Strong Growth in Deposits, Business Loans and Capital Ratios on a Year-Over-Year Basis

Net Interest Margin Expands by 29 basis points on a Linked Quarter Basis to 2.79%

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:DCOM) (the "Company" or "Dime"), the parent company of Dime Community Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income available to common stockholders of $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, or $0.55 per diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $88.8 million, or $2.29 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Stuart H. Lubow, President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company, stated, "Our fourth quarter results were marked by continued core deposit growth and Net Interest Margin ("NIM") expansion. In addition, we successfully executed on several important initiatives in the fourth quarter, including a follow-on common equity offering. The proceeds from the offering were utilized to re-position our available-for-sale securities portfolio and Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI") portfolio and supplement our capital base. These transactions will contribute towards a stronger balance sheet, enhanced earnings power and support future growth. I would like to thank all of our employees for their tremendous efforts throughout the year that led to substantial year-over-year growth in core deposits and business loans as well as the Bank achieving an "Outstanding" rating on our recent Community Reinvestment Act examination."

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, net loss available to common stockholders was $22.2 million, or $(0.54) per diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $11.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and net income available to common stockholders of $14.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 results included: $42.8 million of pre-tax loss-on-sale of securities, $1.3 million of pre-tax severance expense and $1.2 million of pre-tax expense related to the termination of a legacy pension plan. In addition, the fourth quarter 2024 results included $9.1 million of income tax expense related to the taxable gain and Modified Endowment Contract Tax ("MEC Tax") on the surrender of legacy BOLI assets.

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) totaled $17.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 52% versus the prior quarter and an increase of 16% versus the year ago quarter (see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables at the end of this news release). Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) totaled $0.42 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 45% versus the prior quarter and an increase of 8% versus the year ago quarter.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2024 Included:

Total deposits increased $268.8 million compared to the third quarter of 2024;
Core deposits (excluding brokered and time deposits) increased $513.4 million compared to the third quarter of 2024;
The ratio of average non-interest-bearing deposits to average total deposits for the fourth quarter increased to 30.0%;
The cost of total deposits declined by 37 basis points versus the prior quarter;
The net interest margin increased to 2.79% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 2.50% for the prior quarter;
The loan to deposit ratio declined to 93.0% at the end of the fourth quarter compared to 95.4% for the prior quarter;
The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 0.82% at the end of the fourth quarter compared to 0.78% for the prior quarter;
The Company's Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio increased to 11.07% at the end of the fourth quarter; and
The Bank received an "Outstanding" overall rating as well as an "Outstanding" rating on each of the individual components (Lending, Investment and Service tests) for its recently concluded Community Reinvestment Act examination.

Management's Discussion of Quarterly Operating Results

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $91.1 million compared to $79.9 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $74.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Mr. Lubow commented, "Strong growth in core deposits as well as proactive management of deposit rates led to strong linked quarter growth in our net interest margin. We anticipate the full quarter impact of the securities repositioning (which was completed towards the end of November) to positively benefit the NIM in 2025."

The table below provides a reconciliation of the reported net interest margin ("NIM") and adjusted NIM excluding the impact of purchase accounting accretion on the loan portfolio.


(Dollars in thousands)	Q4 2024				Q3 2024				Q4 2023
Net interest income	$	91,098			$	79,924			$	74,121
Purchase accounting amortization (accretion) on loans ("PAA")		(1,268	)			(266	)			(55	)
Adjusted net interest income excluding PAA on loans (non-GAAP)	$	89,830			$	79,658			$	74,066

Average interest-earning assets	$	12,974,958			$	12,734,246			$	12,828,060

NIM⁽¹⁾		2.79		%		2.50		%		2.29		%
Adjusted NIM excluding PAA on loans (non-GAAP)⁽²⁾		2.75		%		2.49		%		2.29		%

⁽¹⁾NIM represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

⁽²⁾Adjusted NIM excluding PAA on loans represents adjusted net interest income, which excludes PAA amortization on acquired loans divided by average interest-earning assets.

Loan Portfolio

The ending weighted average rate ("WAR") on the total loan portfolio was 5.26% at December 31, 2024, a 14 basis point decrease compared to the ending WAR of 5.40% on the total loan portfolio at September 30, 2024. The linked quarter decline in the WAR on the loan portfolio was primarily due to floating rate loans adjusting lower as a result of the Federal Reserve's rate cuts.

Outlined below are loan balances and WARs for the quarter ended as indicated.


	December 31, 2024				September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		WAR⁽¹⁾		Balance		WAR⁽¹⁾		Balance		WAR⁽¹⁾
Loans held for investment balances at period end:
Business loans ⁽²⁾	$	2,726,602	6.56	%	$	2,653,624	6.82	%	$	2,310,379	6.81	%
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment		952,195	4.72			934,209	4.65			889,236	4.47
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾		3,820,492	4.49			3,866,931	4.60			4,017,703	4.53
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate		3,231,398	5.13			3,281,923	5.25			3,381,842	5.19
Acquisition, development, and construction		136,172	7.95			149,299	8.46			168,513	8.71
Other loans		5,084	10.51			6,058	10.71			5,755	6.75
Loans held for investment	$	10,871,943	5.26	%	$	10,892,044	5.40	%	$	10,773,428	5.29	%

⁽¹⁾    WAR is calculated by aggregating interest based on the current loan rate from each loan in the category, adjusted for non-accrual loans, divided by the total balance of loans in the category.

⁽²⁾    Business loans include commercial and industrial loans and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.

⁽³⁾    Includes loans underlying multifamily cooperatives.

⁽⁴⁾    While the loans within this category are often considered "commercial real estate" in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

Outlined below are the loan originations, for the quarter ended as indicated.


(Dollars in millions)	Q4 2024		Q3 2024		Q4 2023
Loan originations	$	187.5	$	122.7	$	195.9

Deposits and Borrowed Funds

Period end total deposits (including mortgage escrow deposits) at December 31, 2024 were $11.69 billion, compared to $11.42 billion at September 30, 2024 and $10.53 billion at December 31, 2023.

Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances were $608.0 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $508.0 million at September 30, 2024 and $1.31 billion at December 31, 2023.

Mr. Lubow commented, "Over the course of 2024, we made significant progress in re-creating a core-deposit funded balance sheet. Strong growth in core business deposits allowed us to reduce our FHLB advance position by approximately $700 million on a year-over-year basis and our brokered deposit position by approximately $475 million on a year-over-year basis."

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was a loss of $33.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to income of $7.6 million during the third quarter of 2024, and income of $8.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 results included $42.8 million of pre-tax loss-on-sale of securities related to the re-positioning of the available-for-sale securities portfolio.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $60.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, $57.7 million during the third quarter of 2024, and $53.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding the impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt, amortization of other intangible assets, severance expense, settlement loss related to the termination of a legacy pension plan, and the FDIC special assessment, adjusted non-interest expense was $57.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, $57.4 million during the third quarter of 2024, and $52.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2023 (see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables at the end of this news release).

Mr. Lubow commented, "In line with our previous guidance, our adjusted non-interest expense base was relatively flat in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter."

The ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 1.76% during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.71% during the linked quarter and 1.58% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding the impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt, amortization of other intangible assets, severance expense, the FDIC special assessment and settlement loss related to the termination of a legacy pension plan, the ratio of adjusted non-interest expense to average assets was 1.68% during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.70% during the linked quarter and 1.54% for the fourth quarter of 2023 (see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables at the end of this news release).

The efficiency ratio was 105.9% during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 65.9% during the linked quarter and 65.0% during the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding the impact of net (gain) loss on sale of securities and other assets, fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale, severance expense, the FDIC special assessment, settlement loss related to the termination of a legacy pension plan, loss on extinguishment of debt and amortization of other intangible assets the adjusted efficiency ratio was 58.0% during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 65.6% during the linked quarter and 63.6% during the fourth quarter of 2023 (see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables at the end of this news release).

Income Tax Expense

The fourth quarter of 2024 income tax expense was $3.3 million, inclusive of $9.1 million of income tax expense related to the taxable gain and MEC Tax on the surrender of legacy BOLI assets. Excluding the tax impact of the BOLI surrender, the fourth quarter 2024 effective rate was a tax benefit of 33.5%. This compares to an effective tax rate of 26.9% for the third quarter of 2024, and 35.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Credit Quality

Non-performing loans were $49.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $49.5 million at September 30, 2024 and $29.1 million at December 31, 2023.

A credit loss provision of $13.7 million was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a credit loss provision of $11.6 million during the third quarter of 2024, and a credit loss provision of $3.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Capital Management

Stockholders' equity increased $170.3 million to $1.40 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.23 billion at December 31, 2023. The growth primarily reflects retained earnings and the $135.8 million in net proceeds raised in connection with the November 2024 common equity offering.

The Company's and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios continued to be in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements as of December 31, 2024. All risk-based regulatory capital ratios increased in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Mr. Lubow commented, "During the fourth quarter we raised $136 million of net proceeds from a common equity offering. Our capital ratios are now best-in-class when compared to other community and regional banks in our footprint with over $10 billion of assets."

Dividends per common share were $0.25 during the fourth and third quarters of 2024, respectively.

Book value per common share was $29.34 at December 31, 2024 compared to $29.31 at September 30, 2024.

Tangible common book value per share (which represents common equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by the number of shares outstanding) was $25.68 at December 31, 2024 compared to $25.22 at September 30, 2024 (see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables at the end of this news release).

Earnings Call Information

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, January 23, 2025, during which CEO Lubow will discuss the Company's fourth quarter 2024 financial performance, with a question-and-answer session to follow.

Participants may access the conference call via webcast using this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/sjcchcex. To participate via telephone, please register in advance using this link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIe30c4b35e36b49dfa2d4bdc94b8528b3. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a one-time confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. All participants are encouraged to dial-in 10 minutes prior to the start time.

A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on-demand for 12 months at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/sjcchcex.

ABOUT DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Dime Community Bank, a New York State-chartered trust company with over $14.4 billion in assets and the number one deposit market share among community banks on Greater Long Island ⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾ Aggregate deposit market share for Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties for community banks with less than $20 billion in assets.

This news release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements may be identified by use of words such as "annualized," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "likely," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could affect our results include, without limitation, the following: the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company's control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may affect demand for our products and reduce interest margins and the value of our investments; changes in deposit flows, the cost of funds, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect the business of the Company; changes in the quality and composition of the Company's loan or investment portfolios or unanticipated or significant increases in loan losses may negatively affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause the Company's financial condition to be perceived differently; changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws may adversely affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations; general socio-economic conditions, public health emergencies, international conflict, inflation, and recessionary pressures, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than the Company currently anticipates and may adversely affect our customers, our financial results and our operations; legislation or regulatory changes may adversely affect the Company's business; technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; there may be failures or breaches of information technology security systems; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; there may be difficulties or unanticipated expense incurred in the consummation of new business initiatives or the integration of any acquired entities; and litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than the Company anticipates. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and updates set forth in the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Contact: Avinash Reddy

Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

718-782-6200 extension 5909

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (In thousands)

	December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
	2024			2024			2023
Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	1,283,571		$	626,056		$	457,547
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		690,693			774,608			886,240
Securities held-to-maturity		637,339			592,414			594,639
Loans held for sale		22,625			13,098			10,159
Loans held for investment, net:
Business loans ⁽¹⁾		2,726,602			2,653,624			2,310,379
One-to-four family and cooperative/condominium apartment		952,195			934,209			889,236
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		3,820,492			3,866,931			4,017,703
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate		3,231,398			3,281,923			3,381,842
Acquisition, development and construction		136,172			149,299			168,513
Other loans		5,084			6,058			5,755
Allowance for credit losses		(88,751	)		(85,221	)		(71,743	)
Total loans held for investment, net		10,783,192			10,806,823			10,701,685
Premises and fixed assets, net		34,858			35,066			44,868
Premises held for sale		—			—			905
Restricted stock		69,106			64,235			98,750
BOLI		290,665			372,367			349,816
Goodwill		155,797			155,797			155,797
Other intangible assets		3,896			4,181			5,059
Operating lease assets		46,193			48,537			52,729
Derivative assets		116,496			105,636			122,132
Accrued interest receivable		55,970			54,578			55,666
Other assets		162,857			93,133			100,013
Total assets	$	14,353,258		$	13,746,529		$	13,636,005
Liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing checking (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)	$	3,355,829		$	3,231,160		$	2,884,378
Interest-bearing checking		1,079,823			938,070			515,987
Savings (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)		1,927,903			1,845,266			2,335,354
Money market		4,198,784			3,898,509			3,125,996
Certificates of deposit		1,069,081			1,416,467			1,607,683
Deposits (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)		11,631,420			11,329,472			10,469,398
Non-interest-bearing mortgage escrow deposits		54,715			87,841			61,121
Interest-bearing mortgage escrow deposits		6			5			136
Total mortgage escrow deposits		54,721			87,846			61,257
FHLBNY advances		608,000			508,000			1,313,000
Other short-term borrowings		50,000			—			—
Subordinated debt, net		272,325			272,300			200,196
Derivative cash collateral		112,420			68,960			108,100
Operating lease liabilities		48,993			51,362			55,454
Derivative liabilities		108,347			98,108			121,265
Other liabilities		70,515			66,552			81,110
Total liabilities		12,956,741			12,482,600			12,409,780
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, Series A		116,569			116,569			116,569
Common stock		461			416			416
Additional paid-in capital		624,822			488,607			494,454
Retained earnings		794,526			827,690			813,007
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCI"), net of deferred taxes		(45,018	)		(72,970	)		(91,579	)
Unearned equity awards		(7,640	)		(10,111	)		(8,622	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(87,203	)		(86,272	)		(98,020	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,396,517			1,263,929			1,226,225
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	14,353,258		$	13,746,529		$	13,636,005

⁽¹⁾ Business loans include commercial and industrial loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans and Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans.

⁽²⁾ Includes loans underlying multifamily cooperatives.

⁽³⁾ While the loans within this category are often considered "commercial real estate" in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are here reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,			September 30,		December 31,		December 31,			December 31,
	2024			2024		2023		2024			2023
Interest income:
Loans	$	148,000		$	151,828	$	144,744	$	590,492		$	554,488
Securities		10,010			7,766		7,918		33,563			32,179
Other short-term investments		7,473			4,645		6,094		26,094			22,693
Total interest income		165,483			164,239		158,756		650,149			609,360
Interest expense:
Deposits and escrow		64,773			74,025		66,650		284,745			219,045
Borrowed funds		8,542			8,764		15,617		41,036			66,472
Derivative cash collateral		1,070			1,526		2,368		6,314			7,272
Total interest expense		74,385			84,315		84,635		332,095			292,789
Net interest income		91,098			79,924		74,121		318,054			316,571
Provision for credit losses		13,715			11,603		3,720		36,113			2,770
Net interest income after provision		77,383			68,321		70,401		281,941			313,801
Non-interest income:
Service charges and other fees		3,942			4,267		3,804		16,725			16,437
Title fees		226			190		466		843			1,295
Loan level derivative income		491			132		728		2,114			7,081
BOLI income		2,825			2,606		2,416		10,376			9,748
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans		22			19		531		407			1,592
Gain on sale of residential loans		83			38		12		225			115
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale		15			39		321		(1,204	)		(758	)
Net loss on sale of securities		(42,810	)		—		—		(42,810	)		(1,447	)
Gain (loss) on sale of other assets		554			2		—		7,219			(22	)
Other		791			338		594		2,150			2,165
Total non-interest (loss) income		(33,861	)		7,631		8,872		(3,955	)		36,206
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		35,761			36,132		30,383		136,114			117,437
Severance		1,254			—		25		1,296			9,093
Occupancy and equipment		7,569			7,448		7,261		29,794			29,055
Data processing costs		4,483			4,544		3,730		17,745			16,474
Marketing		1,897			1,629		1,765		6,660			6,781
Professional services		2,345			2,036		1,279		8,614			6,155
Federal deposit insurance premiums ⁽¹⁾		2,116			2,105		3,240		8,710			8,853
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			1		—		454			—
Loss due to pension settlement		1,215			—		—		1,215			—
Amortization of other intangible assets		285			286		350		1,163			1,425
Other		3,688			3,548		5,911		14,782			17,855
Total non-interest expense		60,613			57,729		53,944		226,547			213,128
(Loss) income before taxes		(17,091	)		18,223		25,329		51,439			136,879
Income tax expense ⁽²⁾		3,322			4,896		9,021		22,355			40,785
Net (loss) income		(20,413	)		13,327		16,308		29,084			96,094
Preferred stock dividends		1,821			1,822		1,821		7,286			7,286
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	(22,234	)	$	11,505	$	14,487	$	21,798		$	88,808
Earnings per common share ("EPS"):
Basic	$	(0.54	)	$	0.29	$	0.37	$	0.55		$	2.29
Diluted	$	(0.54	)	$	0.29	$	0.37	$	0.55		$	2.29

Average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS		40,767,161			38,366,619		38,216,476		38,933,054			38,187,477

⁽¹⁾ Fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023 included $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of pre-tax expense related to the FDIC special assessment for the recovery of losses related to the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

⁽²⁾ Fourth quarter of 2024 includes $9.1 million of income tax expense related to the taxable gain and MEC Tax on the surrender of legacy BOLI assets.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

	At or For the Three Months Ended										At or For the Year Ended
	December 31,				September 30,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
	2024				2024			2023			2024			2023
Per Share Data:
Reported EPS (Diluted)	$	(0.54	)		$	0.29		$	0.37		$	0.55		$	2.29
Cash dividends paid per common share		0.25				0.25			0.25			1.00			0.99
Book value per common share		29.34				29.31			28.58			29.34			28.58
Tangible common book value per share ⁽¹⁾		25.68				25.22			24.44			25.68			24.44
Common shares outstanding		43,622				39,152			38,823			43,622			38,823
Dividend payout ratio		(46.30	)	%		86.21	%		67.57	%		181.82	%		43.23	%

Performance Ratios (Based upon Reported Net Income):
Return on average assets		(0.59	)	%		0.39	%		0.48	%		0.21	%		0.71	%
Return on average equity		(6.02	)			4.19			5.32			2.27			7.91
Return on average tangible common equity ⁽¹⁾		(8.16	)			4.70			6.20			2.24			9.59
Net interest margin		2.79				2.50			2.29			2.48			2.46
Non-interest expense to average assets		1.76				1.71			1.58			1.66			1.56
Efficiency ratio		105.9				65.9			65.0			72.1			60.4
Effective tax rate		(19.44	)			26.87			35.62			43.46			29.80

Balance Sheet Data:
Average assets	$	13,759,002			$	13,502,753		$	13,630,096		$	13,618,789		$	13,625,215
Average interest-earning assets		12,974,958				12,734,246			12,828,060			12,837,416			12,847,238
Average tangible common equity ⁽¹⁾		1,080,177				996,578			948,024			1,006,390			936,840
Loan-to-deposit ratio at end of period⁽²⁾		93.0				95.4			102.3			93.0			102.3

Capital Ratios and Reserves - Consolidated: ⁽³⁾
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		7.89		%		7.27	%		7.04	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		8.71				8.13			7.91
Tier 1 common equity ratio		11.07				10.16			9.84
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		12.17				11.28			10.94
Total risk-based capital ratio		15.65				14.76			13.54
Tier 1 leverage ratio		9.39				8.76			8.51
Consolidated CRE concentration ratio ⁽⁴⁾		447				487			538
Allowance for credit losses/ Total loans		0.82				0.78			0.67
Allowance for credit losses/ Non-performing loans		179.37				172.29			246.55

⁽¹⁾    See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" tables for reconciliation of tangible equity, tangible common equity, and tangible assets.

⁽²⁾    Total deposits include mortgage escrow deposits, which fluctuate seasonally.

⁽³⁾ December 31, 2024 ratios are preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company's regulatory reports.

⁽⁴⁾   The Consolidated CRE concentration ratio is calculated using the sum of commercial real estate, excluding owner-occupied commercial real estate, multifamily, and acquisition, development, and construction, divided by consolidated capital. The December 31, 2024 ratio is preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company's regulatory reports.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST INCOME (Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024						September 30, 2024						December 31, 2023
					Average						Average						Average
	Average				Yield/		Average				Yield/		Average				Yield/
	Balance		Interest		Cost		Balance		Interest		Cost		Balance		Interest		Cost
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Business loans ⁽¹⁾	$	2,681,953	$	46,791	6.94	%	$	2,609,934	$	46,656	7.11	%	$	2,264,401	$	38,740	6.79	%
One-to-four family residential, including condo and coop		943,319		11,061	4.66			924,150		11,024	4.75			893,008		9,706	4.31
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		3,848,579		44,152	4.56			3,902,220		45,790	4.67			4,070,327		46,715	4.55
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate		3,265,906		42,865	5.22			3,297,760		44,804	5.40			3,376,581		45,037	5.29
Acquisition, development, and construction		139,440		3,101	8.85			147,875		3,505	9.43			188,022		4,459	9.41
Other loans		4,781		30	2.50			4,891		49	3.99			5,837		87	5.91
Securities		1,455,449		10,010	2.74			1,493,492		7,766	2.07			1,599,724		7,918	1.96
Other short-term investments		635,531		7,473	4.68			353,924		4,645	5.22			430,160		6,094	5.62
Total interest-earning assets		12,974,958		165,483	5.07	%		12,734,246		164,239	5.13	%		12,828,060		158,756	4.91	%
Non-interest-earning assets		784,044						768,507						802,036
Total assets	$	13,759,002					$	13,502,753					$	13,630,096

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking ⁽²⁾	$	912,645	$	5,115	2.23	%	$	798,024	$	4,635	2.31	%	$	524,573	$	1,063	0.80	%
Money market		3,968,793		33,695	3.38			3,771,562		36,841	3.89			3,136,891		27,541	3.48
Savings ⁽²⁾		1,905,866		14,828	3.10			2,102,282		19,492	3.69			2,295,882		20,979	3.63
Certificates of deposit		1,126,859		11,135	3.93			1,232,984		13,057	4.21			1,564,817		17,067	4.33
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,914,163		64,773	3.26			7,904,852		74,025	3.73			7,522,163		66,650	3.52
FHLBNY advances		509,630		4,241	3.31			528,652		4,455	3.35			1,174,848		13,064	4.41
Subordinated debt, net		272,311		4,301	6.28			271,450		4,307	6.31			200,210		2,553	5.06
Other short-term borrowings		543		—	—			131		2	6.07			—		—	—
Total borrowings		782,484		8,542	4.34			800,233		8,764	4.36			1,375,058		15,617	4.51
Derivative cash collateral		99,560		1,070	4.28			91,305		1,526	6.65			161,535		2,368	5.82
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,796,207		74,385	3.36	%		8,796,390		84,315	3.81	%		9,058,756		84,635	3.71	%
Non-interest-bearing checking ⁽²⁾		3,396,457						3,209,502						3,059,289
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		209,712						223,546						286,373
Total liabilities		12,402,376						12,229,438						12,404,418
Stockholders' equity		1,356,626						1,273,315						1,225,678
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	13,759,002					$	13,502,753					$	13,630,096
Net interest income			$	91,098					$	79,924					$	74,121
Net interest rate spread					1.71	%					1.32	%					1.20	%
Net interest margin					2.79	%					2.50	%					2.29	%
Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts) ⁽²⁾	$	11,310,620	$	64,773	2.28	%	$	11,114,354	$	74,025	2.65	%	$	10,581,452	$	66,650	2.50	%

⁽¹⁾ Business loans include commercial and industrial loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans and PPP loans.

⁽²⁾ Includes mortgage escrow deposits.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED SCHEDULE OF NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (Dollars in thousands)

	At or For the Three Months Ended
	December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
Asset Quality Detail	2024			2024			2023
Non-performing loans ("NPLs")
Business loans⁽¹⁾	$	22,624		$	25,411		$	18,574
One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment		3,213			3,880			3,248
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use		—			—			—
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate		22,960			19,509			6,620
Acquisition, development, and construction		657			657			657
Other loans		25			6			—
Total Non-accrual loans	$	49,479		$	49,463		$	29,099
Total Non-performing assets ("NPAs")	$	49,479		$	49,463		$	29,099

Total loans 90 days delinquent and accruing ("90+ Delinquent")	$	—		$	—		$	—

NPAs and 90+ Delinquent	$	49,479		$	49,463		$	29,099

NPAs and 90+ Delinquent / Total assets		0.34	%		0.36	%		0.21	%
Net charge-offs ("NCOs")	$	10,611		$	4,199		$	4,555
NCOs / Average loans ⁽²⁾		0.39	%		0.15	%		0.17	%

⁽¹⁾ Business loans include commercial and industrial loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans and PPP loans.

⁽²⁾ Calculated based on annualized NCOs to average loans, excluding loans held for sale.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

The following tables below provide a reconciliation of certain financial measures calculated under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (as reported) and non-GAAP measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company's management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with a greater understanding of the Company's operating results in addition to the results measured in accordance with GAAP. While management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance, this information should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP or considered to be more important than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude pre-tax income and expenses associated with the fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale, net loss (gain) on sale of securities and other assets, severance, the FDIC special assessment, loss on extinguishment of debt and loss due to pension settlement. The non-GAAP financial measures also include taxes related to the surrender of BOLI assets.


	Three Months Ended												Year Ended
	December 31,				September 30,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
	2024				2024				2023				2024				2023
Reconciliation of Reported and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Net (Loss) Income Available to Common Stockholders
Reported net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	(22,234	)		$	11,505			$	14,487			$	21,798			$	88,808
Adjustments to net income ^(1):
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale		(15	)			(39	)			(321	)			1,204				758
Net loss (gain) on sale of securities and other assets		42,256				(2	)			—				35,591				1,469
Severance		1,254				—				25				1,296				9,093
FDIC special assessment		126				—				999				126				999
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				1				—				454				—
Loss due to pension settlement		1,215				—				—				1,215				—
Income tax effect of adjustments noted above ⁽¹⁾		(14,258	)			13				(208	)			(12,684	)			(1,193	)
BOLI tax adjustment^(2):		9,073				—				—				9,073				—
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)	$	17,417			$	11,478			$	14,982			$	58,073			$	99,934

Adjusted Ratios (Based upon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Net (Loss) Income as calculated above)
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)	$	0.42			$	0.29			$	0.39			$	1.46			$	2.58
Adjusted return on average assets		0.56		%		0.39		%		0.49		%		0.48		%		0.79		%
Adjusted return on average equity		5.67				4.18				5.48				5.09				8.82
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity		6.52				4.69				6.41				5.85				10.77
Adjusted non-interest expense to average assets		1.68				1.70				1.54				1.63				1.48
Adjusted efficiency ratio		58.0				65.6				63.6				63.4				56.8

⁽¹⁾ Adjustments to net (loss) income are taxed at the Company's approximate statutory tax rate.

⁽²⁾ Reflects income tax expense related to the taxable gain and MEC Tax on the surrender of legacy BOLI assets.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating expense as a percentage of average assets (as reported) and adjusted operating expense as a percentage of average assets (non-GAAP):


	Three Months Ended										Year Ended
	December 31,				September 30,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
	2024				2024			2023			2024			2023
Operating expense as a % of average assets - as reported		1.76		%	1.71		%	1.58		%	1.66		%	1.56		%
Severance		(0.04	)		—			—			(0.01	)		(0.06	)
FDIC special assessment		—			—			(0.03	)		—			(0.01	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			—			—
Loss due to pension settlement		(0.04	)		—			—			(0.01	)		—
Amortization of other intangible assets		—			(0.01	)		(0.01	)		(0.01	)		(0.01	)
Adjusted operating expense as a % of average assets (non-GAAP)		1.68		%	1.70		%	1.54		%	1.63		%	1.48		%

The following table presents a reconciliation of efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) and adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP):


	Three Months Ended												Year Ended
	December 31,				September 30,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
	2024				2024				2023				2024				2023
Efficiency ratio - as reported (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		105.9		%		65.9		%		65.0		%		72.1		%		60.4		%
Non-interest expense - as reported	$	60,613			$	57,729			$	53,944			$	226,547			$	213,128
Severance		(1,254	)			—				(25	)			(1,296	)			(9,093	)
FDIC special assessment		(126	)			—				(999	)			(126	)			(999	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				(1	)			—				(454	)			—
Loss due to pension settlement		(1,215	)			—				—				(1,215	)			—
Amortization of other intangible assets		(285	)			(286	)			(350	)			(1,163	)			(1,425	)
Adjusted non-interest expense (non-GAAP)	$	57,733			$	57,442			$	52,570			$	222,293			$	201,611
Net interest income - as reported	$	91,098			$	79,924			$	74,121			$	318,054			$	316,571
Non-interest (loss) income - as reported	$	(33,861	)		$	7,631			$	8,872			$	(3,955	)		$	36,206
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale		(15	)			(39	)			(321	)			1,204				758
Net loss (gain) on sale of securities and other assets		42,256				(2	)			—				35,591				1,469
Adjusted non-interest income (non-GAAP)	$	8,380			$	7,590			$	8,551			$	32,840			$	38,433
Adjusted total revenues for adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)	$	99,478			$	87,514			$	82,672			$	350,894			$	355,004
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)⁽²⁾		58.0		%		65.6		%		63.6		%		63.4		%		56.8		%

⁽¹⁾The reported efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing GAAP non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and GAAP non-interest income.

⁽²⁾The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing adjusted non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and adjusted non-interest income.

The following table presents the tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible equity to tangible assets, and tangible common book value per share calculations (non-GAAP):


	December 31,				September 30,				December 31,
	2024				2024				2023
Reconciliation of Tangible Assets:
Total assets	$	14,353,258			$	13,746,529			$	13,636,005
Goodwill		(155,797	)			(155,797	)			(155,797	)
Other intangible assets		(3,896	)			(4,181	)			(5,059	)
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)	$	14,193,565			$	13,586,551			$	13,475,149

Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity - Consolidated:
Total stockholders' equity	$	1,396,517			$	1,263,929			$	1,226,225
Goodwill		(155,797	)			(155,797	)			(155,797	)
Other intangible assets		(3,896	)			(4,181	)			(5,059	)
Tangible equity (non-GAAP)		1,236,824				1,103,951				1,065,369
Preferred stock, net		(116,569	)			(116,569	)			(116,569	)
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)	$	1,120,255			$	987,382			$	948,800

Common shares outstanding		43,622				39,152				38,823

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)		7.89		%		7.27		%		7.04		%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)		8.71				8.13				7.91

Book value per common share	$	29.34			$	29.31			$	28.58
Tangible common book value per share (non-GAAP)		25.68				25.22				24.44

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results