Edgar Filing: BRIDGE BANCORP INC

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
	SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

Commission file number 001-34096

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK	11-2934195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

2200 MONTAUK HIGHWAY, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NEW YORK	11932
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (631) 537-1000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ¨

	Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

There were 19,791,373 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2018.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC.

PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)	3

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	3

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	5

	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	6

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	7

	Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	36

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	49

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	50

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	51

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	51

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	51

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	51

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	51

Item 5.	Other Information	51

Item 6.	Exhibits	52

Signatures		52

Item 1. Financial Statements

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
	(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	50,588		$	76,614
Interest earning deposits with banks		48,424			18,133
Total cash and cash equivalents		99,012			94,747

Securities available for sale, at fair value		726,056			759,916
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $172,877 and $179,885, respectively)		176,089			180,866
Total securities		902,145			940,782

Securities, restricted		36,195			35,349

Loans held for investment		3,201,897			3,102,752
Allowance for loan losses		(32,812	)		(31,707	)
Loans, net		3,169,085			3,071,045

Premises and equipment, net		33,892			33,505
Accrued interest receivable		11,907			11,652
Goodwill		105,950			105,950
Other intangible assets		5,003			5,214
Prepaid pension		10,039			9,936
Bank owned life insurance		88,039			87,493
Other real estate owned		175			-
Other assets		39,182			34,329
Total assets	$	4,500,624		$	4,430,002

Liabilities
Demand deposits	$	1,224,043		$	1,338,701
Savings, NOW and money market deposits		1,924,455			1,773,478
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more		159,303			158,584
Other time deposits		123,444			63,780
Total deposits		3,431,245			3,334,543

Federal funds purchased		-			50,000
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		520,092			501,374
Repurchase agreements		872			877
Subordinated debentures, net		78,676			78,641
Other liabilities and accrued expenses		36,416			35,367
Total liabilities		4,067,301			4,000,802

Commitments and contingencies		-			-

Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)		-			-
Common stock, par value $.01 per share (40,000,000 shares authorized; 19,792,615 and 19,719,575 shares issued, respectively; and 19,779,699 and 19,709,360 shares outstanding, respectively)		198			197
Surplus		348,420			347,691
Retained earnings		104,050			96,547
Treasury stock at cost, 12,916 and 10,215 shares, respectively		(436	)		(296	)
		452,232			444,139
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes		(18,909	)		(14,939	)
Total stockholders' equity		433,323			429,200
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,500,624		$	4,430,002

See accompanying condensed notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2017
Interest income:
Loans (including fee income)	$	35,613	$	29,383
Mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and other asset-backed securities		3,724		3,817
U.S. GSE securities		279		300
State and municipal obligations		812		995
Corporate bonds		355		290
Deposits with banks		90		46
Other interest and dividend income		491		386
Total interest income		41,364		35,217

Interest expense:
Savings, NOW and money market deposits		2,514		1,551
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more		517		379
Other time deposits		195		178
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		1,115		316
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		1,349		1,149
Subordinated debentures		1,135		1,135
Junior subordinated debentures		-		48
Total interest expense		6,825		4,756

Net interest income		34,539		30,461
Provision for loan losses		800		800
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		33,739		29,661

Non-interest income:
Service charges and other fees		2,163		2,050
Title fee income		505		550
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans		371		543
BOLI income		546		560
Other operating income		528		419
Total non-interest income		4,113		4,122

Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		12,812		11,500
Occupancy and equipment		3,243		3,398
Technology and communications		1,643		1,335
Marketing and advertising		962		911
Professional services		1,212		781
FDIC assessments		464		311
Amortization of other intangible assets		246		279
Other operating expenses		2,016		1,781
Total non-interest expense		22,598		20,296

Income before income taxes		15,254		13,487
Income tax expense		3,181		4,316
Net income	$	12,073	$	9,171
Basic earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.47
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.47

See accompanying condensed notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
Net income	$	12,073		$	9,171
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in unrealized net (losses) gains on securities available for sale, net of reclassifications and deferred income taxes		(6,088	)		1,010
Adjustment to pension liability, net of reclassifications and deferred income taxes		67			97
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications and deferred income taxes		2,051			174
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		(3,970	)		1,281
Comprehensive income	$	8,103		$	10,452

See accompanying condensed notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	Common Stock		Surplus			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total
Balance at January 1, 2018	$	197	$	347,691		$	96,547		$	(296	)	$	(14,939	)	$	429,200
Net income							12,073									12,073
Shares issued under the dividend reinvestment plan				232												232
Stock awards granted and distributed		1		(307	)					306						-
Stock awards forfeited				20						(20	)					-
Repurchase of surrendered stock from vesting of restricted stock awards										(426	)					(426	)
Share based compensation expense				784												784
Cash dividend declared, $0.23 per share							(4,570	)								(4,570	)
Other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes													(3,970	)		(3,970	)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	198	$	348,420		$	104,050		$	(436	)	$	(18,909	)	$	433,323

	Common Stock		Surplus			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total
Balance at January 1, 2017	$	191	$	329,427		$	91,594		$	(161	)	$	(13,064	)	$	407,987
Net income							9,171									9,171
Shares issued under the dividend reinvestment plan				222												222
Shares issued for trust preferred securities conversions (529,292 shares)		5		14,944												14,949
Stock awards granted and distributed		1		(374	)					373						-
Stock awards forfeited				13						(13	)					-
Repurchase of surrendered stock from vesting of restricted stock awards										(221	)					(221	)
Share based compensation expense				610												610
Cash dividend declared, $0.23 per share							(4,541	)								(4,541	)
Other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes													1,281			1,281
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	197	$	344,842		$	96,224		$	(22	)	$	(11,783	)	$	429,458

See accompanying condensed notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	12,073		$	9,171
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		800			800
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment		933			948
Net (accretion) and other amortization		(1,033	)		(2,338	)
Net amortization on securities		1,302			1,692
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance		(546	)		(560	)
Amortization of intangible assets		246			279
Share based compensation expense		784			610
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(255	)		(26	)
Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans originated for sale		(4,281	)		(5,644	)
Proceeds from sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans		4,744			6,303
Gain on sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans		(371	)		(543	)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		1,253			(836	)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(479	)		(336	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		15,170			9,520

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of securities available for sale		(525	)		(30,421	)
Purchases of securities, restricted		(342,405	)		(246,765	)
Purchases of securities held to maturity		-			(1,012	)
Redemption of securities, restricted		341,559			246,259
Maturities, calls and principal payments of securities available for sale		24,715			29,945
Maturities, calls and principal payments of securities held to maturity		4,558			8,975
Net increase in loans		(98,217	)		(55,171	)
Purchase of premises and equipment		(1,320	)		(809	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(71,635	)		(48,999	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits		96,712			56,874
Net decrease in federal funds purchased		(50,000	)		(50,000	)
Net increase (decrease) in Federal Home Loan Bank advances		18,787			(5,410	)
Repayment of junior subordinated debentures		-			(352	)
Net (decrease) increase in repurchase agreements		(5	)		33
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		232			222
Repurchase of surrendered stock from vesting of restricted stock awards		(426	)		(221	)
Cash dividends paid		(4,570	)		(4,541	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		60,730			(3,395	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		4,265			(42,874	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		94,747			113,838
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	99,012		$	70,964

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Interest	$	7,963		$	6,008
Income taxes	$	261		$	-

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Securities which settled in the subsequent period	$	-		$	3,080
Conversion of junior subordinated debentures	$	-		$	15,350
Transfers from portfolio loans to other real estate owned	$	175		$	-

See accompanying condensed notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (the “Registrant” or “Company”), is a registered bank holding company for BNB Bank (the “Bank”), which was formerly known as The Bridgehampton National Bank prior to the Bank’s conversion to a New York chartered commercial bank in December 2017. The Registrant was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1988, at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Bank for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company pursuant to a plan of reorganization under which the former shareholders of the Bank became the shareholders of the Company. Since commencing business in March 1989, after the reorganization, the Registrant has functioned primarily as the holder of all of the Bank’s common stock. In May 1999, the Bank established a real estate investment trust subsidiary, Bridgehampton Community, Inc. (“BCI”), as an operating subsidiary. The assets transferred to BCI are viewed by the bank regulators as part of the Bank’s assets in consolidation. The operations of the Bank also include Bridge Abstract LLC (“Bridge Abstract”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker of title insurance services and Bridge Financial Services LLC (“Bridge Financial Services”), an investment services subsidiary that was formed in March 2014. The Company formed Bridge Statutory Capital Trust II (the “Trust”) as a subsidiary in 2009, which sold $16.0 million of 8.5% cumulative convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the “Trust Preferred Securities”) in a private placement to accredited investors. The Trust Preferred Securities were redeemed effective January 18, 2017 and the Trust was cancelled effective April 24, 2017.

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, which include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. In preparing the interim financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported periods. Such estimates are subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or previously existing circumstances are modified. Actual future results could differ significantly from those estimates. The annualized results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts, and the related discussion and analysis, to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders’ equity. The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) No. 260-10-45 addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share (“EPS”). The restricted stock awards and certain restricted stock units granted by the Company contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered participating securities. The two-class method for calculating basic EPS excludes dividends paid to participating securities and any undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities.

The following table presents the computation of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
*(In thousands, except per share data)*	2018			2017
Net income	$	12,073		$	9,171
Dividends paid on and earnings allocated to participating securities		(253	)		(178	)
Income attributable to common stock	$	11,820		$	8,993

Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities		19,834			19,669
Weighted average participating securities		(421	)		(392	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		19,413			19,277
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.61		$	0.47

Income attributable to common stock	$	11,820		$	8,993

Weighted average common shares outstanding		19,413			19,277
Incremental shares from assumed conversions of options and restricted stock units		25			19
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding		19,438			19,296
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.61		$	0.47

There were 47,393 stock options outstanding at March 31, 2018 that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of common stock and were, therefore, antidilutive. There were no stock options outstanding at March 31, 2017.

There were 21,693 and 19,957 restricted stock units that were antidilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

3. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Bridge Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (“2012 SBIP”) provides for the grant of stock-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of the Company. The 2012 SBIP superseded the Bridge Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares of common stock of Bridge Bancorp, Inc. available for stock-based awards under the 2012 SBIP is 525,000 plus 278,385 shares that were remaining under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Of the total 803,385 shares of common stock approved for issuance under the 2012 SBIP, 290,494 shares remain available for issuance at March 31, 2018, including shares that may be granted in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), or restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines awards under the 2012 SBIP. The Company accounts for the 2012 SBIP under FASB ASC No. 718.

Stock Options

Stock options may be either incentive stock options, which bestow certain tax benefits on the optionee, or non-qualified stock options, not qualifying for such benefits. All options have an exercise price that is not less than the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.

The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The intrinsic value for stock options is calculated based on the exercise price of the underlying awards and the market price of the Company’s common stock as of the exercise or reporting date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, in accordance with the Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTI Plan”) for Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), the Company granted 47,393 stock options. All of the stock options granted vest ratably over three years. The estimated weighted-average grant-date fair value of all stock options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $6.52 per stock option, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions as follows: dividend yield of 2.80%; expected volatility

rate of 27.53%; risk-free interest rate of 2.67%; and expected option life of 6.5 years. There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Compensation expense attributable to stock options was $13 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018. There was no compensation expense attributable to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2017 because there were no stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2018, there was $296 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years.

The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s stock options as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

					Weighted
			Weighted		Average
	Number		Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	of		Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	Options		Price		Life		Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2018		-	$	-
Granted		47,393		36.19
Outstanding, March 31, 2018		47,393	$	36.19		9.9 years	$	-
Vested and Exercisable, March 31, 2018		-	$	-	$	-	$	-

	Number of		Weighted Average
Range of Exercise Prices	Options		Exercise Price
$36.19		47,393	$	36.19
		47,393	$	36.19

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company’s RSAs are shares of the Company’s common stock that are forfeitable and are subject to restrictions on transfer prior to the vesting date. RSAs are forfeited if the award holder departs the Company before vesting. RSAs carry dividend and voting rights from the date of grant. The vesting of time-vested RSAs depends upon the award holder continuing to render services to the Company. The Company’s performance-based RSAs vest subject to the achievement of the Company’s 2018 corporate goals.

The following table summarizes the unvested RSA activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

				Weighted
				Average Grant-Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Unvested, January 1, 2018		317,692		$	27.16
Granted		77,682			33.03
Vested		(47,916	)		23.26
Forfeited		(650	)		31.06
Unvested, March 31, 2018		346,808		$	29.01

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted a total of 77,682 RSAs. Of the 77,682 RSAs granted, 39,750 time-vested RSAs vest ratably over five years, 12,815 time-vested RSAs vest ratably over three years, and 25,117 performance-based RSAs vest ratably over two years, subject to the achievement of the Company’s 2018 corporate goals.

Compensation expense attributable to RSAs was $536 thousand and $413 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, there was $7.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSAs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Long Term Incentive Plan

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, in accordance with the LTI Plan for NEOs, the Company granted 21,693 RSUs. Of the 21,693 RSUs granted, 12,522 time-vested RSUs vest ratably over five years and 9,171 performance-based RSUs vest subject to the achievement of the Company’s three-year corporate goal for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.

The following table summarizes the unvested NEO RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

				Weighted
				Average Grant-Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Unvested, January 1, 2018		68,776		$	24.46
Granted		21,693			33.23
Reinvested dividends		460			24.46
Forfeited		(13,333	)		21.85
Unvested, March 31, 2018		77,596		$	27.36

Compensation expense attributable to LTI Plan RSUs was $101 thousand and $69 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, there was $1.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.7 years.

Directors Plan

In April 2009, the Company adopted a Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (“Directors Plan”). Under the Directors Plan, independent directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their annual retainer fee in the form of RSUs. In addition, directors receive a non-election retainer in the form of RSUs. These RSUs vest ratably over one year and have dividend rights but no voting rights. In connection with the Directors Plan, the Company recorded expense of $135 thousand and $128 thousand in connection with these RSUs for the three months ended March 31 2018 and 2017, respectively.

4. SECURITIES

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available for sale and held to maturity investment securities portfolio at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and the corresponding amounts of unrealized gains and losses therein:

	March 31, 2018
			Gross		Gross			Estimated
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
Available for sale:
U.S. GSE securities	$	57,995	$	-	$	(1,957	)	$	56,038
State and municipal obligations		86,127		54		(1,335	)		84,846
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		181,005		4		(5,442	)		175,567
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		300,907		-		(10,233	)		290,674
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		5,976		-		(120	)		5,856
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		48,370		-		(1,878	)		46,492
Other asset backed securities		24,250		-		(849	)		23,401
Corporate bonds		46,000		-		(2,818	)		43,182
Total available for sale		750,630		58		(24,632	)		726,056

Held to maturity:
State and municipal obligations		58,511		586		(260	)		58,837
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		10,988		-		(433	)		10,555
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		52,603		137		(1,153	)		51,587
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		22,751		-		(719	)		22,032
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		31,236		-		(1,370	)		29,866
Total held to maturity		176,089		723		(3,935	)		172,877
Total securities	$	926,719	$	781	$	(28,567	)	$	898,933

	December 31, 2017
			Gross		Gross			Estimated
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
Available for sale:
U.S. GSE securities	$	57,994	$	-	$	(1,180	)	$	56,814
State and municipal obligations		87,582		259		(819	)		87,022
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		189,705		29		(2,833	)		186,901
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		314,390		16		(7,016	)		307,390
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		6,017		2		(40	)		5,979
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		49,965		-		(1,249	)		48,716
Other asset backed securities		24,250		-		(849	)		23,401
Corporate bonds		46,000		-		(2,307	)		43,693
Total available for sale		775,903		306		(16,293	)		759,916

Held to maturity:
State and municipal obligations		60,762		972		(64	)		61,670
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		11,424		-		(261	)		11,163
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		54,250		244		(666	)		53,828
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		22,953		77		(438	)		22,592
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		31,477		-		(845	)		30,632
Total held to maturity		180,866		1,293		(2,274	)		179,885
Total securities	$	956,769	$	1,599	$	(18,567	)	$	939,801

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value by contractual maturity of the available for sale and held to maturity investment securities portfolio at March 31, 2018. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

	March 31, 2018
			Estimated
(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Maturity
Available for sale:
Within one year	$	9,807	$	9,785
One to five years		90,205		88,221
Five to ten years		125,146		120,265
Beyond ten years		525,472		507,785
Total	$	750,630	$	726,056

Held to maturity:
Within one year	$	2,878	$	2,873
One to five years		31,208		31,046
Five to ten years		55,680		55,269
Beyond ten years		86,323		83,689
Total	$	176,089	$	172,877

The following tables summarize securities with gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, aggregated by category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

	March 31, 2018
	Less than 12 months					Greater than 12 months
	Estimated		Gross			Estimated		Gross
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
(In thousands)	Value		Losses			Value		Losses
Available for sale:
U.S. GSE securities	$	-	$	-		$	56,038	$	(1,957	)
State and municipal obligations		51,188		(630	)		29,283		(705	)
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		91,424		(2,353	)		80,300		(3,089	)
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		78,440		(1,748	)		212,234		(8,485	)
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		5,856		(120	)		-		-
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		252		-			46,240		(1,878	)
Other asset backed securities		-		-			23,401		(849	)
Corporate bonds		13,281		(719	)		29,901		(2,099	)
Total available for sale		240,441		(5,570	)		477,397		(19,062	)

Held to maturity:
State and municipal obligations		23,435		(255	)		1,005		(5	)
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		1,276		(32	)		9,279		(401	)
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		24,359		(358	)		20,142		(795	)
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		13,975		(276	)		8,057		(443	)
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		10,116		(324	)		19,750		(1,046	)
Total held to maturity	$	73,161	$	(1,245	)	$	58,233	$	(2,690	)

	December 31, 2017
	Less than 12 months					Greater than 12 months
	Estimated		Gross			Estimated		Gross
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
(In thousands)	Value		Losses			Value		Losses
Available for sale:
U.S. GSE securities	$	-	$	-		$	56,815	$	(1,180	)
State and municipal obligations		35,350		(301	)		28,165		(518	)
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		107,408		(1,153	)		69,571		(1,680	)
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		77,705		(759	)		224,932		(6,257	)
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		2,345		(40	)		-		-
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		452		(1	)		48,264		(1,248	)
Other asset backed securities		-		-			23,401		(849	)
Corporate bonds		13,588		(412	)		30,105		(1,895	)
Total available for sale		236,848		(2,666	)		481,253		(13,627	)

Held to maturity:
State and municipal obligations		7,709		(57	)		1,009		(7	)
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		1,359		(16	)		9,804		(245	)
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		21,329		(94	)		21,112		(572	)
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		8,789		(121	)		8,303		(317	)
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		10,341		(116	)		20,290		(729	)
Total held to maturity	$	49,527	$	(404	)	$	60,518	$	(1,870	)

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) quarterly and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant. The investment securities portfolio is evaluated for OTTI by segregating the portfolio into two general segments and applying the appropriate OTTI model. Investment securities classified as available for sale or held to maturity are generally evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC 320, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. In determining OTTI under the FASB ASC 320 model, management considers many factors, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet these criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components: (1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and (2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

At March 31, 2018, substantially all of the securities in an unrealized loss position had a fixed interest rate and the cause of the temporary impairment was directly related to changes in interest rates. The Company generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience. Other asset backed securities are comprised of student loan backed bonds which are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education for 97% to 100% of principal. Additionally, the bonds have credit support of 3% to 5% and have maintained their Aa1 Moody’s rating during the time the Bank has owned them. The corporate bonds within the portfolio have all maintained an investment grade rating by either Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. None of the unrealized losses is related to credit losses. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. Therefore, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2018.

Sales and Calls of Securities

There were no proceeds from sales of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no proceeds from calls of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018. There were $0.2 million of proceeds from calls of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Pledged Securities

Securities having a fair value of $570.0 million and $513.5 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) overnight borrowings.

Trading Securities

The Company did not hold any trading securities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or the year ended December 31, 2017.

Restricted Securities

The Bank is a member of the FHLB of New York. Members are required to own a particular amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. The Bank is a member of the Atlantic Central Banker’s Bank (“ACBB”) and is required to own ACBB stock. The Bank is also a member of the FRB system and required to own FRB stock. FHLB, ACBB and FRB stock is carried at cost and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. The Bank owned $36.2 million and $35.3 million in FHLB, ACBB and FRB stock at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. These amounts were reported as restricted securities in the consolidated balance sheets.

5. FAIR VALUE

As described in Note 14. Recent Accounting Pronouncements, during the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The Company adopted the amended guidance that requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.

FASB ASC No. 820-10 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. FASB ASC 820-10 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	March 31, 2018
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
				Significant
			Quoted Prices In	Other		Significant
			Active Markets for	Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Identical Assets	Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)	(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Financial assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. GSE securities	$	56,038		$	56,038
State and municipal obligations		84,846			84,846
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		175,567			175,567
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		290,674			290,674
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		5,856			5,856
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		46,492			46,492
Other asset backed securities		23,401			23,401
Corporate bonds		43,182			43,182
Total available for sale securities	$	726,056		$	726,056
Derivatives	$	7,374		$	7,374

Financial liabilities:
Derivatives	$	1,759		$	1,759

	December 31, 2017
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
				Significant
			Quoted Prices In	Other		Significant
			Active Markets for	Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Identical Assets	Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)	(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Financial assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. GSE securities	$	56,814		$	56,814
State and municipal obligations		87,022			87,022
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities		186,901			186,901
U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations		307,390			307,390
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities		5,979			5,979
U.S. GSE commercial collateralized mortgage obligations		48,716			48,716
Other asset backed securities		23,401			23,401
Corporate bonds		43,693			43,693
Total available for sale securities	$	759,916		$	759,916
Derivatives	$	4,546		$	4,546

Financial liabilities:
Derivatives	$	1,823		$	1,823

The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:

March 31, 2018

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Significant

Quoted Prices In

Other

Significant

Active Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

Carrying

Identical Assets

Inputs

(In thousands)

Value

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Impaired loans

Other real estate owned

175

December 31, 2017

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Significant

Quoted Prices In

Other

Significant

Active Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

Carrying

Identical Assets

Inputs

(In thousands)

Value

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Impaired loans

Other real estate owned

Impaired loans with an allocated allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2018 had a carrying amount of zero, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $1.7 million, net of a valuation allowance of $1.7 million. Impaired loans with an allocated allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2017 had a carrying amount of zero, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $1.7 million, net of a valuation allowance of $1.7 million. This resulted in an additional provision for loan losses of $1.7 million that is included in the amount reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Other real estate owned at March 31, 2018 had a carrying amount of $0.2 million with no valuation allowance recorded. Accordingly, there was no additional provision for loan losses included in the amount reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income. There was no other real estate owned at December 31, 2017.

The Company used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks and Interest Earning Deposits with Banks: Carrying amounts approximate fair value, since these instruments are either payable on demand or have short-term maturities and as such are classified as Level 1.

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity: If available, the estimated fair values are based on independent dealer quotations on nationally recognized securities exchanges and are classified as Level 1. For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair value is based on matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities resulting in a Level 2 classification.

Derivatives: Represents interest rate swaps for which the estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date resulting in a Level 2 classification.

Impaired Loans and Other Real Estate Owned: For impaired loans, the Company evaluates the fair value of the loan in accordance with current accounting guidance. For loans that are collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral is used to determine the fair value of the loan. The fair value of the collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of other real estate owned is also evaluated in accordance with current accounting guidance and determined based on recent appraised values less the estimated cost to sell. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Adjustments may relate to location, square footage, condition, amenities, market rate of leases as well as timing of comparable sales. All appraisals undergo a second review process to insure that the methodology employed and the values derived are reasonable. The fair value of the loan is compared to the carrying value to determine if any write-down or specific reserve is required. Impaired loans are evaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Appraisals for collateral-dependent impaired loans are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, the Credit Department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. On a quarterly basis, the Company compares the actual sale price of collateral that has been sold to the most recent appraised value to determine what additional adjustments should be made to appraisal values to arrive at fair value. Management also considers the appraisal values for commercial properties associated with current loan origination activity. Collectively, this information is reviewed to help assess current trends in commercial property values. For each collateral dependent impaired loan, management considers information that relates to the type of commercial property to determine if such properties may have appreciated or depreciated in value since the date of the most recent appraisal. Adjustments to fair value are made only when the analysis indicates a probable decline in collateral values. Adjustments made in the appraisal process are not deemed material to the overall consolidated financial statements given the level of impaired loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Deposits: The estimated fair values of certificates of deposit are based on discounted cash flow calculations that use a replacement cost of funds approach to establishing discount rates for certificate of deposit maturities resulting in a Level 2 classification. Stated value is fair value for all other deposits resulting in a Level 1 classification.

Borrowed Funds: Represents federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and FHLB advances for which the estimated fair values are based on discounted cash flow calculations that use a replacement cost of funds approach to establishing discount rates for funding maturities resulting in a Level 1 classification for overnight federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and FHLB advances and a Level 2 classification for all other maturity terms.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable: For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of the fair value resulting in a Level 1, 2 or 3 classification consistent with the underlying asset or liability the interest is associated with.

Off-Balance-Sheet Liabilities: The fair value of off-balance-sheet commitments to extend credit is estimated using fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements. The fair value is immaterial as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Fair value estimates are made at specific points in time and are based on existing on-and off-balance sheet financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature and dependent on a number of significant assumptions associated with each financial instrument or group of financial instruments, including estimates of discount rates, risks associated with specific financial instruments, estimates of future cash flows, and relevant available market information. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. In addition, fair value estimates do not reflect the value of anticipated future business, premiums or discounts that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, or the tax consequences of realizing gains or losses on the sale of financial instruments.

The following tables summarize the estimated fair values and recorded carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

	March 31, 2018
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
					Significant
			Quoted Prices In		Other		Significant
			Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable		Total
	Carrying		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair
(In thousands)	Amount		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	50,588	$	50,588	$	—	$	—	$	50,588
Interest earning deposits with banks		48,424		48,424		—		—		48,424
Securities available for sale		726,056		—		726,056		—		726,056
Securities restricted		36,195		n/a		n/a		n/a		n/a
Securities held to maturity		176,089		—		172,877		—		172,877
Loans, net		3,169,085		—		—		3,161,561		3,161,561
Derivatives		7,374		—		7,374		—		7,374
Accrued interest receivable		11,907		—		3,424		8,483		11,907

Financial liabilities:
Certificates of deposit		282,747		—		280,060		—		280,060
Demand and other deposits		3,148,498		3,148,498		—		—		3,148,498
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		520,092		227,000		287,439		—		514,439
Repurchase agreements		872		—		872		—		872
Subordinated debentures		78,676		—		75,661		—		75,661
Derivatives		1,759		—		1,759		—		1,759
Accrued interest payable		436		—		436		—		436

	December 31, 2017
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
					Significant
			Quoted Prices In		Other		Significant
			Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable		Total
	Carrying		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair
(In thousands)	Amount		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	76,614	$	76,614	$	-	$	-	$	76,614
Interest earning deposits with banks		18,133		18,133		-		-		18,133
Securities available for sale		759,916		-		759,916		-		759,916
Securities restricted		35,349		n/a		n/a		n/a		n/a
Securities held to maturity		180,866		-		179,885		-		179,885
Loans, net		3,071,045		-		-		3,010,023		3,010,023
Derivatives		4,546		-		4,546		-		4,546
Accrued interest receivable		11,652		-		3,211		8,441		11,652

Financial liabilities:
Certificates of deposit		222,364		-		220,775		-		220,775
Demand and other deposits		3,112,179		3,112,179		-		-		3,112,179
Federal funds purchased		50,000		50,000		-		-		50,000
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		501,374		185,000		313,558		-		498,558
Repurchase agreements		877		-		877		-		877
Subordinated debentures		78,641		-		77,933		-		77,933
Derivatives		1,823		-		1,823		-		1,823
Accrued interest payable		1,574		-		1,574		-		1,574

6. LOANS

The following table sets forth the major classifications of loans:

(In thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Commercial real estate mortgage loans	$	1,339,992		$	1,293,906
Multi-family mortgage loans		601,747			595,280
Residential real estate mortgage loans		493,153			464,264
Commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		638,711			616,003
Real estate construction and land loans		104,496			107,759
Installment/consumer loans		19,078			21,041
Total loans		3,197,177			3,098,253
Net deferred loan costs and fees		4,720			4,499
Total loans held for investment		3,201,897			3,102,752
Allowance for loan losses		(32,812	)		(31,707	)
Loans, net	$	3,169,085		$	3,071,045

In June 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Community National Bank (“CNB”) resulting in the addition of $729.4 million of acquired loans recorded at their fair value. There were approximately $331.4 million and $359.4 million of acquired CNB loans remaining as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

In February 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of FNBNY Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary First National Bank of New York (collectively “FNBNY”) resulting in the addition of $89.7 million of acquired loans recorded at their fair value. There were approximately $15.3 million and $15.4 million of acquired FNBNY loans remaining as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Lending Risk

The principal business of the Bank is lending in commercial real estate mortgage loans, multi-family mortgage loans, residential real estate mortgage loans, construction loans, home equity loans, commercial, industrial and agricultural loans, land loans and consumer loans. The Bank considers its primary lending area to be Nassau and Suffolk Counties located on Long Island and the New York City

boroughs. A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans is secured by real estate in these areas. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of the loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in market and economic conditions in this region.

Commercial Real Estate Mortgages

Loans in this classification include income producing investment properties and owner occupied real estate used for business purposes. The underlying properties are located largely in the Bank’s primary market area. The cash flows of the income producing investment properties are adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, will have an effect on credit quality. Generally, management seeks to obtain annual financial information for borrowers with loans in excess of $250,000 in this category. In the case of owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes, a weakened economy and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending will have an adverse effect on credit quality.

Multi-Family Mortgages

Loans in this classification include income producing residential investment properties of five or more families. The loans are usually made in areas with limited single-family residences generating high demand for these facilities. Loans are made to established owners with a proven and demonstrable record of strong performance. Loans are secured by a first mortgage lien on the subject property with a loan to value ratio generally not exceeding 75%. Repayment is derived generally from the rental income generated from the property and may be supplemented by the owners’ personal cash flow. Credit risk arises with an increase in vacancy rates, property mismanagement and the predominance of non-recourse loans that are customary in the industry.

Residential Real Estate Mortgages and Home Equity Loans

Loans in these classifications are generally secured by owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, can have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class. The Bank generally does not originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80% and does not grant subprime loans.

Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans

Loans in this classification are made to businesses and include term loans, lines of credit, senior secured loans to corporations, equipment financing and taxi medallion loans. Generally, these loans are secured by assets of the business and repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.

Real Estate Construction and Land Loans

Loans in this classification primarily include land loans to local individuals, contractors and developers for developing the land for sale or for the purpose of making improvements thereon. Repayment is derived primarily from sale of the lots/units including any pre-sold units. Credit risk is affected by market conditions, time to sell at an adequate price and cost overruns. To a lesser extent, this class includes commercial development projects that the Company finances, which in most cases require interest only during construction, and then convert to permanent financing. Construction delays, cost overruns, market conditions and the availability of permanent financing, to the extent such permanent financing is not being provided by the Bank, all affect the credit risk in this loan class.

Installment and Consumer Loans

Loans in this classification may be either secured or unsecured. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and, if applicable, sale of the collateral securing the loan, such as automobiles. Therefore, the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories of pass, special mention, substandard and doubtful based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt including repayment patterns, probable incurred losses, past loss experience, current economic conditions, and various types of concentrations of credit. Assigned risk rating grades are continuously updated as new information is obtained. Loans risk rated special mention; substandard and doubtful are reviewed on a quarterly basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk rating grades:

Pass: Loans classified as pass include current loans performing in accordance with contractual terms, pools of homogenous residential real estate and installment/consumer loans that are not individually risk rated and loans which do not exhibit certain risk factors that require greater than usual monitoring by management.

Special mention: Loans classified as special mention, while generally not delinquent, 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 loan or in the Bank's credit position at some future date.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. There is a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard loan, and may also be in delinquency status and have defined weaknesses based on currently existing facts, conditions and values making collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable.

The following tables represent loans categorized by class and internally assigned risk grades as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

	March 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	461,080	$	1,822	$	20,293	$	-	$	483,195
Non-owner occupied		844,249		8,019		4,529		-		856,797
Multi-family		601,747		-		-		-		601,747
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgage		421,767		5,902		287		-		427,956
Home equity		63,161		1,240		796		-		65,197
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		89,564		12,907		13,598		-		116,069
Unsecured		502,073		12,459		8,110		-		522,642
Real estate construction and land loans		104,181		-		315		-		104,496
Installment/consumer loans		19,064		14		-		-		19,078
Total loans	$	3,106,886	$	42,363	$	47,928	$	-	$	3,197,177

At March 31, 2018, there were $0.4 million and $1.6 million of acquired CNB loans included in the special mention and substandard grades, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million of acquired FNBNY loans included in the special mention and substandard grades, respectively.

	December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	451,264	$	1,796	$	19,589	$	-	$	472,649
Non-owner occupied		808,612		8,056		4,589		-		821,257
Multi-family		595,280		-		-		-		595,280
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgage		393,029		4,854		290		-		398,173
Home equity		64,601		698		792		-		66,091
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		86,116		12,637		13,560		-		112,313
Unsecured		485,598		14,553		3,539		-		503,690
Real estate construction and land loans		107,440		-		319		-		107,759
Installment/consumer loans		21,020		16		5		-		21,041
Total loans	$	3,012,960	$	42,610	$	42,683	$	-	$	3,098,253

At December 31, 2017, there were $0.4 million and $1.6 million of acquired CNB loans included in the special mention and substandard grades, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million of acquired FNBNY loans included in the special mention and substandard grades, respectively.

Past Due and Nonaccrual Loans

The following tables represent the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by class of loans, as defined by FASB ASC 310-10:

	March 31, 2018
(In thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		>90 Days Past Due and Accruing		Nonaccrual Including 90 Days or More Past Due		Total Past Due and Nonaccrual		Current		Total Loans
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	1,450	$	-	$	-	$	2,192	$	3,642	$	479,553	$	483,195
Non-owner occupied		-		-		1,143		425		1,568		855,229		856,797
Multi-family		-		-		-		-		-		601,747		601,747
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		1,386		-		1,017		393		2,796		425,160		427,956
Home equity		575		-		280		261		1,116		64,081		65,197
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		343		-		225		570		1,138		114,931		116,069
Unsecured		688		47		-		2,078		2,813		519,829		522,642
Real estate construction and land loans		-		-		-		152		152		104,344		104,496
Installment/consumer loans		17		-		-		-		17		19,061		19,078
Total loans	$	4,459	$	47	$	2,665	$	6,071	$	13,242	$	3,183,935	$	3,197,177

	December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		>90 Days Past Due and Accruing		Nonaccrual Including 90 Days or More Past Due		Total Past Due and Nonaccrual		Current		Total Loans
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	284	$	-	$	175	$	2,205	$	2,664	$	469,985	$	472,649
Non-owner occupied		-		-		1,163		-		1,163		820,094		821,257
Multi-family		-		-		-		-		-		595,280		595,280
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		2,074		398		-		401		2,873		395,300		398,173
Home equity		329		-		271		161		761		65,330		66,091
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		113		41		225		570		949		111,364		112,313
Unsecured		18		35		-		3,618		3,671		500,019		503,690
Real estate construction and land loans		-		281		-		-		281		107,478		107,759
Installment/consumer loans		36		5		-		-		41		21,000		21,041
Total loans	$	2,854	$	760	$	1,834	$	6,955	$	12,403	$	3,085,850	$	3,098,253

There were $1.6 million and $2.4 million of acquired loans that were 30-89 days past due at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. All loans 90 days or more past due that are still accruing interest represent loans acquired from CNB, FNBNY and Hamptons State Bank (“HSB”) which were recorded at fair value upon acquisition. These loans are considered to be accruing as management can reasonably estimate future cash flows and expects to fully collect the carrying value of these acquired loans. Therefore, the difference between the carrying value of these loans and their expected cash flows is being accreted into income.

Impaired Loans

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had individually impaired loans as defined by FASB ASC No. 310, “Receivables” of $27.1 million and $22.5 million, respectively. The increase in impaired loans was attributable to troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs”) during the 2018 first quarter, partially offset by a decrease in non-accrual loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Bank modified certain commercial and industrial TDRs totaling $6.7 million. For a loan to be considered impaired, management determines after review whether it is probable that the Bank will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management applies its normal loan review procedures in making these judgments. Impaired loans include individually classified nonaccrual loans and TDRs. For impaired loans, the Bank evaluates the impairment of the loan in accordance with FASB ASC 310-10-35-22. Impairment is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. For loans that are collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral is used to determine

the fair value of the loan. The fair value of the collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of the collateral or present value of expected cash flows is compared to the carrying value to determine if any write-down or specific loan loss allowance allocation is required.

The following tables set forth the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance by class of loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for individually impaired loans. The tables also set forth the average recorded investment of individually impaired loans and interest income recognized while the loans were impaired during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allocated Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	2,073	$	2,073	$	-	$	2,073	$	-
Non-owner occupied		9,243		9,243		-		8,973		76
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity		100		100		-		100		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		8,727		9,373		-		8,744		56
Unsecured		5,203		5,203		-		4,932		37
Total with no related allowance recorded	$	25,346	$	25,992	$	-	$	24,822	$	169

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Non-owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		-		-		-		-		-
Unsecured		1,708		3,235		1,708		1,708		-
Total with an allowance recorded	$	1,708	$	3,235	$	1,708	$	1,708	$	-

Total:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	2,073	$	2,073	$	-	$	2,073	$	-
Non-owner occupied		9,243		9,243		-		8,973		76
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity		100		100		-		100		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		8,727		9,373		-		8,744		56
Unsecured		6,911		8,438		1,708		6,640		37
Total	$	27,054	$	29,227	$	1,708	$	26,530	$	169

	December 31, 2017						Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allocated Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	2,073	$	2,073	$	-	$	158	$	2
Non-owner occupied		9,089		9,089		-		604		18
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		4,139		79
Home equity		100		100		-		131		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		7,368		8,013		-		270		8
Unsecured		2,154		2,408		-		196		5
Total with no related allowance recorded	$	20,784	$	21,683	$	-	$	5,498	$	112

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Non-owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-
Home equity		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		-		-		-		-		-
Unsecured		1,708		3,235		1,708		32		1
Total with an allowance recorded	$	1,708	$	3,235	$	1,708	$	32	$	1

Total:
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	2,073	$	2,073	$	-	$	158	$	2
Non-owner occupied		9,089		9,089		-		604		18
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgages		-		-		-		4,139		79
Home equity		100		100		-		131		-
Commercial and industrial:
Secured		7,368		8,013		-		270		8
Unsecured		3,862		5,643		1,708		228		6
Total	$	22,492	$	24,918	$	1,708	$	5,530	$	113

The Bank had one other real estate owned, consisting of $0.2 million at March 31, 2018 compared to none at December 31, 2017.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The terms of certain loans were modified and are considered TDRs. The modification of the terms of such loans generally includes one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan; an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; or a permanent reduction of the recorded investment in the loan. The modification of these loans involved loans to borrowers who were experiencing financial difficulties.

In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed to determine if that borrower is currently in payment default under any of its obligations or whether there is a probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Bank modified six commercial and industrial loans totaling $6.7 million as TDRs compared to two commercial real estate loans as TDRs totaling $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. These modifications did not result in a change to the recorded investment of the loans and did not increase the allowance for loan losses for those periods. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no charge-offs relating to TDRs and there were no loans modified as TDRs for which there was a payment default within twelve months following the modification. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 30 days contractually past due under the modified terms.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $32 thousand and $5 thousand, respectively, of nonaccrual TDRs and $23.2 million and $16.7 million, respectively, of performing TDRs. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, nonaccrual TDRs were unsecured. The Bank has no commitment to lend additional funds to these debtors.

The terms of certain other loans were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that did not meet the definition of a TDR. These loans have a total recorded investment at March 31, 2018 of $3.6 million. These loans were to borrowers who were not experiencing financial difficulties.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

Loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan losses is not recorded at the acquisition date.

At the acquisition date, the purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans acquired as part of the FNBNY acquisition had contractually required principal and interest payments receivable of $40.3 million, expected cash flows of $28.4 million, and a fair value (initial carrying amount) of $21.8 million. The difference between the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and the expected cash flows of $11.9 million represented the non-accretable difference. The difference between the expected cash flows and fair value of $6.6 million represented the initial accretable yield. At March 31, 2018, the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and carrying amount of the PCI loans was $3.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, with a remaining non-accretable difference of $0.7 million. At December 31, 2017, the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and carrying amount of the PCI loans was $4.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, with a remaining non-accretable difference of $0.7 million.

At the acquisition date, the PCI loans acquired as part of the CNB acquisition had contractually required principal and interest payments receivable of $23.4 million, expected cash flows of $10.1 million, and a fair value (initial carrying amount) of $8.7 million. The difference between the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and the expected cash flows of $13.3 million represented the non-accretable difference. The difference between the expected cash flows and fair value of $1.4 million represented the initial accretable yield. At March 31, 2018, the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and carrying amount of the PCI loans was $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, with a remaining non-accretable difference of $1.0 million. At December 31, 2017, the contractually required principal and interest payments receivable and carrying amount of the PCI loans was $7.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, with a remaining non-accretable difference of $5.3 million.

The following table summarizes the activity in the accretable yield for the PCI loans:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,151		$	6,915
Accretion		(1,033	)		(1,857	)
Reclassification (to) from nonaccretable difference during the period		(161	)		275
Accretable discount at end of period	$	957		$	5,333

7. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following tables represent the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment, as defined under FASB ASC 310-10, and based on impairment method as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The tables include loans acquired from CNB and FNBNY.

	March 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loans		Multi- Family Loans		Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans		Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans		Real Estate Construction and Land Loans		Installment/ Consumer Loans		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,708	$	-	$	-	$	1,708
Collectively evaluated for impairment		11,334		3,002		3,495		12,347		821		105		31,104
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total allowance for loan losses	$	11,334	$	3,002	$	3,495	$	14,055	$	821	$	105	$	32,812

Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	11,316	$	-	$	100	$	15,638	$	-	$	-	$	27,054
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,328,676		599,964		492,454		622,646		104,496		19,078		3,167,314
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		-		1,783		599		427		-		-		2,809
Total loans	$	1,339,992	$	601,747	$	493,153	$	638,711	$	104,496	$	19,078	$	3,197,177

	December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loans		Multi- Family Loans		Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans		Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans		Real Estate Construction and Land Loans		Installment/ Consumer Loans		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,708	$	-	$	-	$	1,708
Collectively evaluated for impairment		11,048		4,521		2,438		11,130		740		122		29,999
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total allowance for loan losses	$	11,048	$	4,521	$	2,438	$	12,838	$	740	$	122	$	31,707

Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	11,162	$	-	$	100	$	11,230	$	-	$	-	$	22,492
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,281,837		593,645		463,575		604,329		107,759		21,041		3,072,186
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		907		1,635		589		444		-		-		3,575
Total loans	$	1,293,906	$	595,280	$	464,264	$	616,003	$	107,759	$	21,041	$	3,098,253

The following tables represent the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, by portfolio segment, as defined under FASB ASC 310-10. The portfolio segments represent the categories that the Bank uses to determine its allowance for loan losses.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
								Commercial,
	Commercial					Residential		Industrial		Real Estate
	Real Estate		Multi-			Real Estate		and		Construction		Installment/
	Mortgage		Family			Mortgage		Agricultural		and Land		Consumer
(In thousands)	Loans		Loans			Loans		Loans		Loans		Loans			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	11,048	$	4,521		$	2,438	$	12,838	$	740	$	122		$	31,707
Charge-offs		-		-			-		-		-		-			-
Recoveries		-		-			1		304		-		-			305
Provision		286		(1,519	)		1,056		913		81		(17	)		800
Ending balance	$	11,334	$	3,002		$	3,495	$	14,055	$	821	$	105		$	32,812

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
									Commercial,
	Commercial					Residential			Industrial			Real Estate
	Real Estate			Multi-		Real Estate			and			Construction		Installment/
	Mortgage			Family		Mortgage			Agricultural			and Land		Consumer
(In thousands)	Loans			Loans		Loans			Loans			Loans		Loans			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	9,225		$	6,264	$	1,495		$	7,837		$	955	$	128		$	25,904
Charge-offs		-			-		-			(95	)		-		-			(95	)
Recoveries		-			-		1			7			-		1			9
Provision		(868	)		216		(81	)		1,449			103		(19	)		800
Ending balance	$	8,357		$	6,480	$	1,415		$	9,198		$	1,058	$	110		$	26,618

8. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The Bank maintains a noncontributory pension plan covering all eligible employees. The Bank uses a December 31^st measurement date for this plan in accordance with FASB ASC 715-30 “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – Pension.” During 2012, the Company amended the pension plan by revising the formula for determining benefits effective January 1, 2013, except for certain grandfathered employees. Additionally, new employees hired on or after October 1, 2012 are not eligible for the pension plan.

During 2001, the Bank adopted the Bridgehampton National Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). As recommended by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and approved by the full Board of Directors, the SERP provides benefits to certain employees, whose benefits under the pension plan are limited by the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The benefit under the SERP is equal to the additional amount the employee would be entitled to under the Pension Plan and the 401(k) Plan in the absence of such Internal Revenue Code limitations. The assets of the SERP are held in a rabbi trust to maintain the tax-deferred status of the plan and are subject to the general, unsecured creditors of the Company. As a result, the assets of the rabbi trust are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company.

There were no contributions to the pension plan during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no contributions to the SERP during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In accordance with the SERP, a retired executive received a distribution from the plan totaling $28 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company’s funding policy with respect to its benefit plans is to contribute at least the minimum amounts required by applicable laws and regulations.

As described in Note 14. Recent Accounting Pronouncements, during the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and postretirement benefit plan note for prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying retrospective presentation adjustments. The adoption of this Update resulted in the reclassification of $196 thousand of net periodic benefit credit components other than service cost from salaries and employee benefits expense to other operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company’s service cost component is reported in the Company’s income statement in salaries and employee benefits, which is the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. All other components of net periodic benefit credit are reported in the other operating expenses income statement line. The change in presentation did not impact the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit (credit) cost:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Pension Benefits						SERP Benefits
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2018		2017
Service cost	$	325		$	293		$	73	$	53
Interest cost		197			184			32		26
Expected return on plan assets		(625	)		(520	)		-		-
Amortization of net loss		83			113			30		13
Amortization of prior service credit		(19	)		(19	)		-		-
Amortization of transition obligation		-			-			1		7
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(39	)	$	51		$	136	$	99

9. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $0.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The repurchase agreements were collateralized by investment securities, of which 51% were U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations and 49% were U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities with a carrying amount of $1.7 million at March 31, 2018, and 52% were U.S. GSE residential collateralized mortgage obligations and 48% were U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities with a carrying amount of $1.8 million at December 31, 2017.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are financing arrangements with $0.9 million maturing during the second quarter of 2018. At maturity, the securities underlying the agreements are returned to the Company. The primary risk associated with these secured borrowings is the requirement to pledge a market value based balance of collateral in excess of the borrowed amount. The excess collateral pledged represents an unsecured exposure to the lending counterparty. As the market value of the collateral changes, both through changes in discount rates and spreads as well as related cash flows, additional collateral may need to be pledged. In accordance with the Company’s policies, eligible counterparties are defined and monitored to minimize exposure.

10. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

The following tables set forth the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLB advances over the next two years at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

	March 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Weighted Average Rate
Contractual Maturity
Overnight	$	227,000		2.00	%

2018		292,014		2.03	%
2019		1,078		0.88	%
		293,092		2.02	%
Total FHLB advances	$	520,092		2.01	%

	December 31, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Weighted Average Rate
Contractual Maturity
Overnight	$	185,000		1.53	%

2018		315,083		1.59	%
2019		1,291		0.94	%
		316,374		1.59	%
Total FHLB advances	$	501,374		1.57	%

Each advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion of residential and commercial mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company is eligible to borrow up to a total of $1.4 billion at March 31, 2018.

11. BORROWED FUNDS

Subordinated Debentures

In September 2015, the Company issued $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures. $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after five years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2025 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.25% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2020. From and including September 30, 2020 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 360 basis points. The remaining $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after ten years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2030 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.75% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2025. From and including September 30, 2025 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 345 basis points. The subordinated debentures totaled $78.7 million and $78.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The subordinated debentures are included in tier 2 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

Junior Subordinated Debentures

In December 2009, the Company completed the private placement of $16.0 million in aggregate liquidation amount of 8.50% cumulative convertible trust preferred securities (“TPS”), through its subsidiary, Bridge Statutory Capital Trust II (the “Trust”). The TPS had a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security, were convertible into the Company’s common stock, at a modified effective conversion price of $29 per share, matured in 2039 and were callable by the Company at par after September 30, 2014.

The Company issued $16.0 million of junior subordinated debentures (the “Debentures”) to the Trust in exchange for ownership of all of the common securities of the Trust and the proceeds of the TPS sold by the Trust. In accordance with accounting guidance, the Trust was not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the Debentures were shown as a liability. The Debentures had the same interest rate, maturity and prepayment provisions as the TPS.

On December 15, 2016, the Company notified holders of the $15.8 million in outstanding TPS of the full redemption of the TPS on January 18, 2017. The redemption price equaled the liquidation amount, plus accrued but unpaid interest until but not including the redemption date. TPS not converted into shares of the Company’s common stock on or prior to January 17, 2017 were redeemed as of January 18, 2017. 15,450 shares of TPS with a liquidation amount of $15.5 million were converted into 532,740 shares of the Company’s common stock, which includes 100 shares of TPS with a liquidation amount of $100,000 which were converted into 3,448 shares of the Company’s common stock on December 28, 2016. The remaining 350 shares of TPS with a liquidation amount of $350,000 were redeemed on January 18, 2017. The Trust was cancelled effective April 24, 2017.

12. DERIVATIVES

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

As part of its asset liability management, the Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to help manage its interest rate risk position. The notional amount of the interest rate swap does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements.

Interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $290.0 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, were designated as cash flow hedges of certain FHLB advances. The swaps were determined to be fully effective during the periods presented and therefore no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income. The aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets/(other liabilities), with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedges no longer be considered effective. The Company expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swaps.

The following table summarizes information about the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Notional amounts	$	290,000		$	290,000
Weighted average pay rates		1.78	%		1.78	%
Weighted average receive rates		2.16	%		1.61	%
Weighted average maturity		2.39 years			2.64 years

Interest expense recorded on these swap transactions totaled $65 thousand and $275 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is reported as a component of interest expense on FHLB advances. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income/expense as interest payments are made/received on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had $65 thousand of reclassifications to interest expense. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $1.5 million will be reclassified as a decrease in interest expense.

The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the Consolidated Statements of Income relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

						Amount of loss
	Amount of gain		Amount of loss			recognized in other
(In thousands)	recognized in OCI		reclassified from OCI			non-interest income
Interest rate contracts	(Effective Portion)		to interest expense			(Ineffective Portion)
Three months ended March 31, 2018	$	2,827	$	(65	)	$	-
Three months ended March 31, 2017	$	25	$	(275	)	$	-

The following table reflects the cash flow hedges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the dates indicated:

	March 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
			Fair		Fair					Fair		Fair
	Notional		Value		Value			Notional		Value		Value
(In thousands)	Amount		Asset		Liability			Amount		Asset		Liability
Included in other assets/(liabilities):
Interest rate swaps related to FHLB advances	$	290,000	$	5,747	$	(131	)	$	290,000	$	3,133	$	(410	)

Non-Designated Hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges may be used to manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements or to provide service to customers but do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP. The Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial lending customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. These interest rate swaps with customers are simultaneously offset by interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party in order to minimize the net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. These interest-rate swap agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and therefore changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings.

The following table presents summary information about these interest rate swaps at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Notional amounts	$	171,112		$	147,967
Weighted average pay rates		4.14	%		3.96	%
Weighted average receive rates		4.14	%		3.96	%
Weighted average maturity		12.08 years			12.37 years
Fair value of combined interest rate swaps	$	-		$	-

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

As of March 31, 2018, the termination value of derivatives in a net asset position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $6.5 million, while there were no derivatives in a net liability position. The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties. If the termination value of derivatives is a net asset position, the counterparty is required to post collateral against its obligations to the Company under the agreements. However, if the termination value of derivatives is a net liability position, the Company is required to post collateral to the counterparty. At March 31, 2018, the Company received collateral of $6.6 million from its counterparties under the agreements in a net asset position and did not post collateral. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2018, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.

13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive (loss) income and related income tax effects:

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands)	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available for sale securities	$	(8,587	)	$	1,616
Income tax effect		2,499			(606	)
Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on available for sale securities		(6,088	)		1,010

Reclassification adjustment for amortization realized in income		95			114
Income tax effect		(28	)		(17	)
Net change in post-retirement obligation		67			97

Change in fair value of derivatives used for cash flow hedges		2,827			25
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in income		65			275
Income tax effect		(841	)		(126	)
Net change in unrealized gains on cash flow hedges		2,051			174

Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(3,970	)	$	1,281

The following is a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive loss balances, net of income taxes, at the dates indicated:

				Other Comprehensive
(In thousands)	December 31, 2017			Income			March 31, 2018
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities	$	(11,337	)	$	(6,088	)	$	(17,425	)
Unrealized (losses) gain on pension benefits		(5,533	)		67			(5,466	)
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges		1,931			2,051			3,982
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	$	(14,939	)	$	(3,970	)	$	(18,909	)

The following represents the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Three Months Ended						Affected Line Item
	March 31,			March 31,			in the Consolidated
(In thousands)	2018			2017			Statements of Income

Amortization of defined benefit pension plan and defined benefit plan component of the SERP:
Prior service credit	$	19		$	19		Other operating expenses
Transition obligation		(1	)		(7	)	Other operating expenses
Actuarial losses		(113	)		(126	)	Other operating expenses
Realized losses on cash flow hedges		(65	)		(275	)	Interest expense
Total reclassifications, before income taxes		(160	)		(389	)
Income tax benefit		47			159		Income tax expense
Total reclassifications, net of income taxes	$	(113	)	$	(230	)

14. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adoption of Accounting Standards Effective in 2018

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and all subsequent amendments to the ASU (collectively, Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”), which (i) creates a single framework for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers that fall within its scope and (ii) revises when it is appropriate to recognize a gain (loss) from the transfer of nonfinancial assets, such as other real estate owned. These amendments are effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income and other sources that are outside the scope of ASC 606. The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented in services charges and other fees within non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligations to its customers.

The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with legacy GAAP. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in a change to the accounting for any in-scope revenue streams; as such, no cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was recorded at January 1, 2018.

The Company evaluated its customer contracts, which are typically day-to-day contracts where each day represents a renewal of the contract. The Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 primarily consist of service charges on deposit accounts and fees for other customer services. The Company’s revenues from transaction-based fees, such as overdraft fees, ATM use fees, stop payment charges, and ACH fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed, which is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request and satisfies the performance obligation. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly service charges, are earned over the course of the month, representing the same period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. The Company earns revenues from interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions conducted through the MasterCard payment network. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions are recognized daily, concurrently with the services provided to the cardholder. As a result of the Company’s assessment ASC 606, there is no change in the amount and timing of revenue recognized in the first quarter of 2018.

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB amended existing guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. ASU 2016-01 requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The amendments require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables). ASU 2016-01 eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition; however, it did impact the fair value disclosures included in Note 5.

ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

In March 2017, the FASB amended existing guidance to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendments require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The line item used in the income statement to present the other components of net benefit cost must be disclosed. Additionally, only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization, if applicable. For public business entities, like the Company, ASU 2017-07 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The amendments should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement. The amendments allow a practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The amendment requires disclosure that the practical expedient was used. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the practical expedient for prior comparative periods. The change in presentation did not impact the Company’s operating results or financial condition. Refer to Note 8. Pension and Postretirement Plans for further details of the components of net periodic benefit cost.

ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Scope of Modification Accounting

In May 2017, the FASB provided guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in ASU 2017-09. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 are effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not impact the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Standards Effective in 2019

ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, the FASB amended existing guidance that requires lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date (1) A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, the lessor accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02 on the consolidated financial statements. Based on leases outstanding at March 31, 2018, the Company does not expect the updates to have a material impact on the income statement, but does anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in an increase in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.

ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB provided guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The amendments also simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The amendments in the Update better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes in both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted. ASU 2017-12 requires a modified retrospective transition method in which the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of the change on the opening balance of each affected component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet as of the date of adoption. While the Company continues to assess all potential impacts of the standard, ASU 2017-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Standards Effective in 2020

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

In June 2016, FASB issued guidance to replace the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held-to maturity debt securities, and reinsurance receivables. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. For public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer, like the Company, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may early adopt for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 in the first quarter of 2020 using the required modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the reporting period. The Company has created a cross-functional committee responsible for evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13, assessing data and system needs, and implementing required changes to loss estimation methods under the CECL model. The Company cannot yet determine the overall impact this guidance will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB amended existing guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments also eliminate the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The amendments are effective for public business entities that are an SEC filer, like the Company, for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The amendments should be applied prospectively. An entity is required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition in the first annual period and in the interim period within the first annual period when the entity initially adopts the amendments. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement

This report may contain statements relating to the future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are considered “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). Such forward-looking statements, in addition to historical information, which involve risk and uncertainties, are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of management of the Company. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “will,” “potential,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “estimated,” “assumes,” “likely,” and variations of such similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, possible or assumed estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, and results of operations and business of the Company, including earnings growth; revenue growth in retail banking, lending and other areas; origination volume in the consumer, commercial and other lending businesses; current and future capital management programs; non-interest income levels, including fees from the title insurance subsidiary and banking services as well as product sales; tangible capital generation; market share; expense levels; and other business operations and strategies. The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.

Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, changing economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes, including increases in FDIC insurance rates; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies; rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities; changes in interest rates; deposit flows; the cost of funds; demand for loan products; demand for financial services; competition; the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired entities; changes in the quality and composition of the Bank’s loan and investment portfolios; changes in management’s business strategies; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; changes in real estate values; expanded regulatory requirements as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, which could adversely affect operating results; and the “Risk Factors” discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Overview

Who The Company Is and How It Generates Income

Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation, is a bank holding company formed in 1989. On a parent-only basis, the Company has had minimal results of operations. The Company is dependent on dividends from its wholly owned subsidiary, BNB Bank, its own earnings, additional capital raised, and borrowings as sources of funds. The information in this report reflects principally the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank. The Bank’s results of operations are primarily dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The Bank also generates non-interest income, such as fee income on deposit accounts and merchant credit and debit card processing programs, investment services, income from its title insurance subsidiary, and net gains on sales of securities and loans. The level of its non-interest expenses, such as salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, other general and administrative expenses, expenses from its title insurance subsidiary, and income tax expense, further affects the Bank’s net income. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts and the related discussion and analysis to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders’ equity.

Principal Products and Services and Locations of Operations

The Bank was established in 1910 and is headquartered in Bridgehampton, New York. During 2017, the Bank conducted a branch rationalization study analyzing branch performance and market opportunities. As a result of the study, and in an effort to increase efficiency and remove branch redundancy, the Bank closed six locations in the first quarter of 2018. The branches closed in Suffolk County, New York are located in Cutchogue, Center Moriches, and Melville, and the branches closed in Nassau County, New York are located in Massapequa, New Hyde Park and Hewlett. The Bank now operates thirty-eight branches in its primary market areas of Suffolk and Nassau Counties on Long Island and the New York City boroughs, including thirty-five in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, two in Queens and one in Manhattan. For over a century, the Bank has maintained its focus on building customer relationships in its market area. The mission of the Bank is to grow through the provision of exceptional service to its customers, its employees, and the community. The Bank strives to achieve excellence in financial performance and build long-term shareholder value. The Bank engages in full service commercial and consumer banking business, including accepting time, savings and demand deposits from the consumers, businesses and local municipalities in its market area. These deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, are invested primarily in: (1) commercial real estate loans; (2) multi-family mortgage loans; (3) residential mortgage loans; (4) secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans; (5) home equity loans; (6) construction loans; (7) FHLB, FNMA, GNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other asset backed securities; (8) New York State and local municipal obligations; and (9) U.S. government sponsored entity (“U.S. GSE”) securities. The Bank also offers the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) programs, providing multi-millions of dollars of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance on deposits to its customers. In addition, the Bank offers merchant credit and debit card processing, automated teller machines, cash management services, lockbox processing, online banking services, remote deposit capture, safe deposit boxes, and individual retirement accounts as well as investment services through Bridge Financial Services, which offers a full range of investment products and services through a third party broker dealer. Through its title insurance abstract subsidiary, the Bank acts as a broker for title insurance services. The Bank’s customer base is comprised principally of small businesses, municipal relationships and consumer relationships.

Significant Recent Events

Charter Conversion and Branch Rationalization

In the fourth quarter 2017, the Company executed on two major initiatives: identifying and executing a branch rationalization strategy and the finalization of the Bank’s charter conversion from a national bank to a New York chartered commercial bank effective December 31, 2017. In connection with its charter conversion, the Bank obtained approval from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to remain a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. Following an assessment of the Company’s branch network to ensure it is covering its markets efficiently, the Company identified six branches that it closed in the first quarter of 2018. As a result, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $8.0 million in the fourth quarter 2017, with $7.7 million attributable to existing lease obligations, employee severance, and other related branch charges. The impact on pre-tax income for the year ending December 31, 2018, in the form of cost savings is expected to be $4.0 million, with an expected payback period of no more than 24 months.

Quarterly Highlights

Net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $12.1 million and $0.61 per diluted share, compared to $9.2 million and $0.47 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2017.

Net interest income increased to $34.5 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $30.5 million in 2017.

Net interest margin was 3.40% the first quarter of 2018 compared to 3.36% for the 2017 period.

Loans held for investment at March 31, 2018 totaled $3.2 billion, an increase of $99.1 million, or 3.2%, from December 31, 2017 and an increase of $544.4 million, or 20.5%, over March 31, 2017.

Total assets of $4.5 billion at March 31, 2018, increased $70.6 million compared to December 31, 2017 and increased $435.6 million compared to March 31, 2017.

Deposits of $3.4 billion at March 31, 2018, increased $96.7 million over December 31, 2017 and increased $448.4 million compared to March 31 2017.

Allowance for loan losses was 1.02% of loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

A cash dividend of $0.23 per share was declared in April 2018 for the first quarter.

Challenges and Opportunities

In March 2018, in view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1.50 to 1.75 percent. The FOMC’s stance on monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting strong labor market conditions and a sustained return to two percent inflation. In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the FOMC will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and two percent inflation. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments. The FOMC will carefully monitor actual and expected inflation developments relative to its symmetric inflation goal. The FOMC stated its expectation that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. However, the actual path of the federal funds rate will depend on the economic outlook as informed by incoming data.

Interest rates have been at or near historic lows for an extended period of time. Growth and service strategies have the potential to offset the compression on the net interest margin with volume as the customer base grows through expanding the Bank’s footprint, while maintaining and developing existing relationships. Since 2010, the Bank has opened fourteen branches, including one in September 2017 in Astoria, New York, two in April 2017 in Riverhead and East Moriches, New York, and one in March 2017 in Sag Harbor, New York. The Bank has also grown through acquisitions including the June 2015 acquisition of Community National Bank (“CNB”), the February 2014 acquisition of First National Bank of New York (“FNBNY”), and the May 2011 acquisition of Hamptons State Bank (“HSB”). Management will continue to seek opportunities to expand its reach into other contiguous markets by network expansion, or through the addition of professionals with established customer relationships. Recent and pending acquisitions of local competitors may also provide additional growth opportunities.

The Bank continues to face challenges associated with ever-increasing regulations and the current low interest rate environment. Over time, additional rate increases should provide some relief to net interest margin compression as new loans are funded and securities are reinvested at higher rates. However, in the short term, the fair value of available for sale securities declines when rates increase, resulting in net unrealized losses and a reduction in stockholders’ equity. Strategies for managing for the eventuality of higher rates have a cost. Extending liability maturities or shortening the term of assets increases interest expense and reduces interest income. An additional method for managing in a higher rate environment is to grow stable core deposits, requiring continued investment in people, technology and branches. Over time, the costs of these strategies should provide long-term benefits.

The key to delivering on the Company’s mission is combining its expanding branch network, improving technology, and experienced professionals with the critical element of local decision-making. The successful expansion of the franchise’s geographic reach continues to deliver the desired results: increasing deposits and loans, and generating higher levels of revenue and income.

Corporate objectives include: leveraging the Bank’s branch network to build customer relationships and grow loans and deposits; focusing on opportunities and processes that continue to enhance the customer experience at the Bank; improving operational efficiencies and prudent management of non-interest expense; and maximizing non-interest income. Management believes there remain opportunities to grow its franchise and that continued investments to generate core funding, quality loans and new sources of revenue remain keys to continue creating long-term shareholder value. The ability to attract, retain, train and cultivate employees at all levels of the Company remains significant to meeting corporate objectives. The Company has made great progress toward the achievement of these objectives, and avoided many of the problems facing other financial institutions. This is a result of maintaining discipline in its underwriting, expansion strategies, investing and general business practices. The Company has capitalized on opportunities presented by the market and diligently seeks opportunities to grow and strengthen the franchise. The Company recognizes the potential risks of the current economic environment and will monitor the impact of market events as management evaluates loans and investments and considers growth initiatives. Management and the Board have built a solid foundation for growth and the Company is positioned to adapt to anticipated changes in the industry resulting from new regulations and legislative initiatives.

Critical Accounting Policies

Allowance for Loan Losses

Management considers the accounting policy on the allowance for loan losses to be the most critical and requires complex management judgment. The judgments made regarding the allowance for loan losses can have a material effect on the results of operations of the Company.

The allowance for loan losses is established and maintained through a provision for loan losses based on probable incurred losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis. The allowance is comprised of both individual valuation allowances and loan pool valuation allowances. The Bank monitors its entire loan portfolio on a regular basis, with consideration given to detailed analysis of classified loans, repayment patterns, probable incurred losses, past loss experience, current economic conditions, and various types of concentrations of credit. Additions to the allowance are charged to expense and realized losses, net of recoveries, are charged to the allowance.

Individual valuation allowances are established in connection with specific loan reviews and the asset classification process including the procedures for impairment testing under FASB ASC No. 310, “Receivables”. Such valuation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability in accordance with contractual terms is not reasonably assured, considers the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral less the costs to sell, if any, or the present value of expected future cash flows, or the loan’s observable market value. Any shortfall that exists from this analysis results in a specific allowance for the loan. Pursuant to the Company’s policy, loan losses must be charged-off in the period the loans, or portions thereof, are deemed uncollectible. Assumptions and judgments by management, in conjunction with outside sources, are used to determine whether full collectability of a loan is not reasonably assured. These assumptions and judgments are also used to determine the estimates of the fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows or the loan’s observable market value. Individual valuation allowances could differ materially as a result of changes in these assumptions and judgments. Individual loan analyses are periodically performed on specific loans considered impaired. The results of the individual valuation allowances are aggregated and included in the overall allowance for loan losses.

Loan pool valuation allowances represent loss allowances that have been established to recognize the inherent risks associated with the Bank’s lending activities, but which, unlike individual allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. Pool evaluations are broken down into loans with homogenous characteristics by loan type and include commercial real estate mortgages, owner and non-owner occupied; multi-family mortgage loans; residential real estate mortgages; home equity loans; commercial, industrial and agricultural loans, secured and unsecured; real estate construction and land loans; and consumer loans. Management considers a variety of factors in determining the adequacy of the valuation allowance and has developed a range of valuation allowances necessary to adequately provide for probable incurred losses in each pool of loans. Management considers the Bank’s charge-off history along with the growth in the portfolio as well as the Bank’s credit administration and asset management philosophies and procedures when determining the allowances for each pool. In addition, management evaluates and considers the credit’s risk rating, which includes management’s evaluation of: cash flow, collateral, guarantor support, financial disclosures, industry trends and strength of borrowers’ management, the impact that economic and market conditions may have on the portfolio as well as known and inherent risks in the portfolio. Finally, management evaluates and considers the allowance ratios and coverage percentages of both peer group and regulatory agency data. These evaluations are inherently subjective because, even though they are based on objective data, it is management’s interpretation of that data that determines the amount of the appropriate allowance. If the evaluations prove to be incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the allowance for loan losses.

For PCI loans, a valuation allowance is established when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all the cash flows expected at acquisition plus additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition. A specific allowance is established when subsequent evaluations of expected cash flows from PCI loans reflect a decrease in those estimates. The allowance established represents the excess of the recorded investment in those loans over the present value of the currently estimated future cash flow, discounted at the last effective accounting yield.

The Bank uses assumptions and methodologies that are relevant to estimating the level of impairment and probable losses in the loan portfolio. To the extent that the data supporting such assumptions has limitations, management's judgment and experience play a key role in recording the allowance estimates. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made by provisions charged to earnings. Furthermore, an improvement in the expected cash flows related to PCI loans would result in a reduction of the required specific allowance with a corresponding credit to the provision.

The Credit Risk Management Committee (“CRMC”) is comprised of Bank management. The adequacy of the allowance is analyzed quarterly, with any adjustment to a level deemed appropriate by the CRMC, based on its risk assessment of the entire portfolio. Each quarter, members of the CRMC meet with the Credit Risk Committee of the Board to review credit risk trends and the adequacy of the

allowance for loan losses. Based on the CRMC’s review of the classified loans and the overall allowance levels as they relate to the entire loan portfolio at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, management believes the allowance for loan losses has been established at levels sufficient to cover the probable incurred losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Future additions or reductions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of the information available to them at the time of their examination.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $12.1 million and $0.61 per diluted share as compared to $9.2 million and $0.47 per diluted share for the same period in 2017. Changes in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to March 31, 2017 include: (i) a $4.1 million, or 13.4%, increase in net interest income; (ii) a $2.3 million, or 11.3%, increase in non-interest expense; and (iii) a $1.1 million, or 26.3%, decrease in income tax expense.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Net interest income, the primary contributor to earnings, represents the difference between income on interest earning assets and expenses on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends on the volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on them.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company’s average consolidated balance sheets and its consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated and reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for those periods on a tax equivalent basis based on the U.S. federal statutory tax rate. The Tax Act lowered the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s tax equivalent adjustment to interest income decreased in the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the lower federal statutory tax rate in 2018. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. Average balances are derived from daily average balances and include nonaccrual loans. The yields and costs include fees and costs, which are considered adjustments to yields. Interest on nonaccrual loans has been included only to the extent reflected in the consolidated statements of income. For purposes of this table, the average balances for investments in debt and equity securities exclude unrealized appreciation/depreciation due to the application of FASB ASC 320, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities.”

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018								2017
						Average								Average
	Average					Yield/			Average					Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		Interest			Cost			Balance		Interest			Cost
Interest earning assets:
Loans, net ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	3,127,900	$	35,660			4.62	%	$	2,587,999	$	29,478			4.62	%
Mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and other asset-backed securities		686,539		3,724			2.20			749,521		3,817			2.07
Taxable securities		199,688		1,492			3.03			227,537		1,499			2.67
Tax exempt securities ⁽²⁾		83,065		564			2.75			94,472		724			3.11
Deposits with banks		23,108		90			1.58			21,411		46			0.87
Total interest earning assets ⁽²⁾		4,120,300		41,530			4.09			3,680,940		35,564			3.92
Non interest earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		67,222								66,316
Other assets		287,671								280,511
Total assets	$	4,475,193							$	4,027,767

Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW and money market deposits	$	1,843,025	$	2,514			0.55	%	$	1,634,627	$	1,551			0.38	%
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more		155,649		517			1.35			128,042		379			1.20
Other time deposits		66,371		195			1.19			79,334		178			0.91
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		151,647		606			1.62			143,565		316			0.89
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		428,247		1,858			1.76			404,252		1,149			1.15
Subordinated debentures		78,653		1,135			5.85			78,514		1,135			5.86
Junior subordinated debentures		-		-			-			2,710		48			7.18
Total interest bearing liabilities		2,723,592		6,825			1.02			2,471,044		4,756			0.78
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,262,989								1,094,786
Other liabilities		37,838								30,464
Total liabilities		4,024,419								3,596,294
Stockholders' equity		450,774								431,473
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,475,193							$	4,027,767

Net interest income/interest rate spread ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾				34,705			3.07	%				30,808			3.14	%

Net interest earning assets/net interest margin ⁽²⁾⁽⁴⁾	$	1,396,708					3.42	%	$	1,209,896					3.39	%

Tax equivalent adjustment				(166	)		(0.02	)				(347	)		(0.03	)

Net interest income/net interest margin ⁽⁴⁾			$	34,539			3.40	%			$	30,461			3.36	%

Ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities							151.28	%							148.96	%

(1)

Amounts are net of deferred origination costs/(fees) and the allowance for loan losses.

(2)

Presented on a tax equivalent basis based on the U.S. statutory rate of 21% and 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(3)

Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest earning assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities.

(4)

Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis

Net interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changes in rates and volumes. The following table illustrates the extent to which changes in interest rates and in the volume of average interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities have affected the Bank’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rates (changes in rates multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) the net changes. For purposes of this table, changes that are not due solely to volume or rate changes have been allocated to these categories based on the respective percentage changes in average volume and rate. Due to the numerous simultaneous volume and rate changes during the periods analyzed, it is not possible to precisely allocate changes between volume and rate. In addition, average earning assets include nonaccrual loans.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018 Over 2017
	Changes Due To
(In thousands)	Volume			Rate			Net Change
Interest income on interest earning assets:
Loans, net ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	6,182		$	-		$	6,182
Mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and other asset-backed securities		(1,168	)		1,075			(93	)
Taxable securities		(783	)		776			(7	)
Tax exempt securities ⁽²⁾		(82	)		(78	)		(160	)
Deposits with banks		4			40			44
Total interest income on interest earning assets ⁽²⁾		4,153			1,813			5,966

Interest expense on interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW and money market deposits		214			749			963
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more		87			51			138
Other time deposits		(148	)		165			17
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		19			271			290
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		71			638			709
Subordinated debentures		8			(8	)		-
Junior subordinated debentures		(48	)		-			(48	)
Total interest expense on interest bearing liabilities		203			1,866			2,069
Net interest income ⁽²⁾	$	3,950		$	(53	)	$	3,897

(1)

Amounts are net of deferred origination costs/(fees) and the allowance for loan losses.

(2)

Presented on a tax equivalent basis based on the U.S. statutory rate of 21% and 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Analysis of Net Interest Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

Net interest income was $34.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $30.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Average net interest earning assets increased $186.8 million to $1.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in average net interest earning assets reflects organic growth in loans, partially offset by increases in average deposits and average borrowings. The net interest margin increased to 3.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 3.36% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the net interest margin for 2018 compared to 2017 reflects the higher average yield on interest earning assets primarily due to loan portfolio growth, partially offset by higher overall funding costs due in part to the Fed Funds rate increases in the year ended December 31, 2017 and March 2018.

Interest income increased $6.2 million, or 17.5%, to $41.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $35.2 million for the same period in 2017, as average interest earning assets increased $439.4 million, or 11.9%, to $4.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $3.7 billion for the same period in 2017. The increase in average interest earning assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 2017 reflects organic growth in loans. The tax adjusted average yield on interest earning assets was 4.09% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to 3.92% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Interest income on loans increased $6.2 million to $35.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 over 2017, due to growth in the loan portfolio. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, average loans grew by $539.9 million, or 20.9%, to $3.1 billion as compared to $2.6 billion for the same period in 2017. The increase in average loans was the result of organic growth in commercial real estate mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans, multi-family mortgage loans, and real estate construction and land loans. The tax adjusted yield on average loans was 4.62% for the first quarter of 2018 and 2017. The Bank remains committed to growing loans with prudent underwriting, sensible pricing, and limited credit and extension risk.

Interest income on investment securities was $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Interest income on securities included net amortization of premiums on securities of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, average total investments decreased by $102.2 million, or 9.5%, to $1.0 billion as compared to $1.1 billion for the same period in 2017. The tax adjusted average yield on total securities was 2.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2.29% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Total interest expense increased to $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is a result of the increase in the cost of average interest bearing liabilities coupled with an increase in average interest bearing liabilities. The cost of average interest bearing liabilities was 1.02% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 0.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the cost of average interest bearing liabilities is primarily due to higher overall funding costs due in part to the Fed Funds rate increases in March 2017, June 2017, December 2017 and March 2018. Since the Company’s interest bearing liabilities generally reprice or mature more quickly than its interest earning assets, an increase in short term interest rates initially results in a decrease in net interest income. The Company began extending the terms of certain matured borrowings at the end of the 2017 first quarter in anticipation of further Fed Funds rate increases. Additionally, the large percentages of deposits in money market accounts reprice at short-term market rates, making the balance sheet more liability sensitive. The Bank continues its prudent management of deposit pricing. Average total interest bearing liabilities increased $252.5 million, or 10.2%, to $2.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $2.5 billion for the same period in 2017 due to increases in both average deposits and average borrowings.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, average total deposits increased by $391.2 million to $3.3 billion as compared to average total deposits of $2.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to increases in average savings, NOW and money market accounts, average demand deposits, and average certificates of deposit. The average balance of savings, NOW and money market accounts increased $208.4 million, or 12.7%, to $1.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The cost of average savings, NOW and money market deposits was 0.55% for the 2018 first quarter compared to 0.38% for the 2017 first quarter. Average demand deposits increased $168.2 million, or 15.4%, to $1.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $1.1 billion for the same period in 2017. Average balances in certificates of deposit increased $14.6 million, or 7.1%, to $222.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $207.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The cost of average certificates of deposit increased to 1.30% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 1.09% for the same period in 2017. Average public fund deposits comprised 18.0% of total average deposits during the 2018 first quarter and 18.5% for the 2017 first quarter.

Average federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements increased $8.1 million, or 5.6%, to $151.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $143.6 million for the same period in 2017. The cost of average federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements was 1.62% for the 2018 first quarter compared to 0.89% for the 2017 first quarter. Average FHLB advances increased $24.0 million, or 5.9%, to $428.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $404.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Average junior subordinated debentures for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was zero compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2017. The junior subordinated debentures were redeemed in January 2017.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Bank’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans secured by commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located in the Bank’s principal lending areas of Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island and the New York City boroughs. The interest rates charged by the Bank on loans are affected primarily by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes, the rates offered by its competitors, the Bank’s relationship with the customer, and the related credit risks of the transaction. These factors are affected by general and economic conditions including, but not limited to, monetary policies of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative policies and governmental budgetary matters.

Based on the Company’s continuing review of the overall loan portfolio, the current asset quality of the portfolio, the growth in the loan portfolio and the net charge-offs, a provision for loan losses of $0.8 million was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. Net recoveries were $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to net charge-offs of $0.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans was 540%, 456% and 2,118%, at March

31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively. The allowance for loan losses increased to $32.8 million at March 31, 2018 as compared to $31.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $26.6 million at March 31, 2017. The allowance as a percentage of total loans was 1.02% at March 31, 2018, compared to 1.02% at December 31, 2017 and 1.00% at March 31, 2017. The increase in the allowance for loan losses from December 31, 2017 reflects loan portfolio growth, coupled with an increase in substandard loans. The increase in the allowance for loan losses from March 31, 2017 reflects portfolio growth, coupled with an increase in specific reserves on impaired loans and the impact of the significant increase in charge-offs experienced during the 2017 fourth quarter. Management continues to carefully monitor the loan portfolio as well as real estate trends in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the New York City boroughs.

Loans totaling $90.3 million, or 2.8%, of total loans at March 31, 2018 were categorized as classified loans compared to $85.3 million, or 2.8%, at December 31, 2017 and $95.7 million, or 3.6%, at March 31, 2017. Classified loans include loans with credit quality indicators with the internally assigned grades of special mention, substandard and doubtful. These loans are categorized as classified loans because management has information that indicates the borrower may not be able to comply with the present repayment terms. These loans are subject to increased management attention and their classification is reviewed at least quarterly.

At March 31, 2018, $34.7 million of classified loans were commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans. Of the $34.7 million of CRE loans, $30.1 million were current and $4.6 million were past due. At March 31, 2018, $8.2 million of classified loans were residential real estate loans, with $7.3 million current and $0.9 million past due. Commercial, industrial, and agricultural loans represented $47.1 million of classified loans, with $44.2 million current and $2.9 million past due. Taxi medallion loans represented $24.5 million of the classified commercial, industrial and agricultural loans at March 31, 2018. All of the Bank’s taxi medallion loans are collateralized by New York City – Manhattan medallions and have personal guarantees. All taxi medallion loans were current as of March 31, 2018 except one which was nonaccrual. No new originations of taxi medallion loans are currently planned and management expects these balances to decline through amortization and pay-offs. There was $0.3 million of classified real estate construction and land loans, all of which are current.

CRE loans, including multi-family loans, represented $1.9 billion, or 60.7%, of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2018 compared to $1.9 billion, or 61.0%, at December 31, 2017 and $1.6 billion, or 59.1%, at March 31, 2017. The Bank’s underwriting standards for CRE loans require an evaluation of the cash flow of the property, the overall cash flow of the borrower and related guarantors as well as the value of the real estate securing the loan. In addition, the Bank’s underwriting standards for CRE loans are consistent with regulatory requirements with original loan to value ratios generally less than or equal to 75%. The Bank considers charge-off history, delinquency trends, cash flow analysis, and the impact of the local economy on commercial real estate values when evaluating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had individually impaired loans as defined by FASB ASC No. 310, “Receivables” of $27.1 million and $22.5 million, respectively. For a loan to be considered impaired, management determines after review whether it is probable that the Bank will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management applies its normal loan review procedures in making these judgments. Impaired loans include individually classified nonaccrual loans and TDRs. For impaired loans, the Bank evaluates the impairment of the loan in accordance with FASB ASC 310-10-35-22. Impairment is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. For loans that are collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is used to determine the fair value of the loan. The fair value of the collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or present value of expected cash flows is compared to the carrying value to determine if any write-down or specific loan loss allowance allocation is required. The increase in impaired loans from December 31, 2017 was attributable to TDRs during the 2018 first quarter, partially offset by a decrease in non-accrual loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Bank modified certain commercial and industrial loans as TDRs totaling $6.7 million. These TDR loans are current and are classified as performing TDRs at March 31, 2018.

Nonaccrual loans were $6.1 million, or 0.19%, of total loans at March 31, 2018, and $7.0 million, or 0.22%, of total loans at December 31, 2017. TDRs represent $32 thousand of the nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2018 compared to $5 thousand at December 31, 2017.

The Bank’s other real estate owned at March 31, 2018 was $0.2 million, consisting of one property, compared to none at December 31, 2017.

The following table sets forth changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands)	March 31, 2018		March 31, 2017
Beginning balance	$	31,707	$	25,904
Charge-offs:
Residential real estate mortgage loans		-		-
Commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		-		(95	)
Installment/consumer loans		-		-
Total		-		(95	)
Recoveries:
Commercial real estate mortgage loans		-		-
Residential real estate mortgage loans		1		1
Commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		304		7
Installment/consumer loans		-		1
Total		305		9
Net recoveries (charge-offs)		305		(86	)
Provision for loan losses charged to operations		800		800
Ending balance	$	32,812	$	26,618

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth the allocation of the total allowance for loan losses by loan classification at the dates indicated:

	March 31, 2018					December 31, 2017
			Percentage of Loans					Percentage of Loans
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		to Total Loans			Amount		to Total Loans
Commercial real estate mortgage loans	$	11,334		41.9	%	$	11,048		41.7	%
Multi-family mortgage loans		3,002		18.8			4,521		19.2
Residential real estate mortgage loans		3,495		15.4			2,438		15.0
Commercial, industrial & agricultural loans		14,055		20.0			12,838		19.9
Real estate construction and land loans		821		3.3			740		3.5
Installment/consumer loans		105		0.6			122		0.7
Total	$	32,812		100.0	%	$	31,707		100.0	%

Non-Interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total non-interest income was $4.1 million, unchanged compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, reflecting a lower gain on sale of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans of $0.2 million, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in service charges and other fees and a $0.1 million increase in other operating income.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense increased $2.3 million to $22.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $20.3 million over the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and benefits, professional services, technology and communications, other operating expenses, FDIC assessments, and marketing and advertising, partially offset by lower occupancy and equipment and amortization of intangible assets.

Salaries and benefits increased $1.3 million to $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in salaries and benefits in the first quarter of 2018 versus the first quarter of 2017 is primarily due to additional staff related to business development and risk management. Occupancy and equipment decreased $0.2 million to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense in the first quarter of 2018 versus the first quarter of 2017 reflects the cost savings related to the execution of the Company’s branch rationalization strategy. Professional services increased $0.4 million to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2017. Technology and communications increased $0.3 million to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.3 million for the same period in the prior year. Other operating expenses increased $0.2 million to $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2017. FDIC assessments increased to $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $0.3 million for the same period

in 2017. Marketing and advertising were $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2017. Amortization of other intangible assets was $0.2 million compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2017.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 20.9% compared to 32.0% for the same period last year. The decrease in effective tax rate in 2018 compared to 2017 was due to the enactment of the Tax Act in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company increased $70.6 million to $4.5 billion at March 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017. Cash and cash equivalents increased $4.3 million, or 4.5%, to $99.0 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $94.7 million at December 31, 2017. Total securities decreased $37.8 million to $938.3 million at March 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017. Net loans increased $98.0 million, or 3.2%, to $3.2 billion compared to December 31, 2017. The ability to grow the loan portfolio, while minimizing interest rate risk sensitivity and maintaining credit quality, remains a strong focus of management. Total deposits increased $96.7 million to $3.4 billion at March 31, 2018, compared to $3.3 billion at December 31, 2017. Savings, NOW and money market deposits increased $151.0 million to $1.9 billion at March 31, 2018 from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2017. Certificates of deposit increased $60.4 million to $282.7 million at March 31, 2018 from $222.4 million at December 31, 2017. Demand deposits decreased $114.7 million to $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2018 compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2017. Federal funds purchased were zero at March 31, 2018 compared to $50.0 million at December 31, 2017. Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $18.7 million to $520.1 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $501.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Stockholders’ equity was $433.3 million at March 31, 2018, an increase of $4.1 million, or 1.0%, from December 31, 2017, primarily due to net income of $12.1 million, share based compensation of $0.8 million, and proceeds from the issuance of shares of common stock under the dividend reinvestment plan of $0.2 million, partially offset by $4.6 million in dividends and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes, of $4.0 million. In April 2018, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share and continues its long-term trend of uninterrupted dividends.

Liquidity

The objective of liquidity management is to ensure the sufficiency of funds available to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers, and to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities for Company growth or earnings enhancement. Liquidity management addresses the ability of the Company to meet financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet customer borrowing commitments and deposit withdrawals, either on demand or on contractual maturity, to repay borrowings as they mature, to fund current and planned expenditures and to make new loans and investments as opportunities arise.

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity included cash and cash equivalents of $6.2 million as of March 31, 2018, and dividend capabilities from the Bank. Cash available for distribution of dividends to shareholders of the Company is primarily derived from dividends paid by the Bank to the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Bank paid $5.0 million in cash dividends to the Company. Prior regulatory approval is required if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of the Bank’s net income of that year combined with its retained net income of the preceding two years. As of March 31, 2018, the Bank has $56.2 million of retained net income available for dividends to the Company. In the event that the Company subsequently expands its current operations, in addition to dividends from the Bank, it will need to rely on its own earnings, additional capital raised and other borrowings to meet liquidity needs. The Company did not make any capital contributions to the Bank during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The Bank’s most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, securities available for sale and securities held to maturity due within one year. The levels of these assets are dependent on the Bank’s operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. Other sources of liquidity include loan and investment securities principal repayments and maturities, lines of credit with other financial institutions including the FHLB and FRB, growth in core deposits and sources of wholesale funding such as brokered deposits. While scheduled loan amortization, maturing securities and short-term investments are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan and mortgage-backed securities prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. The Bank adjusts its liquidity levels as appropriate to meet funding needs such as seasonal deposit outflows, loans, and asset and liability management objectives. Historically, the Bank has relied on its deposit base, drawn through its full-service branches that serve its market area and local municipal deposits, as its principal source of funding. The Bank seeks to retain existing deposits and loans and maintain customer relationships by offering quality service and competitive interest rates to its customers, while managing the overall cost of funds needed to finance its strategies.

The Bank’s Asset/Liability and Funds Management Policy allows for wholesale borrowings of up to 25% of total assets. At March 31, 2018, the Bank had aggregate lines of credit of $380.0 million with unaffiliated correspondent banks to provide short-term credit for liquidity requirements. Of these aggregate lines of credit, $360.0 million is available on an unsecured basis. As of March 31, 2018, the Bank had no overnight borrowings outstanding under these lines. The Bank also has the ability, as a member of the FHLB system, to borrow against unencumbered residential and commercial mortgages owned by the Bank. The Bank also has a master repurchase agreement with the FHLB, which increases its borrowing capacity. As of March 31, 2018, the Bank had $227.0 million outstanding in FHLB overnight borrowings and $293.1 million outstanding in FHLB term borrowings. As of December 31, 2017, the Bank had $185.0 million outstanding in FHLB overnight borrowings and $316.4 million outstanding in FHLB term borrowings. The Bank had $0.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, of securities sold under agreements to repurchase outstanding with customers and nothing outstanding with brokers. In addition, the Bank has approved broker relationships for the purpose of issuing brokered deposits. As of March 31, 2018, the Bank had $105.0 million outstanding in brokered certificates of deposit and $170.0 million outstanding in brokered money market accounts. As of December 31, 2017, the Bank had $44.9 million outstanding in brokered certificates of deposit and $163.2 million outstanding in brokered money market accounts.

Liquidity policies are established by senior management and reviewed and approved by the full Board of Directors at least annually. Management continually monitors the liquidity position and believes that sufficient liquidity exists to meet all of the Company’s operating requirements. The Bank’s liquidity levels are affected by the use of short term and wholesale borrowings and the amount of public funds in the deposit mix. Excess short-term liquidity is invested in overnight federal funds sold or in an interest earning account at the FRB.

Capital Resources

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classifications also are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total, tier 1 and common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets and of tier 1 capital to average assets. Tier 1 capital, risk weighted assets and average assets are as defined by regulation. The required minimums for the Company and Bank are set forth in the tables that follow. The Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

On January 1, 2015, the Basel III Capital Rules became effective and include transition provisions through January 1, 2019. These rules provide for the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios as of January 1, 2015: a) 4.5% based on common equity tier 1 capital ("CET1"); b) 6.0% based on tier 1 capital; and c) 8.0% based on total regulatory capital. A minimum leverage ratio (tier 1 capital as a percentage of total average assets) of 4.0% is also required under the Basel III Capital Rules. When fully phased in, the Basel III Capital Rules will additionally require institutions to retain a capital conservation buffer, composed of CET1, of 2.5% above these required minimum capital ratio levels. The capital conservation buffer requirement is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increasing by 0.625% each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019. When the capital conservation buffer is fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Company and the Bank will effectively have the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: a) 7.0% based on CET1; b) 8.5% based on tier 1 capital; and c) 10.5% based on total regulatory capital.

The Company and the Bank made the one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss items included in stockholders' equity for the purposes of determining the regulatory capital ratios.

As of March 31, 2018, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, common equity tier 1 risk-based and tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below. Since that notification, there are no conditions or events that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

The following tables present actual capital levels and minimum required levels for the Company and the Bank under Basel III rules at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

	March 31, 2018
																Minimum To Be Well
											Minimum Capital					Capitalized Under Prompt
	Actual Capital					Minimum Capital Adequacy Requirement					Adequacy Requirement with Capital Conservation Buffer					Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated	$	343,502		10.0	%	$	155,018		4.5	%	$	219,609		6.375	%		n/a		n/a
Bank		415,891		12.1			155,012		4.5			219,601		6.375		$	223,906		6.5	%
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated		456,590		13.3			275,588		8.0			340,179		9.875			n/a		n/a
Bank		448,979		13.0			275,577		8.0			340,166		9.875			344,471		10.0
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated		343,502		10.0			206,691		6.0			271,282		7.875			n/a		n/a
Bank		415,891		12.1			206,683		6.0			271,271		7.875			275,577		8.0
Tier 1 capital to average assets:
Consolidated		343,502		7.9			174,858		4.0			n/a		n/a			n/a		n/a
Bank		415,891		9.5			174,792		4.0			n/a		n/a			218,490		5.0

	December 31, 2017
																Minimum To Be Well
											Minimum Capital					Capitalized Under Prompt
	Actual Capital					Minimum Capital Adequacy Requirement					Adequacy Requirement with Capital Conservation Buffer					Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated	$	336,393		10.0	%	$	152,011		4.5	%	$	194,237		5.75	%		n/a		n/a
Bank		408,089		12.1			152,002		4.5			194,224		5.75		$	219,558		6.5	%
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated		448,376		13.3			270,242		8.0			312,468		9.25			n/a		n/a
Bank		440,072		13.0			270,225		8.0			312,448		9.25			337,781		10.0
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:
Consolidated		336,393		10.0			202,682		6.0			244,907		7.25			n/a		n/a
Bank		408,089		12.1			202,669		6.0			244,892		7.25			270,225		8.0
Tier 1 capital to average assets:
Consolidated		336,393		7.9			170,440		4.0			n/a		n/a			n/a		n/a
Bank		408,089		9.6			170,441		4.0			n/a		n/a			213,051		5.0

Recent Regulatory and Accounting Developments

Refer to Note 14. “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements” for details related to recent regulatory and accounting developments.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Asset/Liability Management

Management considers interest rate risk to be the most significant market risk for the Company. Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in the net income of the Company as a result of changes in interest rates.

The Company’s primary earnings source is net interest income, which is affected by changes in the level of interest rates, the relationship between rates, the impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments, the level and composition of deposits and liabilities, and the credit quality of earning assets. The Company’s objectives in its asset and liability management are to maintain a strong, stable net interest margin, to utilize its capital effectively without taking undue risks, to maintain adequate liquidity, and to reduce vulnerability of its operations to changes in interest rates.

The Company’s Asset and Liability Committee evaluates periodically, but at least four times a year, the impact of changes in market interest rates on assets and liabilities, net interest margin, capital and liquidity. Risk assessments are governed by policies and limits established by senior management, which are reviewed and approved by the full Board of Directors at least annually. The economic environment continually presents uncertainties as to future interest rate trends. The Asset and Liability Committee regularly utilizes a model that projects net interest income based on increasing or decreasing interest rates, in order to be better able to respond to changes in interest rates.

At March 31, 2018, $788.5 million, or 87.4%, of the Company’s available for sale and held to maturity securities had fixed interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect the value of the Company’s interest earning assets and in particular its securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates could result in decreases in the market value of interest earning assets, which could adversely affect the Company’s stockholders’ equity and its results of operations if sold. The Company is also subject to reinvestment risk associated with changes in interest rates. Changes in market interest rates also could affect the type (fixed-rate or adjustable-rate) and amount of loans originated by the Company and the average life of loans and securities, which can impact the yields earned on the Company’s loans and securities. In periods of decreasing interest rates, the average life of loans and securities held by the Company may be shortened to the extent increased prepayment activity occurs during such periods which, in turn, may result in the investment of funds from such prepayments in lower yielding assets. Under these circumstances, the Company is subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that it is unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may result in decreasing loan prepayments with respect to fixed rate loans (and therefore an increase in the average life of such loans), may result in a decrease in loan demand, and may make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans.

The Company utilizes the results of a detailed and dynamic simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of net interest income to sustained interest rate changes. Management routinely monitors simulated net interest income sensitivity over a rolling two-year horizon. The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and the interest expense paid on all assets and liabilities reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. This sensitivity analysis is compared to the asset and liability policy limits that specify a maximum tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one-year horizon given 100 and 200 basis point upward shifts in interest rates and a 100 basis point downward shift in interest rates. A parallel and pro-rata shift in rates over a twelve-month period is assumed.

In addition to the above scenarios, the Company considers other, non-parallel rate shifts that would also exert pressure on earnings. The current low interest rate environment presents the possibility for a flattening of the yield curve. This could happen if the FOMC began to raise short-term interest rates without there being a corresponding rise in long-term rates. This would have the effect of raising short-term borrowing costs without allowing longer-term assets to reprice higher.

The following reflects the Company’s net interest income sensitivity analysis at March 31, 2018:

	Potential Change
Change in Interest	in Future Net
Rates in Basis Points	Interest Income
(Dollars in thousands)	Year 1						Year 2
	$ Change			% Change			$ Change		% Change
200	$	(4,387	)		(3.25	)%	$	4,290		3.17	%
100	$	(2,142	)		(1.58	)%	$	4,749		3.51	%
Static		-			-			-		-
-100	$	1,638			1.21	%	$	5,669		4.19	%

As noted in the table above, a 200 basis point increase in interest rates is projected to decrease net interest income by 3.25 percent in year 1 and increase net interest income by 3.17 percent in year 2. The Company’s balance sheet sensitivity to such a move in interest rates at March 31, 2018 decreased as compared to March 31, 2017 (which was a decrease of 4.91 percent in net interest income over a twelve-month period). This decrease is the result of a higher proportion of the Company’s assets repricing to market rates, coupled with a large increase in demand deposits and the Company’s ability to hold the costs of interest bearing deposits to below market rates. Overall, the strategy for the Bank remains focused on reducing its exposure to rising rates. Over the intervening year, the effective duration (a measure of price sensitivity to interest rates) of the bond portfolio decreased from 3.59 at March 31, 2017 to 3.42 at March 31, 2018, but increased from 3.23 at December 31, 2017. Additionally, the Bank has increased its use of swaps to extend liabilities. The Company believes that its strong core funding profile also provides protection from rising rates due to the ability of the Bank to lag increases in the rates paid to on these accounts to market rates.

The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied on as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based on numerous assumptions including, but not limited to, the nature and timing of interest rate levels and yield curve shapes, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, and reinvestment and replacement of asset and liability cash flows. While assumptions are developed based on perceived current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot make any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences may change. Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will also differ due to prepayment and refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate change caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals, prepayment penalties and product preference changes and other internal and external variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that management might take in responding to, or anticipating, changes in interest rates and market conditions.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2018. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of any such pending or threatened litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A., Risk Factors, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth information in connection with repurchases of our shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018		123	$	37.09		-		167,041
February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018		11,760	$	33.94		-		167,041
March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018		657	$	33.99		-		167,041

Total		12,540	$	33.97		-		167,041

(1) Represents shares withheld by the Company to pay the taxes associated with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(2) The Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program on March 27, 2006 that authorized the repurchase of 309,000 shares. No shares were purchased under this program during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. There is no expiration date for the stock repurchase plan. There is no stock repurchase plan that has expired or that has been terminated during the period ended March 31, 2018.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101	The following financial statements from Bridge Bancorp, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 9, 2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and (vi) the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	BRIDGE BANCORP, INC.
	Registrant

May 9, 2018	/s/ Kevin M. O’Connor
	Kevin M. O’Connor
	President and Chief Executive Officer

May 9, 2018	/s/ John M. McCaffery
	John M. McCaffery
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer