0000920427false00009204272024-07-122024-07-12

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

July 12, 2024

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Graphic

UNITY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New Jersey

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-12431

22-3282551

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

64 Old Highway 22

Clinton, NJ 08809

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

(908) 730-7630

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

UNTY

NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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.

Item 2.02            Results of Operation and Financial Condition

The Registrant issued a press release on July 12, 2024 announcing results for the six months ended June 30, 2024, the full text of which is incorporated by reference to this Item.

Item 9.01             Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1

Press release issued by the Registrant on July 12, 2024.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

October 13, 2023

UNITY BANCORP, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: July 12, 2024

By:

/s/ George Boyan

George Boyan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Graphic


Clinton, NJ -- Unity Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTY), parent company of Unity Bank, reported net income of $9.5 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to net income of $9.6 million, or $0.93 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. This represents a 1.4% decrease in net income and no change in net income per diluted share.  For the six months ended June 30, 2024, Unity Bancorp reported net income of $19.0 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, compared to net income of $20.0 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023. This represents a 4.7% decrease in net income and a 2.6% decrease in net income per diluted share.

Second Quarter Earnings Highlights

Net interest income, the primary driver of earnings, was $23.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of $0.4 million, as compared to $23.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Net interest margin (“NIM”) decreased 8 basis points to 4.01% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increasing faster than the yield of interest-earning assets.
The provision for credit losses on loans was $0.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.  The provision in the current quarter was primarily driven by increases in the specific reserve.
Provision for credit losses on Available For Sale (“AFS”) debt securities was $0.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to no provision for the prior quarter. The impairment was entirely attributable to the same corporate debt security for which a partial provision was taken in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company owns $5 million in par of this position and moved the position into non-accrual status during the three months ending June 30, 2024. The net carrying value of the position was $3.1 million as of June 30, 2024.
Noninterest income was $2.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The $0.3 million increase was primarily due to increased BOLI income, other income and gain on sale of SBA loans. Other income is primarily comprised of interchange & wire fee revenues. The Bank sold $3.9 million of SBA loans during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $2.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Noninterest expense was $12.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $12.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.  The decrease was primarily driven by lower compensation and benefit expenses, partially offset by increased furniture & equipment expense.
The effective tax rate was 24.7% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to 25.0% for the quarter ending March 31, 2024.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total gross loans decreased $1.5 million, or 0.1%, from December 31, 2023, primarily due to decreases in the residential construction and residential mortgage categories. These decreases were partially offset by increases in the commercial loan category.  
As of June 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans was 1.20%.
Total deposits increased $86.7 million, or 4.5%, from December 31, 2023.  As of June 30, 2024, 18.3% of total deposits were uninsured or uncollateralized. The Company’s deposit composition as of June 30, 2024, consisted of 21.0% in noninterest bearing demand deposits, 15.0% in interest-bearing demand deposits, 27.5% in savings deposits, and 36.5% in time deposits.
As of June 30, 2024, the loan to deposit ratio was 107.9%, representing a continued reduction from 112.9% as of December 31, 2023. Because the Company is in compliance with its 110% threshold, management plans to expand lending initiatives to non-owner occupied borrowers.
As of June 30, 2024, investments comprised 5.6% of total assets. Available for sale debt securities (“AFS”) were $99.1 million or 3.8% of total assets. Held to maturity (“HTM”) debt securities were $36.2 million or 1.4% of total assets. As of June 30, 2024, pre-tax net unrealized losses on AFS and HTM were $4.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively. These pre-tax unrealized losses represent approximately 4.2% of the Company’s Tier 1 capital. Equity securities were $9.9 million or 0.4% of total assets as of June 30, 2024.
Borrowed funds decreased $81.6 million from December 31, 2023. Borrowed funds were entirely comprised of borrowings from the FHLB.
Shareholders’ equity was $273.4 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $261.4 million as of December 31, 2023. The $12.0 million increase was primarily driven by 2024 earnings, partially offset by share repurchases and dividend payments. In the first half of 2024, Unity Bancorp repurchased 218,768 shares for approximately $5.9 million, or a weighted average price of $27.04 per share. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, Unity Bancorp repurchased 68,771 shares for approximately $1.8 million, or a weighted average price of $26.77 per share.
Book value per common share was $27.41 as of June 30, 2024, compared to $25.98 as of December 31, 2023. This increase primarily reflects earnings offset by dividend payouts and share repurchases.
Below is a summary of the Company’s regulatory capital ratios:
oThe Leverage Ratio increased 53 basis points to 11.67% at June 30, 2024, compared to 11.14% at December 31, 2023.

oThe Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio increased 61 basis points to 13.31% at June 30, 2024, compared to 12.70% at December 31, 2023.
oThe Tier 1 Capital Ratio increased 62 basis points to 13.80% at June 30, 2024, compared to 13.18% at December 31, 2023.
oThe Total Capital Ratio increased 62 basis points, to 15.05% at June 30, 2024, compared to 14.43% at December 31, 2023.
At June 30, 2024, the Company held $197.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. Further, the Company maintained approximately $610.5 million of funding available from various funding sources, including the FHLB, FRB Discount Window and other lines of credit. Additionally, the Company has the ability to pledge additional securities to further increase borrowing capacity. Total available funding plus cash on hand represented 219.3% of uninsured or uncollateralized deposits.
As of June 30, 2024, nonperforming assets were $15.2 million, compared to $19.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and $16.9 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company diligently reviews nonperforming assets and potential problem credits, taking proactive measures to promptly address and resolve any issues. As of June 30, 2024, nonperforming assets included $3.1 million related to debt securities available for sale. There were no nonperforming debt securities available for sale as of December 31, 2023 or March 31, 2024. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans was 0.56% as of June 30, 2024. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.58% as of June 30, 2024.  

Other Highlights

In Q2 2024, Unity Bank actively assisted certain customers with their application to participate in the FHLBNY’s 2024 Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”). The FHLBNY AHP program awards grants to members and project sponsors who are planning to purchase, rehabilitate, or construct affordable homes or apartments.

In Q2 2024, Unity Bank introduced deposit account promotions specifically tailored to business checking and savings accounts.

In Q2 2024, Unity Bank’s Marketing Director, Crystal Stoneback Rose, was selected as a Lehigh Valley Business Woman of Influence. This recognition highlights Crystal’s professional experience, community involvement and commitment to mentoring others.

Unity Bancorp, Inc. is a financial services organization headquartered in Clinton, New Jersey, with approximately $2.6 billion in assets and $2.0 billion in deposits.  Unity Bank, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, provides financial services to retail, corporate and small business customers through its robust branch network located in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties in New Jersey and Northampton County in Pennsylvania.  For additional information about Unity, visit our website at www.unitybank.com , or call 800-618-BANK.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance.  These statements may be identified by use of the words “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project” or similar expressions.  These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond the Company’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals.  These factors include those items included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item IA-Risk Factors” as amended or supplemented by our subsequent filings with the SEC, as well as general economic conditions, trends in interest rates, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, our ability to manage and reduce the level of our nonperforming assets, results of regulatory exams, and the impact of COVID-19 on the Bank, its employees and customers, among other factors.


UNITY BANCORP, INC.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

June 30, 2024 vs.

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2023

(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

June 30, 2024

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2023

%

%

BALANCE SHEET DATA

Total assets

$

2,597,707

$

2,568,088

$

2,552,301

1.2

%

1.8

%

Total deposits

2,010,831

1,961,270

1,849,528

2.5

8.7

Total gross loans

2,170,535

2,174,457

2,167,367

(0.2)

0.1

Total securities

145,187

138,702

137,061

4.7

5.9

Total shareholders' equity

273,395

266,761

244,073

2.5

12.0

Allowance for credit losses

26,107

26,080

25,988

0.1

0.5

FINANCIAL DATA - QUARTER TO DATE

Income before provision for income taxes

$

12,552

$

12,784

$

13,109

(1.8)

(4.2)

Provision for income taxes

3,098

3,198

3,409

(3.1)

(9.1)

Net income

$

9,454

$

9,586

$

9,700

(1.4)

(2.5)

Net income per common share - Basic

$

0.94

$

0.95

$

0.96

(1.1)

(2.1)

Net income per common share - Diluted

0.93

0.93

0.95

-

(2.1)

PERFORMANCE RATIOS - QUARTER TO DATE (annualized)

Return on average assets

1.56

%

1.58

%

1.60

%

Return on average equity

14.07

14.49

16.19

Efficiency ratio**

47.10

47.57

45.87

Cost of funds

2.73

2.64

2.19

Net interest margin

4.01

4.09

4.04

Noninterest expense to average assets

1.98

2.00

1.95

FINANCIAL DATA - YEAR TO DATE

Income before provision for income taxes

$

25,336

$

26,901

(5.8)

Provision for income taxes

6,296

6,914

(8.9)

Net income

$

19,040

$

19,987

(4.7)

Net income per common share - Basic

$

1.89

$

1.94

(2.6)

Net income per common share - Diluted

1.86

1.91

(2.6)

PERFORMANCE RATIOS - YEAR TO DATE

Return on average assets

1.57

%

1.66

%

Return on average equity

14.28

16.66

Efficiency ratio**

47.33

45.21

Cost of funds

2.70

2.00

Net interest margin

4.05

4.11

Noninterest expense to average assets

1.99

1.93

SHARE INFORMATION

Market price per share

$

29.57

$

27.60

$

23.59

7.1

25.3

Dividends paid (QTD)

0.13

0.13

0.12

-

8.3

Book value per common share

27.41

26.56

24.12

3.2

13.6

Average diluted shares outstanding (QTD)

10,149

10,276

10,203

(1.2)

(0.5)

CAPITAL RATIOS***

Total equity to total assets

10.52

%

10.39

%

9.56

%

1.3

10.0

Leverage ratio

11.67

11.39

10.49

2.5

11.2

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio

13.31

12.90

11.74

3.2

13.4

Risk-based Tier 1 Capital Ratio

13.80

13.38

12.21

3.1

13.0

Risk-based Total Capital Ratio

15.05

14.63

13.45

2.9

11.9

CREDIT QUALITY AND RATIOS

Nonperforming assets

$

15,193

$

16,890

$

16,466

(10.0)

(7.7)

QTD annualized net (chargeoffs)/recoveries to QTD average loans

(0.04)

%

(0.08)

%

(0.18)

%

Allowance for credit losses to total loans

1.20

1.20

1.20

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.56

0.78

0.76

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.58

0.66

0.65

** The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure, calculated based on the noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus non interest income, excluding net gains and losses on securities.


*** Represents Bancorp consolidated capital ratios.


UNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

June 30, 2024 vs.

December 31, 2023

June 30, 2023

(In thousands, except percentages)

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

June 30, 2023

%

%

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

31,180

$

20,668

$

22,552

50.9

%

38.3

%

Interest-bearing deposits

166,238

174,108

128,682

(4.5)

29.2

Cash and cash equivalents

197,418

194,776

151,234

1.4

30.5

Securities:

Debt securities available for sale, at market value

99,081

91,765

92,966

8.0

6.6

Debt securities held to maturity, at book value

36,157

36,122

35,890

0.1

0.7

Equity securities, at market value

9,949

7,802

8,205

27.5

21.3

Total securities

145,187

135,689

137,061

7.0

5.9

Loans:

SBA loans held for sale

15,159

18,242

20,074

(16.9)

(24.5)

SBA loans held for investment

38,017

38,584

39,878

(1.5)

(4.7)

SBA PPP loans

1,734

2,318

2,555

(25.2)

(32.1)

Commercial loans

1,318,208

1,277,460

1,256,032

3.2

5.0

Residential mortgage loans

624,949

631,506

633,414

(1.0)

(1.3)

Consumer loans

69,280

72,676

75,990

(4.7)

(8.8)

Residential construction loans

103,188

131,277

139,424

(21.4)

(26.0)

Total loans

2,170,535

2,172,063

2,167,367

(0.1)

0.1

Allowance for credit losses

(26,107)

(25,854)

(25,988)

1.0

0.5

Net loans

2,144,428

2,146,209

2,141,379

(0.1)

0.1

Premises and equipment, net

19,073

19,567

19,923

(2.5)

(4.3)

Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI")

25,483

25,230

26,940

1.0

(5.4)

Deferred tax assets

13,294

12,552

12,891

5.9

3.1

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock

14,957

18,435

21,430

(18.9)

(30.2)

Accrued interest receivable

13,257

13,582

14,858

(2.4)

(10.8)

Goodwill

1,516

1,516

1,516

-

-

Prepaid expenses and other assets

23,094

10,951

25,069

110.9

(7.9)

Total assets

$

2,597,707

$

2,578,507

$

2,552,301

0.7

%

1.8

%

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

422,001

$

419,636

$

439,220

0.6

%

(3.9)

%

Interest-bearing demand

301,480

312,208

299,290

(3.4)

0.7

Savings

505,586

497,491

503,122

1.6

0.5

Brokered deposits

221,990

268,408

236,457

(17.3)

(6.1)

Time deposits

559,774

426,397

371,439

31.3

50.7

Total deposits

2,010,831

1,924,140

1,849,528

4.5

8.7

Borrowed funds

274,798

356,438

423,000

(22.9)

(35.0)

Subordinated debentures

10,310

10,310

10,310

-

-

Accrued interest payable

1,657

1,924

715

(13.9)

131.7

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

26,716

24,265

24,675

10.1

8.3

Total liabilities

2,324,312

2,317,077

2,308,228

0.3

0.7

Shareholders' equity:

Common stock

102,226

100,426

98,910

1.8

3.4

Retained earnings

207,534

191,108

173,823

8.6

19.4

Treasury stock, at cost

(33,285)

(27,367)

(25,037)

21.6

32.9

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(3,080)

(2,737)

(3,623)

12.5

(15.0)

Total shareholders' equity

273,395

261,430

244,073

4.6

12.0

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,597,707

$

2,578,507

$

2,552,301

0.7

%

1.8

%

Shares issued

11,555

11,424

11,387

Shares outstanding

9,975

10,063

10,119

Treasury shares

1,580

1,361

1,268

*NM=Not meaningful


UNITY BANCORP, INC.

QTD CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

June 30, 2024 vs.

For the three months ended

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2023

(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

June 30, 2024

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2023

$

%

$

%

INTEREST INCOME

Interest-bearing deposits

$

435

$

420

$

441

$

15

3.6

%

$

(6)

(1.4)

%

FHLB stock

180

280

343

(100)

(35.7)

(163)

(47.5)

Securities:

Taxable

1,749

1,849

1,798

(100)

(5.4)

(49)

(2.7)

Tax-exempt

17

18

19

(1)

(5.6)

(2)

(10.5)

Total securities

1,766

1,867

1,817

(101)

(5.4)

(51)

(2.8)

Loans:

SBA loans

1,276

1,333

1,403

(57)

(4.3)

(127)

(9.1)

SBA PPP loans

11

8

27

3

37.5

(16)

(59.3)

Commercial loans

21,160

20,830

18,621

330

1.6

2,539

13.6

Residential mortgage loans

9,316

9,219

8,532

97

1.1

784

9.2

Consumer loans

1,390

1,402

1,471

(12)

(0.9)

(81)

(5.5)

Residential construction loans

2,453

2,578

2,737

(125)

(4.8)

(284)

(10.4)

Total loans

35,606

35,370

32,791

236

0.7

2,815

8.6

Total interest income

37,987

37,937

35,392

50

0.1

2,595

7.3

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest-bearing demand deposits

2,010

1,710

1,331

300

17.5

679

51.0

Savings deposits

3,349

3,144

1,993

205

6.5

1,356

68.0

Brokered deposits

2,181

2,295

1,857

(114)

(5.0)

324

17.4

Time deposits

5,832

4,699

2,564

1,133

24.1

3,268

127.5

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

1,191

2,248

4,125

(1,057)

(47.0)

(2,934)

(71.1)

Total interest expense

14,563

14,096

11,870

467

3.3

2,693

22.7

Net interest income

23,424

23,841

23,522

(417)

(1.7)

(98)

(0.4)

Provision for credit losses, loans

266

641

777

(375)

(58.5)

(511)

(65.8)

Provision for credit losses, off-balance sheet

13

2

(84)

11

550.0

97

115.5

Provision for credit losses, AFS securities

646

-

-

646

*NM

646

*NM

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

22,499

23,198

22,829

(699)

(3.0)

(330)

(1.4)

NONINTEREST INCOME

Branch fee income

266

243

228

23

9.5

38

16.7

Service and loan fee income

467

457

491

10

2.2

(24)

(4.9)

Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net

305

238

586

67

28.2

(281)

(48.0)

Gain on sale of mortgage loans, net

266

320

463

(54)

(16.9)

(197)

(42.5)

BOLI income

189

65

84

124

190.8

105

125.0

Net securities gains (losses)

20

54

(164)

(34)

(63.0)

184

112.2

Other income

520

341

427

179

52.5

93

21.8

Total noninterest income

2,033

1,718

2,115

315

18.3

(82)

(3.9)

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Compensation and benefits

7,121

7,357

7,271

(236)

(3.2)

(150)

(2.1)

Processing and communications

840

906

663

(66)

(7.3)

177

26.7

Occupancy

815

798

779

17

2.1

36

4.6

Furniture and equipment

819

684

690

135

19.7

129

18.7

Professional services

405

436

296

(31)

(7.1)

109

36.8

Advertising

397

400

443

(3)

(0.8)

(46)

(10.4)

Loan related expenses

351

384

130

(33)

(8.6)

221

170.0

Deposit insurance

321

339

617

(18)

(5.3)

(296)

(48.0)

Director fees

231

247

203

(16)

(6.5)

28

13.8

Other expenses

680

581

743

99

17.0

(63)

(8.5)

Total noninterest expense

11,980

12,132

11,835

(152)

(1.3)

145

1.2

Income before provision for income taxes

12,552

12,784

13,109

(232)

(1.8)

(557)

(4.2)

Provision for income taxes

3,098

3,198

3,409

(100)

(3.1)

(311)

(9.1)

Net income

$

9,454

$

9,586

$

9,700

$

(132)

(1.4)

%

$

(246)

(2.5)

%

Effective tax rate

24.7

%

25.0

%

26.0

%

Net income per common share - Basic

$

0.94

$

0.95

$

0.96

Net income per common share - Diluted

0.93

0.93

0.95