ratios remained strong in 2024. At December 31, 2024, Arrow's Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.71% and the Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 14.47%. The capital ratios of Arrow and Arrow Bank continued to significantly exceed the “well capitalized” regulatory standards.
The changes in net income, net interest income and net interest margin between the current and prior year are discussed in detail under the heading "Results of Operations," beginning on page 27.
Regulatory Capital and Stockholders' Equity: As of December 31, 2024, Arrow continued to exceed all required minimum capital ratios under the current bank regulatory capital rules as implemented under Dodd-Frank (the "Capital Rules") at both the holding company and bank levels. At that date, both Arrow, as well as Arrow Bank, continued to qualify as "well-capitalized" under the capital classification guidelines as defined by the Capital Rules. Because of continued profitability and strong asset quality, the regulatory capital levels throughout recent years have consistently remained well in excess of the various required regulatory minimums in effect.
Total stockholders' equity was $400.9 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $21.1 million, or 5.6%, from December 31, 2023. The components of the change in stockholders' equity since year-end 2023 are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity on page 50. Total book value per share increased by 6.8% over the prior year level. The net increase in total stockholders' equity during 2024 principally reflected the following factors: (i) $29.7 million of net income for the year, (ii) other comprehensive income of $15.0 million and (iii) $1.5 million of equity related to various stock-based compensation plans, reduced by (iv) cash dividends of $18.3 million and (v) repurchases of common stock of $6.8 million. As of December 31, 2024, Arrow's closing stock price was $28.71, resulting in a trading multiple of 1.28 to Arrow's tangible book value. The Board of Directors declared and Arrow paid a cash dividend of $0.27 per share for the first three quarters of 2024, a cash dividend of $0.28 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024, and a $0.28 per share cash dividend for the first quarter of 2025.
Loan quality: Nonperforming loans were $21.0 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.5%, from year-end 2023. The ratio of nonperforming loans to period-end loans at December 31, 2024 was 0.62%, a decrease from 0.66% at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming loans are in various stages of work-out activities including, but not limited to, ongoing negotiations with the borrowers, borrowers looking to refinance with other lenders, potential foreclosures, as well as periodic
2 Excludes both $2.2 million fair value hedge adjustment at December 31, 2024 and $6.5 million fair value hedge adjustment at September 30, 2024
3 Excludes both $2.2 million fair value hedge adjustment at December 31, 2024 and $5.8 million fair value hedge adjustment at December 31, 2023.
updates to appraisals and cash flow analyses generated by the underlying collateral. Any future developments related to such activities may have a potential impact on financial results, however, the impact cannot be determined at this time.
Loans charged-off (net of recoveries) against the allowance for credit losses was $2.8 million for 2024, an increase of $779 thousand from 2023. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.09% for 2024 and 0.07% for 2023. At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses was $33.6 million, representing 0.99% of total loans, an increase of 2 basis points from the December 31, 2023 ratio.
Loans: As of December 31, 2024, total loans grew $181.6 million, or 5.7%, as compared to the balance at December 31, 2023.
◦ Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Loans: Combined, these loans comprised 28.1% of the total loan portfolio at period-end. Commercial loans are extended to businesses primarily located in Arrow's regional market area. There are no commercial real estate loans in major metropolitan areas. In addition, only approximately 2% of the total loan portfolio is comprised of office related property. Retail loans were approximately 3% of the total loan portfolio and hotels and motels were approximately 4% of the total loan portfolio. Overall, Arrow has minimal exposure to highly sensitive areas where large commercial and retail vacancies exist. Commercial property values in Arrow's region have largely remained stable. Appraisals on nonperforming and watched CRE loan properties are updated as deemed necessary, usually when the loan is downgraded or when there has been significant market deterioration since the last appraisal.
◦ Consumer Loans: These loans (primarily automobile loans) comprised approximately 33.0% of the total loan portfolio at period-end. Consumer automobile loans at December 31, 2024, were $1.1 billion, or 99.6% of this portfolio segment. The vast majority of automobile loans are initiated through the purchase of vehicles by consumers with automobile dealers. Inflation and an elevated rate environment may limit the potential growth in this category.
◦ Residential Real Estate Loans: These loans, including home equity loans, made up 38.9% of the total loan portfolio at period-end. Demand for residential real estate has continued to remain strong. Arrow originated nearly all of the residential real estate loans currently held in the loan portfolio and applies conservative underwriting standards. Arrow has historically sold a portion of the residential real estate mortgage originations into the secondary market. The ratio of the sales of originations to total originations tends to fluctuate from period to period based on market conditions and other factors. The rate at which mortgage loan originations are sold in future periods will depend on various circumstances, including prevailing mortgage rates, other lending opportunities, capital and liquidity needs, and the availability of a market for such transactions.
Liquidity and access to credit markets: Arrow did not experience any liquidity issues in recent years or in 2024. Arrow’s liquidity position provides the Company with the necessary flexibility to address any unexpected near-term disruptions. Interest-bearing cash balances at December 31, 2024 were $127.1 million which represents a significant increase as compared to $105.8 million at December 31, 2023. Deposit balances of Arrow Bank are Arrow's primary funding source. Additionally, contingent lines of credit are also available. Arrow has collateralized lines of credit established and available through the FHLBNY and FRB, totaling $1.2 billion. The terms of Arrow's lines of credit have not changed significantly in recent periods (see the general liquidity discussion on page 39). Arrow has principally relied on asset-based liquidity (i.e., funds in overnight investments and cash flow from maturing investments and loans) with liability-based liquidity as a secondary source of funds (the main liability-based sources are an overnight borrowing arrangement with correspondent banks, an arrangement for overnight borrowing and term credit advances from the FHLBNY, and an additional arrangement for short-term advances at the Federal Reserve Bank discount window. Regular liquidity stress tests and tests of the contingent liquidity plan are performed to ensure that an adequate amount of available funds can be generated to meet a wide variety of potential liquidity crises.
Visa Class B Common Stock: In the fourth quarter of 2023, Arrow Bank, formerly GFNB, sold all 27,771 shares of Visa Class B common stock it previously held for a pre-tax gain of $9.3 million. The gain was used to offset a pre-tax loss of $9.2 million related to the sale of securities with a amortized cost basis of approximately $110 million. The sale of securities was driven by the strategic decision to reposition the investment portfolio to higher yielding investments producing an improved interest income run-rate.
Branch Acquisition: On August 2, 2024 Arrow Bank, formerly GFNB, completed the previously announced acquisition of the Whitehall Branch from Berkshire Bank, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. The acquisition includes the branch premises and substantially all of the personal property and equipment used in the operation of the Whitehall Branch. All employees associated with the Whitehall Branch were offered employment with Arrow Bank. See footnote 23 for additional details of the acquisition.
Subsidiary Bank Unification: On December 31, 2024, Arrow merged its two subsidiary banks, GFNB and SNB, into one bank, with GFNB as the survivor, and renamed the unified institution Arrow Bank. The Unification is expected to create long term operational efficiencies, unify branding and enhance Arrow's ability to pursue its strategic growth objectives.
A&B Acquisition: On July 1, 2024, Arrow's subsidiary, Upstate Agency, LLC, expanded its insurance business with the strategic acquisition of the assets of A&B Agency, Inc.
B. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analysis of net interest income, the provision for credit losses, noninterest income, noninterest expense and income taxes, highlights the factors that had the greatest impact on the results of operations for December 31, 2024 and the prior two years. For a comparison of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, see Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
I. NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income represents the difference between interest, dividends and fees earned on loans, securities and other earning assets and interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds. Changes in net interest income result from changes in the level and mix of earning assets and sources of funds (volume) and changes in the yields earned and interest rates paid (rate). Net interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets. Net interest income may also be described as the product of average earning assets and the net interest margin.
CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands) (GAAP Basis)
Years Ended December 31, Change From Prior Year
2023 to 2024
2022 to 2023
2024 2023 2022 Amount % Amount %
Interest and Dividend Income $ 194,993 $ 162,564 $ 129,651 $ 32,429 19.9 % $ 32,913 25.4 %
Interest Expense 83,261 57,732 11,308 25,529 44.2 % 46,424 410.5 %
Net Interest Income $ 111,732 $ 104,832 $ 118,343 $ 6,900 6.6 % $ (13,511) (11.4) %
Net interest income was $111.7 million in 2024, an increase of $6.9 million, or 6.6%, from $104.8 million in 2023. This is in comparison with a decrease of $13.5 million, or 11.4%, from 2022 to 2023. Factors contributing to year-to-year changes in net interest income over the three-year period are discussed in the following portions of this Section B.I.
The following tables reflect the components of net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022: (i) average balances of assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, (ii) interest and dividend income earned on earning assets and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields on earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (iv) the net interest spread (average yield less average cost) and (v) the net interest margin (yield) on earning assets. The yield on securities available-for-sale is based on the amortized cost of the securities. Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans.
Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
(GAAP basis)
(Dollars in Thousands)
Years Ended December 31: 2024 2023 2022
Interest Rate Interest Rate Interest Rate
Average Income/ Earned/ Average Income/ Earned/ Average Income/ Earned/
Balance Expense Paid Balance Expense Paid Balance Expense Paid
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks $ 181,618 $ 9,615 5.29 % $ 109,906 5,831 5.31 % 252,835 3,100 1.23 %
Investment Securities:
Fully Taxable 515,794 11,579 2.24 % 622,575 11,764 1.89 % 648,540 10,357 1.60 %
Exempt from Federal
Taxes 105,196 2,457 2.34 % 141,966 2,953 2.08 % 173,184 3,212 1.85 %
Loans 3,300,346 171,342 5.19 % 3,074,261 142,016 4.62 % 2,827,518 112,982 4.00 %
Total Earning Assets 4,102,954 194,993 4.75 % 3,948,708 162,564 4.12 % 3,902,077 129,651 3.32 %
Allowance for Credit Losses (31,387) (30,799) (27,954)
Cash and Due From Banks 30,577 30,640 30,462
Other Assets 164,577 135,970 142,895
Total Assets $ 4,266,721 $ 4,084,519 $ 4,047,480
Deposits:
Interest-Bearing Checking
Accounts $ 812,634 7,442 0.92 % $ 855,931 3,663 0.43 % 1,038,751 973 0.09 %
Savings Deposits 1,507,227 42,850 2.84 % 1,498,749 34,343 2.29 % 1,549,278 7,879 0.51 %
Time Deposits of $250,000
Or More 176,844 7,460 4.22 % 137,974 4,966 3.60 % 55,690 369 0.66 %
Other Time Deposits 520,658 20,997 4.03 % 241,218 7,127 2.95 % 132,541 604 0.46 %
Total Interest-Bearing
Deposits 3,017,363 78,749 2.61 % 2,733,872 50,099 1.83 % 2,776,260 9,825 0.35 %
Short-Term Borrowings 84,106 3,637 4.32 % 144,971 6,756 4.66 % 32,874 605 1.84 %
FHLBNY Term Advances
and Other Long-Term Debt 20,000 686 3.43 % 20,000 686 3.43 % 20,000 685 3.43 %
Finance Leases 5,026 189 3.76 % 5,082 191 3.76 % 5,132 193 3.76 %
Total Interest-
Bearing Liabilities 3,126,495 83,261 2.66 % 2,903,925 57,732 1.99 % 2,834,266 11,308 0.40 %
Demand Deposits 705,863 772,889 815,218
Other Liabilities 49,505 44,924 37,901
Total Liabilities 3,881,863 3,721,738 3,687,385
Stockholders’ Equity 384,858 362,781 360,095
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders’ Equity $ 4,266,721 $ 4,084,519 $ 4,047,480
Net Interest Income $ 111,732 $ 104,832 $ 118,343
Net Interest Spread 2.09 % 2.13 % 2.92 %
Net Interest Margin 2.72 % 2.65 % 3.03 %
Changes between periods are attributed to movement in either the average daily balances or average rates for both earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately between the categories.
Net Interest Income Rate and Volume Analysis
(Dollars in Thousands) (GAAP basis)
2024 Compared to 2023 Change in Net Interest Income Due to:
2023 Compared to 2022 Change in Net Interest Income Due to:
Interest and Dividend Income: Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total
Interest-Bearing Bank Balances $ 3,805 $ (21) $ 3,784 $ (1,752) $ 4,483 $ 2,731
Investment Securities:
Fully Taxable (1,990) 1,805 (185) (398) 1,805 1,407
Exempt from Federal Taxes (770) 274 (496) (586) 327 (259)
Loans 10,514 18,812 29,326 9,974 19,060 29,034
Total Interest and Dividend Income 11,559 20,870 32,429 7,238 25,675 32,913
Interest Expense:
Deposits:
Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts (203) 3,982 3,779 (220) 2,910 2,690
Savings Deposits 217 8,290 8,507 (214) 26,678 26,464
Time Deposits of $250,000 or More 1,398 1,096 2,494 541 4,056 4,597
Other Time Deposits 8,247 5,623 13,870 517 6,006 6,523
Total Deposits 9,659 18,991 28,650 624 39,650 40,274
Borrowings and Finance Leases
(2,835) (286) (3,121) 2,062 4,088 6,150
Total Interest Expense 6,824 18,705 25,529 2,686 43,738 46,424
Net Interest Income $ 4,735 $ 2,165 $ 6,900 $ 4,552 $ (18,063) $ (13,511)
NET INTEREST MARGIN
YIELD ANALYSIS (GAAP Basis) December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Yield on Earning Assets 4.75 % 4.12 % 3.32 %
Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities 2.66 % 1.99 % 0.40 %
Net Interest Spread 2.09 % 2.13 % 2.92 %
Net Interest Margin 2.72 % 2.65 % 3.03 %
Arrow's earnings are derived predominantly from net interest income, which is interest income, net of interest expense. Changes in balance sheet composition, including interest-earning assets, deposits, and borrowings, combined with changes in market interest rates, impact net interest income. Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Interest-earning assets and funding sources are managed, including non-interest and interest-bearing liabilities, in order to maximize this margin.
II. PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Arrow considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for credit losses to be a critical accounting policy, given the uncertainty involved in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and the material effect that such judgments may have on the results of operations. The provision for credit losses for 2024 was $5.2 million, compared to the $3.4 million provision for 2023. The analysis of the method employed for determining the amount of the credit loss provision is explained in detail in Notes 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
SUMMARY OF THE ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
(Dollars In Thousands) (Loans, Net of Unearned Income)
Years-Ended December 31, 2024 2023
Period-End Loans $3,394,541 $3,212,908
Average Loans 3,300,346 3,074,261
Period-End Assets 4,306,348 4,169,868
Nonperforming Assets, at Period-End:
Nonaccrual Loans:
Commercial Loans 102 30
Commercial Real Estate 14,902 15,308
Consumer Loans 2,241 1,877
Residential Real Estate Loans 3,376 3,430
Total Nonaccrual Loans 20,621 20,645
Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and
Still Accruing Interest 398 452
Restructured 20 54
Total Nonperforming Loans 21,039 21,151
Repossessed Assets 382 312
Other Real Estate Owned 76 -
Total Nonperforming Assets 21,497 21,463
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Balance at Beginning of Period $ 31,265 $ 29,952
Loans Charged-off:
Commercial Loans (9) -
Commercial Real Estate - -
Consumer Loans (5,837) (5,123)
Residential Real Estate Loans (49) (54)
Total Loans Charged-off (5,895) (5,177)
Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off:
Commercial Loans - -
Commercial Real Estate - -
Consumer Loans 3,048 3,109
Residential Real Estate Loans - -
Total Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off 3,048 3,109
Net Loans Charged-off (2,847) (2,068)
Provision for Credit Losses
Charged to Expense 5,180 3,381
Balance at End of Period $ 33,598 $ 31,265
Asset Quality Ratios:
Net Charge-offs to Average Loans 0.09 % 0.07 %
Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans 0.16 % 0.11 %
Allowance for Credit Losses to Period-end Loans 0.99 % 0.97 %
Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonperforming Loans 159.69 % 147.82 %
Nonperforming Loans to Period-end Loans 0.62 % 0.66 %
Nonperforming Assets to Period-end Assets 0.50 % 0.51 %
ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
(Dollars in Thousands)
2024 2023
Commercial Loans $ 1,925 $ 1,958
Commercial Real Estate 14,507 15,521
Consumer Loans 3,882 2,566
Residential Real Estate Loans 13,284 11,220
Total $ 33,598 $ 31,265
Arrow adopted CECL on January 1, 2021. The CECL approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of a loan (or pool of loans). The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from, or added to, the loans’ amortized cost basis to reflect the net, lifetime amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when Arrow believes a loan balance is confirmed to be uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off.
Management estimates the allowance using relevant available information from internal and external sources related to past events, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Arrow's historical loss experience was supplemented with peer information when there was insufficient loss data for Arrow. Peer selection was based on a review of institutions with comparable loss experience as well as loan yield, bank size, portfolio concentration and geography. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in credit concentrations, delinquency level, collateral values and underwriting standards as well as changes in economic conditions or other relevant factors. Management judgment is required at each point in the measurement process.
Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled. Portfolio segments for estimating loss based on type of borrower and collateral are as follows:
Commercial Loans
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Consumer Loans
Residential Loans
Further details related to loan portfolio segments are included in Note 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Historical credit loss experience for both Arrow and segment-specific peers provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Arrow utilizes regression analyses of peer data where observed credit losses and selected economic factors are utilized to determine suitable loss drivers for modeling lifetime probability of default (PD) rates. Arrow uses the discounted cash flow (DCF) method to estimate expected credit losses for the commercial, commercial real estate, and residential segments. For each of these loan segments, Arrow generates cash flow projections at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speed, curtailments, time to recovery, PD, and segment-specific loss given default (LGD) risk factors. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds, curtailment rates, and time to recovery are based on historical internal data and adjusted, if necessary, based on the reasonable and supportable forecast of economic conditions.
For the loan segments utilizing the DCF method, (commercial, commercial real estate, and residential) Management utilizes externally developed economic forecasts of the following economic factors as loss drivers: national unemployment, gross domestic product and home price index (HPI). The economic forecast is applied over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. Arrow utilizes a six quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period with an eight quarter reversion to the historic mean on a straight-line basis.
The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Instrument effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level net present value of expected cash flows (NPV). An allowance for credit loss is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: Management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a debt restructuring will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by Arrow.
Arrow uses the vintage analysis method to estimate expected credit losses for the consumer loan segment. The vintage method was selected since the loans within the consumer loan segment are homogeneous, not just by risk characteristic, but by loan structure. Under the vintage analysis method, a loss rate is calculated based on the quarterly net charge-offs to the outstanding loan balance for each vintage year over the lookback period. Once this periodic loss rate is calculated for each quarter in the lookback period, the periodic rates are averaged into the loss rate. The loss rate is then applied to the outstanding loan balances based on the loan's vintage year. Arrow maintains, over the life of the loan, the loss curve by vintage year. If estimated losses computed by the vintage method need to be adjusted based on current conditions and the reasonable and supportable economic forecast, these adjustments would be incorporated over a six quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period, reverting to historical losses using a straight-line method over an eight quarter period.
The vintage and DCF models also consider the need to qualitatively adjust expected loss estimates for information not already captured in the quantitative loss estimation process. Qualitative considerations include limitations inherent in the quantitative model; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; changes in value of underlying collateral; changes in lending policies and procedures; nature and composition of loans; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experience across one or more components or the portfolio; the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff; Arrow's credit review system; and the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements. These qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease Arrow's estimate of expected credit losses so that the allowance for credit loss is reflective of the estimate of lifetime losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.
Arrow's allowance for credit losses was $33.6 million at December 31, 2024, which represented 0.99% of loans outstanding, an increase from 0.97% at year-end 2023.
The overall change in the allowance from December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by the following factors: net loan growth contributed $2.0 million, model calculation, including mix and aging, increased the allowance by $297 thousand, and net charge-offs of $2.8 million. The 2024 provision for credit losses was $5.2 million. Management's evaluation considers the allowance for credit losses for loans to be appropriate as of December 31, 2024.
See Note 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the complete methodology used to calculate the provision for credit losses.
III. NON-INTEREST INCOME
The majority of the non-interest income constitutes fee income from services, principally fees and commissions from fiduciary services, deposit account service charges, insurance commissions, net gains (losses) on securities transactions, net gains on sales of loans and other recurring fee income.
ANALYSIS OF NON-INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands)
Years Ended December 31, Change From Prior Year
2023 to 2024
2022 to 2023
2024 2023 2022 Amount % Amount %
Income from Fiduciary Activities $ 9,952 $ 9,444 $ 9,711 $ 508 5.4 % $ (267) (2.7) %
Fees for Other Services to Customers 10,892 10,798 11,626 94 0.9 % (828) (7.1) %
Insurance Commissions 7,147 6,498 6,463 649 10.0 % 35 0.5 %
Net (Loss) Gain on Securities (2,907) (92) 427 (2,815) 3,059.8 % (519) (121.5) %
Net Gain on Sales of Loans 209 32 83 177 553.1 % (51) (61.4) %
Other Operating Income 2,781 2,437 2,588 344 14.1 % (151) (5.8) %
Total Non-interest Income $ 28,074 $ 29,117 $ 30,898 $ (1,043) (3.6) % $ (1,781) (5.8) %
2024 Compared to 2023: Total non-interest income in 2024 was $28.1 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 3.6%, from total non-interest income of $29.1 million for 2023. Income from fiduciary activities increased $508 thousand from 2023 to 2024. Fees for other services to customers were $10.9 million for 2024, an increase of $94 thousand as compared to 2023. Insurance commissions increased $649 thousand compared to the previous year driven by the acquisition of the assets of A&B Agency, Inc. as well as increased commissions. Net loss on securities in 2024, was $2.9 million as compared to a loss of $92 thousand in 2023. The loss in 2024 was the result of the minor repositioning of the investment portfolio.
Net gains on the sales of loans in 2024 were $209 thousand. The rate at which mortgage loan originations may be sold in future periods will depend on various circumstances, including prevailing mortgage rates, other lending opportunities, capital and liquidity needs, and the availability of a market for such transactions. Therefore, Arrow is unable to predict what the retention rate of such loans in future periods may be. Servicing rights are generally retained for loans originated and sold, which also generates additional non-interest income in subsequent periods (fees for other services to customers).
Other operating income increased by $344 thousand, or 14.1% between the two years primarily due to gains on non-marketable securities partially offset by bank-owned life insurance proceeds received in 2023.
IV. NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Non-interest expense is the measure of the delivery cost of services, products and business activities of a company. The key components of non-interest expense are presented in the following table.
ANALYSIS OF NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
(Dollars In Thousands)
Years Ended December 31, Change From Prior Year
2023 to 2024
2022 to 2023
2024 2023 2022 Amount % Amount %
Salaries and Employee Benefits $ 52,707 $ 47,667 $ 47,003 $ 5,040 10.6 % $ 664 1.4 %
Occupancy Expenses, Net 7,169 6,554 6,202 615 9.4 % 352 5.7 %
Technology and Equipment Expense 19,365 17,608 16,118 1,757 10.0 % 1,490 9.2 %
FDIC Regular Assessment 2,775 2,050 1,176 725 35.4 % 874 74.3 %
Amortization of Intangible Assets 248 176 193 72 40.9 % (17) (8.8) %
Other Operating Expense 15,004 18,993 10,838 (3,989) (21.0) % 8,155 75.2 %
Total Non-interest Expense $ 97,268 $ 93,048 $ 81,530 $ 4,220 4.5 % $ 11,518 14.1 %
Efficiency Ratio 67.68 % 68.89 % 54.26 % (1.21) % (1.8) % 14.63 % 27.0 %
2024 compared to 2023: Non-interest expense for 2024 was $97.3 million, an increase of $4.2 million, or 4.5%, from 2023. For 2024, the efficiency ratio was 67.68%. This ratio, which is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure in the banking
industry, is a comparative measure of a financial institution's operating efficiency. The efficiency ratio is the ratio of operating non-interest expense (excluding intangible asset amortization) to net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) plus operating non-interest income (excluding net securities gains or losses). See the discussion of the efficiency ratio in this Report under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $5.0 million or 10.6%, from 2023. Included within salaries and benefits was a $868 thousand reclassification between salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses. Under Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07 (Compensation-Retirement Benefits), interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost and amortization of net loss are required to be reclassified out of salaries and employee benefits. The reclassification was $606 in 2023. Salaries and benefits increased primarily due to headcount increases to support additional control and compliance initiatives and our growing organization. Salaries and benefits were also impacted by inflation-driven wage increases and rising benefit costs.
Technology expenses increased $1.8 million, or 10.0%, from 2023 due to continued investment in innovation and infrastructure. The expense reflects our strategic focus on a strong technology foundation and our enhancements of customer-facing technology intended to create more efficient and improved internal operations.
Other operating expense decreased $4.0 million, or 21.0%, from 2023. The overall decrease from the prior year was primarily related to $4.8 million of additional legal and professional fees incurred in 2023 associated with the delay in the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Form 10-K"), and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (the "2023 Q1 Form 10-Q").
V. INCOME TAXES
The following table sets forth the provision for income taxes and effective tax rates for the periods presented.
INCOME TAXES AND EFFECTIVE RATES
(Dollars In Thousands)
Years Ended December 31, Change From Prior Year
2023 to 2024
2022 to 2023
2024 2023 2022 Amount % Amount %
Provision for Income Taxes $ 7,649 $ 7,445 $ 14,114 $ 204 2.7 % $ (6,669) (47.3) %
Effective Tax Rate 20.5 % 19.8 % 22.4 % 0.7 % 3.5 % (2.6) % (11.6) %
The provisions for federal and state income taxes amounted to $7.6 million for 2024, $7.4 million for 2023, and $14.1 million for 2022. The effective income tax rates for 2024, 2023 and 2022 were 20.5%, 19.8% and 22.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate increased by 0.7% between 2024 and 2023 The increase in the 2024 effective tax rate compared to the 2023 effective tax rate was primarily the result of reduced tax exempt income in 2024.
C. FINANCIAL CONDITION
I. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
During 2024 and 2023, Arrow held no trading securities.
The available-for-sale securities portfolio, held-to-maturity securities portfolio and the equity securities portfolio are further detailed below.
The table below presents the changes in the period-end balances for available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and equity securities from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
(Dollars in Thousands)
Fair Value at Period-End Net Unrealized (Losses) Gains
For Period Ended
12/31/2024 12/31/2023 Change 12/31/2024 12/31/2023 Change
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury Securities $ 98,070 $ 74,004 $ 24,066 $ 85 $ 243 $ (158)
U.S. Agency Securities 69,214 152,925 (83,711) (786) (7,075) $ 6,289
State and Municipal Obligations 240 280 (40) - - -
Mortgage-Backed Securities
294,608 269,760 24,848 (35,840) (35,401) (439)
Corporate and Other Debt Securities 979 800 179 (21) (200) 179
Total $ 463,111 $ 497,769 $ (34,658) $ (36,562) $ (42,433) $ 5,871
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
State and Municipal Obligations $ 90,373 $ 120,293 $ (29,920) $ (1,456) $ (2,157) $ 701
Mortgage-Backed Securities 6,213 8,544 (2,331) (219) (401) 182
Total $ 96,586 $ 128,837 $ (32,251) $ (1,675) $ (2,558) $ 883
Equity Securities $ 5,055 $ 1,925 $ 3,130 $ - $ - $ -
The 2024 decrease in the fair value and the related net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale is primarily due to the focus of management to deploy proceeds from maturing investments to loan growth. In December, Arrow repositioned the investment portfolio as previously described on page 30.
The table below presents the weighted average yield for available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands). The weighted-average yields are calculated by breaking down each investment segment by maturity date and calculating based on book value (amortized cost) against each corresponding rate. Yields on tax-exempt obligations are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
December 31, 2024
Within One Year After One But Within Five Years After Five But Within Ten Years After Ten Years Total
Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury Securities $ 24,960 4.7 % $ 24,650 4.4 % $ 48,375 4.4 % $ - $ - $ 97,985 4.5 %
U.S. Agency Securities 45,000 3.3 % 25,000 2.9 % - - % - - % 70,000 3.2 %
State and Municipal Obligations - - % - - % 240 6.8 % - % 240 6.8 %
Mortgage-Backed Securities
1,852 2.6 % 166,436 1.6 % 162,160 3.0 % - - % 330,448 2.9 %
Corporate and Other Debt Securities - - % 1,000 7.6 % - - % - - % 1,000 7.6 %
Total $ 71,812 3.8 % $ 217,086 2.1 % $ 210,775 3.4 % $ - - % $ 499,673 2.9 %
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
State and Municipal Obligations $ 53,355 3.3 % $ 36,209 2.8 % $ 2,259 4.3 % $ 6 6.7 % $ 91,829 3.1 %
Mortgage-Backed Securities 756 2.8 % 5,676 2.4 % - - % - - % 6,432 2.5 %
Total $ 54,111 3.2 % $ 41,885 2.7 % $ 2,259 4.3 % $ 6 6.7 % $ 98,261 3.0 %
For the years above, Arrow held no investment securities in the securities portfolio that consisted of or included, directly or indirectly, obligations of foreign governments or government agencies of foreign issuers.
In the periods referenced above, mortgage-backed securities consisted solely of mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) issued or guaranteed by U.S. federal agencies or by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Mortgage pass-through securities provide to the investor monthly portions of principal and interest pursuant to the contractual obligations of the underlying mortgages. CMOs are pools of mortgage-backed securities, the repayments on which have generally been separated into two or more components (tranches), where each tranche has a separate estimated life and yield. Arrow's practice has been to purchase pass-through securities and CMOs that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. federal agencies or GSEs, and the tranches of CMOs purchased are generally those having shorter average lives and/or durations. Lower market interest rates and/or payment deferrals on underlying loans that make up mortgage-backed security collateral may impact cashflows.
In the periods referenced above, U.S. Government & Agency Obligations consisted solely of agency bonds issued by GSEs. These securities generally pay fixed semi-annual coupons with principle payments at maturity. For some, callable options are included that may impact the timing of these principal payments. Arrow's practice has been to purchase agency securities that are issued or guaranteed by GSEs with limited embedded optionality (call features). Final maturities are generally less than 5 years.
The yields on obligations of states and municipalities exempt from federal taxation were computed on a tax-equivalent basis. The yields on other debt securities shown in the table above are calculated by dividing annual interest, including accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, by the amortized cost of the securities at December 31, 2024.
Arrow evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions at each measurement date to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or non-credit related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized within the allowance for credit losses on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings via credit loss expense. Arrow determined that at December 31, 2024, gross unrealized losses, $36.6 million, were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, relative to when the investment securities were purchased, and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities. In 2024, both the investment portfolio restructuring as well as interest rates plateauing resulted in a decrease in unrealized losses versus the comparable prior period. Arrow does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Arrow will be required to sell, any securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Arrow carried no allowance for credit loss at December 31, 2024 and there was no credit loss expense recognized by Arrow with respect to the securities portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the weighted average maturity was 4.2 and 3.4 years, respectively, for debt securities in the available-for-sale portfolio.
For further information regarding the portfolio of securities available-for-sale, see Note 4, Investment Securities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
The following table sets forth the carrying value of the portfolio of securities held-to-maturity at December 31 of each of the last two years.
SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY
(Dollars In Thousands)
December 31,
2024 2023
State and Municipal Obligations $ 91,829 $ 122,450
Mortgage Backed Securities - Residential 6,432 8,945
Total $ 98,261 $ 131,395
Arrow's held-to-maturity debt securities are comprised of GSEs and state and municipal obligations. GSE securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, are widely recognized as “risk free,” and have a long history of zero credit loss. Arrow performs an analysis of the credit worthiness of municipal obligations to determine if a security is of investment grade. The analysis may include, but may not solely rely upon credit analysis conducted by external credit rating agencies. Arrow determined that the expected credit loss on its held to maturity debt portfolio was immaterial and, therefore, no allowance for credit loss was recorded as of December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the weighted average maturity was 1.1 and 1.5 years, respectively, for the debt securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio.
For additional information regarding the fair value of the portfolio of securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2024, see Note 4, Investment Securities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
EQUITY SECURITIES
(Dollars In Thousands)
The following table is the schedule of Equity Securities at December 31 of each of the last two years.
Equity Securities
December 31,
2024 2023
Equity Securities, at Fair Value $ 5,055 $ 1,925
II. LOAN PORTFOLIO
The amounts and respective percentages of loans outstanding represented by each principal category on the dates indicated were as follows:
a. Types of Loans
(Dollars In Thousands)
December 31,
2024 2023
Amount % Amount %
Commercial $ 158,991 5 % $ 156,224 5 %
Commercial Real Estate 796,365 23 % 745,487 23 %
Consumer 1,118,981 33 % 1,111,667 35 %
Residential Real Estate 1,320,204 39 % 1,199,530 37 %
Total Loans 3,394,541 100 % 3,212,908 100 %
Allowance for Credit Losses (33,598) (31,265)
Total Loans, Net $ 3,360,943 $ 3,181,643
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Loans: Commercial and commercial real estate loans in the loan portfolio were extended to businesses or borrowers primarily located in Arrow's regional markets. There are no commercial real estate loans in major metropolitan areas. Approximately 2% of the loan portfolio are comprised of office related property. Retail loans were approximately 3% of the loan portfolio and hotels and motels were approximately 4% of the portfolio. Overall, Arrow has minimal exposure to highly sensitive areas that currently have elevated office and retail vacancy rates. A portion of the loans in the commercial portfolio have variable rates tied to market indices, such as Prime, SOFR or FHLBNY.
Consumer Loans: At December 31, 2024, consumer loans (primarily automobile loans originated through dealerships located in New York and Vermont) continue to be a significant component of Arrow's business, comprising approximately one third of the total loan portfolio.
For credit quality purposes, Arrow assigns potential automobile loan customers into one of four tiers, ranging from lower to higher quality in terms of anticipated credit risk. Arrow's experienced lending staff not only utilizes credit evaluation software tools but also reviews and evaluates each loan individually prior to the loan being funded. Arrow believes that this disciplined approach to evaluating credit risk has contributed to maintaining the strong credit quality in this portfolio.
Residential Real Estate Loans: Demand for residential real estate has continued to remain strong even with elevated interest rates. Arrow has historically sold portions of these originations in the secondary market. While we resumed selling residential real estate loans into the secondary market in the second half of 2024, sales were minimal in both 2024 and 2023. The rate at which mortgage loan originations may be sold in future periods will depend on a variety of factors, including demand for residential mortgages in our operating markets, market conditions for mortgage sales and strategic balance sheet and interest-rate risk management decisions.
The following table indicates the changing mix in the loan portfolio by including the quarterly average balances for the significant loan segments for the past five quarters. The remaining quarter-by-quarter tables present the percentage of total loans represented by each category and the annualized yield of each category.
b. Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates
(Dollars in Thousands)
The table below shows the maturity of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2024. Also provided are the amounts due after one year, classified according to fixed interest rates and variable interest rates (in thousands):
December 31, 2024
Within One Year After One But Within Five Years After Five But Within 15 Years After 15 Years Total
Commercial $ 34,725 $ 83,294 $ 40,868 $ 104 $ 158,991
Commercial Real Estate 202,875 293,262 292,801 7,427 796,365
Consumer 9,901 621,329 487,288 463 1,118,981
Residential Real Estate 142,555 90,154 383,188 704,307 1,320,204
Total $ 390,056 $ 1,088,039 $ 1,204,145 $ 712,301 $ 3,394,541
After One But Within Five Years After Five But Within 15 Years After 15 Years Total
Loans maturing with:
Fixed Interest Rates $ 751,424 $ 842,901 $ 708,320 $ 2,302,645
Variable Interest Rates 336,615 361,244 3,981 701,840
Total $ 1,088,039 $ 1,204,145 $ 712,301 $ 3,004,485
COMMITMENTS AND LINES OF CREDIT
Stand-by letters of credit represent extensions of credit granted in the normal course of business, which are not reflected in the financial statements at a given date because the commitments are not funded at that time. As of December 31, 2024, the total contingent liability for standby letters of credit amounted to $4.3 million. In addition to these instruments, there are lines of credit to customers, including home equity lines of credit, commitments for residential and commercial construction loans and other personal and commercial lines of credit, which also may be unfunded or only partially funded from time-to-time. Commercial lines, generally issued for a period of one year, are usually extended to provide for the working capital requirements of the borrower. At December 31, 2024, outstanding unfunded loan commitments in the aggregate amount were approximately $449.5 million compared to $444.3 million at December 31, 2023.
c. Risk Elements
1. Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans
The amounts of nonaccrual, past due and restructured loans at year-end for each of the past two years are presented in the table on page 29 under the heading "Summary of the Allowance and Provision for Credit Losses."
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status either due to the delinquency status of principal and/or interest or a judgment by Management that the full repayment of principal and interest is unlikely. Unless already placed on nonaccrual status, loans secured by home equity lines of credit are put on nonaccrual status when 120 days past due and residential real estate loans are put on nonaccrual status when 150 days past due. Commercial and commercial real estate loans are evaluated on a loan-by-loan basis and are placed on nonaccrual status when 90 days past due if the full collection of principal and interest is uncertain. Under the Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy established by banking regulators, fixed-maturity consumer loans not secured by real estate must generally be charged-off no later than when 120 days past due. Loans secured with non-real estate collateral in the process of collection are charged-down to the value of the collateral, less cost to sell. Arrow had no material commitments to lend additional funds on outstanding nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2024. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest are those loans which were contractually past due 90 days or more but because of expected repayments, were still accruing interest.
The balance of loans 30-89 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $20.5 million at December 31, 2024 and represented 0.60% of loans outstanding at that date, as compared to approximately $24.3 million, or 0.76% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2023. These non-current loans at December 31, 2024 were composed of approximately $16.6 million of consumer loans (principally indirect automobile loans), $3.1 million of residential real estate loans and $0.8 million of commercial and commercial real estate loans.
The method for measuring all other loans is described in detail in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains detailed information on modified loans and impaired loans.
2. Potential Problem Loans
On at least a quarterly basis, the internal credit quality rating is re-evaluated for commercial loans that are either past due or fully performing but exhibit certain characteristics that could reflect potential weaknesses. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when the likely amount of future principal and interest payments are expected to be less than the contractual amounts, even if such loans are not past due.
Periodically, Arrow reviews the loan portfolio for evidence of potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing in accordance with contractual terms, but where known information about possible credit problems of the borrower may jeopardize loan repayment and result in a non-performing loan. In the credit monitoring program, Arrow treats loans that are classified as substandard but continue to accrue interest as potential problem loans. At December 31, 2024, Arrow identified 33 commercial loans totaling $21.0 million as potential problem loans. At December 31, 2023, Arrow identified 45 commercial loans totaling $46.8 million as potential problem loans. For these loans, although positive factors such as payment history, value of supporting collateral, and/or personal or government guarantees led Arrow to conclude that accounting for them as non-performing at year-end was not warranted, other factors, specifically, certain risk factors related to the loan or the borrower justified concerns that they may become nonperforming at some point in the future.
3. Foreign Outstandings - None
4. Loan Concentrations
The loan portfolio is well diversified. There are no concentrations of credit that exceed 10% of the portfolio, other than the general categories reported in the preceding Section C.II.a. of this Item 7, beginning on page 36. For further discussion, see Note 1, Risks and Uncertainties, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
5. Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets
Other real estate owned ("OREO") primarily consists of real property acquired in foreclosure. When held, OREO is carried at fair value less estimated cost to sell. Arrow establishes allowances for OREO losses, which are determined and monitored on a property-by-property basis and reflect the ongoing estimate of the property's estimated fair value less costs to sell. All Repossessed Assets for each of the years in the table below consist of motor vehicles.
Distribution of OREO and Repossessed Assets
(Dollars In Thousands) December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Other Real Estate Owned 76 - -
Repossessed Assets 382 312 593
Total OREO and Repossessed Assets $ 458 $ 312 $ 593
The following table summarizes changes in the net carrying amount of OREO and the number of properties for each of the periods presented. At December 31, 2022, Arrow had no OREO.
Schedule of Changes in OREO
(Dollars In Thousands) 2024 2023 2022
Balance at Beginning of Year $ - $ - $ -
Properties Acquired Through Foreclosure 76 182 -
Gain on Sale/Adjustment to Fair Value of OREO properties - 5 -
Sales - (187) -
Balance at End of Year $ 76 $ - $ -
Number of Properties, Beginning of Year - - -
Properties Acquired During the Year 2 1 -
Properties Sold During the Year - (1) -
Number of Properties, End of Year 2 - -
III. SUMMARY OF CREDIT LOSS EXPERIENCE
The information required in this section is presented in the discussion of the "Provision for Credit Losses and Allowance for Credit Losses" in Part II Item 7, Section B.II. beginning on page 29 of this Report, including:
•Charge-offs and Recoveries by loan type
•Factors that led to the amount of the Provision for Credit Losses
•Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses by loan type
The percent of loans in each loan category is presented in the table of loan types in the preceding section on page 36 of this Report.
IV. DEPOSITS
The following table sets forth the average balances of and average rates paid on deposits for the periods indicated.
AVERAGE DEPOSIT BALANCES
(Dollars In Thousands)
Years Ended
12/31/2024 12/31/2023 12/31/2022
Average
Balance Rate Average
Balance Rate Average
Balance Rate
Demand Deposits $ 705,863 - % $ 772,889 - % $ 815,218 - %
Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts 812,634 0.92 % 855,931 0.43 % 1,038,751 0.09 %
Savings Deposits 1,507,227 2.84 % 1,498,749 2.29 % 1,549,278 0.51 %
Time Deposits of $250,000 or More 176,844 4.22 % 137,974 3.60 % 55,690 0.66 %
Other Time Deposits 520,658 4.03 % 241,218 2.95 % 132,541 0.46 %
Total Deposits $ 3,723,226 2.12 % $ 3,506,761 1.43 % $ 3,591,478 0.27 %
Average total deposit balances increased by $216.5 million, or 6.2% in 2024. The change in composition of deposits was primarily the result of an additional $95 million in brokered CDs, the branch acquisition in Whitehall, New York, and the migration from low to higher costing products.
Arrow used reciprocal deposits for a select group of municipalities to reduce the amount of investment securities required to be pledged as collateral for municipal deposits where municipal deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance coverage limits were transferred to other participating banks, divided into portions so as to qualify such transferred deposits for FDIC insurance coverage at each transferee bank. In return, reciprocal amounts are transferred to Arrow in equal amounts of deposits from the participant banks. The balances of reciprocal deposits were $648.5 million and $600.3 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The cost of deposits increased throughout 2024. While the Federal Funds rate was cut twice in 2024, the timing and magnitude of future rate adjustments are unknown. Arrow believes it is well positioned for a variety of rate environments.
The maturities of time deposits of $250,000 or more at December 31, 2024 are presented below. (Dollars In Thousands)
Maturing in:
Under Three Months $ 70,151
Three to Twelve Months 115,899
2026 5,562
2027 -
2028 -
2029 350
Later -
Total $ 191,962
V. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS (Dollars in Thousands)
12/31/2024 12/31/2023 12/31/2022
Overnight Advances from the FHLBNY, Federal Funds Purchased
and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:
Balance at December 31 $ - $ 20,000 $ 27,000
Maximum Month-End Balance - 112,000 27,000
Average Balance During the Year - 39,659 2,124
Average Rate During the Year 5.15 % 5.25 % 4.34 %
Rate at December 31 4.33 % 5.64 % 4.61 %
D. LIQUIDITY
The objective of effective liquidity management is to ensure that Arrow has the ability to raise cash when needed at a reasonable cost. This includes the capability of meeting expected and unexpected obligations to Arrow's customers at any time. Given the uncertain nature of customer demands and the need to maximize earnings, Arrow must have available reasonably priced sources of funds, both on- and off-balance sheet, that can be accessed quickly in times of need. Arrow’s liquidity position should provide the Company with the necessary flexibility to address any unexpected near-term disruptions such as reduced cash flows from the investment and loan portfolio, unexpected deposit runoff, or increased loan originations.
Arrow's primary sources of available liquidity are overnight investments in federal funds sold, interest bearing bank balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and cash flow from investment securities and loans. Certain investment securities are categorized as available-for-sale at time of purchase based on their marketability and collateral value, as well as their yield and maturity. The securities available-for-sale portfolio was $463.1 million at year-end 2024, a decrease of $34.7 million from the year-end 2023 level. Due to the potential for volatility in market values, Arrow may not always be able to sell securities on short notice at their carrying value, even to provide needed liquidity. Arrow also held interest-bearing cash balances at December 31, 2024 of $127.1 million compared to $105.8 million at December 31, 2023.
In addition to liquidity from cash, short-term investments, investment securities and loans, Arrow has supplemented available operating liquidity with additional off-balance sheet sources such as a federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks and credit lines with the FHLBNY. The federal funds lines of credit are with two correspondent banks totaling $23 million which were not drawn on in 2024.
To support the borrowing relationship with the FHLBNY, Arrow has pledged collateral, including residential mortgage, home equity and commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 2024, Arrow had outstanding collateralized obligations with the FHLBNY of $9 million; as of that date, the unused borrowing capacity at the FHLBNY was approximately $616 million. Brokered deposits have also been identified as an available source of funding accessible in a relatively short time period. At December 31, 2024, there were $270 million in brokered CD deposits. In addition, Arrow Bank has established a borrowing facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, pledging certain consumer loans as collateral for potential "discount window" advances, which are maintained for contingency liquidity purposes. At December 31, 2024, the amount available under this facility was approximately $571 million in the aggregate, and there were no advances then outstanding.
Arrow performs regular liquidity stress tests and tests of the contingent liquidity plan to ensure that an adequate amount of available funds can be generated to meet a wide variety of potential liquidity events. Additionally, Arrow continually monitors levels and composition of uninsured deposits. Uninsured deposit balances in excess of the FDIC insurance limit at December 31, 2024, were less than 30% of the total deposit base.
Arrow measures and monitors liquidity both with and without the availability of borrowing arrangements. Based on the level of overnight investments, available liquidity from the investment securities portfolio, cash flows from the loan portfolio, the stable core deposit base and the significant borrowing capacity, Arrow believes that the available liquidity is sufficient to meet all reasonably likely events or occurrences. At December 31, 2024, Arrow's primary liquidity ratio was 10.2% of total assets, well in excess of the internal policy limit of 5%. Total primary liquidity was $440.1 million, comprised of unencumbered cash and securities.
Arrow did not experience any liquidity constraints in 2024 and did not experience any such constraints in recent prior years. Arrow has not at any time during such period been forced to pay above-market rates to obtain retail deposits or other funds from any source.
E. CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DIVIDENDS
Important Regulatory Capital Standards: Dodd-Frank, enacted in 2010, directed U.S. bank regulators to promulgate revised bank organization capital standards, which were required to be at least as strict as the regulatory capital standards for banks then in effect. The Capital Rules under Dodd-Frank were adopted by the Federal bank regulatory agencies in 2013 and became effective for Arrow and Arrow Bank on January 1, 2015. These Capital Rules are summarized in an earlier section of this Report, "Regulatory Capital Standards," beginning on page 7.
The table below sets forth the various capital ratios achieved by Arrow and Arrow Bank as of December 31, 2024, as determined under the bank regulatory capital standards in effect on that date, as well as the minimum levels for such capital ratios that bank holding companies and banks are required to maintain under the Capital Rules (not including the "capital conservation buffer"). As demonstrated in the table, all of Arrow's and the banks' capital ratios at year-end were well in excess of the minimum required levels for such ratios, as established by the regulators. (See Item 1, Section C, under "Regulatory Capital Standards" and Item 8, Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for information regarding the "capital conservation buffer.") In addition, on December 31, 2024, Arrow Bank qualified as "well-capitalized", the highest capital classification category under the revised capital classification scheme recently established by the federal bank regulators, that was in effect on that date.
Capital Ratios:
Arrow Arrow Bank
Minimum
Required
Ratio
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 9.6% 9.2% 4.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio 12.7% 12.9% 4.5%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 13.4% 12.9% 6.0%
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 14.5% 14.0% 8.0%
Stockholders' Equity at Year-end 2024: Total stockholders' equity was $400.9 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $21.1 million, or 5.6%, from December 31, 2023. The net increase in total stockholders' equity during 2024 principally reflected the following factors: (i) $29.7 million of net income for the year, (ii) other comprehensive income of $15.0 million and (iii) $1.5 million of equity related to various stock-based compensation plans, reduced by (iv) cash dividends of $18.3 million and (v) repurchases of common stock of $6.8 million.
Trust Preferred Securities: In each of 2003 and 2004, Arrow issued $10 million of trust preferred securities (TRUPs) in a private placement. Under the Federal Reserve Board's regulatory capital rules then in effect, TRUPs proceeds typically qualified as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies such as Arrow, but only in amounts up to 25% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, any trust preferred securities that Arrow might issue on or after the grandfathering date set forth in Dodd-Frank (May 19, 2010) would not qualify as Tier 1 capital under bank regulatory capital guidelines. For Arrow, TRUPs outstanding prior to the grandfathering cutoff date set forth in Dodd-Frank (May 19, 2010) would continue to qualify as Tier 1 capital until maturity or redemption, subject to limitations. Thus, Arrow's outstanding TRUPs continue to qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital, subject to such limitations.
In 2020, Arrow entered into interest rate swap agreements to synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments associated with $20 million in outstanding subordinated trust securities. The effective fixed rate is approximately 3.43% until maturity. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.
Dividends: The source of funds for the payment of Arrow's cash dividends to shareholders consists primarily of dividends declared and paid to it by GFNB and SNB, prior to the Unification. In addition to legal and regulatory limitations on payments of dividends by Arrow (i.e., the need to maintain adequate regulatory capital), there are also legal and regulatory limitations applicable to the payment of dividends by a bank subsidiary to its parent bank holding company. As of December 31, 2024, under the statutory limitations in national banking law, the maximum amount that could have been paid by GFNB and SNB, prior to the Unification, to Arrow, without special regulatory approval, was approximately $44.4 million The ability of Arrow and Arrow Bank to pay dividends in the future is and will continue to be influenced by regulatory policies, capital guidelines and applicable laws.
See Part II, Item 5, "Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" for a recent history of its cash dividend payments.
Stock Repurchase Program: On October 25, 2023, the Board expanded its existing stock repurchase program (the "2022 Repurchase Program") by $5 million, bringing the total availability under the repurchase program to $9.1 million, and removed the expiration date previously incorporated into the 2022 Repurchase Program. The 2022 Repurchase Program allowed Arrow to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or negotiated transactions. Arrow resumed repurchasing its shares in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the first half of 2024, Arrow repurchased approximately $6.4 million (263,000 shares of its common stock) under the 2022 Repurchase Program and fully utilized the $9.1 million authorized program amount.
On April 24, 2024, the Board approved a new stock repurchase program (the "2024 Repurchase Program"), under which the Board authorized management, in its discretion, to repurchase from time to time, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, up to $5 million of Arrow common stock.
From time to time, Arrow may establish a written trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, pursuant to which it may repurchase shares of its common stock. Additional repurchases may be made by Arrow, at times and in amounts as it deems appropriate, and may be made through open market transactions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, and other factors.
In addition, a de minimis portion of Arrow's common stock was purchased during 2024 other than through its repurchase program, i.e., through purchases in the open market under the ESOP and the surrender or deemed surrender of Arrow common stock to Arrow in connection with employees' stock-for-stock exercises of compensatory stock options granted as equity incentives.
F. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
In the normal course of operations, Arrow may engage in a variety of financial transactions or arrangements, including derivative transactions or arrangements, that in accordance with GAAP are not recorded in the financial statements, or are recorded in amounts that differ from the notional amounts. These transactions or arrangements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Such transactions or arrangements may be used by Arrow or Arrow's customers for general corporate purposes, such as managing credit, interest rate, or liquidity risk or to optimize capital, or may be used by Arrow or Arrow's customers to manage funding needs.
Arrow entered into interest rate swap agreements with some commercial customers to provide them with a long-term fixed rate, while simultaneously entering into offsetting interest rate swap agreements with a counterparty to swap the fixed rate to a variable rate to manage interest rate exposure.
These interest rate swap agreements are not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. As the interest rate swap agreements have substantially equivalent and offsetting terms, they do not present any material exposure to Arrow's consolidated statements of income. Arrow records its interest rate swap agreements at fair value and is presented on a gross basis within other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities arising from these derivatives are included, net, in other income in the consolidated statement of income.
In the third quarter of 2023, Arrow entered into two pay-fixed portfolio layer method fair value swaps, designated as hedging instruments, with a total notional amount of $250 million and $50 million, respectively. Arrow is designating the fair value swaps under the portfolio layer method ("PLM"). Under PLM, the hedged items are designated as hedged layers of a closed portfolio of financial loans that are anticipated to remain outstanding for the designated hedged period. Adjustments will be made to record the swaps at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in fair value recognized in interest income. The carrying value of the fair value swaps on the Consolidated Balance Sheets will also be adjusted through interest income, based on changes in fair value attributable to changes in the hedged risk.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Arrow entered into two interest rate swaps, designated as hedging instruments, to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the variability of the future cash flows attributable to the contractually specified interest rates. The notional amounts were $100 million and $75 million, respectively. Arrow entered into pay-fixed interest rate swaps to convert rolling 90 days brokered deposits.
In the third quarter of 2024, Arrow entered into a forward interest rate swaps agreement which will commence in the first quarter of 2025, designated as hedging instrument, to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the variability of the future cash flows attributable to the contractually specified interest rates. The notional amount is $125 million and will synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments.
In addition, Arrow has entered into interest rate swaps to synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments associated with $20 million in outstanding subordinated trust securities. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on Arrow's Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts borrowings.
G. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The following accounting standard have been issued and become effective for Arrow at a future date:
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires additional disclosures related to rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and other disclosures. Under ASU 2023-09, for each annual periods presented, public entities are required to (1) disclose specific categories in the tabular rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, ASU 2023-09 requires all reporting entities to disclose on an annual basis the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes as well as the amount of income taxes paid by individual jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and can be applied on a prospective basis with an option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2023-09 on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In addition to credit risk in the loan portfolio and liquidity risk, discussed earlier, Arrow's business activities also generate market risk. Market risk is the possibility that changes in future market rates (interest rates) or prices (market value of financial instruments) will make Arrow's position (i.e., assets and operations) less valuable. Arrow's primary market risk is interest rate volatility. The ongoing monitoring and management of interest rate risk is an important component of the asset/liability management process, which is governed by policies that are reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for carrying out asset/liability oversight and control to management's Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO). In this capacity ALCO develops guidelines and strategies impacting the asset/liability profile based upon estimated market risk sensitivity, policy limits and overall market interest rate levels and trends.
Changes in market interest rates, whether increases or decreases, can trigger repricing and changes in the pace of payments for both assets and liabilities (prepayment risk). This may individually or in combination affect net interest income, net interest margin, and ultimately net income, either positively or negatively. ALCO utilizes the results of a detailed and dynamic simulation model to quantify this interest rate risk by projecting net interest income in various interest rate scenarios.
Arrow's standard simulation model applies a parallel shift in interest rates, ramped over a 12-month period, to capture the impact of changing interest rates on net interest income. The results are compared to ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth and a 100 and 200 basis point downward and a 200 basis point upward shift in interest rates. Additional tools to monitor potential longer-term interest rate risk, including periodic stress testing involving hypothetical sudden and significant interest rate spikes, are also evaluated.
The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income as compared to the base scenario, which assumes no change in market interest rates as generated from the standard simulation model. The results are presented for each of the first two years of the simulation period for the 100 and 200 basis point decreases in interest rate scenario and the 200 basis point increase in interest rate scenario. These results are well within the ALCO policy limits.
As of December 31, 2024:
Change in Interest Rate Calculated change in Net Interest Income - Year 1 Calculated change in Net Interest Income - Year 2
- 200 basis points
1.8% 7.1%
- 100 basis points
1.1% 9.7%
+200 basis points (3.4)% 9.3%
The balance sheet shows an inverse relationship between changes in prevailing rates and Arrow's net interest income in the near term, suggesting that liabilities and sources of funds generally reprice more quickly than earning assets. However, when net interest income is simulated over a longer time frame, the balance sheet shows a relatively neutral profile with long-term asset sensitivity, as asset yields continue to reprice while the cost of funding reaches assumed ceilings or floors.
The hypothetical estimates underlying the sensitivity analysis are based upon numerous assumptions, including: the nature and timing of changes in interest rates including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, Arrow cannot make any assurance as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.
Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will differ due to: prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate changes on caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes, unanticipated shifts in the yield curve and other internal/external variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following audited Consolidated Financial Statements and unaudited supplementary data are submitted herewith:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corporation
Glens Falls, NY
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arrow Financial Corporation (the "Corporation") as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Corporation’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements and an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole,
and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Collectively Evaluated Loans
As discussed in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $33.6 million as of December 31, 2024, all of which was related to loans evaluated on a collective basis. The estimate of expected credit losses on collectively evaluated loans is based on relevant information about current conditions, past events, and reasonable and supportable forward-looking forecasts regarding collectability of the reported amounts. Management employs a process and methodology to estimate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on collectively evaluated loans that evaluates both quantitative and qualitative components. The methodology for evaluating quantitative component involves pooling loans into portfolio segments for loans that share similar risk characteristics. Pooled loan portfolio segments include commercial, commercial real estate, consumer, and residential loans.
For the commercial, commercial real estate and residential segments, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodology to estimate credit losses over the expected life of the loan. The DCF methodology combines the probability of default (“PD”), the loss given default (“LGD”), remaining contractual life of the loan adjusted for prepayment speeds, curtailment rate and time to recovery assumptions to estimate a reserve for each loan. The Company uses regression models to develop the PD, which are derived primarily from segment-specific selected peers. The loss rates are adjusted by economic forecast over the reasonable and supportable forecast period after which time they revert back to the historical mean. For the consumer loan segment, the Company primarily uses a vintage analysis model where the quantitative allowance is measured by applying historical loss rates which are derived from quarterly net charge-offs relative to outstanding loan balances for each vintage year over the lookback period. The Company incorporates forward-looking economic forecasts to the historically derived loss rates from the vintage analysis model to adjust for expected changes in future conditions over the reasonable and supportable forecast period.
For all loan segments, the quantitative loss rates are supplemented by qualitative factors reflecting management’s view of how losses may vary from those represented by quantitative loss rates. Qualitative factors are applied to each portfolio segment to reflect management’s estimate of expected changes in current conditions at the balance sheet date relative to historical performance.
We identified auditing the ACL on collectively evaluated loans as a critical audit matter because the methodology to determine the estimate of credit losses requires significant judgments by management and is subject to material variability. This resulted in significant auditor judgment and effort in evaluating the appropriateness of the significant assumptions and data used in the DCF methodology and vintage analysis model, as well as the reasonableness of qualitative factors applied in the ACL calculation.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
Testing the design and operating effectiveness of controls over the evaluation of the ACL on pooled loans, including controls addressing:
•Relevance and reliability of the data used in the DCF methodology and vintage analysis model.
•Reasonableness of the significant assumptions used in the DCF methodology with the development of PD and LGD assumptions and the vintage analysis model.
•Appropriateness of qualitative framework, as well as the reasonableness of significant assumptions and the relevance and reliability of data used in the development of qualitative factors.
•Application of the data and significant assumptions in the DCF methodology, vintage analysis model, and qualitative factors.
Substantively testing management’s process, including evaluating their judgments and assumptions, for developing the ACL on loans collectively evaluated, which included:
•Testing the relevance and reliability of the data used in the DCF methodology and vintage analysis model
•Evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions and judgments applied in the DCF methodology and vintage analysis model.
•Testing the appropriateness of qualitative framework, as well as the reasonableness of significant assumptions and the relevance and reliability of data used in the development of qualitative factors.
•Testing the application of the data and significant assumptions in the DCF methodology, vintage analysis model, and qualitative factors.
•With the assistance of internal valuation specialists, evaluating the appropriateness of the regression models and relevance and reliability peer data used to develop the PD and LGD inputs within the DCF methodology.
/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2024.
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 14, 2025
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Arrow Financial Corporation:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Note 2 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We served as the Company’s auditor from 1990 to 2023.
Albany, New York
March 11, 2024
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and Due From Banks $ 27,422 $ 36,755
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks 127,124 105,781
Investment Securities:
Available-for-Sale 463,111 497,769
Held-to-Maturity (Approximate Fair Value of $96,586 at
December 31, 2024, and $128,837 at December 31, 2023)
98,261 131,395
Equity Securities 5,055 1,925
Other Investments 4,353 5,049
Loans 3,394,541 3,212,908
Allowance for Credit Losses (33,598) (31,265)
Net Loans 3,360,943 3,181,643
Premises and Equipment, Net 59,717 59,642
Goodwill 23,789 21,873
Other Intangible Assets, Net 2,058 1,110
Other Assets 134,515 126,926
Total Assets $ 4,306,348 $ 4,169,868
LIABILITIES
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits $ 702,978 $ 758,425
Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts 810,834 799,785
Savings Deposits 1,520,024 1,466,280
Time Deposits over $250,000 191,962 179,301
Other Time Deposits 602,132 483,775
Total Deposits 3,827,930 3,687,566
Borrowings 8,600 26,500
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts 20,000 20,000
Finance Leases 5,005 5,066
Other Liabilities 43,912 50,964
Total Liabilities 3,905,447 3,790,096
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1 Par Value, 1,000,000 Shares Authorized
- -
Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 30,000,000 Shares Authorized (22,066,559 Shares Issued at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)
22,067 22,067
Additional Paid-in Capital 413,476 412,551
Retained Earnings 77,215 65,792
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (18,453) (33,416)
Treasury Stock, at Cost (5,323,638 Shares at December 31, 2024, and 5,124,073 Shares at December 31, 2023)
(93,404) (87,222)
Total Stockholders’ Equity 400,901 379,772
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 4,306,348 $ 4,169,868
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Years Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Interest and Fees on Loans $ 171,342 $ 142,016 $ 112,982
Interest on Deposits at Banks 9,615 5,831 3,100
Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities:
Fully Taxable 11,579 11,764 10,357
Exempt from Federal Taxes 2,457 2,953 3,212
Total Interest and Dividend Income 194,993 162,564 129,651
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts 7,442 3,663 973
Savings Deposits 42,850 34,343 7,879
Time Deposits over $250,000 7,460 4,966 369
Other Time Deposits 20,997 7,127 604
Borrowings 3,637 6,756 605
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to
Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts 686 686 685
Interest on Financing Leases 189 191 193
Total Interest Expense 83,261 57,732 11,308
NET INTEREST INCOME 111,732 104,832 118,343
Provision for Credit Losses 5,180 3,381 4,798
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR
CREDIT LOSSES 106,552 101,451 113,545
NONINTEREST INCOME
Income From Fiduciary Activities 9,952 9,444 9,711
Fees for Other Services to Customers 10,892 10,798 11,626
Insurance Commissions 7,147 6,498 6,463
Net (Loss) Gain on Securities (2,907) (92) 427
Net Gain on Sales of Loans 209 32 83
Other Operating Income 2,781 2,437 2,588
Total Noninterest Income 28,074 29,117 30,898
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and Employee Benefits 52,707 47,667 47,003
Occupancy Expenses, Net 7,169 6,554 6,202
Technology and Equipment Expense 19,365 17,608 16,118
FDIC Assessments 2,775 2,050 1,176
Other Operating Expense 15,252 19,169 11,031
Total Noninterest Expense 97,268 93,048 81,530
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 37,358 37,520 62,913
Provision for Income Taxes 7,649 7,445 14,114
NET INCOME $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic 16,739 17,037 17,008
Diluted 16,745 17,037 17,059
Per Common Share:
Basic Earnings $ 1.77 $ 1.77 $ 2.86
Diluted Earnings 1.77 1.77 2.86
2022 Share and Per Share Amounts have been restated for the September 26, 2023 3% stock dividend.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars In Thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Unrealized Net Securities Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Year
2,101 10,441 (48,227)
Reclassification Adjustment for Net Securities Losses Realized During the
Year
2,255 6,752 -
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
4,823 (2,900) 2,582
Reclassification of Net Unrealized(Gain)Loss on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
(1,857) 557 152
Net Retirement Plan Gain (Loss) 7,998 1,747 (5,147)
Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost (327) (391) -
Settlement Cost - - 428
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Actuarial (Gain) Loss (232) (119) 41
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost 202 152 169
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 14,963 16,239 (50,002)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) $ 44,672 $ 46,314 $ (1,203)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
Common
Stock Additional
Paid-In
Capital Retained
Earnings Accumu-
lated
Other Compre-
hensive
(Loss) Income Treasury
Stock Total
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 20,800 $ 377,996 $ 54,078 $ 347 $ (82,035) $ 371,186
Net Income - - 48,799 - - 48,799
Other Comprehensive Income - - - (50,002) - (50,002)
3% Stock Dividend (623,848 Shares)
624 19,408 (20,032) - - -
Cash Dividends Paid, $1.03 per Share4
- - (17,444) - - (17,444)
Shares Issued for Stock Option Exercises, net (28,052 Shares)
- 384 - - 247 631
Shares Issued Under the Directors' Stock Plan (12,933 Shares)
- 295 - - 113 408
Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (15,207 Shares)
- 344 - - 133 477
Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans (57,745 Shares)
- 1,392 - - 512 1,904
Stock-Based Compensation Expense - 451 - - - 451
Purchase of Treasury Stock (84,132 Shares)
- - - - (2,872) (2,872)
Balance at December 31, 2022 21,424 400,270 65,401 (49,655) (83,902) 353,538
Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 21,424 $ 400,270 $ 65,401 $ (49,655) $ (83,902) $ 353,538
Net Income - - 30,075 - - 30,075
Other Comprehensive Loss - - - 16,239 - 16,239
3% Stock Dividend (642,567 Shares)
643 11,058 (11,701) - - -
Cash Dividends Paid, $1.06 per Share1
- - (17,983) - - (17,983)
Shares Issued for Stock Option Exercises, net (4,564 Shares)
- 58 - - 38 96
Shares Issued Under the Directors' Stock Plan (9,186 Shares)
- 143 - - 75 218
Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (3,872 Shares)
- 87 - - 33 120
Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans (17,753 Shares)
- 330 - - 142 472
Stock-Based Compensation Expense - 605 - - - 605
Purchase of Treasury Stock (140,965 Shares)
- - - - (3,608) (3,608)
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 22,067 $ 412,551 $ 65,792 $ (33,416) $ (87,222) $ 379,772
4 When applicable the 2022 and 2023 Cash Dividends Paid per share have been adjusted for the September 26, 2023 3% stock dividend.
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
Common
Stock Additional
Paid-In
Capital Retained
Earnings Accumu-
lated
Other Compre-
hensive
(Loss) Income Treasury
Stock Total
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 22,067 $ 412,551 $ 65,792 $ (33,416) $ (87,222) $ 379,772
Net Income - - 29,709 - - 29,709
Other Comprehensive Income - - - 14,963 - 14,963
Cash Dividends Paid, $1.09 per Share
- - (18,286) - - (18,286)
Shares Issued for Stock Option Exercises, net (18,866 Shares)
- 280 - - 153 433
Shares Issued Under the Directors' Stock Plan (19,469 Shares)
- 338 - - 157 495
Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (11,918 Shares)
- 195 - - 96 291
Shares Issued Related to Restricted Stock Units (2,753 Shares)
- (23) - - 23 -
Shares Issued Related to Restricted Share Awards (22,230 Shares)
- (179) - - 179 -
Compensation expense related to Employee Stock Purchase Plan - 30 - - - 30
Stock-Based Compensation Expense - 284 - - - 284
Purchase of Treasury Stock (274,801 Shares)
- - - - (6,790) (6,790)
Balance at December 31, 2024 $ 22,067 $ 413,476 $ 77,215 $ (18,453) $ (93,404) $ 400,901
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31,
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: 2024 2023 2022
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Provision for Credit Losses 5,180 3,381 4,798
Depreciation and Amortization 5,361 6,718 7,548
Loss on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale
3,038 9,097 -
Net Gain on Equity Securities (131) (9,005) (427)
Loans Originated and Held-for-Sale (8,986) 491 (799)
Proceeds from the Sale of Loans Held-for-Sale 8,602 32 1,380
Net Gains on the Sale of Loans (209) (32) (83)
Net Loss on the Sale or Write-down of Premises and Equipment,
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets 404 187 167
Contributions to Pension & Postretirement Plans (1,131) (681) (741)
Deferred Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (789) 1,799 (1,252)
Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock Plan 495 218 408
Stock-Based Compensation Expense 314 605 451
Tax Benefit from Exercise of Stock Options 34 11 34
Effect of Swap Agreements - (2,365) -
Net Increase in Other Assets (8,209) (29,220) (1,427)
Net Increase in Other Liabilities 787 9,269 857
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities 34,469 20,580 59,713
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from the Sale of Equity Securities - 9,254 -
Proceeds from the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale 71,962 100,739 -
Proceeds from the Maturities and Calls of Securities Available-for-Sale 107,800 70,415 104,120
Purchases of Securities Available-for-Sale (141,856) (73,623) (184,785)
Purchases of Equity Securities
(2,999) - -
Proceeds from the Maturities and Calls of Securities Held-to-Maturity 45,238 51,724 32,068
Purchases of Securities Held-to-Maturity (12,364) (8,209) (11,459)
Net Increase in Loans (187,510) (228,899) (319,547)
Proceeds from the Sales of Premises and Equipment, Other
Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets 3,326 2,707 1,475
Purchase of Premises and Equipment (5,597) (7,081) (14,250)
Net Decrease (Increase) in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock 696 1,015 (684)
Purchase of Bank Owned Life Insurance - (692) -
Acquisition of Whitehall Branch 32,354 - -
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (88,950) (82,650) (393,062)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net Increase (Decrease) in Deposits 102,684 189,202 (52,133)
Other Borrowings - Advances 102,100 256,500 27,000
Other Borrowings - Paydowns (120,000) (284,800) (17,200)
Net Cash Collateral Received from Derivative Counterparties 6,120 - -
Finance Lease Payments (61) (53) (50)
Purchase of Treasury Stock (6,790) (3,608) (2,872)
Shares Issued for Stock Option Exercises, net 433 96 631
Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 291 120 477
Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans - 472 1,904
Cash Dividends Paid (18,286) (17,983) (17,444)
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Financing Activities 66,491 139,946 (59,687)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 12,010 77,876 (393,036)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 142,536 64,660 457,696
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $ 154,546 $ 142,536 $ 64,660
Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of Cash Flow Information:
Interest on Deposits and Borrowings $ 84,489 $ 51,828 $ 5,752
Income Taxes 8,853 6,644 13,018
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activity:
Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets 2,447 2,488 1,656
Total fair value of assets acquired in acquisition of Whitehall Branch, net of cash
3,819 - -
Total fair value of liabilities assumed in acquisition of Whitehall Branch, net of cash
37,683 - -
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1:RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Nature of Operations - Arrow Financial Corporation, a New York corporation, was incorporated on March 21, 1983 and is registered as a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Until December 31, 2024, Arrow operated with two subsidiaries which were nationally-chartered banks in New York, Glens Falls National Bank ("GFNB") and Saratoga National Bank ("SNB"). On December 31, 2024, SNB was merged into GFNB and GFNB was renamed Arrow Bank National Association. Arrow Bank National Association's main office is located in Glens Falls, New York. Arrow Bank provides a full range of services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses in New York State from Albany to the Canadian border. In addition, through an indirect lending program, Arrow sources consumer loans from an extensive network of automobile dealers that operate throughout New York and Vermont. Arrow Bank has a wealth management department which provides investment management and trust services. An active subsidiary of Arrow Bank is Upstate Agency LLC, offering insurance services including property, and casualty insurance, group health insurance and individual life insurance products. North Country Investment Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser that provides investment advice to our proprietary mutual fund, and Arrow Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust, or REIT, are subsidiaries of Arrow Bank. Arrow also owns directly two subsidiary business trusts, organized in 2003 and 2004 to issue trust preferred securities (TRUPs), which are still outstanding.
Concentrations of Credit - With the exception of some indirect auto lending, Arrow's loans are primarily with borrowers in upstate New York. Although the loan portfolios of Arrow Bank is well diversified, tourism has a substantial impact on the northeastern New York economy. The commitments to extend credit are fairly consistent with the distribution of loans presented in Note 5, "Loans," generally have the same credit risk and are subject to normal credit policies. Generally, the loans are secured by assets and are expected to be repaid from cash flow or the sale of selected assets of the borrowers. Arrow evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by Arrow upon extension of credit, is based upon Management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. The nature of the collateral varies with the type of loan and may include: residential real estate, cash and securities, inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment, income producing commercial properties and automobiles.
Liquidity - The objective of effective liquidity management is to ensure that Arrow has the ability to raise cash when needed at a reasonable cost. This includes the capability of meeting expected and unexpected obligations to Arrow's customers at any time. Given the uncertain nature of customer demands and the need to maximize earnings, Arrow must have available reasonably priced sources of funds, both on- and off-balance sheet, that can be accessed quickly in times of need. Arrow’s liquidity position should provide the Company with the necessary flexibility to address any unexpected near-term disruptions such as reduced cash flows from the investment and loan portfolio, unexpected deposit runoff, or increased loan originations.
Arrow's primary sources of available liquidity are overnight investments in federal funds sold, interest bearing bank balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and cash flow from investment securities and loans.
Note 2:SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation - The financial statements of Arrow and its wholly owned subsidiaries are consolidated and all material inter-company transactions have been eliminated. In the “Parent Company Only” financial statements in Note 21, the investment in wholly owned subsidiaries is carried under the equity method of accounting. When necessary, prior years’ Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-year financial statement presentation.
Arrow determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity under GAAP. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. Arrow consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or at least a majority of, the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, variable interest entities (VIE) are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when Arrow has both the power and ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Arrow's wholly owned subsidiaries Arrow Capital Statutory Trust II and Arrow Capital Statutory Trust III are VIEs for which Arrow is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of these entities are not included in Arrow's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Segment Reporting - The majority of Arrow's revenue is from the business of community banking. Accordingly, all of it's operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. See Note 22 for further discussion on segment reporting.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include the following items: cash at branches, due from bank balances, cash items in the process of collection, interest-bearing bank balances and federal funds sold.
Securities - Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Securities reported as held-to-maturity are those debt securities which Arrow has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are stated
at amortized cost. Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of taxes. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are stated at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported in income. Arrow performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether investments are impaired.
Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Held to Maturity (HTM) Debt Securities - Arrow's HTM debt securities are also required to utilize the CECL approach to estimate expected credit losses. Management measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by major security types that share similar risk characteristics, such as financial asset type and collateral type adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management classifies the HTM portfolio into the following major security types: U.S. government agency or U.S. government sponsored mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations securities, and state and municipal debt securities.
Arrow's HTM debt securities are comprised of U.S. government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) or state and municipal obligations. GSE securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, are widely recognized as “risk free,” and have a long history of zero credit loss. Therefore, Arrow did not record a credit loss for these securities.
State and municipal bonds carry a rating from an accredited ratings agency, primarily with an investment grade rating. In addition, Arrow has a limited amount of New York state local municipal bonds that are not rated. The estimate of expected credit losses on the HTM portfolio is based on the expected cash flows of each individual CUSIP over its contractual life and utilized a municipal loss forecast model for determining PD and LGD rates. Management may exercise discretion to make adjustments based on environmental factors. A calculated expected credit loss for individual securities was determined using the PD and LGD rates. Arrow determined that the expected credit loss on its municipal bond portfolio was de minimis, and therefore, an allowance for credit losses was not recorded.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Available for Sale (AFS) Debt Securities - Arrow's AFS debt securities are comprised of U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Government & Agency Obligations, State and Municipal Obligations, Mortgage-Backed Securities and Corporate and Other Debt Securities. The impairment model for AFS debt securities differs from the CECL approach utilized by HTM debt securities since AFS debt securities are measured at fair value rather than amortized cost. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, Arrow first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, in making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, failure of the issuer of the debt security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The cash flows are estimated using information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.
Investments in Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") and Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock are required for membership in those organizations and are carried at cost since there is no market value available. The FHLB New York ("FHLBNY") continues to pay dividends and repurchase stock. As such, the Company has not recognized any impairment on its holdings of FRB and FHLB stock.
Loans - Loans are reported at their principal outstanding balance, net of deferred fees and costs, and unearned income. Arrow has the intent and ability to hold to maturity. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income based upon the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and costs directly associated with loan originations are deferred and amortized/accreted as an adjustment to yield over the lives of the loans originated.
From time-to-time, Arrow Bank has sold (most with servicing retained) residential real estate loans at or shortly after origination. Any gain or loss on the sale of loans, along with the value of the servicing right, is recognized at the time of sale as the difference between the recorded basis in the loan and net proceeds from the sale. Loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value on an aggregate basis.
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status either due to delinquency of principal and/or interest or a judgment by management that the full repayment of principal and interest is unlikely. Unless already placed on nonaccrual status, loans secured by home equity lines of credit are put on nonaccrual status when 120 days past due; residential real estate loans when 150 days past due; commercial and commercial real estate loans are evaluated on a loan-by-loan basis and are placed on nonaccrual status when 90 days past due if the full collection of principal and interest is uncertain; all other loans are to be moved to nonaccrual status upon the earliest occurrence of repossession, bankruptcy, delinquency of 90 days or more unless the loan is secured and in the process of collection with no loss anticipated or when full collection of principal and interest is in doubt.
The balance of any accrued interest deemed uncollectible at the date the loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed, generally against interest income. A loan is returned to accrual status at the later of the date when the past due status of the loan falls below the threshold for nonaccrual status or management deems that it is likely that the borrower will repay all interest
and principal. For payments received while the loan is on nonaccrual status, Arrow Bank may recognize interest income on a cash basis if the repayment of the remaining principal and accrued interest is deemed likely.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans - Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL) approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of a loan (or pool of loans). The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from, or added to, the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net lifetime amount expected to be collected on the loans. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes a loan balance to be uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off.
Management estimates the allowance using relevant available information from internal and external sources related to past events, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable single economic forecast. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Arrow's historical loss experience is supplemented with peer information when there is insufficient loss data for Arrow. Peer selection is based on a review of institutions with comparable loss experience as well as loan yield, bank size, portfolio concentration and geography. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in credit concentrations, delinquency level, collateral values and underwriting standards as well as changes in economic conditions or other relevant factors. Management judgment is required at each point in the measurement process.
Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Management developed portfolio segments for estimating loss based on type of borrower and collateral as follows:
Commercial Loans
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Consumer Loans
Residential Loans
Further details related to loan portfolio segments is included in Note 5 Loans.
Arrow utilized regression analyses of peer data where observed credit losses and selected economic factors were utilized to determine suitable loss drivers for modeling lifetime probability of default (PD) rates. Arrow uses the discounted cash flow (DCF) method to estimate expected credit losses for the commercial, commercial real estate, and residential segments. For each of these loan segments, Arrow generates cash flow projections at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speed, curtailments, time to recovery, PD, and segment-specific loss given default (LGD) risk factors. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds, curtailment rates, and time to recovery are based on historical internal data and adjusted, if necessary, based on the reasonable and supportable forecast of economic conditions.
For the loan segments utilizing the DCF method, (commercial, commercial real estate, and residential) management utilizes externally developed economic forecast of the following economic factors as loss drivers: national unemployment, gross domestic product and Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index (HPI). The economic forecast is applied over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. Arrow utilizes a six quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period with an eight quarter reversion to the historic mean on a straight-line basis.
The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Instrument effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level net present value of expected cash flows (NPV). An allowance for credit loss is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis.
Arrow uses the vintage analysis method to estimate expected credit losses for the consumer loan segment. The vintage method was selected since the loans within the consumer loan segment are homogeneous, not just by risk characteristic, but by loan structure. Under the vintage analysis method, a loss rate is calculated based on the quarterly net charge-offs to the outstanding loan balance for each vintage year over the lookback period. Once this periodic loss rate is calculated for each quarter in the lookback period, the periodic rates are averaged into the loss rate. The loss rate is then applied to the outstanding loan balances based on the loan's vintage year. Arrow maintains, over the life of the loan, the loss curve by vintage year. If estimated losses computed by the vintage method need to be adjusted based on current conditions and the reasonable and supportable economic forecast, these adjustments would be incorporated over a six quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period, reverting to historical losses using a straight-line method over an eight quarter period.
The vintage and DCF models also consider the need to qualitatively adjust expected loss estimates for information not already captured in the quantitative loss estimation process. Qualitative considerations include limitations inherent in the quantitative model; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; changes in value of underlying collateral; changes in lending policies and procedures; nature and composition of loans; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experience across one or more components or the portfolio; the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff; Arrow's credit review system; and the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements. These qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease Arrow's estimate of expected credit losses so that the allowance for credit loss is reflective of the estimate of lifetime losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.
All loans that exceed $250,000 which are on nonaccrual, are evaluated on an individual basis. For collateral dependent financial assets where Arrow has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and Arrow expects repayment of the financial asset to be provided substantially through the sale of the
collateral, Arrow has elected to measure the allowance for credit loss as the difference between the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. In the event the repayment of a collateral dependent financial asset is expected to be provided substantially through the operation of the collateral, Arrow will use fair value of the collateral at the reporting date when recording the net carrying amount of the asset and determining the allowance for credit losses. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The allowance for credit losses may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of the financial asset.
As part of ASU No. 2022-02, Arrow evaluates whether a modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan, consistent with the current GAAP treatment for other loan modifications. In addition, Arrow evaluates and if necessary, discloses if loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty contain a financial concession.
Estimated Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures Recognized as Other Liabilities - Arrow estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which Arrow has exposure to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by Arrow. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures recognized in other liabilities, is adjusted as an expense in other non-interest expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. Estimating credit losses on unfunded commitments requires Arrow to consider the following categories of off-balance sheet credit exposure: unfunded commitments to extend credit, unfunded lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. Each of these unfunded commitments is then analyzed for a probability of funding to calculate a probable funding amount. The life of loan loss factor by related portfolio segment from the loan allowance for credit loss calculation is then applied to the probable funding amount to calculate the estimated credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures recognized as other liabilities.
Accrued Interest Receivable - Upon adoption of CECL on January 1, 2021, Arrow made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable: (1) presented accrued interest receivable balances separately within the other assets balance sheet line item; (2) excluded interest receivable that is included in amortized cost of financing receivables from related disclosures requirements and (3) continued Arrow's policy to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income. Historically, Arrow has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on investment securities.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - For Arrow, comprehensive income (loss) represents net income plus unrealized net securities holding gains or losses arising during the year (net of taxes), the reclassification adjustment for net securities gains and losses arising during the year (net of taxes), net unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedge agreements, reclassification of net unrealized gain or loss on cash flow hedge agreements to interest expense (net of taxes), net retirement plan gain or loss (net of taxes), net retirement plan prior service cost (net of taxes), amortization of net retirement plan actuarial gain or loss (net of taxes) and amortization of net retirement plan prior service credit or cost (net of taxes) and is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the aforementioned items as well as amortization of net retirement plan prior service credit or cost (net of taxes) in the Company’s defined-benefit retirement and pension plan, supplemental employee retirement plan, and post-retirement life and healthcare benefit plan.
Revenue Recognition - The following is a description of principal activities from which Arrow generates its revenue from noninterest income sources.
Income from Fiduciary Activities: represents revenue derived mainly through the management of client investments which is based on the market value of the covered assets and the fee schedule contained in the applicable account management agreement. Since the revenue is mainly based on the market value of assets, this amount can be volatile as financial markets increase and decrease based on various economic factors. The terms of the account management agreements generally specify that the performance obligations are completed each quarter. Accordingly, the Company mainly recognizes revenue from fiduciary activities on a quarterly basis.
Fees for Other Services to Customers: represents general service fees for monthly deposit account maintenance and account activity plus fees from other deposit-based services. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally on a monthly basis for account maintenance services, or upon the completion of a deposit-related transaction. Payment for these performance obligations is generally received at the time the performance obligations are satisfied.
Insurance Commissions: represents commissions and fees paid by insurance carriers for both property and casualty insurance policies, and for services performed for employment benefits clients. Revenue from the property and casualty insurance business is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally the effective date of the bound coverage since there are no significant performance obligations remaining. Revenue from the employment benefit brokerage business is recognized when the benefit servicing performance obligations are satisfied, generally on a monthly basis.
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets - Real estate acquired by foreclosure and assets acquired by repossession are recorded at the fair value of the property less estimated costs to sell at the time of repossession. Subsequent declines in fair value, after transfer to other real estate owned and repossessed assets are recognized through a valuation allowance. Such declines in fair value along with related operating expenses to administer such properties or assets are charged directly to operating expense.
Premises and Equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses are computed largely on the straight-line method. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the assets (in most instances the useful lifes are approximately: buildings and improvements 20-40 years; furniture and equipment 7-10 years; data processing equipment 5-7 years) and, in the case of leasehold improvements, amortization is computed over the terms of the respective leases or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. Gains or losses on disposition are reflected in earnings.
Leases - Arrow recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months, and has elected not to separate lease and non-lease components, but accounts for the resulting combined component as a single lease component. Arrow also elected to account for short-term leases, those leases with a "lease term" of twelve months or less, as an operating lease. Since Arrow has not been able to determine the rate implicit in its leases, the secured borrowing rate from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is utilized to determine the lease discount rate. The expected expiration date of each new lease is determined on a lease-by-lease basis based on certain criteria, such as the availability of renewal options in the lease contracts, the amount of leasehold improvements required in addition to the feasibility of growth potential.
Investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships - These limited partnerships acquire, develop and operate low and moderate-income housing. As a limited partner in these projects, Arrow receives low income housing tax credits and tax deductions for losses incurred by the underlying properties. The proportional amortization method allowed in Accounting Standards Update 2014-01 "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects" is applied. The proportional amortization method permits an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of the tax credits and other tax benefits received and to recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. Neither the proportional amortization or the related investment are significant to the balance sheet or results of operations.
Investments in Historical Tax Credits - Arrow accounts for historic rehabilitation tax credits using the deferral method of accounting under which the tax benefit generated from an investment tax credit is recorded as a reduction to the GAAP asset basis. Accordingly, Arrow recognized a current tax receivable and a deferred tax asset and corresponding reduction in the basis of Arrow's historic tax credit investment.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance - Arrow has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees, key executives and directors. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Arrow enters into the following types of derivative and hedging transactions:
•Back to back interest rate swap agreements that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. As the interest rate swap agreements have substantially equivalent and offsetting terms, they do not present any material exposure to Arrow's consolidated statements of income. Arrow records its interest rate swap agreements at fair value and is presented on a gross basis within other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities arising from these derivatives are included, net, in other income in the consolidated statement of income.
•Pay-fixed portfolio layer method fair value swaps, designated as hedging instruments. Arrow is designating the fair value swaps under the portfolio layer method ("PLM"). Under PLM, the hedged items are designated as hedged layers of a closed portfolio of financial loans that are anticipated to remain outstanding for the designated hedged period. Adjustments will be made to record the swaps at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in fair value recognized in interest income. The carrying value of the fair value swaps on the Consolidated Balance Sheets will also be adjusted through interest income, based on changes in fair value attributable to changes in the hedged risk.
•Interest rate swaps to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the variability of the future cash flows attributable to the contractually specified interest rates of CDs or borrowings and to synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments in outstanding subordinated trust securities. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges. For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings.
Income Taxes - Arrow accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. Arrow’s policy is that deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination are capitalized and amortized. Any remaining unidentifiable intangible asset is classified as goodwill, for which amortization is not required but which must be evaluated for impairment. Arrow tests for impairment of goodwill on an annual basis, or when events and circumstances indicate potential impairment. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, Arrow first assesses certain qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.
The carrying amounts of other recognized intangible assets that meet recognition criteria and for which separate accounting records have been maintained (mortgage servicing rights and customer intangibles), have been included in the consolidated balance sheet as “Other Intangible Assets, Net.”
Arrow has sold residential real estate loans, primarily to Freddie Mac, with servicing retained. Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as an asset when loans are sold with servicing retained, by allocating the cost of an originated mortgage loan between the loan and servicing right based on estimated relative fair values. The cost allocated to the servicing right is capitalized as a separate asset and amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment by comparing the asset’s carrying value to its current estimated fair value. Fair values are estimated using a discounted cash flow approach, which considers future servicing income and costs, current market interest rates, and anticipated prepayment, and default rates. Impairment losses are recognized through a valuation allowance for servicing rights having a current fair value that is less than amortized cost on an aggregate basis. Adjustments to increase or decrease the valuation allowance are charged or credited to income as a component of other operating income.
Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Arrow maintains a non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, a supplemental pension plan covering certain executive officers selected by the Board of Directors, and certain post-retirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits for certain employees and retirees which are more fully described in Note 13, Retirement Benefit Plans. The costs of these plans, based on actuarial computations of current and future benefits for employees, are charged to current operating expenses. The cost of post-retirement benefits other than pensions is recognized on an accrual basis as employees perform services to earn the benefits. Arrow recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of our single employer defined benefit pension plan as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheet and recognizes changes in the funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the change occurred.
Prior service costs or credits are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants. Gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants.
The discount rate assumption is determined by preparing an analysis of the respective plan’s expected future cash flows and high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Arrow has three stock-based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 12, Stock Based Compensation. The Company expenses the grant date fair value of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock granted. For stock options and restricted stock units, the expense is recognized over the vesting period of the grant, typically four years for stock options, three years for restricted stock units, and three or four years for restricted stock, on a straight-line basis. Shares are generally issued from treasury for the exercise of stock options.
In October 2023, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the new qualified 2023 ESPP, which became effective as of January 1, 2024 and was approved by our shareholders at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. The Plan is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the new qualified 2023 ESPP, the amount of the discount is 10%. Arrow's previously sponsored ESPP allowed employees to purchase Arrow's common stock at a 5% discount below market price. Under current accounting guidance, a stock purchase plan with a discount of 5% or less is not considered a compensatory plan.
Arrow maintains an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”). Substantially all employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate upon satisfaction of applicable service requirements. The ESOP has the ability to borrow funds from Arrow Bank to purchase outstanding shares of Arrow’s common stock. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no loans outstanding and no unallocated shares. Arrow may, in its sole discretion, make additional cash contributions to the Plan each year on behalf of the participants.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - In securities repurchase agreements, Arrow receives cash from a counterparty in exchange for the transfer of securities to a third party custodian’s account that explicitly recognizes Arrow’s interest in the securities. These agreements are accounted for by Arrow as secured financing transactions, since it maintains effective control over the transferred securities, and meets other criteria for such accounting. Accordingly, the cash proceeds are recorded as borrowed funds, and the underlying securities continue to be carried in Arrow’s securities available-for-sale portfolio.
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) - Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as Arrow’s stock options),
computed using the treasury stock method. Unallocated common shares held by Arrow’s ESOP are not included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for either the basic or diluted EPS calculation.
Financial Instruments - Arrow is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit include home equity lines of credit, commitments for residential and commercial construction loans and other personal and commercial lines of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of the involvement Arrow has in particular classes of financial instruments. Arrow's policy is to record such instruments when funded. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time Arrow's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of Arrow's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, Arrow has a wealth management department that contributes net fee income annually. The value of the wealth management department customer relationships is not considered a financial instrument of the Company, and therefore this value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred taxes, premises and equipment, the value of low-cost, long-term core deposits and goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.
The fair value for loans is disclosed using the "exit price" notion which is a reasonable estimate of what another party might pay in an orderly transaction. Fair values for loans are calculated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, indirect auto and other consumer loans. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable interest rate terms and by performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by determining the estimated future cash flow, which is the contractual cash flow adjusted for estimated prepayments. The discount rate is determined by starting with current market yields, and adjusting for a discount spread. The discount spread is applied separately for each loan type based on market information. A liquidity premium is determined for each loan type based on market inefficiencies associated with the sale of a financial instrument. Finally, a credit loss component is determined utilizing the credit loss assumptions used in the allowance for credit loss model.
The carrying amount of short-term assets and liabilities is a reasonable estimate of fair value: cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, demand deposits, savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits, brokered money market deposits, other short-term borrowings, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rates are estimated using the FHLBNY yield curve, which is considered representative of Arrow’s time deposit rates. The fair value estimates of other on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments, as well as the method of arriving at fair value estimates, are included in the related footnotes and summarized in Note 17, Fair Values.
Fair Value Measures - Arrow determines the fair value of financial instruments under the following hierarchy:
•Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
•Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
•Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Management’s Use of Estimates -The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Our most significant estimates are the allowance for credit losses, the evaluation of impairment of investment securities, goodwill impairment, pension and other postretirement liabilities and an analysis of a need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term is the allowance for credit losses. In connection with the determination of the allowance for credit losses, management obtains appraisals for properties. The allowance for credit losses is management’s best estimate of expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future adjustments to the allowance for credit losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions.
The following accounting standard was adopted by Arrow in 2024.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses.. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 in its 2024 fiscal year Form 10-K. See Note 22 for further discussion on segment reporting.
The following accounting standard has been issued and becomes effective for Arrow at a future date.
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires additional disclosures related to rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and other disclosures. Under ASU 2023-09, for each annual periods presented, public entities are required to (1) disclose specific categories in the tabular rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, ASU 2023-09 requires all reporting entities to disclose on an annual basis the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes as well as the amount of income taxes paid by individual jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and can be applied on a prospective basis with an option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2023-09 on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 3:CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (Dollars In Thousands)
2024 2023
Balances at December 31:
Cash and Due From Banks $ 27,422 $ 36,755
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks 127,124 105,781
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 154,546 $ 142,536
Note 4: INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Dollars In Thousands)
The following table is the schedule of Available-For-Sale Securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Available-For-Sale Securities
U.S. Treasuries U.S. Government & Agency
Obligations State and
Municipal
Obligations Mortgage-
Backed
Securities Corporate
and Other
Debt
Securities Total
Available-
For-Sale
Securities
December 31, 2024
Available-For-Sale Securities,
at Amortized Cost $ 97,985 $ 70,000 $ 240 $ 330,448 $ 1,000 $ 499,673
Gross Unrealized Gains 90 32 - 29 - 151
Gross Unrealized Losses (5) (818) - (35,869) (21) (36,713)
Available-For-Sale Securities,
at Fair Value $ 98,070 $ 69,214 $ 240 $ 294,608 $ 979 $ 463,111
Available-For-Sale Securities,
Pledged as Collateral,
at Fair Value 181,759
Maturities of Debt Securities,
at Amortized Cost:
Within One Year 24,960 45,000 - 1,852 - 71,812
From 1 - 5 Years 24,650 25,000 - 166,436 1,000 217,086
From 5 - 10 Years 48,375 - 240 162,160 - 210,775
Over 10 Years - - - - - -
Maturities of Debt Securities,
at Fair Value:
Within One Year 25,046 44,932 - 1,826 - 71,804
From 1 - 5 Years 24,654 24,282 - 149,746 979 199,661
From 5 - 10 Years 48,370 - 240 143,036 - 191,646
Over 10 Years - - - - - -
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position, at Fair Value:
Less than 12 Months $ 48,370 $ - $ - $ 66,958 $ - $ 115,328
12 Months or Longer - 54,182 - 221,305 979 276,466
Total $ 48,370 $ 54,182 $ - $ 288,263 $ 979 $ 391,794
Available-For-Sale Securities
U.S. Treasuries U.S. Government & Agency
Obligations State and
Municipal
Obligations Mortgage-
Backed
Securities Corporate
and Other
Debt
Securities Total
Available-
For-Sale
Securities
Number of Securities in a
Continuous Loss Position 2 7 - 97 1 107
Unrealized Losses on
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position:
Less than 12 Months $ 5 $ - $ - $ 2,037 $ - $ 2,042
12 Months or Longer - 818 - 33,832 21 34,671
Total $ 5 $ 818 $ - $ 35,869 $ 21 $ 36,713
Disaggregated Details:
US Treasury Obligations,
at Amortized Cost $ 97,985
US Treasury Obligations,
at Fair Value 98,070
US Agency Obligations,
at Amortized Cost $ 70,000
US Agency Obligations,
at Fair Value 69,214
Local Municipal Obligations, at Amortized Cost $ 240
Local Municipal Obligations, at Fair Value 240
US Government Agency
Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 6,712
US Government Agency
Securities, at Fair Value 6,464
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Amortized Cost 323,736
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Fair Value 288,144
Corporate Trust Preferred Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 1,000
Corporate Trust Preferred Securities, at Fair Value 979
Available-For-Sale Securities
U.S. Treasuries U.S. Government & Agency
Obligations State and
Municipal
Obligations Mortgage-
Backed
Securities Corporate
and Other
Debt
Securities Total
Available-
For-Sale
Securities
December 31, 2023
Available-For-Sale Securities,
at Amortized Cost $ 73,761 $ 160,000 $ 280 $ 305,161 $ 1,000 $ 540,202
Gross Unrealized Gains 243 51 - 6 - 300
Gross Unrealized Losses - (7,126) - (35,407) (200) (42,733)
Available-For-Sale Securities,
at Fair Value $ 74,004 $ 152,925 $ 280 $ 269,760 $ 800 $ 497,769
Available-For-Sale Securities,
Pledged as Collateral,
at Fair Value 242,938
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position, at Fair Value:
Less than 12 Months $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
12 Months or Longer - 137,874 - 269,286 800 407,960
Total $ - $ 137,874 $ - $ 269,286 $ 800 $ 407,960
Number of Securities in a
Continuous Loss Position - 19 - 97 1 117
Unrealized Losses on
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position:
Less than 12 Months $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
12 Months or Longer - 7,126 - 35,407 200 42,733
Total $ - $ 7,126 $ - $ 35,407 $ 200 $ 42,733
Disaggregated Details:
US Treasury Obligations,
at Amortized Cost $ 73,761
US Treasury Obligations,
at Fair Value 74,004
US Agency Obligations,
at Amortized Cost $ 160,000
US Agency Obligations,
at Fair Value 152,925
Local Municipal Obligations, at Amortized Cost $ 280
Local Municipal Obligations, at Fair Value 280
US Government Agency
Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 7,291
US Government Agency
Securities, at Fair Value 6,864
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Amortized Cost 297,870
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Fair Value 262,896
Corporate Trust Preferred Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 1,000
Corporate Trust Preferred Securities, at Fair Value 800
At December 31, 2024, there was no allowance for credit losses for the available for sale securities portfolio.
The following is a summary of realized losses recognized in net income on available-for-sale securities sold during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31,
2024 2023
Proceeds Received on Sale of AFS Securities $ 71,962 $ 100,739
Basis of AFS investments Sold 75,000 109,836
Net Loss Recognized on Sale of AFS Securities $ (3,038) $ (9,097)
The following table is the schedule of Held-To-Maturity Securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Held-To-Maturity Securities
State and
Municipal
Obligations Mortgage-
Backed
Securities Total
Held-To
Maturity
Securities
December 31, 2024
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
at Amortized Cost $ 91,829 $ 6,432 $ 98,261
Gross Unrealized Gains - - -
Gross Unrealized Losses (1,456) (219) (1,675)
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
at Fair Value $ 90,373 $ 6,213 $ 96,586
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
Pledged as Collateral, at Carrying Value 72,506
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value 70,831
Maturities of Debt Securities,
at Amortized Cost:
Within One Year 53,355 756 54,111
From 1 - 5 Years 36,209 5,676 41,885
From 5 - 10 Years 2,259 - 2,259
Over 10 Years 6 - 6
Maturities of Debt Securities,
at Fair Value:
Within One Year 53,039 746 53,785
From 1 - 5 Years 35,105 5,467 40,572
From 5 - 10 Years 2,223 - 2,223
Over 10 Years 6 - 6
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position, at Fair Value:
Less than 12 Months $ 378 $ - $ 378
12 Months or Longer 68,112 6,212 74,324
Total $ 68,490 $ 6,212 $ 74,702
Number of Securities in a
Continuous Loss Position 219 16 235
Unrealized Losses on Securities
in a Continuous Loss Position:
Less than 12 Months $ 2 $ - $ 2
12 Months or Longer 1,454 219 1,673
Total $ 1,456 $ 219 $ 1,675
Disaggregated Details:
Municipal Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 91,829
Municipal Securities, at Fair Value 90,373
US Government Agency
Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 2,308
Held-To-Maturity Securities
State and
Municipal
Obligations Mortgage-
Backed
Securities Total
Held-To
Maturity
Securities
US Government Agency
Securities, at Fair Value 2,221
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Amortized Cost 4,124
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Fair Value 3,992
December 31, 2023
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
at Amortized Cost $ 122,450 $ 8,945 $ 131,395
Gross Unrealized Gains - - -
Gross Unrealized Losses (2,157) (401) (2,558)
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
at Fair Value $ 120,293 $ 8,544 $ 128,837
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
Pledged as Collateral, at Carrying Value 115,030
Held-To-Maturity Securities,
Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value 112,472
Securities in a Continuous
Loss Position, at Fair Value:
Less than 12 Months $ 1,472 $ - $ 1,472
12 Months or Longer 102,839 8,544 111,383
Total $ 104,311 $ 8,544 $ 112,855
Number of Securities in a
Continuous Loss Position 319 16 335
Unrealized Losses on Securities
in a Continuous Loss Position:
Less than 12 Months $ 14 $ - $ 14
12 Months or Longer 2,143 402 2,545
Total $ 2,157 $ 402 $ 2,559
Disaggregated Details:
Municipal Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 122,450
Municipal Securities, at Fair Value 120,293
US Government Agency
Securities, at Amortized Cost $ 3,114
US Government Agency
Securities, at Fair Value 2,954
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Amortized Cost 5,831
Government Sponsored Entity
Securities, at Fair Value 5,589
In the tables above, maturities of mortgage-backed securities are included based on their contractual average lives. Actual maturities will differ because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
Securities in a continuous loss position, in the tables above for December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 do not reflect any deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuing entities.
Arrow evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions at each measurement date to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized within the allowance for credit losses on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings via credit loss expense. Arrow determined that at December 31, 2024, gross unrealized losses were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, relative to when the investment securities were purchased, and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities. Arrow does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Arrow will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Arrow carried no allowance for credit loss at December 31, 2024 and there was no credit loss expense recognized by Arrow with respect to the securities portfolio during 2024.
Arrow's held to maturity debt securities are comprised of securities issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises or state and municipal obligations. U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, are widely recognized as “risk free,” and have a long history of zero credit loss. Arrow determined that the expected credit loss on its held to maturity debt portfolio was immaterial and therefore no allowance for credit loss was recorded as of December 31, 2024.
The following table is the schedule of Equity Securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Equity Securities
December 31,
2024 2023
Equity Securities, at Fair Value $ 5,055 $ 1,925
The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in income on equity securities during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31,
2024 2023
Net Gain on Equity Securities $ 131 $ 9,005
Less: Net Gain recognized during the reporting period on equity securities sold during the period - 9,254
Unrealized Net Gain (Loss) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date $ 131 $ (249)
Schedule of Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock (at cost)
December 31,
2024 2023
Federal Reserve Bank Stock $ 1,204 $ 1,197
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock 3,149 3,852
Total Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock $ 4,353 $ 5,049
Note 5:LOANS (Dollars In Thousands)
Loan Categories and Past Due Loans
The following table presents loan balances outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and an analysis of the recorded investment in loans that are past due at these dates. Loans held-for-sale of $759 and $165 as of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively, are included in the residential real estate balances for current loans.
Schedule of Past Due Loans by Loan Category
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate Consumer Residential Total
December 31, 2024
Loans Past Due 30-59 Days $ 355 $ - $ 11,211 $ 391 $ 11,957
Loans Past Due 60-89 Days 156 318 5,417 2,685 8,576
Loans Past Due 90 or More Days 102 14,902 2,225 2,239 19,468
Total Loans Past Due 613 15,220 18,853 5,315 40,001
Current Loans 158,378 781,145 1,100,128 1,314,889 3,354,540
Total Loans $ 158,991 $ 796,365 $ 1,118,981 $ 1,320,204 $ 3,394,541
December 31, 2023
Loans Past Due 30-59 Days $ 298 $ - $ 13,511 $ 3,715 $ 17,524
Loans Past Due 60-89 Days 21 636 5,579 861 7,097
Loans Past Due 90 or More Days 30 15,308 1,801 3,140 20,279
Total Loans Past Due 349 15,944 20,891 7,716 44,900
Current Loans 155,875 729,543 1,090,776 1,191,814 3,168,008
Total Loans $ 156,224 $ 745,487 $ 1,111,667 $ 1,199,530 $ 3,212,908
Schedule of Non Accrual Loans by Category
Commercial
December 31, 2024 Commercial Real Estate Consumer Residential Total
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due
and Still Accruing Interest $ - $ - $ 19 $ 379 $ 398
Nonaccrual Loans 102 14,902 2,241 3,376 20,621
Nonaccrual With No Allowance for Credit Loss 102 14,902 2,241 3,376 20,621
Interest Income on Nonaccrual Loans - - - - -
December 31, 2023
Loans 90 or More Days Past Due
and Still Accruing Interest $ - $ - $ 6 $ 446 $ 452
Nonaccrual Loans 30 15,308 1,877 3,430 20,645
Arrow disaggregates its loan portfolio into the following four categories:
Commercial - Arrow offers a variety of loan options to meet the specific needs of our commercial customers including term loans, time notes and lines of credit. Such loans are made available to businesses for working capital needs such as inventory and receivables, business expansion and equipment purchases. Generally, a collateral lien is placed on equipment or other assets owned by the borrower. In the event of default by the borrower, Arrow may be required to liquidate collateral at deeply discounted values. To reduce the risk, management usually obtains personal guarantees to support the borrowing, as permitted by applicable law.
Commercial Real Estate - Arrow offers commercial real estate loans to finance real estate purchases, refinancings, expansions and improvements to commercial properties. Commercial real estate loans are made to finance the purchases of real property which generally consists of real estate with completed structures. These commercial real estate loans are typically secured by first liens on the real estate, which may include apartments, commercial structures, housing businesses, healthcare facilities, and both owner- and non-owner-occupied facilities. Arrow also offers commercial construction and land development loans to finance projects. These real estate loans are also typically secured by first liens on the real estate, which may include apartments, commercial structures, housing businesses, healthcare facilities and both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied facilities. There is enhanced risk during the construction period, since the loan is secured by an incomplete project. Arrow’s Commercial Real Estate loans are primarily located within the footprint of the Company’s branch network, with some loans extending into the greater upstate New York area. Arrow does not provide Commercial Real Estate loans in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Boston, etc.
Consumer Loans - This category is primarily comprised of automobile loans. Arrow primarily finances the purchases of automobiles indirectly through dealer relationships located throughout upstate New York and Vermont. Most automobile loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from three to seven years. Automobile loans are underwritten on a secured basis using the underlying collateral being financed. Arrow also offers a variety of consumer installment loans to finance personal expenditures. Most of these loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from one to five years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. In addition to installment loans, Arrow also offers personal lines of credit and overdraft protection. Several of these consumer loans are unsecured, which carry a higher risk of loss.
Residential - Residential real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by first or second mortgages on primary residences. Arrow originates fixed-rate and adjustable-rate one-to-four-family residential real estate loans for the construction, purchase of real estate or refinancing of an existing mortgage. These loans are collateralized primarily by owner-occupied properties generally located in Arrow's market area. Loans on one-to-four-family residential real estate are generally originated in amounts of no more than 80% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is lower), or have private mortgage insurance. Arrow’s underwriting analysis for residential mortgage loans typically includes credit verification, independent appraisals, and a review of the borrower’s financial condition. Mortgage title insurance and hazard insurance are normally required. It is Arrow's general practice to underwrite residential real estate loans to secondary market standards. Construction loans have a unique risk, because they are secured by an incomplete dwelling. This risk is reduced through periodic site inspections, including one at each loan draw period. In addition, Arrow offers fixed home equity loans, as well as home equity lines of credit to consumers to finance home improvements, debt consolidation, education and other uses. Arrow's policy allows for a maximum loan to value ratio of 80%, although periodically higher advances are allowed. Arrow originates home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans (loans secured by a second junior lien position on one-to-four-family residential real estate). Risk is generally reduced through underwriting criteria, which include credit verification, appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and personal cash flows. A security interest, with title insurance when necessary, is taken in the underlying real estate.
Schedule of Supplemental Loan Information
2024 2023
Supplemental Information:
Unamortized deferred loan origination costs, net of deferred loan
origination fees, included in the above balances $ 6,155 $ 6,240
Overdrawn deposit accounts, included in the above balances 1,112 180
Pledged loans under a blanket collateral agreement to secure borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 654,890 576,602
Residential real estate loans serviced for Freddie Mac, not included
in the balances above 168,653 178,284
Allowance for Credit Losses
Loan segments were selected by class code and application code to ensure each segment is comprised of loans with homogenous loan characteristics and similar risk profiles. The resulting loan segments are commercial, commercial real estate, consumer and residential real estate loans. The consumer segment is mainly comprised of automobile loans, and since they are relatively short-term in nature, with similar dollar amounts and collateral, the vintage analysis method was selected to determine the credit loss reserve. The vintage method utilizes Arrow loan data exclusively as the method calculates a loss rate based on the total origination balance of the loans by year and the charge-off and recovery rate of the same origination year. Arrow maintains, over the life of the loan, the loss curve by vintage year. The discounted cash flow method (DCF) is used to calculate the reserve for credit losses for the commercial, commercial real estate and residential real estate segments.
The December 31, 2024 allowance for credit losses calculation incorporated a reasonable and supportable forecast period to account for economic conditions utilized in the measurement. The quantitative model utilized a six-quarter economic forecast sourced from reputable third-parties that projects an increase of approximately 0.07% in the forecasted national unemployment rate, forecasted gross domestic product projected to improve by approximately 0.20%, and the home price index (HPI) forecast to increase by approximately 0.17% from the previous quarter economic forecast.
The following table details activity in the allowance for credit losses on loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Allowance for Credit Losses
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate Consumer Residential Total
Rollforward of the Allowance for Credit Losses for the Year Ended:
December 31, 2023 $ 1,958 $ 15,521 $ 2,566 $ 11,220 $ 31,265
Charge-offs (9) - (5,837) (49) (5,895)
Recoveries - - 3,048 - 3,048
Provision (24) (1,014) 4,105 2,113 5,180
December 31, 2024 $ 1,925 $ 14,507 $ 3,882 $ 13,284 $ 33,598
December 31, 2022 $ 1,961 $ 15,213 $ 2,585 $ 10,193 $ 29,952
Charge-offs - - (5,123) (54) (5,177)
Recoveries - - 3,109 - 3,109
Provision (3) 308 1,995 1,081 3,381
December 31, 2023 $ 1,958 $ 15,521 $ 2,566 $ 11,220 $ 31,265
Estimated Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures Recognized as Other Liabilities
Financial instrument credit losses apply to off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit. A liability for expected credit losses for off-balance sheet exposures is recognized if the entity has a present contractual obligation to extend the credit and the obligation is not unconditionally cancellable by the entity. Changes in the allowance are reflected in other operating expenses within the non-interest expense category. As of December 31, 2024, the total unfunded commitment off-balance sheet credit exposure was $1.6 million.
Individually Evaluated Loans
All loans that exceed $250,000, which are on nonaccrual status, are evaluated on an individual basis. Arrow has a policy applicable to collateral dependent financial assets when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral. This policy allows Arrow to use fair value of the collateral at the reporting date adjusted for estimated cost to sell when recording the net carrying amount of the asset and determining the allowance for credit losses for a financial asset. In the event where the repayment of a collateral dependent financial asset is expected to be provided substantially through the operation of the collateral, Arrow will use fair value of the collateral at the reporting date when recording the net carrying amount of the asset and determining the allowance for credit losses. As of December 31, 2024, there were four total relationships identified to be evaluated for loss on an individual basis which had an amortized cost basis of $16.3 million and none had an allowance for credit loss.
The following tables present the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class of loans as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2024 Collateral Type -Residential Real Estate Collateral Type - Commercial Real Estate Total Loans
Commercial $ - $ - $ -
Commercial Real Estate - 14,902 14,902
Consumer - - -
Residential 1,417 - 1,417
Total $ 1,417 $ 14,902 $ 16,319
December 31, 2023 Collateral Type -Residential Real Estate Collateral Type - Commercial Real Estate Total Loans
Commercial $ - $ - $ -
Commercial Real Estate - 15,308 15,308
Consumer - - -
Residential 1,446 - 1,446
Total $ 1,446 $ 15,308 $ 16,754
Allowance for Credit Losses - Collectively and Individually Evaluated
Commercial Commercial Real Estate Consumer Residential Total
December 31, 2024
Ending Loan Balance - Collectively Evaluated $ 158,991 $ 781,463 $ 1,118,981 $ 1,318,787 $ 3,378,222
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Collectively Evaluated 1,925 14,507 3,882 13,284 33,598
Ending Loan Balance - Individually Evaluated - 14,902 - 1,417 16,319
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Individually Evaluated - - - - -
Commercial Commercial Real Estate Consumer Residential Total
December 31, 2023
Ending Loan Balance - Collectively Evaluated $ 156,224 $ 730,179 $ 1,111,667 $ 1,198,084 $ 3,196,154
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Collectively Evaluated 1,958 15,521 2,566 11,220 $ 31,265
Ending Loan Balance - Individually Evaluated - 15,308 - 1,446 16,754
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans Individually Evaluated - - - - -
Through the provision for credit losses, an allowance for credit losses is maintained that reflects the best estimate of the calculated expected credit losses in Arrow's loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Additions are made to the allowance for credit losses through a periodic provision for credit losses. Actual credit losses are charged against the allowance for credit losses when loans are deemed uncollectible and recoveries of amounts previously charged off are recorded as credits to the allowance for credit losses.
Arrow's loan officers and risk managers meet at least quarterly to discuss and review the conditions and risks associated with certain criticized and classified commercial-related relationships. In addition, the independent internal loan review department performs periodic reviews of the credit quality indicators on individual loans in the commercial loan portfolio.
Arrow considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Adjustments are not made for information that has already been considered and included in the loss estimation process.
Arrow considers the qualitative factors that are relevant to Arrow as of the reporting date, which may include, but are not limited to the following factors:
•The nature and volume of Arrow's financial assets;
•The existence, growth, and effect of any concentrations of credit;
•The volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans;
•The value of the underlying collateral for loans that are not collateral-dependent;
•Arrow's lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and practices for collections, write-offs, and recoveries;
•The quality of Arrow's loan review function;
•The experience, ability, and depth of Arrow's lending, investment, collection, and other relevant management/staff;
•The effect of other external factors such as the regulatory, legal and technological environments; competition; and events such as natural disasters;
•Actual and expected changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments in which the institution operates that affect the collectability of financial assets; and
•Other qualitative factors not reflected in quantitative loss rate calculations.
Loan Credit Quality Indicators and Modifications
In 2024, no loans met the criteria for disclosure as part of ASU 2022-02. Any modifications of loans were either immaterial in nature or were made for competitive purposes, i.e., the borrowers were not experiencing financial hardship.
The following table presents credit quality indicators by total loans amortized cost basis by origination year as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Total
December 31, 2024 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior
Commercial:
Risk rating
Satisfactory $ 42,767 $ 28,988 $ 23,808 $ 16,941 $ 6,183 $ 19,211 $ 15,686 $ 153,584
Special mention 107 229 930 - 72 - 483 1,821
Substandard - 280 264 - - 3,030 12 3,586
Doubtful - - - - - - - -
Total
Commercial Loans $ 42,874 $ 29,497 $ 25,002 $ 16,941 $ 6,255 $ 22,241 $ 16,181 $ 158,991
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 9 $ - $ 9
Commercial Real Estate:
Risk rating
Satisfactory $ 90,049 $ 96,783 $ 137,146 $ 109,086 $ 115,576 $ 187,202 $ 2,799 $ 738,641
Special mention 3,002 200 12,680 - - 9,506 - 25,388
Substandard - 146 172 1,985 2,309 26,853 871 32,336
Doubtful - - - - - - - -
Total Commercial
Real Estate Loans $ 93,051 $ 97,129 $ 149,998 $ 111,071 $ 117,885 $ 223,561 $ 3,670 $ 796,365
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Consumer:
Risk rating
Performing $ 386,004 $ 297,698 $ 243,484 $ 121,803 $ 48,268 $ 18,994 $ 473 $ 1,116,724
Nonperforming 345 424 602 593 178 115 - 2,257
Total
Consumer Loans $ 386,349 $ 298,122 $ 244,086 $ 122,396 $ 48,446 $ 19,109 $ 473 $ 1,118,981
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ 1,272 $ 949 $ 1,669 $ 1,270 $ 434 $ 243 $ 5,837
Residential:
Risk rating
Performing $ 162,087 $ 177,071 $ 225,398 $ 181,934 $ 106,695 $ 334,576 $ 128,687 $ 1,316,448
Nonperforming - 201 254 201 464 2,386 250 3,756
Total
Residential Loans $ 162,087 $ 177,272 $ 225,652 $ 182,135 $ 107,159 $ 336,962 $ 128,937 $ 1,320,204
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 49 $ 49
Total Loans $ 684,361 $ 602,020 $ 644,738 $ 432,543 $ 279,745 $ 601,873 $ 149,261 $ 3,394,541
Total gross
charge-offs $ 1,272 $ 949 $ 1,669 $ 1,270 $ 443 $ 292 $ 5,895
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis Total
December 31, 2023 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior
Commercial:
Risk rating
Satisfactory $ 54,584 $ 34,047 $ 23,470 $ 9,655 $ 4,107 $ 13,360 $ 8,586 $ 147,809
Special mention - - - 117 - - - 117
Substandard - - - - - 3,199 5,099 8,298
Doubtful - - - - - - - -
Total
Commercial Loans $ 54,584 $ 34,047 $ 23,470 $ 9,772 $ 4,107 $ 16,559 $ 13,685 $ 156,224
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Commercial Real Estate:
Risk rating
Satisfactory $ 81,582 $ 151,818 $ 105,365 $ 120,845 $ 41,406 $ 174,516 $ 1,667 $ 677,199
Special mention - 10,439 - - - 4,084 - 14,523
Substandard 150 9,169 1,670 2,533 791 38,955 497 53,765
Doubtful - - - - - - - -
Total Commercial
Real Estate Loans $ 81,732 $ 171,426 $ 107,035 $ 123,378 $ 42,197 $ 217,555 $ 2,164 $ 745,487
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Consumer:
Risk rating
Performing $ 405,099 $ 355,217 $ 195,799 $ 93,708 $ 44,206 $ 15,252 $ - $ 1,109,281
Nonperforming 208 783 551 210 81 85 468 2,386
Total
Consumer Loans $ 405,307 $ 356,000 $ 196,350 $ 93,918 $ 44,287 $ 15,337 $ 468 $ 1,111,667
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ 366 $ 1,368 $ 2,122 $ 604 $ 397 $ 266 $ 5,123
Residential:
Risk rating
Performing $ 161,878 $ 231,365 $ 192,588 $ 116,451 $ 73,875 $ 296,935 $ 122,573 $ 1,195,665
Nonperforming - - 444 666 127 2,268 360 3,865
Total
Residential Loans $ 161,878 $ 231,365 $ 193,032 $ 117,117 $ 74,002 $ 299,203 $ 122,933 $ 1,199,530
Current-period
gross charge-offs $ - $ - $ - $ 21 $ - $ 33 $ 54
Total Loans $ 703,501 $ 792,838 $ 519,887 $ 344,185 $ 164,593 $ 548,654 $ 139,250 $ 3,212,908
Total gross
charge-offs $ 366 $ 1,368 $ 2,122 $ 625 $ 397 $ 299 $ 5,177
For the purposes of the table above, nonperforming consumer and residential loans were those loans on nonaccrual status or are 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest.
The recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process is $3.1 million.
For the allowance calculation, an internally developed system of five credit quality indicators is used to rate the credit worthiness of each commercial loan defined as follows:
1) Satisfactory - "Satisfactory" borrowers have acceptable financial condition with satisfactory record of earnings and sufficient historical and projected cash flow to service the debt. Borrowers have satisfactory repayment histories and primary and secondary sources of repayment can be clearly identified;
2) Special Mention - Loans in this category have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution’s credit position at some future date. "Special mention" assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Loans which might be assigned this credit quality indicator include loans to borrowers with deteriorating financial strength and/or earnings record and loans with potential for problems due to weakening economic or market conditions;
3) Substandard - Loans classified as “substandard” are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth or paying capacity of the borrower or the collateral pledged, if any. Loans in this category have well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. “Substandard” loans may include loans which are likely to require liquidation of collateral to effect repayment, and other loans where character or ability to repay has become suspect. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified substandard;
4) Doubtful - Loans classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified as “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Although possibility of loss is extremely high, classification of these loans as “loss” has been deferred due to specific pending factors or events which may strengthen the value (e.g. possibility of additional collateral, injection of capital, collateral liquidation, debt restructure, economic recovery, etc). Loans classified as “doubtful” need to be placed on non-accrual; and
5) Loss - Loans classified as “loss” are considered uncollectible with collateral of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. As of the date of the balance sheet, all loans in this category have been charged-off to the allowance for credit losses.
Commercial loans are generally evaluated on an annual basis depending on the size and complexity of the loan relationship, unless the credit related quality indicator falls to a level of "special mention" or below, when the loan is evaluated quarterly. The credit quality indicator is one of the factors used in assessing the level of incurred risk of loss in our commercial related loan portfolios.
Note 6:PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Dollars In Thousands)
A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:
2024 2023
Land and Bank Premises $ 60,118 $ 60,123
Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures 38,452 37,948
Construction in Progress 3,403 1,099
Leasehold Improvements 5,243 5,127
Total Cost 107,216 104,297
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (51,782) (49,115)
Net Owned Premises and Equipment 55,434 55,182
Leased Assets (see Note 18) 4,283 4,460
Net Premises and Equipment $ 59,717 $ 59,642
Amounts charged to expense for depreciation totaled $4,432, $3,752 and $3,330 in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During 2024, the multi-year renovation project to enhance and improve the Queensbury branch location was started and accordingly, capital expenses were reflected in Construction in Progress.
Note 7:GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Dollars In Thousands)
The following table presents information on Arrow’s goodwill as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
Total Goodwill
Balance, December 31, 2021
$ 21,873
Goodwill Acquired
-
Balance, December 31, 2022
21,873
Goodwill Acquired
-
Balance, December 31, 2023
21,873
Goodwill acquired related to the acquisition of the assets of A&B Agency, Inc and the Whitehall Branch
1,916
Balance, December 31, 2024
$ 23,789
The following table presents information on Arrow’s other intangible assets (other than goodwill) as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
Depositor
Intangibles1
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights2
Customer Intangibles1
Total
Gross Carrying Amount, December 31, 2024
$ 3,202 $ 3,340 $ 4,786 $ 11,328
Accumulated Amortization (2,319) (2,933) (4,018) (9,270)
Net Carrying Amount, December 31, 2024
$ 883 $ 407 $ 768 $ 2,058
Gross Carrying Amount, December 31, 2023
$ 2,247 $ 3,296 $ 4,382 $ 9,925
Accumulated Amortization (2,247) (2,725) (3,843) (8,815)
Net Carrying Amount, December 31, 2023
$ - $ 571 $ 539 $ 1,110
Rollforward of Intangible Assets:
Balance, December 31, 2021
$ - $ 1,010 $ 908 $ 1,918
Intangible Assets Acquired - 10 - 10
Intangible Assets Disposed - - - -
Amortization of Intangible Assets - (235) (193) (428)
Balance, December 31, 2022
- 785 715 1,500
Intangible Assets Acquired - - - -
Intangible Assets Disposed - - - -
Amortization of Intangible Assets - (214) (176) (390)
Balance, December 31, 2023
- 571 539 1,110
Intangible Assets Acquired 955 44 404 1,403
Intangible Assets Disposed - - - -
Amortization of Intangible Assets (72) (208) (175) (455)
Balance, December 31, 2024
$ 883 $ 407 $ 768 $ 2,058
1 Amortization of depositor intangibles and customer intangibles are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of other operating expense.
2 Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction of mortgage servicing fee income, which is included with fees for other services to customers.
The following table presents the remaining estimated annual amortization expense for Arrow's intangible assets as of December 31, 2024:
Depositor
Intangibles Mortgage
Servicing Rights Customer Intangibles Total
Estimated Annual
Amortization Expense:
2025 $ 166 $ 202 $ 144 $ 512
2026 149 152 125 426
2027 132 33 106 271
2028 114 7 86 207
2029 97 7 67 171
2030 and beyond 225 6 240 471
Total $ 883 $ 407 $ 768 $ 2,058
Note 8:COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Dollars In Thousands)
The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of Arrow's off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit and commitments under standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Balance at December 31, 2024 2023
Notional Amount:
Commitments to Extend Credit $ 449,491 $ 444,256
Standby Letters of Credit 4,306 3,824
Fair Value:
Commitments to Extend Credit $ - $ -
Standby Letters of Credit (7) -
Arrow is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit include home equity lines of credit, commitments for residential and commercial construction loans and other personal and commercial lines of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of the involvement Arrow has in particular classes of financial instruments.
Arrow's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. Arrow uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Arrow evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. Home equity lines of credit are secured by residential real estate. Construction lines of credit are secured by underlying real estate. For other lines of credit, the amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by Arrow upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties. Most of the commitments are variable rate instruments.
Arrow does not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit. Arrow has issued conditional commitments in the form of standby letters of credit to guarantee payment on behalf of a customer and guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of credit generally arise in connection with lending relationships. The credit risk involved in issuing these instruments is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Contingent obligations under standby letters of credit at December 31, 2024 and 2023 represent the maximum potential future payments Arrow could be required to make. Typically, these instruments have terms of 12 months or less and expire unused; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer is evaluated individually for creditworthiness under the same underwriting standards used for commitments to extend credit and on-balance sheet instruments. Company policies governing loan collateral apply to standby letters of credit at the time of credit extension. Loan-to-value ratios will generally range from 50% for movable assets, such as inventory, to 100% for liquid assets, such as bank CD's. Fees for standby letters of credit range from 1% to 3% of the notional amount. Fees are collected upfront and amortized over the life of the commitment. The carrying amount and fair value of Arrow's standby letters of credit at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were insignificant. The fair value of standby letters of credit is based on the fees currently charged for similar agreements or the cost to terminate the arrangement with the counterparties.
The fair value of commitments to extend credit is determined by estimating the fees to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms and present creditworthiness of the counterparties, and for fixed rate loan commitments, the
difference between the current and committed interest rates. Arrow provides several types of commercial lines of credit and standby letters of credit to its commercial customers. The pricing of these services is not isolated as Arrow considers the customer's complete deposit and borrowing relationship in pricing individual products and services. The commitments to extend credit also include commitments under home equity lines of credit, for which Arrow charges no fee. The carrying value and fair value of commitments to extend credit are not material and Arrow does not expect to incur any material loss as a result of these commitments.
In the normal course of business, Arrow and Arrow Bank become involved in a variety of routine legal proceedings. At present, there are no legal proceedings pending or threatened, which in the opinion of management and counsel, would result in a material loss to Arrow, except as noted below. Legal expenses incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.
Note 9:TIME DEPOSITS (Dollars In Thousands)
The following summarizes the contractual maturities of time deposits during years subsequent to December 31, 2024:
Year of Maturity Total Time
Deposits
2025 $ 764,463
2026 20,098
2027 3,907
2028 2,256
2029 3,359
2030 and beyond 11
Total $ 794,094
Brokered certificate of deposits totaled $270 million at December 31, 2024.
Note 10:DEBT (Dollars in Thousands)
Schedule of Borrowings:
2024 2023
Balances at December 31:
FHLBNY Overnight Advances - 20,000
FHLBNY Term Advances 8,600 6,500
Total Borrowings $ 8,600 $ 26,500
Maximum Borrowing Capacity at December 31:
Federal Funds Purchased $ 23,000 $ 28,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 654,890 576,602
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 571,107 738,511
Available Borrowing Capacity at December 31:
Federal Funds Purchased $ 23,000 $ 28,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 616,290 550,102
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 571,107 738,511
Arrow Bank has in place unsecured federal funds lines of credit with two correspondent banks. As a member of the FHLBNY, Arrow participates in the advance program which allows for overnight and term advances up to the limit of pledged collateral, including FHLBNY stock and any loans secured by real estate such as commercial real estate, residential real estate and home equity loans (see Notes 4: Investment Securities, and 5: Loans to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The maximum borrowing capacities at the FHLBNY and FRB are determined based on the fair value of the collateral pledged, subject to discounts determined by the respective lenders. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying cost for the FHLBNY collateral was approximately $969 million and approximately $769 million for the FRB. As of December 31, 2024, the fair value for the FHLBNY collateral was approximately $827 million and approximately $769 million for the FRB. The investment in FHLBNY stock is proportional to the total of Arrow Bank's overnight and term advances (see the Schedule of Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock in Note 4, Investment Securities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Arrow Bank has also established borrowing facilities with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for potential “discount window” advances, pledging certain consumer loans as collateral (see Note 5, Loans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Long Term Debt - FHLBNY Term Advances
In addition to overnight advances, Arrow Bank also borrows longer-term funds from the FHLBNY.
Maturity Schedule of FHLBNY Term Advances:
Balances Weighted Average Rate
Final Maturity 2024 2023 2024 2023
First Year $ 6,900 $ 4,250 5.34 % 5.80 %
Second Year - 2,250 - % 5.38 %
Third Year 1,700 - 4.85 % - %
Total $ 8,600 $ 6,500 5.24 % 5.66 %
Long Term Debt - Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Corporation's Junior Subordinated Debentures
During 2024, there were two classes of financial instruments issued and outstanding by two separate subsidiary business trusts of Arrow, identified as “Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The first of the two classes of trust-issued instruments outstanding at year-end was issued by Arrow Capital Statutory Trust II ("ACST II"), a Delaware business trust established on July 16, 2003, upon the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. In July 2003, ACST II issued all of its voting (common) stock to Arrow and issued and sold to an unaffiliated purchaser 30-year guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the trust's assets ("ACST II trust preferred securities"). The rate on the securities is variable, adjusting quarterly to the 3-month LIBOR plus 3.15%. Arrow designated SOFR as the replacement index for financial instruments. During 2023 the rate on the securities converted to 3-month SOFR plus 3.15% post-conversion. ACST II used the proceeds of the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase an identical amount of junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow that bear an interest rate identical at all times to the rate payable on the ACST II trust preferred securities. The ACST II trust preferred securities became redeemable after July 23, 2008 and mature on July 23, 2033.
The second of the two classes of trust-issued instruments outstanding at year-end was issued by Arrow Capital Statutory Trust III ("ACST III"), a Delaware business trust established on December 23, 2004, upon the filing of a certificate of trust with the
Delaware Secretary of State. On December 28, 2004, the ACST III issued all of its voting (common) stock to Arrow and issued and sold to an unaffiliated purchaser 30-year guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the trust's assets ("ACST III"). The rate on the ACST III trust preferred securities is variable, adjusting quarterly, to 3-month LIBOR plus 2.00%. During 2023 the rate on the securities converted to 3-month SOFR plus 2.00% post-conversion. ACST III used the proceeds of the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase an identical amount of junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow that bear an interest rate identical at all times to the rate payable on the ACST III trust preferred securities. The ACST III trust preferred securities became redeemable on or after March 31, 2010 and mature on December 28, 2034. Arrow has entered into interest rate swaps to synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments associated with $20 million in outstanding subordinated trust securities. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.
The primary assets of the two subsidiary trusts having trust preferred securities outstanding at year-end, ACST II and ACST III (the “Trusts”), are Arrow's junior subordinated debentures discussed above, and the sole revenues of the Trusts are payments received by them from Arrow with respect to the junior subordinated debentures. The trust preferred securities issued by the Trusts are non-voting. All common voting securities of the Trusts are owned by Arrow. Arrow used the net proceeds from its sale of junior subordinated debentures to the Trusts, facilitated by the Trust’s sale of their trust preferred securities to the purchasers thereof, for general corporate purposes. The trust preferred securities and underlying junior subordinated debentures, with associated expense that is tax deductible, qualify as Tier I capital under regulatory definitions.
Arrow's primary source of funds to pay interest on the debentures that are held by the Trusts are current dividends received by Arrow from Arrow Bank. Accordingly, Arrow's ability to make payments on the debentures, and the ability of the Trusts to make payments on their trust preferred securities, are dependent upon the continuing ability of Arrow Bank to pay dividends to Arrow. Since the trust preferred securities issued by the subsidiary trusts and the underlying junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow are classified as debt for financial statement purposes, the expense associated with these securities is recorded as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Schedule of Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Corporation's Junior Subordinated Debentures
2024 2023
ACST II
Balance at December 31, $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Period End:
Variable Interest Rate 7.74 % 8.74 %
Fixed Interest Rate resulting from cash flow hedge agreement 4.00 % 4.00 %
ACST III
Balance at December 31, $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Period End:
Variable Interest Rate 6.59 % 7.59 %
Fixed Interest Rate resulting from cash flow hedge agreement 2.86 % 2.86 %
Note 11:COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX (Dollars In Thousands)
The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Before-Tax
Amount Tax
(Benefit)
Expense Net-of-Tax
Amount
Net Unrealized Securities Holding Gains Arising During the Period
$ 2,833 (732) 2,101
Reclassification Adjustment for Securities Losses Included in Net Income 3,038 (783) 2,255
Net Unrealized Gains on Cash Flow Swap 6,498 (1,675) 4,823
Reclassification of Net Unrealized Gain on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
(2,502) 645 (1,857)
Net Retirement Plan Gain
10,777 (2,779) 7,998
Prior Service Cost (441) 114 (327)
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Actuarial Loss (313) 81 (232)
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost 272 (70) 202
Other Comprehensive Income $ 20,162 (5,199) 14,963
Net Unrealized Securities Holding Gains Arising During the Period $ 14,070 (3,629) 10,441
Reclassification Adjustment for Securities Losses Included in Net Income 9,097 (2,345) 6,752
Net Unrealized Gains on Cash Flow Swap (3,908) 1,008 (2,900)
Reclassification of Net Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements 750 (193) 557
Net Retirement Plan Loss 2,354 (607) 1,747
Prior Service Cost (526) 135 (391)
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Actuarial Loss (162) 43 (119)
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost 205 (53) 152
Other Comprehensive Income $ 21,880 (5,641) 16,239
Net Unrealized Securities Holding Losses Arising During the Period $ (64,774) 16,547 (48,227)
Net Unrealized Gains on Cash Flow Swap 3,467 (885) 2,582
Reclassification of Net Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements 204 (52) 152
Net Retirement Plan Loss (6,938) 1,791 (5,147)
Settlement Cost 577 (149) 428
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Actuarial Loss 56 (15) 41
Amortization of Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Cost 228 (59) 169
Other Comprehensive Loss $ (67,180) 17,178 (50,002)
The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component:
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income by Component (1)
Unrealized Defined Benefit Plan Items
Gains and Unrealized
Losses on Gain On Net Net Prior
Available-for- Cash Flow Actuarial Service
Sale Securities Swap Gain (Loss) (Cost ) Credit Total
For the Year-To-Date periods ended:
December 31, 2023 $ (31,648) 1,711 (2,839) (640) (33,416)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
2,101 4,823 7,998 (327) 14,595
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 2,255 (1,857) (232) 202 368
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 4,356 2,966 7,766 (125) 14,963
December 31, 2024 $ (27,292) 4,677 4,927 (765) (18,453)
December 31, 2022 $ (48,841) 4,054 (4,467) (401) (49,655)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 10,441 (2,900) 1,747 (391) 8,897
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 6,752 557 (119) 152 7,342
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 17,193 (2,343) 1,628 (239) 16,239
December 31, 2023 $ (31,648) 1,711 (2,839) (640) (33,416)
December 31, 2021 $ (614) 1,320 639 (998) 347
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (48,227) 2,582 (5,147) 428 (50,364)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income - 152 41 169 362
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income (48,227) 2,734 (5,106) 597 (50,002)
December 31, 2022 $ (48,841) $ 4,054 $ (4,467) $ (401) $ (49,655)
(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
The following table presents the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (1)
Amounts Reclassified
Details about Accumulated Other from Accumulated Other Affected Line Item in the Statement
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Comprehensive Income (Loss) Where Net Income Is Presented
For the Year-to-date periods ended:
December 31, 2024
Reclassification of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities $ (3,038) Net (Loss) Gain on Securities
Reclassification of net unrealized loss on cash flow hedge agreements 2,502 Interest Expense
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
Prior-service credit (272) (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Actuarial Loss 313 (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
(495) Total before tax
127 Provision for Income Taxes
Total reclassifications for the period $ (368) Net of tax
December 31, 2023
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities (9,097) Net (Loss) Gain on Securities
Reclassification of net unrealized gain on cash flow hedge agreements (750) Interest Expense
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
Prior-service credit $ (205) (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Actuarial Loss 162 (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
(9,890) Total before tax
2,548 Provision for Income Taxes
Total reclassifications for the period $ (7,342) Net of tax
December 31, 2022
Reclassification of net unrealized gain on cash flow hedge agreements (204) Interest Expense
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
Prior-service credit $ (228) (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Actuarial Loss (56) (2)
Salaries and Employee Benefits
(488) Total before tax
126 Provision for Income Taxes
Total reclassifications for the period $ (362) Net of tax
(1) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit/loss.
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see retirement benefit plans footnote for additional details).
Note 12:STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Dollars In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
Arrow has established three stock-based compensation plans: a Long Term Incentive Plan, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). When applicable, share and per share data have been adjusted for the September 26, 2023 3% stock dividend.
Long Term Incentive Plan
The Long Term Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units and performance shares. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Long Term Incentive Plan.
Shares Available for Grant at December 31, 2024
392,331
Restricted Stock Awards - In May 2024, the Company granted restricted stock awards which will generally vest over a four-year period. Unvested restricted stock will generally be forfeited if the recipient ceases to be employed by the Company, with limited exceptions. Grantees of restricted stock awards are entitled to receive all dividends and distributions declared and paid on restricted stock, or cash payments equivalent to such dividends or distributions, including those declared and paid during the vesting period.
The following table summarizes information about restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2024
- $ -
Granted 22,230 $ 24.54
Vested (412) $ 24.54
Forfeited - -
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
21,818 $ 24.54
The following table presents information on the amounts expensed related to restricted stock awards.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Amount expensed $ 90 $ -
The following is the Schedule of Other Information on restricted stock awards.
Restricted Stock Awards Granted 22,230
Weighted Average Grant Date Information:
Fair Value of Awards Granted
$ 24.54
Total Grant Date Fair Value of Awards Granted in Period $ 546
Total Fair Value of Awards Vested in Period $ 10
Amount Expensed During the Year $ 90
Compensation Costs for Non-vested Awards Not Yet Recognized $ 456
Weighted Average Expected Vesting Period, In Years 3.41
Stock Options - Options may be granted at a price no less than the greater of the par value or fair market value of such shares on the date on which such option is granted, and generally expire ten years from the date of grant. The options usually vest over a four-year period. The Company did not grant stock options in 2024.
The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2024 305,308 $ 28.96
Granted - $ -
Exercised (18,792) $ 22.91
Forfeited (40,063) $ 28.47
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 246,453 $ 29.50 5.10 $ 256
Vested at Period-End 189,700 $ 28.89 4.39 $ 242
Expected to Vest 56,753 $ 31.54 7.47 $ 14
The following is the Schedule of Stock Options Granted Under the Long Term Incentive Plan by Exercise Price Range.
Exercise Price Ranges
$19.99 to $20.41
$27.04 to $27.47
$30.26
$31.34 to $33.78
Total
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
Number of Stock Options Outstanding 15,336 86,728 27,687 116,702 246,453
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 0.65 4.62 2.07 6.85 5.10
Weighted-Average Exercise Price $ 20.23 $ 27.26 $ 30.26 $ 32.20 $ 29.50
Vested at December 31, 2024
Number of Stock Options Outstanding 15,336 78,252 27,687 68,425 189,700
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 0.65 4.46 2.07 6.23 4.39
Weighted-Average Exercise Price $ 20.23 $ 27.28 $ 30.26 $ 32.11 $ 28.89
The following is the Schedule of Other Information on Stock Options Granted.
2024 2023 2022
Stock Options Granted - 57,680 60,471
Weighted Average Grant Date Information:
Fair Value of Options Granted $ - $ 7.78 $ 7.21
Fair Value Assumptions:
Dividend Yield - % 3.30 % 2.90 %
Expected Volatility - % 28.38 % 27.15 %
Risk Free Interest Rate - % 3.57 % 1.69 %
Expected Lives (in years) 0 8.34 8.56
Amount Expensed During the Year $ 197 $ 284 $ 312
Compensation Costs for Non-vested Awards Not Yet Recognized 201 536 542
Weighted Average Expected Vesting Period, In Years 1.77 2.29 2.22
Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised $ 433 $ 96 $ 631
Tax Benefits Related to Stock Options Exercised 34 11 34
Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised 115 34 338
Restricted Stock Units - Historically, the Company has granted restricted stock units which gives the recipient the right to receive shares of Company stock upon vesting. The fair value of each restricted stock unit is the market value of Company stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units vested over three years from the grant date. Once vested, the restricted stock units are no longer forfeitable. Vested units settle upon retirement of the recipient. Unvested restricted stock units generally forfeit if the recipient ceases to be employed by the Company, with limited exceptions. The Company did not grant restricted stock units in 2024.
The following table summarizes information about restricted stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2024 - $ -
Granted - -
Vested - -
Non-vested at December 31, 2024 - -
Non-vested at January 1, 2023 13,925 $ 30.47
Granted 5,164 31.47
Vested (19,089) 30.74
Non-vested at December 31, 2023 - -
Non-vested at January 1, 2022 14,007 $ 28.42
Granted 4,441 33.78
Vested (4,523) 27.35
Non-vested at December 31, 2022 13,925 30.47
The following table presents information on the amounts expensed related to Restricted Stock Units awarded pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
2024 2023 2022
Amount Expensed During the Year $ - $ 321 $ 141
Compensation Costs for Non-vested Awards Not Yet Recognized - - 158
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In April 2023, Arrow suspended the operation of the ESPP as a result of the now resolved delay in filing the 2022 Form 10-K and the 2023 Q1 Form 10-Q and the related effects under applicable securities laws. In October 2023, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the 2023 ESPP, which is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under this plan, the amount of the discount is 10%. Arrow previously sponsored an ESPP under which employees purchased Arrow's common stock at a 5% discount below market price. Under current accounting guidance, a stock purchase plan with a discount of 5% or less is not considered a compensatory plan. The new qualified 2023 ESPP was approved by Arrow shareholders at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.
Director Stock Plan
Arrow maintains a director stock plan, pursuant to which a portion of the directors’ fees, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, is paid to the directors in shares of Company common stock, as opposed to cash or any other form of compensation, subject to applicable law. Each director may elect to receive a greater amount or percentage of his or her directors’ fees payable in common stock from the portion that would otherwise have been payable in cash to the director.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Arrow maintains an employee stock ownership plan. Substantially all employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate upon satisfaction of applicable service requirements. The Company makes voluntary cash contributions to the Plan each year.
Schedule of ESOP Compensation Expense
2024 2023 2022
ESOP Compensation Expense $ 1,879 $ 1,540 $ 1,457
Note 13: RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Dollars in Thousands)
Arrow sponsors qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for its employees. Arrow maintains a non-contributory pension plan, which covers substantially all employees. Effective December 1, 2002, all active participants in the qualified defined benefit pension plan were given a one-time irrevocable election to continue participating in the traditional plan design, for which benefits were based on years of service and the participant’s final compensation (as defined), or to begin participating in the new cash balance plan design. All new employees who participate in the plan after December 1, 2002 automatically participate in the cash balance plan design. The interest credits under the cash balance plan are based on the 30-year U.S. Treasury rate in effect for November of the prior year with a minimum interest credit of 3.0%. The service credits under the cash balance plan are equal to 6.0% of eligible salaries for employees who become participants on or after January 1, 2003. For employees in the plan prior to January 1, 2003, the service credits are scaled based on the age of the participant, and range from 6.0% to 12.0%. The funding policy is to contribute up to the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes and to make all payments required under ERISA. Arrow also maintains a supplemental non-qualified unfunded retirement plan to provide eligible employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries with benefits in excess of qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law.
Arrow has multiple non-pension postretirement benefit plans. The health care, dental and life insurance plans are contributory, with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. Arrow’s policy is to fund the cost of postretirement benefits based on the current cost of the underlying policies. However, the health care plan provision allows for grandfathered participants to receive automatic increases of Company contributions each year based on the increase in inflation and limited to a maximum of 5%.
As of December 31, 2024, Arrow uses the sex-distinct Amount-Weighted Pri-2012 Mortality Tables for employees, healthy retirees and contingent survivors, with mortality improvements projected using Scale MP-2021 on a generational basis for the Pension Plan and the sex-distinct White Collar Amount-Weighted Pri-2012 Mortality Tables for employees, healthy retirees and contingent survivors, with mortality improvements projected using Scale MP-2021 on a generational basis for the Select Executive Retirement Plan.
Segment interest rates of 4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57% were used in determining the present value of a lump sum payment/annuitizing cash balance accounts as of December 31, 2024
Effective January 1, 2021, Arrow Bank, formerly GFNB, amended the Arrow Financial Corporation Employees' Pension Plan. The plan change was adopted January 1, 2021 and the amendment was valued as of December 31, 2020. The plan amendment included the following:
Effective January 1, 2021, the benefit payable to or on behalf of each participant:
•whose employment with the Employer (or any predecessor Employer, except as noted below) terminated on or before January 1, 2016;
•who satisfied the requirements for early, normal, or late retirement as of such termination;
•who never participated in the United Vermont Bancorporation Plan and;
•who is, or whose beneficiary is, receiving monthly benefit payments from the plan as of January 1, 2021 (including a participant or beneficiary who shall commence receiving benefits from the plan as of January 1, 2021), shall be increased by three percent (3%).
The foregoing increase was applied to the monthly benefit actually payable to the participant, or to the participant's beneficiary, as of January 1, 2021, determined after all applicable adjustments, regardless of whether such benefit had been determined under the Company's plan or the plan of a predecessor employer that had been merged into the plan.
The plan amendment caused a $352 thousand increase in the projected benefit obligation creating a positive service cost which will be amortized over 9.70 years (the average expected future service of active plan participants.)
Effective January 1, 2021, Arrow Bank, formerly GFNB, amended the Arrow Financial Corporation Employees' Select Executive Retirement Plan. The plan change was adopted January 1, 2021 and the amendment was valued as of December 31, 2020. The plan amendment provides a special adjustment to the monthly benefit payment for certain retirees. The plan amendment caused a $123 thousand increase in the projected benefit obligation creating a positive prior service cost which will be amortized over 12.5 years.
Effective December 1, 2023, Arrow amended the Arrow Financial Corporation Employees' Pension Plan. The plan change was adopted December 1, 2023 and was valued as of December 31, 2023. The plan amendment was made to reflect a one-time four percent cost of living increase applied to monthly benefit payments. The amendment caused a $526 thousand increase in the projected benefit obligation, creating a positive prior service cost. The amount will be amortized over 7.64 years which is the average expected future years of service of active plan participants.
Effective January 1, 2024, Arrow amended the schedule of participants to the Arrow Financial Corporation Employees' Select Executive Retirement Plan. The amendment expanded the pool of eligible participants to include all members of the Executive Leadership Team. The impact on the December 31, 2024 pension benefit obligation was minimal.
Effective December 31, 2024, Arrow amended the Arrow Financial Corporation Employees' Pension Plan. The plan change was adopted December 31, 2024 and was valued as of December 31, 2024. The plan amendment established a minimum account balance for certain executives and caused a $441 thousand increase in the projected benefit obligation, creating a positive prior service cost. The amount will be amortized over 7.64 years which is the expected future years of service of active plan participants.
Settlement accounting is required when lump sum payments during a fiscal year exceed that fiscal year's Service Cost plus Interest Cost components of the Net Periodic Pension Cost. For 2024 and 2023, settlement accounting was not required. For 2022, the sum of the Service Cost and Interest Cost was $3.3 million and the 2022 total lump sum payments exceeded that amount. The Plan therefore recognized in the 2022 Net Periodic Pension Cost a portion of the Unamortized Net (Gain)/Loss equal to the ratio of the projected benefit obligation for the participants that received a lump sum to the total projected benefit obligation. As of December 31, 2022, the Unamortized Net Loss prior to reflecting settlement accounting was $7.2 million. The ratio of the projected benefit obligation for participants that received a lump sum to the total projected benefit obligation was 8.06%. The effect of the settlement that was recognized in the 2022 Net Periodic Pension Cost was $577 thousand.
The following tables set forth changes in the plans’ benefit obligations (projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement benefits) and changes in the plans’ assets and the funded status of the pension plans and other postretirement benefit plan at December 31:
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status
December 31, 2024
Fair Value of Plan Assets $ 63,893 $ - $ -
Benefit Obligation 39,763 4,940 5,550
Funded Status of Plan $ 24,130 $ (4,940) $ (5,550)
December 31, 2023
Fair Value of Plan Assets $ 59,199 $ - $ -
Benefit Obligation 42,914 6,904 6,221
Funded Status of Plan $ 16,285 $ (6,904) $ (6,221)
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit Obligation, at January 1, 2024
$ 42,914 $ 6,904 $ 6,221
Service Cost 1
1,692 78 45
Interest Cost 2
2,242 320 320
Plan Participants' Contributions - - 483
Amendments / Curtailments / Special Termination 441 - -
Actuarial Loss (3,256) (1,770) (497)
Benefits Paid (4,270) (592) (1,022)
Benefit Obligation, at December 31, 2024
$ 39,763 $ 4,940 $ 5,550
Benefit Obligation, at January 1, 2023
$ 39,528 $ 6,070 $ 6,482
Service Cost 1
1,593 570 56
Interest Cost 2
2,099 336 332
Plan Participants' Contributions - - 459
Amendments 526 - -
Actuarial Gain (Loss) 2,125 357 (397)
Benefits Paid (2,957) (429) (711)
Benefit Obligation, at December 31, 2023
$ 42,914 $ 6,904 $ 6,221
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair Value of Plan Assets, at January 1, 2024
$ 59,199 $ - $ -
Actual Return on Plan Assets 8,964 - -
Employer Contributions - 592 539
Plan Participants' Contributions - - 483
Benefits Paid (4,270) (592) (1,022)
Fair Value of Plan Assets, at December 31, 2024
$ 63,893 $ - $ -
Fair Value of Plan Assets, at January 1, 2023
$ 54,300 $ - $ -
Actual Return on Plan Assets 7,856 - -
Employer Contributions - 429 252
Plan Participants' Contributions - - 459
Benefits Paid (2,957) (429) (711)
Fair Value of Plan Assets, at December 31, 2023
$ 59,199 $ - $ -
Accumulated Benefit Obligation at December 31, 2024
$ 39,763 $ 4,940 $ 5,550
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2024
Prepaid Pension Asset $ 24,130 $ - $ -
Accrued Benefit Liability - (4,940) (5,550)
Net Benefit (Expense) Recognized $ 24,130 $ (4,940) $ (5,550)
December 31, 2023
Prepaid Pension Asset $ 16,285 $ - $ -
Accrued Benefit Liability - (6,904) (6,221)
Net Benefit (Expense) Recognized $ 16,285 $ (6,904) $ (6,221)
Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Net Unamortized Gain Arising During the Period $ (8,509) $ (1,770) $ (498)
Prior Service Cost 441 - -
Amortization of Net (Loss) Gain - (24) 337
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (131) (39) (102)
Total Other Comprehensive Loss for Pension and
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans $ (8,199) $ (1,833) $ (263)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net Unamortized Loss (Gain) Arising During the Period $ (2,315) $ 358 $ (397)
Net Prior Service Cost Arising During the Period 526 - -
Amortization of Net (Loss) Gain (118) (73) 353
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (62) (39) (104)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for Pension and
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans $ (1,969) $ 246 $ (148)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Net Unamortized Loss (Gain) Arising During the Period $ 9,492 $ (983) $ (1,571)
Amortization of Net (Loss) Gain - (212) 156
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (78) (44) (106)
Settlement Cost (577) - -
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for Pension and
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans $ 8,837 $ (1,239) $ (1,521)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
December 31, 2024
Net Actuarial Gain $ (4,369) $ (55) $ (2,801)
Prior Service Cost 1,150 291 160
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax $ (3,219) $ 236 $ (2,641)
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
December 31, 2023
Net Actuarial Loss (Gain) $ 4,141 $ 1,739 $ (2,641)
Prior Service Cost 840 330 262
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax $ 4,981 $ 2,069 $ (2,379)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Service Cost 1
$ 1,692 $ 78 $ 45
Interest Cost 2
2,242 320 320
Expected Return on Plan Assets 2
(3,710) - -
Amortization of Prior Service Cost 2
131 39 102
Amortization of Net Loss (Gain) 2
- 25 (337)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost $ 355 $ 462 $ 130
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Service Cost 1
$ 1,593 $ 570 $ 56
Interest Cost 2
2,099 336 332
Expected Return on Plan Assets 2
(3,416) - -
Amortization of Prior Service Cost 2
62 39 104
Amortization of Net Loss (Gain) 2
118 73 (353)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost $ 456 $ 1,018 $ 139
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Service Cost 1
$ 1,877 $ 835 $ 90
Interest Cost 2
1,439 225 248
Expected Return on Plan Assets 2
(4,314) - -
Amortization of Prior Service Cost 2
77 44 106
Amortization of Net Loss 2
- 212 (156)
Settlement Cost 2
577 - -
Net Periodic Benefit (Income) Cost $ (344) $ 1,316 $ 288
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in
Calculating Benefit Obligation
December 31, 2024
Discount Rate 6.15 % 6.21 % 6.12 %
Rate of Compensation Increase 4.00 % 4.00 % 4.00 %
Interest Rate Credit for Determining
Projected Cash Balance Account 4.54 % 4.54 %
Interest Rates segments to Annuitize Cash
Balance Account (Segment 1, Segment 2 and Segment 3,
respectively) 4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
Interest Rates to Convert Annuities to Actuarially
Equivalent Lump Sum Amounts (Segment 1, Segment 2 and
Segment 3, respectively) 4.66%,5.25% and 5.57%
4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
December 31, 2023
Discount Rate 5.52 % 5.53 % 5.51 %
Rate of Compensation Increase 4.00 % 4.00 % 4.00 %
Interest Rate Credit for Determining
Projected Cash Balance Account 4.66 % 4.66 %
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in
Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
December 31, 2024
Discount Rate 5.52 % 5.53 % 5.51 %
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets 6.50 %
Rate of Compensation Increase 4.00 % 4.00 % 4.00 %
Interest Rate Credit for Determining
Projected Cash Balance Account 4.66 % 4.66 %
Interest Rates to Annuitize Cash
Balance Account (Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3,
respectively) 4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
4.66%,5.25% and 5.57%
Interest Rates to Convert Annuities to Actuarially
Equivalent Lump Sum Amounts (Segment 1, Segment 2 and
Segment 3, respectively) 4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
4.66%, 5.25% and 5.57%
December 31, 2023
Discount Rate 5.59 % 5.61 % 5.62 %
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets 6.50 %
Rate of Compensation Increase 3.50 % 3.50 % 3.50 %
Interest Rate Credit for Determining
Projected Cash Balance Account 3.99 % 3.99 %
Interest Rates to Annuitize Cash
Balance Account (Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3,
respectively) 5.50%, 5.76% and 5.83%
5.50%, 5.76% and 5.83%
Interest Rates to Convert Annuities to Actuarially
Equivalent Lump Sum Amounts (Segment 1, Segment 2 and
Segment 3, respectively) 5.50%, 5.76% and 5.83%
5.50%, 5.76% and 5.76%
December 31, 2022
Discount Rate 3.30 % 5.61 % 3.32 %
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets 6.50 %
Rate of Compensation Increase 3.50 % 3.50 % 3.50 %
Interest Rate Credit for Determining
Projected Cash Balance Account 3.00 % 3.99 %
Interest Rates to Annuitize Cash
Balance Account (Segment 1, Segment 2, and Segment 3,
respectively) 5.09%, 5.60% and 5.41%
5.09%, 5.60% and 5.41%
Interest Rates to Convert Annuities to Actuarially
Equivalent Lump Sum Amounts (Segment 1, Segment 2 and
Segment 3, respectively) 5.09%, 5.60% and 5.41%
5.09%, 5.60% and 5.41%
Footnotes:
1.Included in Salaries and Employee Benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income
2.Included in Other Operating Expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures
Information about Defined Benefit Plan Assets - Employees' Pension Plan
Fair Value Measurements Using:
Asset Category Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3) Total Percent of Total Target Allocation Minimum Target Allocation Maximum
December 31, 2024
Cash $ - $ - $ - $ - - % - % 15.0 %
Interest-Bearing Money Market Fund 2,699 - - 2,699 4.2 % - % 15.0 %
Arrow Common Stock 5,593 - - 5,593 8.8 % - % 10.0 %
North Country Funds - Equity 1 18,740 - - 18,740 29.3 %
Other Mutual Funds - Equity 26,598 - - 26,598 41.6 %
Total Equity Funds 45,338 - - 45,338 70.9 % 55.0 % 85.0 %
Other Mutual Funds - Fixed Income 10,263 - - 10,263 16.1 %
Total Fixed Income Funds 10,263 - - 10,263 16.1 % 10.0 % 30.0 %
Total $ 63,893 $ - $ - $ 63,893 100.0 %
December 31, 2023
Cash
Interest-Bearing Money Market Fund 1,257 - - 1,257 2.1 % - % 15.0 %
Arrow Common Stock 5,443 - - 5,443 9.2 % - % 10.0 %
North Country Funds - Equity 1 20,012 - - 20,012 33.8 %
Other Mutual Funds - Equity 19,883 - - 19,883 33.6 %
Total Equity Funds 39,895 - - 39,895 67.4 % 55.0 % 85.0 %
Other Mutual Funds - Fixed Income 12,012 - - 12,012 20.3 %
Total Fixed Income Funds 12,012 - - 12,012 20.3 % 10.0 % 30.0 %
Alternative ETF 592 - - 592 1.0 % - % 20.0 %
Total $ 59,199 $ - $ - $ 59,199 100.0 %
Footnote:
1 The North Country Funds - Equity is a publicly traded mutual funds advised by Arrow's subsidiary, North Country Investment
Advisers, Inc.
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures
Employees'
Pension
Plan Select
Executive
Retirement
Plan Postretirement
Benefit
Plans
Expected Future Benefit Payments
2025 $ 3,679 $ 579 $ 642
2026 3,037 549 657
2027 3,293 531 662
2028 3,294 501 628
2029 3,129 471 615
2030 - 2034 16,966 1,992 2,520
Estimated Contributions During 2025
$ - $ 579 $ 642
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
December 31, 2024
Health Care Cost Trend
Rate Assumed for Next Year 7.75 %
Rate to which the Cost Trend
Rate is Assumed to Decline
(the Ultimate Trend Rate) 4.04 %
Year that the Rate Reaches
the Ultimate Trend Rate 2075
December 31, 2023
Health Care Cost Trend
Rate Assumed for Next Year 7.75 %
Rate to which the Cost Trend
Rate is Assumed to Decline
(the Ultimate Trend Rate) 4.04 %
Year that the Rate Reaches
the Ultimate Trend Rate 2075
Fair Value of Plan Assets (Defined Benefit Plan):
For information on fair value measurements, including descriptions of level 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation methods employed by Arrow, see Notes 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and 17, Fair Values, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The fair value of level 1 financial instruments in the table above are based on unadjusted, quoted market prices from exchanges in active markets.
In accordance with ERISA guidelines, the Board authorized the purchase of Arrow common stock up to 10% of the fair market value of the plan's assets at the time of acquisition.
Pension Plan Investment Policies and Strategies:
The pension assets are held in trust and are invested for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants. The investment objective is to achieve an inflation-protected rate of return that meets the actuarial assumption which is used for funding purposes. The investment strategy attempts to maximize the investment return on assets at a level of risk deemed appropriate by the Company while complying with ERISA and any applicable regulations and laws. The investment strategy utilizes asset allocation as a principal determinant for establishing the risk/reward profile of the assets. Asset allocation ranges are established, periodically reviewed, and adjusted as funding levels, and participant benefit characteristics change. Active and passive investment management is employed to help enhance the risk/return profile of the assets.
The plan’s assets are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity securities comprised of companies with small, mid, and large capitalizations. Both domestic and international equities are allowed to provide further diversification and opportunity for return in potentially higher growth economies with lower correlation of returns. Growth and value styles of investment are employed to increase the diversification and offer varying opportunities for appreciation. The fixed income portion of the plan may be invested in U.S. dollar denominated debt securities that shall be rated within the top four ratings categories by nationally recognized ratings agencies. The fixed income portion will be invested without regard to industry or sector based on analysis of each target security’s structural and repayment features, current pricing and trading opportunities as well as credit quality of the issuer. Individual bonds with ratings that fall below the plan’s rating requirements will be sold only when it is in the best interests
of the plan. Hybrid investments, such as convertible bonds, may be used to provide growth characteristics while offering some protection to declining equity markets by having a fixed income component. Alternative investments such as Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, commodities, and REITs may be used to further enhance diversification while offering opportunities for return. In accordance with ERISA guidelines, common stock of the Company may be purchased up to 10% of the fair market value of the plan’s assets at the time of acquisition. Derivative investments are prohibited in the plan.
The return on assets assumption was developed through review of historical market returns, historical asset class volatility and correlations, current market conditions, the plan’s past experience, and expectations on potential future market returns. The assumption represents a long-term average view of the performance of the assets in the plan, a return that may or may not be achieved during any one calendar year. The assumption is based on the return of the plan using the historical returns adjusted for the potential for lower than historical returns due to low interest rates and other items of potential impact.
Cash Flows - We were not required to and we did not make any contribution to our qualified pension plan in 2024. Arrow makes contributions for its postretirement benefits in an amount equal to actual expenses for the year.
Note 14:OTHER EXPENSES (Dollars In Thousands)
Other operating expenses included in the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:
2024 2023 2022
Legal and Other Professional Fees 5,816 8,989 3,076
Postage and Courier 1,362 1,367 1,277
Advertising and Promotion 1,253 1,173 1,190
Stationery and Printing 824 832 805
Intangible Asset Amortization 247 176 193
All Other 5,749 6,630 4,490
Total Other Operating Expense $ 15,252 $ 19,169 $ 11,031
Note 15:INCOME TAXES (Dollars In Thousands)
The provision for income taxes is summarized below:
Current Tax Expense: 2024 2023 2022
Federal $ 7,187 $ 4,611 $ 12,263
State 1,251 1,035 3,103
Total Current Tax Expense 8,438 5,646 15,366
Deferred Tax (Benefit) Expense:
Federal (631) 1,825 (798)
State (158) (26) (454)
Total Deferred Tax (Benefit) Expense (789) 1,799 (1,252)
Total Provision for Income Taxes $ 7,649 $ 7,445 $ 14,114
The provisions for income taxes differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate of 21% to pre-tax income as a result of the following:
2024 2023 2022
Statutory Federal Tax Rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
(Decrease) Increase Resulting From:
Tax-Exempt Investment Income (2.1) (2.3) (1.4)
State Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit 2.3 2.3 3.4
Bank Owned Life Insurance (0.9) (1.0) (0.5)
Other Items, Net 0.2 (0.2) (0.1)
Effective Tax Rate 20.5 % 19.8 % 22.4 %
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below:
2024 2023
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net Unrealized Losses on Securities Available-for-Sale Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income $ 9,427 $ 11,003
Allowance for Credit Losses 9,068 8,475
Lease liabilities 2,539 2,635
Pension and Deferred Compensation Plans 3,460 3,708
Pension Liability Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - 1,210
Historic Tax Credit - 363
Other 773 781
Total Gross Deferred Tax Assets 25,267 28,175
Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets - -
Total Gross Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance $ 25,267 $ 28,175
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Pension Plans $ 5,397 $ 5,489
Depreciation 4,692 5,094
ROU assets 2,298 2,426
Deferred Income 3,524 3,905
Prepaid Pension Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 1,445 -
Net Unrealized Gains on Equity Securities 241 207
Goodwill 3,373 3,379
Gain on Cash Flow Hedge Agreements Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 1,620 590
Other 64 -
Total Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities $ 22,654 $ 21,090
Deferred Tax Asset, Net $ 2,613 $ 7,085
Management believes that the realization of the recognized gross deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023 is more likely than not, based on historic earnings and expectations as to future taxable income.
Interest and penalties are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes, if any. There are no current examinations of our Federal income tax returns, nor have we been notified of any upcoming examinations. During 2024 the State of New York completed a desk audit of the Special Additional Mortgage Recording Tax Credit that Arrow claimed on the 2021 New York State income tax return. The audit resulted in an insignificant balance due. Our Tax years 2021 through 2024 are subject to Federal and New York State examination. Management annually conducts an analysis of its tax positions and has concluded that it has no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2024.
Note 16: EARNINGS PER SHARE (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share ("EPS") for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024. When applicable, share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the September 26, 2023 3% stock dividend.
Earnings Per Share
Year-to-Date Period Ended:
12/31/2024 12/31/2023 12/31/2022
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Weighted Average Shares - Basic 16,739 17,037 17,008
Earnings Per Share - Basic $ 1.77 $ 1.77 $ 2.86
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Weighted Average Shares - Basic 16,739 17,037 17,008
Dilutive Average Shares Attributable to Stock Options 6 - 51
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted 16,745 17,037 17,059
Earnings Per Share - Diluted $ 1.77 $ 1.77 $ 2.86
Note 17:FAIR VALUES (Dollars In Thousands)
FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. There are no nonfinancial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The only assets or liabilities that Arrow measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were securities available-for-sale, equity securities and derivatives. Arrow held no securities or liabilities for trading on such dates. For information on fair value measurements, including descriptions of level 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation methods employed by Arrow, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The table below presents the financial instrument's fair value and the amounts within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis: Fair Value Quoted Prices
In Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1) Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
December 31, 2024
Assets:
Securities Available-for Sale:
U.S. Treasuries $ 98,070 $ 98,070 $ - $ -
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations 69,214 - 69,214 $ -
State and Municipal Obligations 240 - 240 -
Mortgage-Backed Securities 294,608 - 294,608 -
Corporate and Other Debt Securities 979 - 979 -
Total Securities Available-for-Sale 463,111 98,070 365,041 $ -
Equity Securities 5,055 - 5,055 -
Total Securities Measured on a Recurring Basis 468,166 98,070 370,096 -
Derivative Assets 12,659 - 12,659 -
Total Measured on a Recurring Basis $ 480,825 $ 98,070 $ 382,755 $ -
Liabilities:
Derivative Liabilities $ 8,638 $ - $ 8,638 $ -
Total Measured on a Recurring Basis $ 8,638 $ - $ 8,638 $ -
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Securities Available-for Sale:
U.S. Treasuries $ 74,004 $ 74,004 $ - $ -
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations 152,925 - 152,925 $ -
State and Municipal Obligations 280 - 280 -
Mortgage-Backed Securities 269,760 - 269,760 -
Corporate and Other Debt Securities 800 - 800 -
Total Securities Available-for-Sale 497,769 74,004 423,765 -
Equity Securities 1,925 - 1,925 -
Total Securities Measured on a Recurring Basis 499,694 74,004 425,690 -
Derivative Assets 12,057 - 12,057 -
Total Measured on a Recurring Basis $ 511,751 $ 74,004 $ 437,747 $ -
Liabilities:
Derivative Liabilities $ 9,598 $ - $ 9,598 $ -
Total Measured on a Recurring Basis $ 9,598 $ - $ 9,598 $ -
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: Fair Value Quoted Prices
In Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1) Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
December 31, 2024
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans $ - $ - $ - $ -
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets, Net 458 - - 458
December 31, 2023
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans $ - $ - $ - $ -
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets, Net 312 - - 312
The fair value of financial instruments is determined under the following hierarchy:
•Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
•Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and,
•Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
U.S. Treasuries purchased in the fourth quarter of 2023, previously reported as Level 2, have been reclassified as Level 1 securities based on the availability of quoted prices in active markets and certain local municipal obligations previously reported as Level 2 have been reclassified as Level 3 based on the lack of an active market. These reclassification had no impact to the total fair value.
Fair Value Methodology for Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
The fair value of Level 1 AFS securities are based on unadjusted, quoted market prices from exchanges in active markets. The fair value of Level 2 AFS securities are based on an independent bond and equity pricing service for identical assets or significantly similar securities and an independent equity pricing service for equity securities not actively traded. The pricing services use a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value including market maker bids, quotes and pricing models. Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows. The fair value of Level 2 equities are based on the last observable price in open markets. The fair value of Level 2 equities are based on the last observable price in open markets. The fair value of Level 2 derivatives is determined using inputs that are observable in the market place obtained from third parties including yield curves, publicly available volatilities, and floating indexes.
Fair Value Methodology for Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis
The fair value of collateral dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned was based on third-party appraisals less estimated cost to sell. The appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and
estimated liquidation expenses. Other assets which might have been included in this table include mortgage servicing rights, goodwill and other intangible assets. Arrow evaluates each of these assets for impairment at least annually, with no impairment recognized for these assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Fair Value Methodology for Financial Instruments Not Measured on a Recurring or Nonrecurring Basis
The fair value for securities held-to-maturity is determined utilizing an independent bond pricing service for identical assets or significantly similar securities. The pricing service uses a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value including market maker bids, quotes and pricing models. Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows.
Local municipal held-to-maturity securities are recorded at cost on the financial statements. That determination is due to several factors including that there is no reliable external pricing available, the vast majority of maturities are under 1-year, and each are guaranteed by their respective municipalities, who are in turn guaranteed by the State of New York.
ASU 2016-01 "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" requires that the fair value for loans must be disclosed using the "exit price" notion which is a reasonable estimate of what another party might pay in an orderly transaction. Fair values for loans are calculated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, indirect auto and other consumer loans. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable interest rate terms and by performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by determining the estimated future cash flow, which is the contractual cash flow adjusted for estimated prepayments. The discount rate is determined by starting with current market yields, and first adjusting for a liquidity premium. This premium is separately determined for each loan type. Then a credit loss component is determined utilizing the credit loss assumptions used in the allowance for credit loss model. Finally, a discount spread is applied separately for consumer loans vs. commercial loans based on market information and utilization of the swap curve.
The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rates are estimated using the FHLBNY yield curve, which is considered representative of Arrow’s time deposit rates.
The fair value of FHLBNY advances is calculated by the FHLBNY.
The carrying amount of FHLBNY and FRB stock approximates fair value. If the stock was redeemed, the Company will receive an amount equal to the par value of the stock.
Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping
The following table presents a summary of the carrying amount, the fair value and the fair value hierarchy of Arrow’s financial instruments:
Schedule of Fair Values by Balance Sheet Grouping
Fair Value Hierarchy
Carrying
Amount Fair
Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
December 31, 2024
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 154,546 $ 154,546 $ 154,546 $ - $ -
Securities Available-for-Sale 463,111 463,111 98,070 365,041 -
Securities Held-to-Maturity 98,261 96,586 - 75,262 21,324
Equity Securities 5,055 5,055 5,055
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock 4,353 4,353 - 4,353 -
Net Loans 3,360,943 3,137,721 - - 3,137,721
Accrued Interest Receivable 13,229 13,229 - 13,229 -
Derivative Assets 12,659 12,659 - 12,659 -
Deposits 3,827,930 3,824,699 - 3,824,699 -
Borrowings 8,600 8,386 - 8,386 -
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued
to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts 20,000 20,000 - 20,000 -
Accrued Interest Payable 5,099 5,099 - 5,099 -
Derivative Liabilities 8,638 8,638 - 8,638 -
December 31, 2023
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 142,536 $ 142,536 $ 142,536 $ - $ -
Securities Available-for-Sale 497,769 497,769 74,004 423,765 -
Securities Held-to-Maturity 131,395 128,837 - 113,640 15,197
Equity Securities 1,925 1,925 1,925
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock 5,049 5,049 - 5,049 -
Net Loans 3,181,643 2,940,318 - - 2,940,318
Accrued Interest Receivable 11,076 11,076 - 11,076 -
Derivative Assets 12,057 12,057 - 12,057 -
Deposits 3,687,566 3,683,122 - 3,683,122 -
Borrowings 26,500 26,189 - 26,189 -
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued
to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts 20,000 20,000 - 20,000 -
Accrued Interest Payable 6,289 6,289 - 6,289 -
Derivative Liabilities 9,598 9,598 - 9,598 -
Note 18:LEASES (Dollars In Thousands)
Arrow is a lessee in its leases, which are mainly for financial services locations in addition to leases for corporate vehicles. These leases generally require the Company to pay third-party expenses on behalf of the Lessor, which are referred to as variable payments. Under some leases, the Company pays the variable payments to the lessor, and in other leases, the Company pays the variable payments directly to the applicable third party. None of the Company's current leases include any residual value guarantees or any subleases, and there are no significant rights or obligations of the Company for leases that have not commenced as of the reporting date.
Arrow leases three of its branch offices, at market rates, from Stewart’s Shops Corp. Additionally, on June 14th, 2024, Arrow entered into a sale-leaseback agreement with Stewart's Shops Corp. for a bank branch location. The sale price of the property was $1.1 million which resulted in a gain of $377 thousand. The lease agreement began in June 2024 and runs through May 2029, with rent totaling $5 thousand per month for the remainder of the lease. Mr. Gary C. Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops Corp., serves as a director on the board of directors for Arrow and Arrow Bank. Additional information regarding this relationship can be found in Part III, Item 13 under the caption "Related Party Transactions."
The following includes quantitative data related to the Company's leases as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Twelve Months Ended
Finance Lease Amounts: Classification December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Right-of-Use Assets Premises and Equipment, Net $ 4,283 $ 4,460
Lease Liabilities Finance Leases 5,005 5,066
Operating Lease Amounts:
Right-of-Use Assets Other Assets $ 4,628 $ 4,948
Lease Liabilities Other Liabilities 4,842 5,152
Other Information:
Cash Paid For Amounts Included In The Measurement Of Lease Liabilities:
Operating Outgoing Cash Flows From Finance Leases 189 191
Operating Outgoing Cash Flows From Operating Leases 636 817
Financing Outgoing Cash Flows From Finance Leases 61 53
Right-of-Use Assets Obtained In Exchange For New Finance Lease Liabilities - -
Right-of-Use Assets Obtained In Exchange For New Operating Lease Liabilities 326 146
Weighted-average Remaining Lease Term - Finance Leases (Yrs.) 25.58 26.28
Weighted-average Remaining Lease Term - Operating Leases (Yrs.) 10.44 11.15
Weighted-average Discount Rate-Finance Leases 3.75 % 3.75 %
Weighted-average Discount Rate-Operating Leases 3.37 % 3.08 %
Lease cost information for the Company's leases is as follows:
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Lease Cost:
Finance Lease Cost:
Reduction in the Carrying Amount of Right-of-Use Assets $ 44 $ 44 $ 176 $ 176
Interest on Lease Liabilities 47 48 189 191
Operating Lease Cost 202 195 799 981
Short-term Lease Cost 10 15 38 61
Variable Lease Cost 57 52 234 231
Total Lease Cost $ 360 $ 354 $ 1,436 $ 1,640
Future Lease Payments at December 31, 2024 are as follows:
Operating
Leases
Finance
Leases
Twelve Months Ended:
12/31/2025 $ 779 $ 263
12/31/2026 691 268
12/31/2027 632 268
12/31/2028 550 268
12/31/2029 521 275
Thereafter 2,620 6,721
Total Undiscounted Cash Flows 5,793 8,063
Less: Net Present Value Adjustment 951 3,058
Lease Liability $ 4,842 $ 5,005
Note 19. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (In Thousands)
Arrow is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. Arrow principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. Arrow manages economic risks, including interest rate, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative instruments. Specifically, Arrow enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Arrow's derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain fixed rate borrowings. Arrow also has interest rate derivatives that result from a service provided to certain qualifying customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in Arrow's assets or liabilities. Arrow's goal is to have a matched book with respect to its derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Arrow enters into interest rate swap agreements with its commercial customers to provide them with a long-term fixed rate, while simultaneously entering into offsetting interest rate swap agreements with a counterparty to swap the fixed rate to a variable rate to manage interest rate exposure.
These Back to back interest rate swap agreements are not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. As the interest rate swap agreements have substantially equivalent and offsetting terms, they do not present material interest rate exposure to Arrow's consolidated statements of income. Arrow records its interest rate swap agreements at fair value and is presented on a gross basis within other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities arising from these derivatives are included, net, in other income in the consolidated statement of income.
The following table depicts the fair value adjustment recorded related to the notional amount of derivatives, not designated as hedging instruments, outstanding as well as the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Fair value adjustment included in other assets $ 5,520 $ 6,208
Fair value adjustment included in other liabilities 5,520 6,208
Notional amount 104,897 123,197
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Arrow entered into two pay-fixed portfolio layer method (PLM) fair value swaps, designated as hedging instruments, with a total notional amount of $250 million and $50 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2023. Under PLM, the hedged items are designated as hedged layers of a closed portfolio of financial loans that are anticipated to remain outstanding for the designated hedged period. Adjustments will be made to record the swaps at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in fair value recognized in interest income. The carrying value of the fair value swaps on the Consolidated Balance Sheets will also be adjusted through interest income, based on changes in fair value attributable to changes in the hedged risk.
The following table depicts the fair value adjustment recorded related to the notional amount of derivatives, designed as hedging instruments, outstanding as well as the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements:
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Fair Value Agreements
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Fair value adjustment included in other assets $ - $ -
Fair value adjustment included in other liabilities 2,263 5,678
Notional amount 300,000 300,000
The following table summarizes the effect of the fair value hedging relationship recognized on the consolidated statement of income:
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Fair Value Agreements
Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Hedged Asset $ 2,234 $ 5,849
Fair value derivative designated as hedging instrument (2,263) (5,828)
Total (loss) gain recognized in the consolidated statements of income with interest and fees on loans (29) 21
The following table represents the carrying value of the portfolio layer method hedged assets and the cumulative fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying value of the hedged asset:
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Fair Value Swap Agreements
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Carrying Value of Portfolio Layer Method Hedged Asset $ 302,234 $ 305,849
Cumulative Fair Value Hedging Adjustment 2,234 5,849
In the third quarter of 2024, Arrow entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement which will commence in the first quarter of 2025, designated as a cash flow hedge, to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the variability of the future cash flows attributable to the contractually specified interest rates. The notional amount is $125 million and will synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments. The effective fixed rate is 3.29% until maturity. Arrow entered into pay-fixed interest rate swaps to convert rolling 90 days brokered deposits. The funding will serve as the long-term replacement of the BTFP borrowings at 4.76%, which were replaced with brokered CDs in the fourth quarter at a rate of 4.70%.
The following table indicates the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI and on the consolidated statement of income.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Fair value adjustment included in other assets $ 1,757 $ -
Amount of gain recognized in AOCI 1,757 -
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Arrow entered into two interest rate swaps, designated as cash flow hedges, to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the variability of the future cash flows attributable to the contractually specified interest rates. The notional amounts were $100 million and $75 million, respectively. Arrow entered into pay-fixed interest rate swaps to convert rolling 90 days brokered deposits.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings.
The following table indicates the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI and on the consolidated statement of income.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Fair value adjustment included in other liabilities $ 855 $ 2,710
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI 3,383 (2,553)
Amount of gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense
1,528 157
In 2019, Arrow entered into interest rate swaps to synthetically fix the variable rate interest payments associated with $20 million in outstanding subordinated trust securities. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on Arrow's Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts borrowings.
The following table indicates the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI and on the consolidated statement of income.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Cash Flow Hedge Agreements
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Fair value adjustment included in other assets $ 5,382 $ 4,998
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI
1,358 (1,355)
Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCI to interest expense
974 (907)
Note 20:REGULATORY MATTERS (Dollars in Thousands)
In the normal course of business, Arrow and its subsidiaries operate under certain regulatory restrictions, such as the extent and structure of covered inter-company borrowings and maintenance of reserve requirement balances.
The principal source of the funds for the payment of stockholder dividends by Arrow has been from dividends declared and paid to Arrow by Arrow Bank. As of December 31, 2024, the maximum amount that could have been paid by to Arrow by GFNB and SNB, prior to the Unification, without prior regulatory approval, was approximately $44.4 million.
Under current Federal Reserve regulations, Arrow is prohibited from borrowing from Arrow Bank unless such borrowings are secured by specific obligations. Additionally, the maximum of any such borrowings from Arrow Bank (aggregated with all other "covered transactions" between Arrow Bank and Arrow) is limited to 10% of that bank’s capital and surplus. Loans and other covered transactions between Arrow Bank and all of its affiliates cannot exceed 20% of that bank's capital and surplus.
Arrow and Arrow Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory--and possibly additional discretionary--actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on an institution’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Arrow and Arrow Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Current quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Arrow and Arrow Bank to maintain minimum capital amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, that Arrow Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. The regulatory capital requirements incorporate a capital concept, the so-called "capital conservation buffer" (set at 2.5%), which must be added to each of the minimum required risk-based capital ratios (i.e., the minimum CET1 ratio, the minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and the minimum total risk-based capital ratio).
As of December 31, 2024, Arrow Bank qualified as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well-capitalized,” Arrow Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Tier I leverage, and CET1 risk-based ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events that management believes have changed Arrow’s or Arrow Bank's categories. The actual capital amounts and ratios for Arrow and Arrow Bank are presented in the table below as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Actual Minimum Amounts For Capital Adequacy Purposes (including "capital conservation buffer") Minimum Amounts To Be Well-Capitalized
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
As of December 31, 2024
Total Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow $ 452,506 14.5 % $ 328,268 10.5 % $ 312,636 10.0 %
Arrow Bank National Association 435,628 14.0 % 327,050 10.5 % 311,476 10.0 %
Tier I Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow 417,338 13.4 % 265,741 8.5 % 250,109 8.0 %
Arrow Bank National Association 400,460 12.9 % 264,755 8.5 % 249,181 8.0 %
Actual Minimum Amounts For Capital Adequacy Purposes (including "capital conservation buffer") Minimum Amounts To Be Well-Capitalized
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
Tier I Capital
(to Average Assets):
Arrow 417,338 9.6 % 173,952 4.0 % 217,440 5.0 %
Arrow Bank National Association 400,460 9.2 % 173,656 4.0 % 217,070 5.0 %
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow 397,285 12.7 % 218,845 7.0 % 203,214 6.5 %
Arrow Bank National Association 400,407 12.9 % 218,033 7.0 % 202,459 6.5 %
As of December 31, 2023
Total Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow $ 447,091 14.7 % $ 319,351 10.5 % $ 304,144 10.0 %
Glens Falls National 320,449 14.3 % 235,295 10.5 % 224,090 10.0 %
Saratoga National 110,510 13.7 % 84,697 10.5 % 80,664 10.0 %
Tier I Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow 414,221 13.7 % 256,998 8.5 % 241,881 8.0 %
Glens Falls National 297,667 13.2 % 191,680 8.5 % 180,404 8.0 %
Saratoga National 100,449 12.5 % 68,305 8.5 % 64,287 8.0 %
Tier I Capital
(to Average Assets):
Arrow 414,221 9.8 % 169,070 4.0 % 211,337 5.0 %
Glens Falls National 297,667 9.2 % 129,420 4.0 % 161,776 5.0 %
Saratoga National 100,449 9.6 % 41,854 4.0 % 52,317 5.0 %
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets):
Arrow 394,166 13.0 % 212,243 7.0 % 197,083 6.5 %
Glens Falls National 297,612 13.2 % 157,825 7.0 % 146,551 6.5 %
Saratoga National 100,449 12.5 % 56,251 7.0 % 52,233 6.5 %
Note 21:PARENT ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Dollars In Thousands)
Condensed financial information for Arrow Financial Corporation is as follows:
BALANCE SHEETS December 31,
ASSETS 2024 2023
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Arrow Bank
$ 333 $ 1,305
Equity Securities 2,144 1,925
Investment in Subsidiaries at Equity 401,228 381,160
Other Assets 19,159 17,185
Total Assets $ 422,864 $ 401,575
LIABILITIES
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to
Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts $ 20,000 $ 20,000
Other Liabilities 1,963 1,803
Total Liabilities 21,963 21,803
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Total Stockholders’ Equity 400,901 379,772
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 422,864 $ 401,575
STATEMENTS OF INCOME Years Ended December 31,
Income: 2024 2023 2022
Dividends from Bank Subsidiaries $ 25,100 $ 24,000 $ 19,264
Interest and Dividends on Investments 47 47 49
Other Income (Including Management Fees) 934 363 1,095
Total Income 26,081 24,410 20,408
Expense:
Interest Expense 685 685 685
Other Expense 1,325 4,280 1,030
Total Expense 2,010 4,965 1,715
Income Before Income Tax Benefit and Equity
in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries 24,071 19,445 18,693
Income Tax Benefit 487 1,242 257
Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries 5,151 9,388 29,849
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
The Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity is not reported because it is identical to the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Years Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income $ 29,709 $ 30,075 $ 48,799
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries (5,151) (9,388) (29,849)
Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock Plan 495 218 408
Changes in Other Assets and Other Liabilities (1,673) (229) (754)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 23,380 20,676 18,604
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Stock Options Exercised 433 96 631
Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 291 120 477
Shares Issued for Dividend Reinvestment Plans - 472 1,904
Purchase of Treasury Stock (6,790) (3,608) (2,872)
Cash Dividends Paid (18,286) (17,983) (17,444)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (24,352) (20,903) (17,304)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (972) (227) 1,300
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of the Year 1,305 1,532 232
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of the Year $ 333 $ 1,305 $ 1,532
Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of
Cash Flow Information:
Interest Paid $ 685 $ 685 $ 685
Note 22: Segment Reporting
The Company's revenue is primarily derived from community banking. Arrow's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") is considered to be the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"). The CEO manages its operations and monitors its financial performance on a consolidated basis The Executive Management Team includes the following officers of the Company:
•President and CEO,
•Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Chief Accounting Officer,
•Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer,
•Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer,
•Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer,
•Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer and
•Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.
Financial performance is reported to the CODM monthly. Net consolidated income and EPS are the primary measures used by the Executive Management team to evaluate Arrow's performance. Secondary measures include metrics like ROA and Net Interest Margin. All measures are reviewed and either affirmed or changed annually by the CODM and the Board of Directors. The presentation of financial performance to the CODM is consistent with the amounts and financial statement captions shown on the Company's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income. Significant expenses of the Company are adequately segmented in the consolidated statements of income to include all significant items when considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. These significant expenses include salaries and employee benefits, occupancy expense, technology and equipment expense, FDIC assessments and other operating expense.
All of the Company's financial results are considered by the Executive Management Team to be aggregated into one reportable segment which is community banking. While the Company does designate management responsibilities by certain business-lines, the Company's CODM evaluates financial performance on a Company-wide basis. The primary source of Arrow's revenue is from its community banking operation. All of Arrow's designated business lines have either similar characteristics, products and services, or are complementary products. Therefore, the operations of the Company are managed and considered by the Executive Management Team as one reportable segment.
Note 23. BRANCH ACQUISITION (In Thousands)
On August 2, 2024 Arrow Bank, formerly GFNB, completed the previously announced acquisition of the Whitehall Branch. The Whitehall Branch assets acquired consisted primarily of loans, as well as branch premises and substantially all of the personal property and equipment used in the operation of the Whitehall Branch. Goodwill of $1,510 was recognized, reflecting in large part the cost (external/internal) and time savings of not having to build out and establish a new branch and being able to benefit from already existing customer relationships. The fair value of intangible assets acquired, primarily core deposit intangibles, was $955. The liabilities assumed from the Whitehall Branch acquisition were primarily deposits.
The following table summarizes the amount of the consideration received for the Whitehall Branch and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.
Total consideration received $ 32,307
Total assets acquired $ 3,866
Total liabilities assumed $ (37,683)
Total Fair Value of Identifiable Net Assets $ (33,817)
Goodwill $ 1,510
NOTE 24. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (In Thousands)
Loans to principal officers, directors and their affiliates during 2024 were as follows:
Balance January 1, 2024 $ 5,059
New loans 1,341
Repayments (1,498)
Balance December 31, 2024 $ 4,902
Deposits from principal officers, directors and their affiliates at December 31, 2024 were approximately $12.3 million.
In addition, Arrow currently leases properties from a related party, further discussion of those transactions is included in Note 18.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure - None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (who is our principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (who is our principal financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of December 31, 2024.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting were effective. The previously disclosed material weaknesses in Arrow's controls and procedures over financial reporting have been remediated and are further described below under the heading "Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting."
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).
As of December 31, 2024, our management, under the oversight of our Board of Directors, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024 due to the remediation of the material weaknesses previously disclosed in the 2022 Form 10-K and in the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, (the “2023 Form 10-K”). The remediation of the material weaknesses previously disclosed are described below under the header "Remediation of Prior Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024.
Remediation of Prior Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company previously identified and disclosed material weaknesses that existed as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 related to maintaining effective monitoring and oversight of controls including testing of management’s internal control over financial reporting and the completeness and accuracy of information presented to the Audit Committee as well as effectively performing risk assessment procedures to identify the impact of the September 2022 core banking system conversion on our internal controls over financial reporting.
The material weaknesses noted above did not result in misstatements to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, certain remediation measures for these existing material weaknesses were implemented and operating but were not in place for a sufficient amount of time for the material weakness to be considered remediated. KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, who audited the consolidated financial statements included in the 2023 Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. KPMG LLP’s attestation report contains an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. KPMG LLP’s report is included in Item 8 of the 2023 Form 10-K.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, management completed the following remedial actions:
•The Company evaluated the assignment of responsibilities of internal and external resources associated with the performance of internal control over financial reporting and hired additional resources, contracted external resources, and/or provided additional training to existing resources as appropriate. In addition, we have a process in place to identify and maintain the information required to support the functioning of internal control.
•Audit Committee and management implemented the following actions to improve the monitoring activities related to Audit Committee oversight over Internal Audit’s testing of management’s internal control over financial reporting:
◦Increased the frequency and depth of reporting to the Audit Committee through the creation of a sub-committee of Audit Committee members that meet in the months in which the full Audit Committee does not have scheduled meetings or as needed.
◦Instituted more frequent Audit Committee meetings to facilitate timely review of matters related to the results of the Company’s monitoring program and Internal Audit’s progress against their plan as well as status of control testing results.
◦Developed a comprehensive internal audit strategy and program to test management’s controls over financial reporting.
◦Developed a robust reporting mechanism to ensure the completeness, accuracy and improved effectiveness of information which is presented on a timely basis to the Audit Committee to help fulfill the Audit Committee's oversight responsibilities.
◦Utilized monthly dashboards to report status and results of internal audits as well as operations of internal controls over financial reporting.
◦Engaged a professional services firm to review the Company’s control program required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and assist Management with its overall Company-wide processes and with selecting and developing control activities designed to mitigate risks and support achievement of control objectives.
•Performed a thorough risk assessment to identify the impact of the core banking system conversion on our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, the company identified the need for additional controls to mitigate risks and support the achievement of control objectives. These controls have been implemented as part of the overall remediation.
Management has assessed the executed remediation of previously disclosed material weaknesses and concluded that the remediation was successful and internal controls over financial reporting were operating effectively as of December 31, 2024.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe LLP, has also assessed the remediation and reached the same conclusion as the Company's management. Crowe issued their report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, shown under the heading, Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for the remediation of the previously disclosed material weaknesses described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the year ended December 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements of our Directors and Officers
During the fourth quarter of 2024, none of Arrow’s directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933).

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item regarding directors, nominees for director, and the committees of the Company's Board is set forth under the captions "Voting Item 1: Election of Directors" and “Corporate Governance” of Arrow's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held June 5, 2025 (the "Proxy Statement"), which sections are incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth in the Company's Proxy Statement under the caption "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” and is incorporated herein by reference. Certain required information regarding our Executive Officers is contained in Part I, Item 1.G. of this Report, "Executive Officers of the Registrant."
Arrow has adopted a Financial Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.arrowfinancial.com under the link "Corporate Governance" on the header tab "Corporate."
Insider Trading Policy
Arrow’s officers and directors are required to comply with Arrow’s Policy on Insider Trading at all times, including during a repurchase program. The Policy on Insider Trading, among other things, prohibits trading in the Company’s securities when in possession of material non-public information and restricts the ability of directors and executive officers from transacting in Arrow’s securities during specific blackout periods, subject to certain limited exceptions, including transactions pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement that complies with the conditions of Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1. A copy of the Policy on Insider Trading is filed with this Report as Exhibit 19.1.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance - Director Independence,” "Compensation Discussion and Analysis” including the “Compensation Committee Report” thereof, “Executive Compensation,” “Agreements with Named Executive Officers” including the "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” and “Potential Payments Table” sections thereof, and “Voting Item 1: Election of Directors - Director Compensation” of the Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain information required by this item is set forth under the caption "Stock Ownership Information" of the Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference, and under the caption "Equity Compensation Plan Information" in Part II, item 5 of this Report.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Director Independence:
The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance - Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate Governance - Director Independence” of the Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item is set forth under the captions "Voting Item 3, Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees," and “Corporate Governance - Board Committees” of the Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements, the notes thereto, and the independent auditors’ report thereon are filed in Part II, Item 8 of this Report. See the index to such financial statements at the beginning of Item 8.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Schedules
All schedules are omitted as the required information is either not applicable or not required or is contained in the respective financial statements or in the notes thereto.
3. Exhibits:
See Exhibit Index on page 111.